Discover Corps wants our travelers to be as prepared as possible. Please read the points below thoroughly to see if this trip is right for you. Reach out to the Travel Coordinator for any additional clarification or questions.
At Discover Corps we have different trip styles. Our Peru - Children of the Andes is a Grassroot Expedition, which means it has some hands-on projects, as well as the accommodations are more basic if compared with other types of trips.
Altitude sickness: Cusco is at 3,360 (11,024 ft) meters above sea level, (nearly double Denver). Certain people are affected by high altitude and may experience symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and shortness of breath. This is known as "altitude sickness" or "mountain sickness".
Altitude sickness may occur in travelers who ascend rapidly to altitudes greater than 2,500 meters. Drugs can be taken for altitude sickness, so consult your doctor before your trip. To help alleviate altitude sickness, we recommend you get enough rest, drink lots of liquids (still water, coca tea, and avoid anything carbonated), and eat lightly. We also recommend avoiding heavy foods the first days upon arrival as digestion takes longer in altitude (digestion requires oxygen).
Most travelers do not experience altitude sickness, however, everyone is different! We highly recommend that you arrive a day before the trip start date to acclimate. The best way to combat altitude sickness is by resting, and staying hydrated. Some travelers choose to bring altitude sickness medication, as a precaution. Many locals in Peru drink coca tea or chew on coca leaves to help reduce the effects. This is an option as well.
Volunteering: The hands-on volunteering is unstructured as activities can vary based on what is needed at the time. While volunteering with a local family, you may help them clean their house, gardening, help with guinea pigs, etc. Activities at the orphanage can have variations depending on the time/season of the year, if the children are at school time or on vacation, or if is rainy season. You may help with indoor activities, cleaning the rooms or facilities, teaching them English or helping with their homework, doing some painting, cooking for them, playing soccer, etc. You will be volunteering for a couple of hours a day.
Please keep in mind that children in Peru may have different behaviors, customs, and ways of interacting than what you might be accustomed to in the U.S. During this volunteering project, it is important to approach each child with cultural sensitivity and an open mind. Some children may be eager to engage with you, while others might take time to warm up. Additionally, their daily routines, educational experiences, and even their sense of humor might differ from what you expect. By embracing these cultural differences with patience and understanding, you will create a more meaningful and positive connection with the children you are supporting.
Accommodation: Most of your time in Peru will be spent in the heart of a quaint Andean village called Andahuaylillas, just outside Cusco. The private hacienda is basic but complete. Most of the meals will be at the house, where our in-house cook will prepare authentic Peruvian cuisine. Scorpions appear sometimes from September to October. At this time of the year, it is usual to see them in the gardens or rooms. We do our best to fumigate the gardens with pesticides and keep the rooms clean, but please keep that in mind. If you are allergic to scorpions, please let your Travel Coordinator know.
For the hotels along the way, you will be staying at 3-star hotels.