The Country Day School Expedition 2019

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1 The Country Day School Expedition 2019 Itinerary Overview Southern Peru 16 Days Day 1 Depart Home & Arrive in Lima. Feel the anticipation build as you approach the capital of Peru and the fifth largest city in Latin America. After a long flight you have finally touched down in South America, and your adventure starts here! You will arrive in Lima and will be met by pre-booked transport which will take you to your pre-booked accommodation in Miraflores. Having settled in at your hostel you should get orientated, contact the World Challenge In-Country Agent and get some rest in preparation for the exertions of the next few days and weeks. Day2 You may have time to explore the leafy upscale district of Miraflores which is known for its parks and beaches and marks your introduction to the many different faces of Peru. You may decide to do some of your admin tasks today instead of tomorrow, in order to spend more time to explore and enjoy some of Lima's sights & sounds. Orientation in Lima. Today you should get orientated, contact the World Challenge In-Country Agent and get some rest in preparation for the exertions of the next few days and weeks. You may have time to explore the leafy upscale district of Miraflores which is known for its parks and beaches and marks your introduction to the many different faces of Peru. Other admin tasks for today include changing some money with Lac Dollar (they will come to your hostel), buying a local mobile phone and visiting the office of Fertur Travel to collect any bus or internal flight tickets. This will also be your first opportunity to try some local cuisine. Use your time wisely and plan ahead as you have some long journeys ahead of you. Day 3 Fly from Lima to Cusco. Today you will take your pre-booked internal flight to Cusco, the heart of the ancient Inca Empire. You should organise your transportation back to the airport and remember to check that the schedule hasn't changed. On arrival in Cusco, take it easy as you adjust to the altitude, find suitable accommodation and investigate the trekking options for your acclimatisation phase.

2 Days 4-6 Cusco Community Engagement Phase. The expedition project will offer a unique opportunity to fully engage with community - passionate local people and organisations - seeking to make a positive impact. As valued guests of a host community you will undertake a task-specific project that will contribute towards the ongoing needs of local communities or other environmental priorities. You will need to listen in order to gain a better understanding of the local challenges and work hard to achieve the best outcomes possible. teaching English. So get creative! There may be opportunities to spend time with local children and the wider community, which you can maximise by organising fun, active and educational activities such as Many communities in the Cusco region actually are Quechua speaking and Spanish is their second language. Therefore, it is especially important to make an effort to learn some Spanish before you arrive at the project site - the community will most likely be isolated and the local people may not speak any English. If you already study Spanish at school, you may like to read the local news in Spanish or listen to Peruvian radio. You can find a lot of resources online, including a World Challenge Spanish programme on your personal My World Challenge webpage. In the past some World Challenge teams have worked in coordination with Centro Bartolome de las Casas's Community Project scheme, where they aim to help local communities in the region where they operate. While we have provided all the ingredients - you should be prepared to get creative and use your initiative to make this phase a great success. Ask questions, be inquisitive and be the instigators of the change you want to see. We hope this will inspire the next generation of leaders to take action for a better world.

3 Days 7 & 8 Acclimatisation Treks in Cusco. Voted a UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Cusco was the capital of the mighty Inca empire and, as such, there are many fascinating sites to visit in the surrounding area. Some of these provide excellent opportunities for acclimatisation trekking and your team can choose from a number of testing day walks. These walks will help you to acclimatise to your surroundings whilst absorbing the culture and history of the Sacred Valley. One possible option is to trek from Cusco's main square to the spectacular Inca ruins at Sacsayhuaman, perched at the top of the valley and which offers wonderful views of the sprawling city below. Alternatively, take the bus to Pisac (approx 2 hours) then trek to the ancient ruins and colourful local market. Choose wisely as this phase is vital in helping you to prepare properly for your main trekking phase. Remember, at 3300m Cusco is at altitude and the sun can be very strong during the day so ensure that your are well protected and take things easy whilst you acclimatise. Days 9-12 Main Trek: Lares. This 4 day trek will take you off the beaten path in the area around Lares in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and through communities where the traditional way of life still thrives. Along the way there are Inca trails and ruins to see and explore. During the trek you will encounter glacial lakes and local flora and fauna, including several Andean bird species. Your trekking phase begins with an hour journey from Cusco to Huaran which will be provided as part of the trek package provided by Wayki Trek. The trek itself starts with a gentle climb away from the Sacred Valley and follows the general path of the Cancha Cancha river. You will be surrounded by spectacular vistas of snow-capped peaks as you ascend to an altitude of 4458m. Your guide is extremely knowledgeable about the local area so this is a great opportunity to learn about the history, geography, flora and fauna of the area in which you are trekking. You will be camping each night but will have porters or mules to help carry some of your kit. As you near the end of the trek you will pass small farms and adobe houses before reaching the village of Lares, where private transport will be waiting to take you to Ollantaytambo.

