In Peru’s Sacred Valley Strive student athletes will enjoy settling into their Andes lodging near the colorful village of Pisac, working at a local school teaching English, PE, and art. Located about 40 minutes down the mountain from Cusco, the ancient Inca capital and a town to be explored on a day trip, Pisac is best known for its Sunday market, which draws hundreds of shoppers each week. In spite of its popularity the market retains much of its local charm, especially in the sections where villagers from miles around gather to barter and sell their produce.
Pisac is also home to an Inca citadel, set high above the valley floor, patch-worked by patterned fields and rimmed by vast terracing. You’ll see the terracing and beautiful panoramas as you train each day, running along the flat paths hugging the Urubamba River or up the valley’s gravel roads.If you're not a runner, the training facilities onsite are impressive and you'll be able to work out daily in the gym, in the pool, or using the other athletic resources available.
These views and experiences are only the beginning of your adventure as, a week after your arrival, you’ll enjoy an exciting day rafting the Urubamba. You'll also hike to the Pisac ruins, a beautiful prelude to your visit to the incomparable Machu Picchu, and spend your free time further exploring the area and immersing yourself in the culture and language.
Upon initial arrival in Peru you’ll spend one night in Lima, flying the following day to Cusco and immediately continuing on to Pisac. You’ll stay at the comfortable Royal Inka Pisac Hotel, a restored hacienda on extensive grounds with a complete High Altitude Training Center onsite, including an outdoor track, full soccer field, Olympic sized pool, volleyball, basketball, tennis courts, and more. This will be your backyard for most of the stay allowing you to acclimatize before your trek and train as hard as necessary during your entire stay.
Although you don’t need to know Spanish in order to participate in Strive’s Peru programs, learning some Spanish will help and you’re certain to pick some more up during your trip. If you have studied Spanish in the past, this program will only enhance your ability to converse. It’s a wonderful opportunity to surround yourself with Spanish to improve your language abilities.
General Itinerary for both the Inca trail trips - running/training schedules are approximations and will change depending on personal goals and fitness
Day 1 – leave US and arrive in Lima airport, where the group leaders are waiting to meet you. Transfer to accommodations for 1 night
Day 2 – fly from Lima to Cusco. Transfer to the Royal Inca Hotel, your home base for the program. Settle in, explore your new surroundings, and do a light workout as you begin to acclimatize
Day 3 - Walk to Pisac and visit Cuyo Chico, where you'll be teaching for the next two weeks. Continue with acclimatization, taking the training slowly, learning the local routes and enjoying the center's athletic facilities.
Days 4 to 7 - 7am run/swim, midday teaching, local sightseeing, pm training
Day 8 – Rafting on the Urubamba River! Grab a wetsuit and spend a day running the rapids. Incredible scenery, fun and fresh air make this a participant favorite.
Day 9 – Take the day slowly, with a mixture of local sightseeing, relaxed training and small group exploration.
Day 10 - 12 – 7am run/swim and then community service continues at Cuyo Chico, culminating in a farewell celebration with the school staff and students. Every afternoon you'll have the opportunity for a second run or workout and one morning or afternoon your group will hike up to the Pisac ruins for a breathtaking view of the community you've gotten to know.
Day 13 – 7am workout followed by a trip to Cusco. You'll have a tour of the city's highlights, including the cathedral and the famous fortress of Sacsayhuaman. You'll also have time to explore on your own (in small groups) before returning to Pisac in the early evening. Today you'll also receive your pre-trek briefing for the upcoming hike and make sure you're good to go.
Day 14 - 7am workout following by a group choice day. Last summer, Strive students decided to accept an invitation from Cuyo Chico's principal for lunch at her family farm - learning how to prepare Peru's favorite culinary speciality, guinea pig and enjoying a lunchtime feast (chicken was also served for those who didn't want guinea pig). This experience was an overwhelming hit and we hope to have the opportunity to offer it to the 2012 groups.
Days 15 to 17 – Begin your trek on day 15 and spend the next 3 days exploring the incredible Andes. See details below on either the Lares trail or the Inca trail for details on hike itineraries.
