Immense, rugged, colorful, vibrant and mystic. No one word or idea can symbolize a land so diverse in geography, culture and history. Peru is the destination for adventure. Whether viewing a condor fly over the shores of Lake Titicaca, the sun rising above the deepest canyon in the world, live salsa music in Lima, wheat swaying in the shadow of the mighty Andes, or a rainbow forming above the ruins at Machu Picchu, Peru will take your breath away.

The contrasts of Peru permeate every part of the country. Despite its beauty, there is a large discrepancy among socioeconomic classes and wide differences in standards of living throughout the country. There is need for help and aid in the wake of a divisive colonial legacy, natural disasters and decades of uneven development. Walking Tree invites you spend a portion of your summer with us in Peru, exploring and sharing in meaningful service and unforgettable adventure.

Peru Immersion Program, 31 Days

June 28-July 28, 2009

Tuition: $5850

Students will explore some of Peru’s greatest sites such as Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and the world’s deepest canyons, but the majority of the program will see students living in a small community in the Sacred Valley with local families and working on service projects.

Lima

Our adventure begins when we land in the capitol city of Lima. A large, vibrant metropolis, Lima has everything from glitzy seaside resorts to decrepit shantytowns. During our first full day, the group will take Latin dance lessons and a walking tour of central Lima. We will gather at the top of Cerro San Cristobal to see the city unfold in front of us and talk about the differences in wealth and prosperity among Limenos, as the residents are called. On our second day in the city, the group will visit CIMA, a home for abandoned youth where the residents work in small vocational workshops after school hours. Our students will work with the local youth making friends and lending a hand.

Arequipa and the Colca Canyon

From Lima, our group will fly south to Arequipa, one of the most beautiful cities in the country. Surrounded by three stunning volcanoes and constructed almost entirely of a brilliant white volcanic stone, Arequipa is simply enchanting. We will spend a day here, touring the impressive city center and colonial neighborhoods that date to hundreds of years ago, visit a must-see museum dedicated to a recently discovered Incan mummy and admire towering cathedrals. The following day we will take an overnight trip to visit Colca Canyon, the world’s deepest. The group will spend time hiking and taking pictures of the enormous Andean Condor that sore above the unending depth of the canyon.

Lake Titicaca

From one extreme to another, we will travel to the world’s highest navigable lake that forms the border between Peru and Bolivia. Students will travel across the Peruvian Altiplano, or high plains, to reach the shores of the lake. We will visit the famous floating islands of the Uros tribe before arriving at Taquile, a well-preserved island where students will spend the night with a local family.

Cusco, Ollantaytambo and the Sacred Valley

We will spend the majority of the next two weeks living in Ollantaytambo, the best preserved Incan city in the heart of the Sacred Valley. Students will live with local families, and will spend their days working with the community on a variety of service projects to be determined in conjunction with the community’s needs. We will also take a few days to explore local markets, mountain bike around Incan ruins and enjoy the valley’s beauty. At the end of our time in the Sacred Valley, we will spend a couple nights in the ancient Incan capitol of Cusco, touring the city and marveling at the history of the region.

Machu Picchu

One of the seven manmade wonders of the world, the name Machu Picchu conjures images of misty peaks and impossible ingenuity. We will take a guided two-day hike through cloud forests, along the banks of the Urabamba River and up to this mountain citadel, a route far less traveled than the traditional Incan Trail. Once among the ruins, we will learn about the history and importance of Machu Pichu and climb to the top of Wayna Picchu, for a time of silent reflection as our program nears its end. We will travel back to Lima from Cusco and prepare for reentry to the United States.