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Peru Service Tour
May 2020
11 Day Study Abroad Voluntour in Peru 2020
(TWU International Health Care Class)
Dates: May 25th - June 4th, 2020
Price: $2,400 per person
(Price includes the international flight to Lima)
*Special discount for TWU students—see below
Day 1 (Mon. May 25th) FLY TO LIMA
We will all make our way to Lima, Peru and overnight.
Day 2 (Tues. May 26th) LIMA / POLITICAL & CULTURAL HISTORY
Upon arrival in Lima, we will transfer to our hotel in the MiraFlores district for early check-in, have breakfast and a brief orientation meeting. Afterward we will transfer to the historical, cultural, and governmental sectors of Lima to learn about the history, culture and politics of the country. We will visit the Plaza de Armas, Palacio de Gobierno, Cathedral, Archbishop's Palace, and the Municipal Palace in the downtown, colonial area of Lima. After lunch we will transfer to the National Archaeology and Anthropology museum to learn more about the ancient history and diverse cultures of the people of Peru. Afterward, we will return to our hotel for a dinner presentation on the internal political history of Peru focusing on the political discord of the past century up to the present date. We will review of the rise of the nationalist center-left political party, the American Revolutionary Popular Alliance (APRA) by Victor Raul Haya de la Torre while in exile in Mexico. We will learn about the many changes and struggles of the military and civilian governments, free elections and coups, leftist vs. rightist policies of nationalization or privatization of utilities, banks and other services. We will also review the decade’s long conflicts with the Shining Path rebels or Maoist guerrillas. We will learn about different presidential administrations, particularly that of Alberto Fujimoro, an authoritarian leader who came to power promising to rebuild the economy and confront the rebels and guerrillas but later succumbed to accusations of corruption and human rights abuses. We will also learn about the policies of the center-left economist Alejandro Toledo, Peru's first president of native Indian origin and end with a review of the former vice-president Martin Vizcarra sworn in as president after the resignation of Pedro Kuczynski amid allegations of corruption. Afterward we will overnight in our hotel.
Day 3 (Wed. May 27th) SERVICE / HEALTH & DENTAL / WATER PARK
After breakfast we will visit the Centro Desarrollo Tecnico Productivo (CEDETEP), a support center for abused and battered girls. The center supports the immediate needs of these young mothers and their babies and helps them prepare and build a productive life and integrate successfully back into society in a meaningful way. At the center we will provide basic dental hygiene services and teach hygiene techniques to the patients.
PM After lunch we will visit a public and private hospital and dental clinic to learn about the current health care and dental care systems of Peru presently divided in two sectors: 1) public hospitals and clinics operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Health and Social Security and 2) private hospitals and clinics operating by means of private medical cabinets, clinics, pharmacies, and laboratories. In the evening we will experience the magical Parque de la Reserva or “Park of the Reserve”, with the world’s largest ‘Water Park’ to see El Circuito Mágico del Agua or “Magic Water Circuit” which consists of 12 different fountain and water displays including a water show in the park. We will return to our hotel for dinner and our overnight stay in Lima.
Day 4 (Thurs. May 28th) LIMA / CUSCO
After breakfast we will check out of our hotel and transfer to the Lima airport and take a flight to Cusco located in the Andes highlands (approx. 3400 meters above sea level). We will transfer to our hotel for early check-in and to leave our baggage. In the afternoon we will visit the historical and cultural sites of Cusco built soon after the Spanish conquest of Cusco including the Main Square and Cathedral constructed atop the Suntur Wasi temple and the Inka Wiracocha palace, the Santa Catalina Temple and Convent, a Renaissance style building that retains some features of Acllahuasi an original Inka structure, the Minor Basilica and La Merced Convent famous for its 1.3 meter high, gold custodia adorned with gem stones. We will also visit the Almirante Palace or Inka museum, a colonial mansion exhibiting a collection of ceramic, gold, textiles, and also mummies remaining from past cultures occupied by the Tahuantinsuyo. Afterward, we will visit the nearby Sacsayhuaman Archeological complex, a ceremonial sanctuary founded in the 15th century and considered the greatest architectural work produced by the Inkas at the height of their civilization. After dinner we will return to our hotel in Cusco for an overnight stay.
Day 5 (Fri. May 29th)
After breakfast we will provide basic dental hygiene services to students at a local school including teeth cleaning, fluoride varnish and to teach hygiene techniques. In the afternoon we will change venues and transfer to Pisac (approx. 40 min. or 25 kms away) and continue to provide basic dental hygiene services to students including teeth cleaning, fluoride varnish and to teach hygiene techniques.
Day 6 (Sat. May 30th) QESWACHAKA / SERVICE
After breakfast we will transfer to Qeswachaka (approx. 3.5 hrs or 180 kms south of Cusco) in the Apurimac region of the Andes to walk across the famous Qeswachaka Bridge, an Inka suspension bridge made with hand braided rope from the ichu and chachacomo that is still in use today. In 2013 UNESCO designated it as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. The local community comes together every year in June to combine its ancient knowledge, techniques, and religious rituals to renew the bridge. Afterward we will provide basic dental hygiene services to students in the community including teeth cleaning, fluoride varnish and to teach hygiene techniques. Also, time permitting, we will engage in other non dental service projects in the community before returning to our hotel in Cusco for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 7 (Sun. May 31st) CUSCO / OLLANTAYTAMBO
After breakfast we will have flexible time to relax in and around Cusco.
PM After check-out, we will transfer by shuttle to Ollantaytambo (approx. 80 kms to the northwest of Cusco) renowned for the way the inhabitants preserve the traditions of their ancestors. We will visit en route the Ollantaytambo archeological complex, an Inka citadel with surrounding walls and towers. The Araqama Ayllu temple at the site was anciently built for religious worship and the Qosqo Ayllu was an urban sector with houses and terraces. Afterward we will transfer to our hotel for check-in and overnight stay.
