MPA Peru Trip

our last few days in Cusco

Fri, 07 Jul 2006 09:32:33 -0600

I just wrote a blog entry only to have the computer I´m working on die on me. So, this one may be a bit shorter as we´re a little short on time!

The past few days we´ve been in Cusco, what the Inca called the "bellybutton of the world", their capital. We have seen ruins that surround the city of Cusco as well as the city itself. It has been amazing to see the architecture of the Spanish and the Inca mixed.

Yesterday we headed to a family member´s house of Sra. Castellanos where we challenged many of her family members to a soccer game. To be honest, I don´t know the score as they were playing on a small field. I think the Americans may have won though!

Today we will be heading back to the U.S. so this is most likely our last entry.

See you all tomorrow!

locals in Pisac

Mon, 03 Jul 2006 18:53:01 -0600

Llamas at Machu Picchu

Mon, 03 Jul 2006 18:44:20 -0600

group photo at Machu Picchu

Mon, 03 Jul 2006 18:37:10 -0600

Machu Picchu

Mon, 03 Jul 2006 18:11:02 -0600

Machu Picchu, meaning "old mountain" in the Quechua language is one of the most impressive and awe inspiring places one can visit. They say that it has a spiritual feeling about it that is incomparable. I think the MPA kids and teachers would have to agree.

This morning we woke up a little bit later, 6 AM, to eat breakfast and then make our way down to the train to catch to Aguas Calientes. The town of Aguas Calientes is at the bottom of Machu Picchu mountain and the closest one can get to Machu Picchu without paying from $800-$1000 a night to stay right next to Machu Picchu. The bus ride from Aguas Calientes up was only about 20 minutes.

We arrived in Machu Picchu around 11 AM and were guided around the agricultural center as well as the peasant housing. After lunch we re-entered the grounds to see the astronomical centers, the quarry from where all the rocks were carved and made into walls, and the religious centers. It was a full day.

Tomorrow, the 4th of July, we will be going back to Machu Picchu to climb Huayna Picchu, which means "new mountain" in Quechua. In the pictures of Machu Picchu it is always the mountain in the background. We will also all be taking the first bus up at 5:30 AM to watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu. It should be breathtaking!

The Sacred Incan Valley

Sun, 02 Jul 2006 18:55:01 -0600

Impressive is the word that comes to mind after viewing the ruins in the Sacred Incan Valley. Early this morning we took a bus from Ollantaytambo to Pisaq (Pisac) to see the ruins of a religious center as well as take in the agricultural expertise of the Inca. We found out that the Inca grew, and still grow, over 900 varieties of potatoes. And as there was little space in the valley for cultivation, they used the mountain sides by building terraces throughout the valley. After lunch near Pisac, we headed back to Ollantaytambo to see the fortress near the city. It wasn´t actually a fortress, but Francisco Pizarro assumed it was as he lost a major battle to the Inca at the site. In reality it is a religious ceremonial ground.

Tomorrow we are heading to Machu Picchu where we will spend two days there.

I apologize for not uploading any photos today as the computer I am using is a very slow processor.

Until tomorrow!

Iquitos-Lima-Cusco to Ollantaytambo

Sat, 01 Jul 2006 20:53:02 -0600

Today was a travel day. We left Iquitos at around 8 am to fly to Lima where we had lunch. After that, we continued on our next flight to Cusco. Around 2 pm, we landed safely. It has been a long day as we went from sea level to 11,000 feet above sea level. After arriving in Cusco, we immediately boarded our bus for a two hour bus ride in the Sacred Valley (El valle de Urubamba). We are staying at a beautiful hotel called Pakaritampu.

Tomorrow we will be visiting Pisac: the ruins, the town, and the market. In the afternoon, Ollantaytambo. It will be a busy day with lots of hiking, eating, and shopping.

The kids tell us they are very happy with the experience and excited for the next few days. They are very cooperative with excellent attitudes. It is a great tribute to our MPA families.

Getting Ready to Fish for Piranha on the Amazon

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 20:52:59 -0600

On the Amazon River

Fishing for Piranha

Playing Soccer in the Amazon

Laurel and Sarah K in front of cathedral in Lima

group foto in Lima

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 19:18:13 -0600

We are alive and well after three days in the Amazon

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 19:07:29 -0600

First and foremost, sorry for not updating the blog! We have not had running water or electricity for the past few days so that meant no computer for blogging! However, we are back in Iquitos and doing very well.
To sum up, in Lima we had a great first day seeing the local cathedral and catacomb. The students did some shopping that afternoon followed by a fantastic dinner where they met Sra. Castellanos´ sisters and a brother. We will meet the rest of her family in Cusco.

On Wednesday we flew to Iquitos VERY early, 5AM, and then hopped on a boat that took us two hours into the Amazon to Explorarama Lodge. That afternoon we went pirana fishing and saw the famous pink dolphins. We all did a bit of swimming in the Amazon as well and no one was eaten by piranas!

