MOM'S ITINERARY

The following itinerary provides a good indication for what you can expect during your trip to Peru, however, please note that there may be some small changes.

Day 1: Arrival in Cusco

Upon arrival in Cusco, you will be met by a representative from GOOD Travel and taken to your accommodation. You'll have the day to rest and acclimatize to the altitude.

In the late afternoon, we will explore Cusco by foot (Plaza de Armas and the Santa Domingo Church) while heading to our welcome dinner at a farm-to-table restaurant in Cusco to celebrate your arrival. The restaurant focuses on supporting local producers as well as working in close partnership with community and social projects. Not only is this a GOOD restaurant, but the food is delicious and they have a great kids area and menu!

During dinner, we will meet our partner, Peruvian Hearts. This non-profit organization works to end poverty and gender inequality by educating young women and creating community leaders in Peru - one girl at a time. Peruvian-born Ana Dodson developed this nonprofit organization to enable young women to embrace education, believe in their own power, and dream of a life beyond the conditions into which they were born. $150 from each trip fee per person will be donated directly to Peruvian Hearts. Your donation will support one of the Peruvian Hearts scholars to help cover expenses such as her tuition fees, books, school supplies, uniform, school sponsored field trips, and transportation. You will also be supporting Peruvian Hearts through various activities – including spending time with these amazing girls – during the course of the trip.

‍Overnight in Cusco. Dinner included.

Day 2: Community day

We'll spend the morning visiting the homes of some of the Peruvian Hearts scholars within Cusco. This will give you and your child a unique opportunity to get beyond the tourist trail to understand life in Peru. This experience will also provide context for the work of Peruvian Hearts as you will hear the stories of some of the young women involved in their programs and begin to understand the challenges and opportunities they face.

In the afternoon, we'll visit a local community to learn about ancient weaving traditions and to have the opportunity to do some shopping to support local artisans. The day will end with a meal with the Peruvian Hearts scholars.

Overnight in Cusco. All meals included.

Day 3: Aguas Calientes

Today we will visit communities in the city and rural areas of Cusco to understand the challenges and opportunities people who live in these areas face. We will learn about topics like education, health care, infrastructure and culture. We'll also visit an animal sanctuary which rescues animals and provides a safe home for them.

In the afternoon, we will take the train to Aguas Calientes, a stunning 1.5 hour journey full of surprises through the magnificent Vilcanota Canyon. Arriving at Aguas Calientes, we will check into our accommodation before tucking in for an early night, in preparation for tomorrow's early start.

Overnight in Agua Calientes. All meals included.

Day 4: Machu Picchu

Rise and shine! After our pre-dawn wake-up call, we will take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu in order to appreciate this World Heritage Site and one of the Modern Wonders of the World in the early morning light. (For those wishing to hike up, this option can also be arranged.) Your visit to Machu Picchu will begin with exploring some of the alternative routes, like the Inca Bridge, after which your guide will give you a 2-3 hour walking tour of the historic citadel.

After visiting Machu Picchu, you can take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes and enjoy some time exploring the village and doing some souvenir shopping. You may also wish to visit the local hot springs to relax after our busy day of exploration!

Overnight in Agua Calientes. All meals included.

Day 5: Machu Picchu

We'll have an additional morning to explore Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes before traveling to the Sacred Valley in the afternoon.

We'll be staying in a hotel in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas called Las Casitas del Arco Iris. By staying here we will be helping to create a better future for the communities of the Sacred Valley. Casitas del Arco Iris donate their profits to the Niños del Arco Iris Foundation which provides education and health services to more than 160 children from the Sacred Valley and their families.

Overnight in Urubamba, Sacred Valley. All meals included.

Day 6: Llama Pack Project

We'll spend the day with Llama Pack Project taking llamas for a walk to learn about these (smelly yet gorgeous!) animals. We'll have the opportunity to learn about the inspiring work of Llama Pack Project and how they are using tourism as a tool for sustainable rural development and conservation of mountain ecosystems in the Urubamba mountain range.They work with high-Andean communities that are located between 3,200 – 4,500 meters above sea level with a focus on empowering communities so that they are able to hope for a better future and make it a reality.

In the late afternoon, we'll return to Cusco in time for a Moms night out!

Overnight in Cusco. All meals included.

Day 7: Final day in Cusco

We'll spend our final day back in Cusco where we'll have some free time to do some shopping at fair trade markets and take part in a Peruvian chocolate workshop. We'll learn all about the chocolate making process, starting from the cacao tree in the jungle and we'll make our own chocolates with milk or dark chocolate and more than 15 different flavorings. The workshop will take place at the Choco Museo, a company with a strong focus on intrapreneurship, local production and transparency.

In the evening, we'll have a farewell dinner with the Peruvian Hearts scholars. We'll have time to share our stories and aspirations for the future.

Overnight in Cusco. All meals included.

Day 8: Departure

The trip ends here in Cusco.

All airport transfers, regardless of flight time, are included today. Breakfast included.

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GIRLS' ITINERARY

Your homework in advance is to research the words that appear in bold below. Then you can share your findings and/or your thoughts on our Group Facebook page!

Day 0: Before you head to Peru, it would be amazing if you can collect some funds or supplies to support the kids you will be meeting in Peru. If you are able to do any fundraising, 100% of the funds you raise will support Peruvian Hearts. If you would prefer to collect items, any of the following items would be really appreciated by the Peruvian Hearts scholars: women's hygiene products, deodorant, shampoo & conditioner, body lotion and warm women's clothing in excellent condition.

Day 1: Fly to Peru – home of Paddington Bear and the Amazon Rainforest! When we arrive into Cusco, we’ll be tired from the flight and will have the day to rest and play and get used to the new altitude! In the evening, we'll celebrate our arrival with a welcome dinner and we will learn all about the fun time we are going to have this week!

Day 2: We'll spend the morning visiting the homes of some of the Peruvian Hearts scholars. In the afternoon, we'll visit a local community to learn about weaving and do some shopping!

Day 3: Today we go by train to the village of Aguas Calientes at the foot of Machu Picchu – one of the new 7 Wonders of the World. After exploring the village, we'll get to sleep early so we can get up before the sun the next morning!

Days 4 and 5: On day four, we will wake bright and early to reach Machu Picchu in the early morning light (by practicing sustainable travel). We'll have plenty of time to explore the ancient ruins (just like famous archaeologists) and play in the Andes mountains. We'll also have the next day to explore Machu Picchu a bit more before heading to the Sacred Valley in the afternoon and partake in a cooking workshop preparing some traditional Peruvian meals.

Day 6: Today, we get to walk llamas and learn all about these (smelly but gorgeous!) animals and the work of the Llama Pack Project. Then we return to Cusco for a girl’s night in at the hotel (with our GOOD Travel guide) – moms excluded!

Day 7: Today is our last day but we will be too busy to be sad. We’ll get to go shopping (with the help of mom) at fair trade markets and even learn how to make Peruvian chocolate – yummy! In the evening, we'll have a goodbye dinner with the Peruvian Hearts scholars and trade email and Facebook addresses so we can be virtual penpals.

Day 8: Today although we have to fly home, we’ll be too excited about all the new friends we have made, the experiences we have shared and all the good we have done in Peru to be sad!

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