Peru Itinerary

After breakfast, everyone will meet at the AASD office (5 min walk from the homestays) to meet the team and learn about the projects whilst drinking locally produced coffee. In short - part of AASD's objectives are to widen the variety of crops and productivity of the Andean communities. 

Historically, they have relied heavily on potatoes, which are now under threat as the glaciers are retreating, rivers are drying up and the soil less rich. AASD has developed a pilot farm called EcoHuella in the Calca Valley, where they practice new techniques and invite high Andean elders to visit and learn. They are currently introducing the greenhouse technology to these communities who are now huge producers of organic strawberries - a huge result at 4500m high. 

EcoHuella farm is run entirely by volunteers, so, on your first morning, the plan is for you to roll up your sleeves and help with the daily jobs, such as harvesting, watering corn fields, preparing tree seedlings for re-forestation projects, or feeding the guinea pigs. 

You will have a delicious lunch here, whilst watching a documentary about Julio Hancco, the now famous potato farmer, so you can further understand the challenges, resilience and resourcefulness required to make a living in this environmentally hostile environment. 

In the afternoon, you’ll walk back from the farm to Calca along the Vilcabamba River and up to the chapel to help with your acclimatisation and to get the best views of the valley.  

Brace yourself for this day as it is truly spectacular and will be your first experience of the breath-taking high Andes. The journey to get there will take about 1.5 hours but is so pretty as you weave your way higher and higher eventually reaching about 4000m. 

The Q'engo community is an example of where AASD's greenhouse technology has been successfully integrated. They are now one the main producers of flowers and strawberries to the Sacred Valley - supplying many of the hotels and restaurants in the area.

This has been life-changing for them as, you will see. Just above their village you will be taken to the very sacred "Lake of Gold" tucked away in the barren landscape. You will be welcomed with a stunning petal ceremony, a delicious lunch, and be taught about the area - which is where the Incas fled during the Spanish invasion.

It is believed that the Incas threw all their gold into the lake and to this day it remains. However, this is not all rest, after lunch you will help with AASD's reforestation project around the lake. Lots of trees need pruning and planting depending on the time of year. 

Today will be a peaceful day as you head back along the Vilcanota river to find the ancient site of Moray and the famous Salt Mines de Maras. 

Moray is an archaeological site and there are a lot of theories of what it was used for. Some believe it was used as an experimental agricultural site to help adjust crops to different microclimates, while others consider Moray as the womb of the Earth used for spiritual ceremonies. The salt mines are fascinating - stunning salt pools that were used 500 years before Incan times.

There is little information about how the pools were built but some historians believe that the Wari civilization, pre-Inca, built the pools between 500 AD-1100 AD. Salt was important to the Incan Empire and was used in food, food preservation, livestock, and even human mummification.

The proposed route has been carefully crafted by AASD's local contacts, knowledgeable guides, creative cooks, and hardy mules which enables us to head off-grid to experience a unique and bespoke trek. 

The first 3 days of trekking will be through the Lares Valley, visiting local communities, before catching the train which will connect us into the last day of the official Inca trail - which is the only way to access the Sun Gate. The Sun Gate is about a mile from the main site - but it provides the iconic view of Machu Picchu in its dramatic setting.   

The Lares area is known as the 'weavers’ route' and is more remote than the traditional Inca Trail. This route will enable you to meet families who keep alive the traditions of yesteryear, and the making of Inca fabrics. They have remained unchanged over centuries. It will be a gritty, yet awe inspiring challenge, as you wind through the hidden valleys and stunning scenery with guides and mules in tow.

Expect to be walking about 8 hours a day, at altitudes up to 4500m, following ancient paths and sleeping in a combination of tents (2 nights) and hostels (1 night).

Food  and accomodation
The mules carry everything and by the time you get to each campsite, the tents will be set up and a delicious meal being prepared.  Food and snacks will be provided throughout the trek.