Rocky Mountains in Estes Park, Colorado (Sept.16-19):    

For three days team members will live together in residence at the YMCA of the Rockies Conference Centre in Estes Park, Colorado. In the midst of this spectacular Rocky Mountain setting they will take part in a series of orientation workshops covering topics such as team building, health and safety, cultural sensitivity, and more, in preparation for their time abroad.

*A detailed orientation schedule will be handed out upon arrival in Colorado.

Flight to South America (Sept.19-20):

The Team will depart Colorado’s Rocky mountains on the morning of Sept.19. They will fly together from Denver, south to La Paz, Bolivia.

*Participants will receive a detailed flight itinerary before the start of the program.

La Paz (Sept.20-21): 

Time to begin exploring Bolivia’s largest, and perhaps its most colorful, city. Individual and group site seeing and exploration of La Paz's lively streets, many bustling markets, and museums.

On the afternoon of the 21st, the team will depart La Paz, and travel by bus to Cochabamba.

Cochabamba (Sept.21-27):

For one week the team will live in the city of Cochabamba, tucked in a picturesque valley in Bolivia’s beautiful central highlands. Everyone will live with a host family and will attend intensive Spanish language lessons. Outings will also be taken to explore the many interesting sides of this lively Bolivian city.

On Sept.27th, the team will move to Malcorancho, about 45 minutes outside of Cochabamba.

Malcorancho (Sept.27-Oct.6):

For a week and a half, the team will live with host families in this small rural village just beyond the outskirts of Cochabamba. Days will be spent helping to build a local school, as well as doing some teaching of the school children.  A day trip will also be taken to a nearby rainforest.

Travel by bus from Cochabamba to Uyuni on Oct.6^th.

Uyuni and the Southern Altiplano (Oct.6-10):

The team will arrive at the outpost town of Uyuni and then set out on a safari into Bolivia’s remote southern Altiplano. For three days they will ride jeeps across spectacular salt plains and high mountain deserts, visiting volcanoes and flamingo lakes scattered about one of South America’s most rugged landscapes.

Overnight travel north from Uyuni to La Paz on the 10th.

La Paz: (Oct.11-13):

The team will have time to continue exploring La Paz. There will also be a day trip to visit the nearby ancients ruins of Tiahuanaco.

On the morning of the 13th the team will fly from La Paz, in the high mountain plains, down to the rainforests of the Amazon River Basin and the town of Rurrenabaque.

Rurrenabaque and the Amazon River Basin (Oct.13-17):

A day to explore Bolivia’s northern frontier town of Rurrenabaque, followed by a three-day safari in which the team will travel together in simple wooden boats along rivers in the Amazon Basin searching for wildlife. Hikes will also be taken into the pampas. The group will camp overnight in cabins along the banks of the river.

Fly from Rurrenabaque back to La Paz on the 17th, and continue directly to Copacabana.

Copacabana (Oct.17-18):

Travel by bus on Oct.17th from La Paz west to Copacabana on the shores of Lake Titicaca. The balance of the day on the 17th and the morning of the 18th will be available to explore this pretty little pilgrimage town by the border of Peru.

Continue west by bus from Copacabana across the border to Puno, Peru on the 18th.

Puno (Oct.18-28):

For a week and a half the team will live with host families in the small city of Puno, on the shores of one the world’s highest navigable bodies of water, Lake Titicaca. They will learn about typical life in Peru, by living it themselves. Days will be spent volunteering on a community project. (The project is still to be finalized, but will most likely involve both construction work and child education.)

A weekend boat trip will also be taken out on Lake Titicaca. During that weekend outing the team will learn about island life and will stay overnight with host families on the small island of Amantani.

Travel by bus northwest from Puno to Cuzco on the 28th.

This capital city of the old Inca Empire is tucked beautifully in an Andean Mountain valley in southern Peru. The team will have some time as a group and individually to explore Inca ruins in and around the city, while resting up and preparing for their upcoming trek.