Day 8 (Mon. June 1st) OLLANTAYTAMBO / AGUAS CALIENTES
After breakfast we will provide basic dental hygiene services to students including teeth cleaning, fluoride varnish and to teach hygiene techniques. Afterward we will participate in a weaving class in nearby Patacancha sponsored by Awamaki, a Peruvian NGO that administers a local weaving project. Awamaki works with Quechua women in a number of communities to restore ancient weaving techniques and find sustainable ways to market their products, and also promote health, education, and sustainable tourism in the area. Later in the afternoon we will transfer by shuttle to the train station to take a train ride overland through beautiful mountain scenery to Aguas Calientes, a small tourist town located on the Urubamba river. We will check into our hotel and have dinner before our overnight stay.
Day 9 (Tues. June 2nd) MACHU PICCHU / INKA TRAILS
In the early morning we will check out of our hotel and leave bags in storage before awaiting transfer by bus for the 30 min. ascent to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu (approx. 2,100 meters above sea level) considered today to be one of the new “7 Wonders of the World”. Machu Picchu was constructed atop a leveled mountain in the mid 15th century as a military fortress and estate for Inka royalty. In 1983 UNESCO designated it as a World Heritage Site. We will take a guided, walking tour of the main sectors, the citadel and agricultural terraces, composed of houses, temples, fountains, baths, terraces and granaries. Afterward we will have the option of hiking trails up to the top of Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain, whichever hike is available due to time constraints and/or park restrictions. Afterward we will return by bus to our hotel to retrieve our bags, eat lunch, and report to the train station to return to Ollantaytambo and transfer by shuttle to the Cusco airport to board our return flight to Lima. Upon arrival in Lima we will transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 10 (Wed. June 3rd) NAZCA LINES & BALLESTAS ISLAND (Optional)
We offer an optional day tour for anyone who would like to visit the Ballestas Islands and the Nazca lines south of Lima. The Ballestas islands are located off the coast of Pisco (approx. 230 kms or 3 hours drive south of Lima). The small set of islands are similar in nature to the more famous Galapagos islands far to the north, and are home to sea lions and 160 different species of marine birds. Later we will continue our tour by ground to Ica where we will board a small prop plane with window seats for a 90 min. flight over the mysterious, man-made Nazca lines. We will view a dozen, large, impressive geoglyphs such as the Hummingbird, Monkey, Iguana, and Condor formations that are best appreciated from a bird’s eye view high above the desert floor. After lunch we will return to our hotel in Lima for our overnight stay.
*Note, for those who would rather forego the optional Ballestas island and Nazca lines tour, there will be unstructured, flexible time throughout the day to relax, sight see and shop in and around Lima.
Day 11 (Thurs. June 4th) HOME
After breakfast and check out we will transfer to the airport for our international flight back to the USA and to reunite with loved ones at home. Buen viaje!
Peru Study Abroad Voluntour Package Price for TWU Students
The package price for the TWU International Health Care Study Abroad class and voluntour in Peru (11 days/10 nights) is $2,400 per person that includes international and national air transportation, ground transportation, travel insurance, park entrance and museum fees, bilingual guide, room and lodging accommodations, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and taxes).
The Ballestas Island and Nazca Lines day tour on June 3rd is optional @ $390 per person for those interested. The add on, day tour package includes ground, water and air transportation, bilingual guide and taxes.
Service CruiseWestern CaribbeanCarnival Conquestout of Miami, FloridaFeb 8-15th, 2020Ports: Cozumel, Belize, HondurasPrice: $1,750(contact us for more details)
We will enjoy providing meaningful service in 3 of the 4 ports on this remarkable Service Cruise! The price of your cruise includes airfare, inside cabin, shore excursions and service materials in Cozumel, Belize, and Honduras. Register now for this once in a lifetime opportunity to blend humanitarian service with the joys of cruising.
About the Carnival Conquest:
Cruising aboard Carnival Conquest elevates fun at sea to an art form — the ship demonstrates a true mastery of the craft with an onboard collage of fun spots for you to enjoy, like Guy's Burger Joint, RedFrog Rum Bar and SkyBox Sports Bar.
There’s fun everywhere you look, from the dance club (great for people-watching) to the show lounges (great for show-watching). Alchemy Bar serves up not only one-of-a-kind drinks, but a complete experience for your senses. There's even The Punchliner Comedy Club, which gives stand-up comedians a microphone and a place to share their craft for your enjoyment. Speaking of microphones, at Lip Sync Battle: Carnival, we’ll give you one to hold… all you’ve got to do is act like you’re singing into it. Bring your stage moves, future star! And let’s not forget Seuss at Sea, which turns classic Dr. Seuss stories and characters into big fun for all.
You don’t need to be able to tell a Monet from a Renoir to dine in our two artful dining rooms, you just need to be hungry. You don’t need a performing arts degree to enjoy lively musical shows onstage at Playlist Productions, but you can say you’re experiencing art from your seat. You don't even need to read a rule book to enjoy Hasbro, The Game Show, where big fun takes the stage in a live game show anyone can enjoy.
With delicious food, bars and entertainment, Carnival Conquest features a scene for everybody.
Itinerary
Day 1: Miami, Florida
Day 2: At Sea
Day 3: Cozumel, Mexico
Day 4 Belize City, Belize
Day 5: Mahogany Bay, Roatan, Bay Island, Honduras
Day 6: Costa Maya (mahahual), Mexico
Day 7: At Sea
Day 8: Miami, Florida