Yesterday we took a nature walk through the jungle and saw many interesting plants and insects. Before lunch, we were introduced to a local Indian tribe. They danced for us and the students bought some handicrafts from them. That afternoon we headed to a local river community, met the students and challenged them in a game of soccer. A real shocker, the Peruvians won. We were actually beat by a bunch of 6 year olds. :)

Today we took a canopy walk, visited a shaman and ventured a Monkey Island. This was a real favorite of the students as they were able to feed some cute monkeys!

Tomorrow we are up early for our flight to Lima and then to Cusco. I´m sure I´ll have internet access from here on out. :)

Safe Arrival in Lima!

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 09:17:59 -0600

After a very early morning for everyone in Minneapolis, about 3 AM, we all made our flight to Miami. At Miami international airport, we had a suprise for the students; a trip to a Cuban restuarant about fifteen minutes from the airport. So, we all jumped in two rented vans and partook of some delicious Cuban cuisine. It sure did make the six hour layover go by quickly. The flight to Lima was uneventful. Many students took the opportunity to catch up on lost sleep from the night before. After our arrival in LIma at approximately 9:30 pm Mpls time, which is also Peru time, we picked up our luggage, went through customs, and went straight to bed!

As of 9:30 am all of the students are awake and taking their malaria medication with breakfast. A delicious combination! We are off for a city tour of Lima today!

NEW BLOG!!

Fri, 16 Jun 2006 09:15:30 -0600

That's right! We've moved sites. You are reading the MPA Peru Trip 2006 blog. We were previously at http://moundsparkacademyperutrip.blogspot.com, but you should come here from now on to see what we're up to. Tell all your friends and relatives to check us out!

OUR ITINERARY

Fri, 16 Jun 2006 09:12:32 -0600

ITINERARY and other PERTINENT information.

FLIGHTS!
On June 26th, be at airport at 4 AM.
Flight AA 1366 MSP-MIA
Leaves at 6:24 AM arrives in Miami at 10:48 AM

Flight AA0917 MIA- Lima
Leaves Miami at 5:05pm arrives Lima at 9:36PM all on JUNE 26th!

Return flights from Lima to US on July 7th ARRIVING JULY 8th!!!!
Flight AA0918 Lima-MIA
Leaves Lima at 11:35pm arrives in Miami at 6:09 AM JULY 8th!!!!!

Flight AA1241 MIA-MSP
Leaves Miami at 9:20 AM arriving in Minneapolis at 11:23 AM on JULY 8th!!!!!!

JUN 26 MON USA -LIMA CASA ANDINA MIRAFLORES ARRIVE LIMA , MEET ON ARRIVAL AND TRANSFER TO THE HOTEL.
JUN 27 TUE LIMA CASA ANDINA MIRAFLORES
MORNING CITY TOUR OF LIMA. LUNCH IN A LOCAL RESTAURANT
AFTERNOON AT LEISURE
PICK UP FROM THE HOTEL FOR DINNER
(B,L,D)
JUN 28 WED LIMA-IQUITOS EXPLORAMA LODGE
TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT FOR FLIGHT LIM-IQT RECEPTION AT THE AIRPORT, BRIEF CITY ORIENTATION AND TRANSFER TO THE EXPLORAMA DOCK. FIFTY MILE JOURNEY DOWN THE AMAZON RIVER TO YANAMONO STREAM WHERE EXPLORAMA LODGE IS LOCATED. AFTERNOON HIKE ALONG THE "LAKE TRAIL" THROUGH LOWLAND RAINFOREST WHICH IS SEASONALLY FLOODED. DURING THE HIGH WATER SEASON, THIS EXCURSION IS DONE BY OPEN BOAT! AFTER DINNER, THERE IS A CHANCE TO VISIT THE LODGE'S "BAR TAHUAMPA" WHERE LOCAL MUSICIANS OFTEN PLAY GUITAR AND FLUTE MUSIC OR THE GUIDES WILL ALSO BE PLEASED TO HAVE YOU INVITE THEM TO RELATE SOME OF THE MANY LEGENDS OF THE AMAZON FOREST.
(FULL BOARD)
JUN 29 THU IQUITOS EXPLORNAPO LODGE
AFTER BREAKFAST, A BOAT RIDE DOWN THE AMAZON AND UP THE NAPO RIVER TO THE EXPLORNAPO RESERVE AND EXPLORNAPO LODGE. AFTERNOON VISIT TO THE RENUPERU ETHNOBOTANICAL GARDEN LOCATED NEXT TO EXPLORNAPO AND TENDED BY A LOCAL SHAMAN. THIS GARDEN IS USED TO SHOW VISITORS RAINFOREST PLANTS USED IN MODERN MEDICINE AS WELL AS EXAMPLES OF NATIVE PLANT REMEDIES WHICH SCIENCE MAY UTILIZE IN THE FUTURE. EVENING EXCURSION BY OPEN BOAT ALONG THE SUCUSARI STREAM IN SEARCH OF CAIMAN AND TO ENJOY THE NIGHT SOUNDS AND STARS OF THE SOUTHERN SKY.
(FULL BOARD)
JUN 30 FRI IQUITOS EXPLORNAPO LODGE
MORNING HIKE TO THE CANOPY WALKWAY, A SUSPENDED BRIDGE SPANNING 500 METERS (ONE-THIRD OF A MILE) CONNECTED BY TREE PLATFORMS AND REACHING A HEIGHT OF OVER 35 METERS (115 FEET) ABOVE THE GROUND. HERE YOU ENCOUNTER A "BIRD'S EYE VIEW" OF PART OF THE RAINFOREST RARELY SEEN BY MAN BUT ACCESSIBLE WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF CLIMBING SKILL OR EQUIPMENT. AFTERNOON BOATING EXCURSION ALONG ONE OF THE MANY NAPO TRIBUTARIES SPOTTING ALONG THE WAY FOR BIRDS AND SLOTH. A STOP IS INCLUDED FOR A TRY AT RIVER FISHING WITH CANE POLES OR A CHANCE TO SWIM.
(FULL BOARD)
JUL 01 SAT IQUITOS-LIMA-CUSCO-SACRED VALLEY PAKAREQTAMPU
MORNING BOAT TRIP BACK TO IQUITOS PASSING THE TOWN OF FRANCISCO DE ORELLANA, WHERE A STATUE IS ERECTED TO THE INTREPID EXPLORER WHO BECAME THE FIRST EUROPEAN TO SEE THE AMAZON RIVER IN 1542. TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT FOR DEPARTURE. ARRIVE LIMA, MET UPON ARRIVAL AND ASSISTANCE ON CONNECTION WITH FLIGHT LIM-CUS. ARRIVE CUSCO AND IMMEDIATE TRANSFER TO THE HOTEL IN THE SACRED VALLEY. DINNER AT THE HOTEL.
(B,D)

