Peru: Wonders of the Sacred Valley > 

Is This Trip Right for You?

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. Please reach out to the Travel Coordinator for any additional clarification or questions.

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. 

Purposeful Projects - On the third day of your trip, we'll head to Ollantaytambo to visit Kuska School. Here will be lending a hand on a variety of projects including classroom teaching, arts & crafts as well as an organic gardening project.  The main goal is to create a caring environment for kids, filled with love, respect, and safety. Volunteers are crucial in helping achieve this goal by supporting students' overall growth through hands-on learning experiences. They focus on teaching important skills and boosting confidence for leadership in today's fast-paced world. A key part of volunteering at Kuska is their commitment to inclusive education. They prioritize giving kids from less fortunate backgrounds access to good education, providing them with the tools they need to succeed. The school's teaching methods, like Active Pedagogy and Project-Based Learning, encourage critical thinking, creativity, and taking care of the environment. Volunteers have a big impact on students' lives. Whether they're helping in classrooms, working on gardening projects, or sharing their talents in art or other subjects, they make learning more exciting and create chances for different cultures to connect. 

Is The Amazon Extension Right For You?

The Tambopata Research Center is an eco-lodge situated in the Tambopata National Reserve, directly across from Bahuaja Sonene National Park and within a biodiversity corridor that extends to Manu National Park in Cusco. The center is nestled within extensive state-protected forest land dedicated to conserving tropical ecosystems.  Overall, the Tambopata Research Center provides a unique opportunity to engage with one of the world's most incredible natural environments, offering both extraordinary beauty and the inherent challenges of the rainforest.

Here are some helpful frequently asked questions about the Amazon experience:

Accommodation -  Accommodations at the research center are designed to enhance your connection with nature, featuring open-air rooms (three-wall rooms) that allow you to experience the rainforest up close. The lodge and rooms are 3 meters away from the forest and 1 meter and a half above the ground While this design maximizes your immersion, it also means that you may encounter insects and other elements of the natural environment inside your room. All beds are equipped with mosquito nets for protection and comfort, as well each room is also equipped with private bathrooms.

There is no air conditioning, or ceiling fans and no traditional windows (as windows would trap heat). However, temperatures do drop at night. To ensure your comfort and safety, we strongly recommend using the mosquito netting provided for each bed. The Amazon basin is a rainforest environment, so humidity and heat will be there no matter what, as well as bugs.

Note this is not a hotel, but a comfortable ecolodge with only 28 rooms in the middle of the rainforest.

Transportation - Tambopata Research Center requires at least 4.5 hours of travel time. To begin your rainforest tour, you take a quick plane trip from Cuzco (approximately 1 hour) to the Amazonian city of Puerto Maldonado in Southeastern Peru. From there, our team will meet you and you will join a 1h bus ride, before a 2h30 boat journey that will lead you to the Tambopata Research Center. Please note that the bus is not private and there may be other travelers on board. 

There are no roads – the roads are the rivers. We use fast boats to get everywhere, looking for more chances to see wildlife. The naturalist guides will know when, where, and what chances you have to spot wildlife and other interesting content in the area. Trust your guides and ask all the questions you might have.

Activities - Visitors can engage in various exploratory activities across different ecosystems, including the bamboo trail, the flooded forest, and an island. Walks, which range from one hour to half a day, offer opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of the forest and its dynamics.