Boomers Abroad

Description

Do you want to make a difference? It is time to give back to the community. Awaiting Angels offers you the opportunity to immerse in the Andean community in Cusco. If you want to work in nature, help people in need and improve lives trough education, this is your way. Apply now!

Intercultural Projects:
* Teacher Assistants in kindergartens in need
* Help families in need to make brick and tiles
* Teacher assistant in a school for special kids
* Basic training for pre-med students
* Assisting in after schools

Program Schedule (15nights/16 days):
* May 16th - 28th
* June 13th - 25th
* June 27th - July 9th

Itinerary:

Day 1 - Sunday: Cusco airport or bus station picks up and transfer to volunteer residence or host families to unpack and rest.

Day 2 - Monday: Orientation and Cusco city tour
You will receive the orientation at the AA Office early in the morning. Then you will do a city tour which includes Qoricancha (The temple of the sun), and then we go by bus to visit the four ruins at less than 8 km from Cusco, including Sacsayhuamán, famous for its enormous carved rocks and Q'enqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay.

Practical information for the city tour:
* Transport: Tourist bus
* Length: approximately 5 hrs
* Guide: Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Days 3 - 11: Intercultural projects (mentioned above)
Our Social projects seeks to contribute to the development of the poorest families in our population, principally in poor rural areas and marginalized urban areas in order for them to attain integral human development, which translates into better living conditions in harmony with nature. Volunteers will be working in rural nursery schools where there are just 1 teacher for 30 little kids aged between 3 and 5 years old. Volunteers who will apply for med school also are invited to receive training in small medical centers located in rural areas (for health volunteers must speak Spanish). During those two weeks you will be helping fours daily from Monday to Friday. You will provide care, love and attention for these children as well as assisting the Peruvian staff at the projects.

Day 7: Free day to explore Cusco by yourself
This day you will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful city of Cusco by yourself, you will get the Cusco Visitors Ticket to visit museums, cultural centers, small ruins, and Cusco festivities (festivals are moveable)

Day 8: Tour at Sacred Valley of the Incas
The Sacred Valley of the Incas was undoubtedly a key area of settlement to the Incas. Its agreeable climate and fertile plains make a rare and fruitful combination for the high Andes. It was also the route to the jungle and therefore an area with access to the fruits and plants of the tropical lowlands. The Sacred Valley served as a buffer zone, protecting Cusco from incursions of the Antis, the fierce jungle tribes who from time to time raided the highlands. Today the Sacred Valley remains a lush agricultural region supplying the city of Cusco with much of its produce such as maize, fruit and vegetables.

The tour includes a visit to the market at Pisac, a stop for lunch in Urubamba, a visit to the beautiful Inca village and fortress of Ollantaytambo and a quick stop at the Quechua village of Chinchero on the way back to Cusco.

Day 14-15: Exploration of Macchu Picchu (2 days)
"Machu Picchu is a trip to the serenity of the soul, to the eternal fusion with the cosmos; where we feel our fragility. It is one of the greatest marvels of South America. A resting place of butterflies in the epicentre of the great circle of life

The well preserved ruins of Machu Picchu seem to almost cling to the steep hillside, surrounded by towering green mountains overlooking the Vilcanota River Valley. Machu Picchu becomes more and more of a popular destination it is important to try and make your arrangements as far in advance as you can.

Day 14: Macchu Picchu Pueblo
Early in the morning, you will depart Cusco bound for the Machu Picchu Pueblo; it will take 1 hour by bus and 2 hours by train to arrive there. AT Macchu Picchu Pueblo when you get off the train your guide will be waiting for you to transfer to your hostel, you are free the whole day to explore this town and relax at the hotsprings. Then at 07:00 p.m your guide will visit you at the hostel to give you detailed information about Macchu Picchu Sanctuary tour.

Day 15: Machu Picchu
You will depart from Macchu Picchu pueblo at 06:00 a.m by 15 minutes bus up; you will have the oportunity to trek to the top of Huayna Pichu (3 hrs up and down) known as the Sun Gate. The guide tour will guide you for 3 hours approximately at the Sanctuary (not in Huayna Picchu). Then yo will be free to explore Macchu Picchu by you. The entire group must be at Macchu Picchu pueblo at 01:00 p.m to have lunch. The entire group must be at the train station at 02:30p.m.

Day 16: Day of departure or continue travelling in Peru (last day at host family)