Date

Activities

Student Responsibility

Mar. 19, 2008

• GIE Students’ Pre-Experience Journal Assignment:
  · Define how previously taken GIE courses have prepared you for the upcoming international experience. Determine the common thread and concepts that will enhance the experience.

April 2, 2008

· Deposits due ($200), payable to ProWorld

April 12, 2008

• Pre-Departure Orientation Part II

• Fact Sheets Due

May 23, 2008

• Submit travel and health details to each participant

June 15, 2008

Official Start of Program

Service Learning Project with ProWorld Service Corps

Weeks I - III
(June 22 –  July 14)

Sunday (22nd) Day 1 USA - Lima
Having made one’s own international travel arrangements, participants will arrive on June 22nd and be met at the airport by ProPeru staff for overnight in a hotel in Miraflores and transfer back to the airport early in the morning.

Monday (23rd) Day 2 Lima – Cuzco
Participants will be met and transferred to the Lima airport departing at 8:30 a.m. arriving Cuzco at 9:45 a.m. Staff will meet and transfer participants to the hotel in San Blas. A brief health and safety orientation led by ProPeru staff will be provided and the remainder of the day will be to acclimate to the 11,300 ft. altitude in the Inca capital of Cuzco. The afternoon and evening is free to enjoy the parades and dances of Inti Raymi in the Plaza de Armas. (B/L/D)

Tuesday (24th) Day 3 - Cuzco
Free morning in Cusco followed by Inti Raymi, the festival of the sun in Cuzco honoring the winter solstice Historically, the Incas gathered to plead for the return of the sun god, Wiracocha. Celebrants fasted for days before the event and presented gifts to the Inca king, who in return put on a lavish feast for his subjects, followed by llama sacrifices to ensure good crops and fertile fields. Today the Sapa Inca is carried on a golden throne from Santo Domingo church in a procession of over 400,000 people through the flower strewn streets of Cuzco to the ancient fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Blessings, llama sacrifices, actors and dancers re-enacting the ancient legends follow and as the sun sets huge stacks of straw are set alight for the celebrants to dance around. Once back in Cuzco, participants can enjoy a long street fair with expositions, dancing, religious processions and free evening concerts in the Plaza des Armas- featuring the best of Peruvian music. Evening show of La Danza Folklorica-traditional Andean dancing. (B/L/D)

Wednesday (25th) Day 4 Cuzco - Arch & Colonial City Tour & Sacsayhauman Park - Cuzco
In the afternoon (1:30 p.m.) participants will be met by private guide & bus for a tour to the major Inca archaeological sites of Cuzco - Inca Palace of Q’oricancha where it is said the walls were sheeted in gold and could be seen for miles away on a sunny day. It is as well noted that the Solar garden was filled with life sized golden replicas of sculptured men, women children, animals, plants & insects. All in the name and homage to their God of the Sun. Afterwards continue to Sacsayhauman Park, where it is said the Inca would "parade their captured tribal leaders" from the north and south of their conquered lands into the massive complex of architectural stone work. On viewing the site, the leaders were said to concede their power to the Inca just from the site of the massive strength & craftsmanship of the Sacsayhauman site. Later continue to the Royal Inca baths of Tambo Machay, the "Red Fort" Pucapucara & the Amphitheater of Kenko. Early evening return to Cuzco and overnight at hotel. (5:45 - 6:15 p.m.) (B/L/D)

Thursday (26th) Day 5 Cuzco – Pisac - Ollantaytambo
Staff will meet and transfer participants in the morning ( 8:45 -9:00 a.m.) by private guide & bus into the Sacred Valley of the Inca passing by the Inca terraced farm land and through many small the communities until reaching the popular market town of Pisac and the Archaeological site that sits high above the Indian Market town. Here some of the Incas finest structures are viewed, even that compared to Machu Picchu. There is an Intihuantana group of temple structures, Reloj Solar or "Hitching Post of the Sun." Also view the "military area" known as Q’Allaqasa and Kanchiracay where the land workers were housed. Here some of the Incas finest structures are viewed even that compared to Machu Picchu. The view of the surrounding valley is so incredible that on clear day it seems you can see to the edge of the earth. Afterwards proceed to the Ancient Pisac Market for the annual show where many of the local Indians sell & barter their hand made textiles, home grown fruits & vegetables. After an hour & half of mingling with the locals you will proceed further into the Sacred Valley to a local hacienda restaurant for typical Peruvian style lunch. After a relaxing time here you will continue again passing small towns until you arrive at Ollantaytambo to visit what is considered to be one of the last Inca strongholds and it is known the Inca fought some of their strongest battles against the tyrant Spaniards. There are also several silo type structures that was used to hold much of the Inca peoples food and a large amount of agricultural terracing where the crops were grown. Remain in the Sacred Valley and transfer to the Hotel Sauce. (4:00 p.m.) Overnight at Hotel Pacacuchic in the Sacred Valley. (B/L/D)

Friday (27th) Day 6 - Ollantaytambo - Machu Picchu
Participants will take the Ollanta morning train departing at (8:00a.m.) Here you will transfer by auto wagon train winding into the Andean Mountains passing through several small villages where the local Indian farmers manage their farms and reside just as they have for hundreds of years. After a long but scenic ride (1½ hours) you arrive into the final stop at Aguas Calientes. Here the temperatures will have changed to that of tropical and an abundance of plants typical for this region of the Amazon basin can be appreciated. Here you will board a tourist bus & proceed up an incredible winding road that leads to the fabled site of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival (10:15 a.m.) a professional guide will explain the history & the myths that surround this archaeological wonder. Thousands of people from around the world frequent this magnificent ancient site to pay homage and grasp the spectacular views of Machu Picchu’s 8’300 ft. plateau that reaches into the clouds and heavens above. Afterwards, proceed to the base of Machu Picchu and the town of Aguas Calientes where lunch will be served at a local restaurant (2:30 p.m.) Free afternoon and overnight in hotel in Aguas Calientes. (B/L/D)

Saturday (28th) Day 7 – Machu Picchu-Urubamba
Free morning in Aguas Calientes with the option for those who choose, to return to Machu Picchu. Lunch will be served in Aguas Calientes (1:00-1:30) before proceeding to the train station to board the 3:00pm Vistadome Later proceed to the train station to board the (3:00 p.m.) Vistadome train for return to the Sacred Valley. Participants will be met at the train station in Ollantaytambo for transfer to Urubamba. Overnight at hotel. (B/L/D)

Sunday(June 29th- Morning of July 15th) Conservation activities with ProPerú
Hotel in Urubamba.

The Condor Lodge Conservatory: Ecotourism/Andean Condor Conservation Service-Learning

Week IV
(July 15 -   July 22)

Return to U.S.

Date

Activities

Student Responsibility

Weeks V-VI
(July 24-
July 31)

Week VII
(Aug 1 -
Aug 8)

Week VIII
(Aug 9 -
Aug 16)

Week IX
(Aug 17 -
Aug 24)

Week X
(Aug 25)