I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it.  ~  Pablo Picasso

                              Rafting & camping on the Apurimac River

Expedition Route & Itinerary

From our Saturday, May 8, connecting flights from Lima, our adventure philanthropy expedition begins in Cusco, a picturesque, tranquil city 11,150 feet (4,300m) into the southern Andean highlands. We’ll explore and sleep in Cusco on Saturday, in preparation of launching our guided rafting expedition down the Apurimac River - one of the best rafting rivers in the world - on Sunday, May 9. We’ll be on the river, camping on its sandy shores, eating nutritious & filling local cuisine cooked over a campfire, for three and a half days. After a good night’s rest back in Cusco, we travel overland two hours northwest to Ollantaytambo, on the banks of the Urubamba River along the Inca Trail.

Lodging & Food

During our two (separate) days in Cusco, you should expect a private room in a superior, locally managed hotel near the plaza. While whitewater rafting, we’ll be sleeping in tents at river’s edge, and eating camp style, from a plentiful menu of local Andean staples. There is a vegetarian option while rafting. While completing our three-day restoration of the weavers’ home in Patacancha, high into the Andean foothills, we will be staying in homes of local families who have both the proper accommodations and training to lodge foreign visitors (two guests per participating family). This is your chance to experience, as closely as an honored guest can, the timelessness of indigenous village life in Peru - at 12,000 feet. 

Our meals in Patacancha will consist of traditional Andean fare. Vegetarian options exist, including plenty of rice and potatoes, but more elaborate vegetable dishes must be planned in advance. If, however, you’ve ever had an alpaca steak craving, this is your chance to indulge it. 

Peru Expedition

Whitewater Rafting & Refurbishing a Home for Indigenous Women Weavers

May 8-16, 2010

Take a physical and cultural challenge that will reward your endurance, fortitude and love of the Andean outdoors. For four days, under expert care & guidance, we’ll make our way down the Apurimac River in southern Peru, past sheer canyon walls and through Class III, IV and perhaps even Class V rapids, camping on its sandy beaches, respectfully passing through the habitats of Andean puma, fox and otter. Then we head to the Inca Trail, to spend three days rebuilding a home for indigenous weavers in Ollantaytambo, in the shadow of the fabled Machu Picchu.

Our Volunteer Project

In Ollantaytambo (elev. 9,000 feet), a small, pretty town built on Inca ruins, we’ll meet representatives of Awamaki, Roadmonkey’s locally based non-profit partner in Peru. From there, we head 3,000 higher into the Andean foothills, to Patacancha, a rural indigenous community of roughly 250 families living traditional lives, among domesticated llamas and alpacas, in the heart of the Patacancha Valley. For three days we’ll work with Quechuan women weavers to rebuild and reburfish the community house they use to produce their colorful textiles, which they sell at Ollantaytambo’s market to sustain their families.

Expedition Cost & Timeframe

The Peru adventure philanthropy expedition is $2,990, including the four-day guided whitewater rafting adventure; expert river guides, camping gear, tents and all meals on the river; transportation from Cusco to the river and to our volunteer project; and our lodging and meals in Cusco and in Patacancha. The price does not include airfare to Peru or Cusco or airport arrival or departure taxes, if any.