4 Day 13 Rest & Relaxation in Machu Picchu. For many, a visit to Machu Picchu is the highlight of their trip to Peru. Photos cannot do justice to these incredible Inca city ruins, and you are sure to be awestruck by the spectacular setting and mind-boggling historical and archaeological significance of the site. Machu Picchu was built around 1450, at the height of the Inca Empire. It was abandoned just over 100 years later, in 1572, as a belated result of the Spanish Conquest. Declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary in 1981 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, Machu Picchu has since been voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide Internet poll. To get to Machu Picchu, take one of the frequent buses from Aguas Calientes and spend a few hours exploring the ruins. Later today, return to Aguas Calientes in plenty of time to catch your pre-booked train back to Ollantaytambo and then the bus to Cusco (be sure to pre-book your transport back to Cusco). You may also have time to explore this charming town, wander around the local markets or even go for a dip in the hot springs before you board the train! Day 14 Rest & Relaxation in Cusco City. Once the capital of the Inca empire and now the continent's oldest continuously inhabited city, you have the opportunity to experience Cusco's culture, markets, festivals and colonial buildings. Cusco is a busy, vibrant place and the area offers plenty for you to explore. Whether you choose to wander through the narrow cobbled streets, visit colourful shops and markets or admire the Cathedral of Santo Domingo, there are lots of options to inspire you. You could take a walk around the steep streets of San Blas, a lovely area of Cusco with a laid-back, bohemian feel that draws many travellers, or visit the famous Sunday market in Pisac for some time out and buy souvenirs to take home. You could finish off by enjoying a team meal at one of the city's many eateries.

5 Day 15 Fly from Cusco to Lima. These morning flights have been prebooked but may be subject to schedule changes. Upon arrival back in Lima after settling in your hostel, you may have time to do some last minute shopping and sight-seeing, or head to the Mercado del Indios to purchase some handicrafts and souvenirs. Alternatively, the team may choose to do a tour of Lima Historic Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.This can be arranged by Fertur Travel. You might also like to organise a special dinner to celebrate all you have achieved during your expedition. Day 16 Depart Lima. Time to go. Cram everything back into your backpack and set off for the airport. Check-in, sit back and reflect. You ve just experienced something incredible. You ll be bursting with stories and cherished moments to share with your favourite people back home we d love to hear them Please remember embarking on an expedition with World Challenge is not without risk. There are a number of factors to be aware of including variation in climate, the intensity and nature of the planned activities, health, personal safety, and security all of which may differ from what participants are used to. Our expeditions are not holidays, and the level of challenge should not be underestimated. The nature of travelling in the developing world is such that things don t always go according to plan and it s really important for each team to enter into their expedition expecting that things may need to change. During your itinerary you may have the opportunity to take part in approved Rest and Relaxation activities. These approved activities must be completed in accordance with World Challenge risk assessments and, unless otherwise specified in your expedition paperwork, may come at your own expense. Do not hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any questions or concerns about the nature of the expedition. World Challenge Expeditions Main Office: 8 Essex Center Drive, Peabody, MA Ontario Office: 3280 Bloor St. West, Suite 901, Etobicoke, ON M8X 2X3 (TICO # ) T: E:info@wcexpeditions.com