Day 1: Departure from Rochester to Peru.
Overnight flight.
Day 2: Arrival in Peru and transfer flight to Iquitos.
- Bus from Iquitos to Nauta, and then a brief boat ride to Tambo Minga Training Center where the group will stay for their time in the Amazon.
- Orientation at Minga and time to explore the tambo with welcome reception from women and youth leaders of the surrounding Amazon communities.
- Traditional Amazonian lunch (river fish, seasonal fruits, etc.)
- Initial presentations from women and youth from Minga's partner communities on life in the Amazon as well as an overview of Minga's programs, including health and business development trainings, fish farms, vegetable farms, and other income-generating projects that nourish and reforest the Amazon.
- Free time and dinner at Tambo Minga
Overnight at Tambo Minga at rustic Amazon lodge similar to how the local population lives.
Day 3: Kukama Community Visits in the Amazon
- Breakfast at Tambo
- Travel by boat to the Kukama community of Amazonas on the River Maranon. Tour of community and presentations introducing their way of life and work, including their farms, traditional fishing, etc.
- Visit an agroforestry farm, fish farm, and radio cabin from which is broadcast Minga's radio program "Bienvenida Salud"
- Lunch with local families
- Afternoon workshop to learn how to make artisanal handicrafts such as jewelry, fans, and baskets and an opportunity to shop at their artisanal fair
- Group can play soccer, volleyball, learn traditional dancing or other games with the young people in the community in the afternoon.
- Return to El Tambo for dinner and for group reflection around the fire.
Overnight at Tambo Minga.
Day 4: Puerto Prado Community Visit
- Morning presentation from Pascual Aquituari, a professor of Kukama in Iquitos about the Kukama culture, language, history, rituals, traditional medicine, and dance.
- Group will learn how to make juanes, a traditional Amazonian food made with rice, yuca, fish, and leaves, and have lunch with the women and youth.
- Afternoon visit to the Puerto Prado community (20 minute boat ride)
- Hike through the jungle to Puerto Prado's conservation area with local guide to learn about local plants and how the community is working to nourish and reforest the jungle.
- Ceremony with a shaman or healer to learn about medicinal plants that cleanse the body and spirit.
- Return to El Tambo for dinner and relaxation in late afternoon
Overnight at Tambo Minga.
Day 5: Visit of Nauta City and Community of the Amazonas
- Travel to the city of Nauta by boat to visit the local market. Group will learn how the city market functions and can buy local goods.
- Visit to Lake Sapi Sapi to see the local fauna and tour the city by motocar to learn about the different forms of urban establishments.
- Lunch in Nauta at a local restaurant
- Travel by boat from Nauta to the Community of the Amazonas
- Group will tour through a ravine (a narrow offshoot of the river) to learn to use traditional wooden canoes (wearing life jackets)
- Group will learn how to use a "Tarrafa" (a circular net used for fishing) and will make juice from sugar cane or pilar arroz.
- Return back to El Tambo for dinner
Overnight at Tambo Minga.
Day 6: Travel from Amazon to Lima
- Breakfast at Tambo Minga and departure from Amazon.
- Short flight from Iquitos to Lima.
- Arrival in Lima and check into accommodations.
- Welcome dinner hosted by UPC and time to relax in evening.
Overnight at hotel in Lima.
Day 7: Introduction to Lima and UPC.
- Breakfast at hotel and transfer by bus to UPC campus.
- Visit Monterrico Campus for academic workshop on sustainability in Peru
- Transport back to hotel for dinner. Free time in the evening.
Overnight at hotel in Lima.
Day 8: Tour of Lima focused on renewable energies
- Full day tour of Lima with various site visits and academic workshops related to renewable energies in Peru.
- Dinner at hotel and free time to explore in the evening.
Overnight at hotel in Lima.
Day 9: Travel from Lima to Cusco
- Morning flight from Lima to Cusco.
- Arrival at accommodation and lunch.
- Full afternoon tour of the historic city center of Cusco.
- Dinner at local restaurant or at hotel with free time in the late afternoon/evening to explore.
Overnight at hotel in Cusco.
Day 10: Full Day at Machu Picchu
- Full day tour of Machu Picchu (group will take the bus/tram up to the summit and will not hike)
- Arrival back in Cusco in late afternoon/early evening for dinner. Free time to explore in the evening.
Overnight at hotel in Cusco.
Day 11: Full Day in the Sacred Valley
- Full day tour of the Sacred Valley, a region of Peru's Andean highlands that formed the heart of the Inca Empire. This area is known for its fertile farmland, Spanish colonial villages, and impressive Incan ruins.
- Return back to Cusco in late afternoon for farewell dinner. Free time in the evening to explore Cusco.
Overnight at hotel in Cusco.
Day 12: Departure from Peru
- Full day of travel back to the US with arrival late this evening or early next morning depending on flights.