Andes Adventure

I had an amazing trip! A once in a lifetime experience, and memories I will cherish forever ... the entire experience from booking to trekking was exceptional, I couldn't expect higher standards.

Gabrielle Johnston | North Ryde, Australia
 
 

Qelqanqa Water and Footbridges Project

The Urubamba mountain range stands spectacularly between the great Urubamba River and the vast rainforests to the north of Cusco. This region is famous for its Inca history and stunning artisan weavings. Beautiful hanging valleys and small patches of polylepis woodland create a magical backdrop for traditional Quechua mountain villages. One of the most remote villages is Qelqanqa, set at the bottom of a glaciated valley, surrounded by steep hills and icy rivers. From 2006-08 our community project travellers helped to construct a drinking water system including a water reservoir that connected the majority of houses in the village to fresh drinking water. Also during this time our community project participants helped to construct three footbridges that allow school children to cross the swollen rivers in safety. In 2013 we return to Qelqanqa to connect the remaining houses into the water system and to do some maintenance work on the footbridges. Following this project work we set off to explore the remarkable 'lost city' of Machu Picchu, a fitting end to a fantastic journey.

Brief Itinerary

DAY 1 Join Cusco
DAY 2 In Cusco
DAY 3 Visit the traditional weaving cooperative at Chinchero, walk through the Maras Salt Pans to the Sacred Valley
DAY 4 Visit Ollantaytambo and begin trek, visit the farming community of Tastayoq where we visit a school that World Expeditions helped build
DAY 5 Trek over Yuracrumiyoc Pass and traverse across a number of ridgelines to the north east towards Soraypata
DAY 6 Trek over Yanacaca pass and down to the village of Qelqanqa where we will be met by the community leaders
DAYS 7/9 Community project work at Qelqanqa
DAY 10 Our last day of work is celebrated with the villagers by enjoying a traditional 'pachamanca' - an Andean feast
DAY 11 We say farewell to Qelqanqa and trek to Marcacocha
DAY 12 Our last day of trekking takes us down to Ollantaytambo train station for the afternoon train to Aguas Calientes
DAY 13 Early bus up to Machu Picchu to explore this amazing site. In the afternoon we get the train back to the Sacred Valley and drive to Cusco
DAY 14 Free day in Cusco. Evening farewell meal with live traditional music and dancing
DAY 15 In Cusco, trip concludes

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Trip Code: PCP
Trip Grading: Introductory to Moderate
Duration:  15 days
Activities:  Community Projects Trekking Family Adventures
Countries: 
Next Trip:  04 October 2013
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price: £1,890.00 GBP
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Countries we visit
we are proudly associated with:
ATOL 4491
Fred Hollows Foundation
Porter Protect
Wilderness
The Himalayan Trust UK
The air holidays and flights shown are ATOL Protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 4491. ATOL protection extends primarily to customers who book and pay in the United Kingdom . Click on the ATOL logo if you want to know more.