Hike to Machu Picchu

  Peru

• Cusco: 
Cusco
• All Other Areas in Peru: 
Machu Picchu

Dates: 16-24 August 2009

Description: In an effort to assist our partner organization in Peru to care for 16 orphaned/disadvantaged girls living in an orphanage outside of Cuzco, the Global Volunteer Network has created a fundraising hike to Machu Picchu, Peru. After participants hike to the ancient city of Machu Picchu they will travel to the orphanage outside of Cuzco to meet the girls their funds will assist.

High above a gorge in the Urubamba Valley in a remarkably inaccessible location lay the ruins of one of the most stunning and important archaeological discoveries of modern times - Machu Picchu. Before you arrive at Machu Picchu you will have the opportunity to see Sacsayhuaman, the temple of the sun, the Patallacta ruins, an ancient farming settlement, and Winaywayna, a religious complex. On the last day of the hike you will reach the Sun Gate and the entrance to Machu Picchu. After a half day of exploring the citadel you will travel to the village of Aquas Calientes, where you may bathe in thermal pools. That evening all participants will return to Cuzco by train to prepare for the second leg of their journey.

The next morning you will be transported to a local residence where you will stay for the next two nights. You will then have the opportunity to spend time with the girls of the orphanage. There is the possibility that the group will be able to assist in the refurbishing of the orphanage during their stay in Anta Cuzco. The final day you will say goodbye to your new friends and return to Cuzco to catch your connecting flight home.

You can see full details and apply for the 2009 trek through the link above.

Highlights: The funds raised from this trip will allow our partner, a small non-profit organization, support this needy orphanage. Peruvian Hearts was founded by Ana Dodson, when she was only 11 years old. Ana was adopted as a baby from Cuzco, Peru and has grown up in Colorado. On a visit back to Peru she was moved by the girls plight (they were suffering from malnutrition and had never had visitors to their remote location in the hills outside of Cuzco). When Ana returned home she was determined to do something to help the orphanage. She started Peruvian Hearts to be a "kids helping kids" organization. Therefore this trek provides you with the opportunity to hike to the mysterious Machu Picchu while helping to provide the girls in the orphanage with shelter, food, education, healthcare and clothing.

Cost in US$: Refer website

This Program is open to World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel to Peru Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 25

Application Process Involves:

• Other

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Global Volunteer Network's Mission Statement: The Global Volunteer Network (GVN) is a private, Non Government Organization (NGO) based in Wellington, New Zealand. Our incorporation number is WN/1194442. Our vision is to support the work of local community organizations in developing countries through the placement of international volunteers. We believe that local communities are in the best position to determine their needs, and we provide volunteers to help them achieve their goals.

Year Founded: 2000