South America Xplorer

Location: Cuzco, 1 week 

The first part of the South America Xplorer eases you into the travel seemed perfectly.  Set high in the mountains, Cuzco is a stunning location with an incredible blend of Spanish colonial and ancient Incan cultures.  It was the old capital city of the Incan empire, so as you would expect it’s pretty impressive.  This is a great way to acclimatise not only to the altitude but to the different cultures surrounding you.  In your first week you will have plenty of time to explore Cusco (and its great nightlife) plus learn some much-needed Spanish!

Spanish Lessons: 

We include loads of activities in your first week, and you will also have individual Spanish lessons for 4 hours per day, usually in the mornings, with plenty of time to practice what you’ve learned in the fantastic and quirky markets and many tourist sites around Cuzco.

A fantastic student teacher ratio will ensure you learn the essentials quickly and easily.  If you already have an understanding or even advanced level of Spanish it will certainly improve as all lessons are tailored to you.

Free Time:  

Throughout your first week, your afternoons will be free to explore the fascinating city streets, museums and local ruins with the rest of the group.  Cusco has incredible night life as well, as the main travellers hub to people about to start having completed the Inca Trail it attracts people from all over the world.  Nights out in night clubs like Mama Africa or even hanging out at the Cross Keys pub in the Placa De Armas you are sure to meet interesting people from all over the world.

After the first week it’s time to begin trekking! We leave early from Cusco by bus to the start of our trek, Mollepata. This will be an incredible mind blowing experience. The views of the Andes Mountains, with the associated steep valleys and jaw-dropping landscapes will remain with you for ever. It’s no walk in the park however, you will be trekking at altitude for about 5 to 7 hours a day.

Snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, llamas and condors. On the fourth day we will take the train to Aguas Calientes overnight.

Early in the morning, we take the bus to Machu Picchu, following steep mountain paths eventually arriving at the ancient lost city of Machu Picchu. You can explore the site, and there is a lot to explore! You will be surprised how advanced culturally the Incas were and there is plenty of evidence still left in the city.

You can visit the sun gate for the postcard picture and also an option to climb the famous hill of Huayna Picchu should you wish to (must be pre-booked in advance). In the afternoon, we return to Aguas Calientes where we catch the train back to Cusco.

Leaving Cuzco and the Andes mountains behind we set off on an exciting overland journey along the northern coastline of Peru into Ecuador! Our first stop will be the bustling Peruvian capital of Lima to discover the city’s streets, parks and plazas and get a feel for the rich history of the country.

Next we depart Lima and follow the coastline until we reach Huanchaco, once the capital of the ancient Peruvian Moche civilisation. Huanchaco is a small town with epic surf beaches. There are also a number of fascinating ruins to explore in the local area. Onward to Punta Sal for pure beach chill time where there are a number of optional activities to chose from or just kick back and relax and hang out with the group.

From Punta Sal we cross the border into Ecuador for our first stop in Cuenca, Ecuador’s third largest city. It’s a global heritage site and a great place to explore. From there we continue our journey inland past stunning scenery to the start point of your next phase of the expedition, Puyo.

During this part of the programme you get to interact with some of the incredible indigenous wildlife in South America.  Our Animal Rescue Centre helps wild animals that have been rescued from mistreatment and abuse and focuses on saving lives, helping them to recover and, if possible, letting them return to the wild.

You can expect the following types of animals there:   Capuchin, Wooly, Spider and Tamarind monkeys.  Ocelots and Margays, Kinkajous, Coatis and Tayras. Ant Eaters and Porcupines, White lipped Peccaries, Macaws and various parrots, Spectacled Caiman and Boa Constrictors.

There are different areas in need of help and the exact work you will be doing will depend on your personal interests but could include:   Preparing animals’ food, daily feeding and cleaning, assisting in construction and maintenance work to improve animal living conditions, providing care and support to animals, monitoring behaviour and reporting any unusual situations you notice regarding the animals to one of the supervisors.

Living with an indigenous Shuar tribe in the rainforest

After two weeks of the animal sanctuary it’s time to head deeper into the rainforest.  You will live and work with The Shuar Tribe, a remote community whose traditional way of life is threatened by deforestation. During your time with the Shuar you will learn about their fascinating culture and contribute to efforts to sustain their way of life. Past groups have built traditional Shuar huts, taught local children, planted a vegetable garden at the daycare and reforested medicinal plants and trees.

The community will also be keen for you to experience their traditional customs and culture and you will be involved with a number of activities such as face painting with natural Suar, bracelet making, learning traditional Shuar Dance, jungle hikes and attending local pageants or parades

Free Time:  Weekend optional activities in the jungle are varied and abundant – options include rope swings, mountain biking, hot springs, jungle tours, shopping and white water rafting.

For the final part of the programme we leave the jungle and head to the city.  Out of the Jungle and into the city; you’ll make a quick stop in Quito before beginning your final  week of volunteering on one of our many community outreach project in and around Quito.

Past groups have done teaching, painted classrooms, designed murals and floor games, fixed up walls or windows and built entire playgrounds in schools from rubble. There’s also plenty of time for playing with the kids and teaching English.

This phase is a chance to really get to know an Ecuadorian community and you’ll come away with many new friends. It’s also a last chance to make trips to Ecuador’s must-see sights like Cotopaxi volcano and the Quilotoa crater lake before your final party night in Quito!

Free time 

Explore the wonders of Quito including meeting the locals, relaxing, sightseeing and shopping…and some crazy nights out!