JUL 02 SUN SACRED VALLEY PAKAREQTAMPU
FULL DAY TOUR IN THE SACRED VALLEY VISITING PISAC RUINS,TOWN AND OLLANTAYTAMBO FORTRESS.
OVERNIGHT IN THE SACRED VALLEY.
DINNER AT THE HOTEL
(B,L,D)
JUL 03 MON SACRED VALLEY-MACHUPICCHU PRESIDENTE
ABOARD THE TRAIN IN OLLANTAYTAMBO STATION FOR A FULL DAY TOUR IN MACHUPICCHU. LUNCH AT THE RESTAURANT OF MACHUPICCHU SANCTUARY LODGE. OVERNIGHT IN AGUAS CALIENTES TOWN. DINNER IN A LOCAL RESTAURANT
(B,L,D)
JUL 04 TUE MACHUPICHU-CUSCO ROYAL INKA I
MORNING IN MACHUPICCHU (REENTRY FEE AND ROUND TRIP BUS TICKETS ARE INCLUDED) LUNCH AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT IN AGUAS CALIENTES TOWN.
AFTERNOON RETURN TO CUSCO AND TRANSFER TO THE HOTEL. DINNER AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT IN CUSCO
(B,L,D)
JUL 05 WED CUSCO ROYAL INKA I
MORNING CITY TOUR OF CUSCO AND VISIT TO THE NEARBY RUINS.
LUNCH. AFTERNOON AT LEISURE
NIGHT PICK UP FROM THE HOTEL FOR DINNER .
(B,L,D)
JUL 06 THU CUSCO ROYAL INKA I
FULL DAY TOUR TO TIPON. LUNCH AT MR. MARCO BUSTAMANTE’S HOUSE. LATE AFTERNOON RETURN TO THE HOTEL.
(B,L)
JUL 07 FRI CUSCO-LIMA-USA
MORNING AT LEISURE. EARLY LUNCH IN CUSCO.
AFTERNOON TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT FOR THE AFTERNOON FLIGHT CUS-LIM. ARRIVE LIMA, MEET ON ARRIVAL AND TRANSFER TO ROSA NAUTICA RESTAURANT FOR DINNER . AFTER DINNER TRANSFER BACK TO THE AIRPORT FOR FLIGHT OUT.

Hotel telephone numbers

Fri, 16 Jun 2006 09:11:29 -0600

Telephone numbers and addresses of hotels for PERU

June 26th-June 28th
Casa Andina Miraflores Hotel - Lima
Av. 28 de Julio 1088, Miraflores
Teléfono: 011 (51 1) 241-4050
Fax: 011 (51 1) 241-4051

June 29th-July 30th
Explorarama Lodge
Iquitos
011 (51 65) 252-530

July 1st-2nd
Hotel Pakaritampu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
Av. Ferrocarril s/n - Ollantaytambo
Teléfono: 011 (51 84) 204020 / 204101
Fax. 011 (51 84) 204105

Jul 3rd
Hostal Presidente - Aguas Calientes - Cusco
Address: Av. Imperio de Los Incas, opposite police station
Teléfono: 011 (51 84) 211-065 (Hotel in Aguas Calientes)

July 4th-6th
Royal Inka I - Cusco
Plaza Regocijo N° 299
Teléfono: 011 (51 84) 222-284 / 231-067 / 233-037
Fax: 011 (51 84) 234-221