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (Oct.30-Nov.3):

From near Cuzco the team will set out on the famous Inca Trail. For three days they will hike along the remains of this stone paved path created by the Inca people. They will follow it deep into the Andes mountains, past small contemporary villages, and the remains of old Inca forts, through lush vegetation and over snow-covered passes.

On the fourth morning the team will journey the final hours of the path to Machu Picchu. The remainder of this day will be spent exploring this "Lost City of the Incas", the most incredible, and deservedly most famous, site in South America.

Overnight on Nov.2nd in the village of Aguas Calientes near Machu Picchu.

Cuzco (Nov.3-4)

Return to Cuzco by train and bus on the morning of the 3rd. Remainder of the day in Cuzco to rest and recover from the trek.

On the 4th, the team will fly from Cuzco west across the Andes to Lima.

Lima (Nov.4-5):

Site seeing and free time to continue exploring Peru’s capital city, and and sites such as the Church of San Francisco & catacombs, the Central Market, and the National Museum. 

Depart Lima on the evening of the 5th, traveling by bus up the north coast to Trujillo.

Trujillo (Nov.6-7):

A day to explore this large city on Peru's northern coast, including nearby "Chan Chan", the ruins of the Chimu Empire's capital city.

Travel by bus from Trujillo to Mancora on the 7th.

Mancora (Nov.8-10):

The team will have a much-deserved day to relax on one of Peru's most beautiful northern beaches.  Overnight for two nights in a hostel near the beach. 

Continue traveling by bus on Nov.10th north up the coast from Mancora into Ecuador and on to the city of Cuenca.

Cuenca (Nov.10-13): 

The team will have time to explore the many museums, busy markets, and bustling streets, of this beautiful colonial city.

On Nov.13th, they will travel by bus from Cuenca to Banos.

Banos (Nov.13-16):

Time for outdoor adventure and exploration of this pretty little town, set in lush surroundings at the base of a volcano.

Continue by bus from Banos to the rainforest on Nov.16th.

Campo Cocha Village (Nov.16-21):

For one week the team will live with host families, in very simple conditions, in this small village on the edge of the rainforest. The team members will learn about village life in the Ecuadorian rainforest, by living it themselves. Days will be spent helping host families with regular daily work and chores, as well as running educational activities for village children.

On the afternoon of Nov.21, the team will travel about 15 minutes up river from the village, deeper into the rainforest, where they will live for the following week.

Rainforest (Nov.21-28):

During this week, the team will live in small cabins in the middle of the Ecuadorian rainforest. Here they will work on a variety of conservation projects with the Arajuno Foundation. Some recreational and educational outings will also be taken into the rainforest and along nearby rivers.

Travel from the rainforest to Otovalo on Nov.28th.

Otavalo (Nov.28-30):

Time to explore the bustling craft, food, and animal markets in this small town north of Quito.  The group will also do a day-hike around the perimeter of Laguna de Cuicocha, a spectacular volcanic lake located in a nature reserve.

On the afternoon of Nov.30, the group will travel back to Quito.

Quito (Nov.30-Dec.2):

Time for group and individual exploration of Ecuador's beautiful capital city. 

On the morning of Dec.2nd, the team will fly from Quito to the Galapagos Islands.

Galapagos Islands (Dec.2-7):

Here, in one of the most diverse and dynamic wildlife habitats on the planet, the team will search for and observe an endless of array of mammals, birds, and marine life; from swimming with Seals and Penguins to walking within a few feet of Giant Tortoises, Pelicans, and Blue-Footed Boobies.

The team will have some time to enjoy the area's spectacular beaches, and begin reflecting on the entire trip and prepare for their return home.

Fly from the Galapagos Islands back to Quito on Dec.7th.

Quito (Dec.7)

Final evening in Quito on Dec.7th for program wrap-up, and preparation for returning home on Dec.8.

Flight back to the USA (Dec.8):

The team will fly together from Quito to Denver, Colorado. The group’s journey will be finished upon arrival back in Denver.

*A detailed flight itinerary will be given to team members before the start of the program.

Click here to learn about the history and culture of Bolivia

Click here to learn about the history and culture of Peru

Click here to learn about the history and culture of Ecuador