Day 18 - Arrive at Machu Picchu as the sun is rising! Explore this world heritage sight with your group and a guide, who will captivate you with stories of history and culture. Eat a boxed lunch surrounded by the ancient city before heading down the mountain for an afternoon train/bus back to Cusco in time for a final celebratory barbeque with your Strive friends and group leaders.
Day 19 – On your final day in Peru you'll wake early for the last morning of altitude training before catching a mid-morning flight back to Lima. In Lima you'll head to the central square for lunch and (time permitting) some city touring before returning to Lima's international airport for your overnight flight home.
Day 20 – Arrive back in the US
- This itinerary is subject to change at any time
Length: 20 days
Dates
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu*: July 16 - Aug. 4
*Must be booked by March 15, 2012
Maximum Group size: 18 students
Student/staff ratio: No greater than 6:1
Community Service Hours: 30 - 35
Tuition: $3900
The greeting window for flights landing in Lima is between 6pm and 11pm on June 23 or July 13. Departing flights on the final day (Day 19: July 11 or 31) in Peru cannot be scheduled to leave before 6pm.
Tuition includes: All lodging, meals, beverage with meals, coaching, domestic
airfare and other ground transportation, excursion entry fees, training facility
entry fees, community service activities and supplies, group tips for in country
assistance.
Tuition does not include: International airfare, airport departure taxes, ISIC card, overweight luggage fees, medical insurance (included with ISIC card) snacks and beverages outside of meals, personal spending, massages and sports therapy services, internet or cell phone access fees, tips for additional assistance (e.g.,extra weight porter services, massage, etc).
Important note - if you are applying for the Inca trail trip, Strive MUST have received copies of your valid passport AND your ISIC card (with picture) no later than March 15. If these documents have not been received by March 15, an additional fee of $150 will be levied in order to reserve a permit in your name for the Inca trail.
Lodging
Lima: For the one night spent in Lima, STRIVE participants stay at a small hostel in the upscale, residential neighborhood of San Isidro. The hostel has dormitory style rooms to which students will be assigned by gender.
Pisac: The Royal Inka Hotel and High Altitude Training Center is a truly remarkable location for athletes. Situated just half a kilometer outside the charming town of Pisac, the hotel has beautiful rooms and facilities, including computers with internet (for a small fee), a comfortable lounge with fireplace, a large restaurant, games room, meeting rooms, cactus garden, jacuzzi and sauna area, with massages available (additional fees apply), and even an onsite historical chapel.
Directly across the street, and only accessible to hotel guests or members is the High Altitude Training Center where you'll find a 1000 meter track, full sized soccer field, covered Olympic sized swimming pool, weight room, 2 volleyball courts, 2 tennis courts, a basketball court, and a handball court, along with a small bicycle track and pond. These facilities are yours to enjoy every day, but in addition you'll also use the dirt trails and roads outside the hotel for running and hiking throughout your stay. STRIVE students will be housed at the Royal Inka Hotel in triple rooms with full bathrooms and 24 hr hot water. In each room you'll find a safe, in which you can lock small valuables during your visit. During the Pisac portion of the program all meals will be eaten at the hotel restaurant or taken as a boxed lunch.
Trekking: Accommodation along the trails consists of two person tents, which are put up and taken down each day by the group's guides, who also prepare the bedding. Beds are a double thick foam mattress and a sleeping bag - the mattress is provided while the (sub-zero)sleeping bag should be brought. All of the other camp supplies, including cooking utensils, tents, and supplies, are brought and carried by the group's guides, cook and carrying team - either horses on the Lares trail or porters on the Inca trail, where horses are not allowed. It's not luxury travel, but you'll be fed well and taken care of. Students on Strive hikes should plan to carry only a day pack for water, camera, snack, etc.
The Lares Trail: Sacred Valley Program 1 June 26 - July 15
This 3 day trek (with a 4th day in Machu Picchu) takes you into the Lares region of the Andes, passing green valleys, tranquil mountain lakes and high passes, with breathtaking views of snow capped peaks rising close to 20,000 ft. Our route meanders through many small and isolated communities, offering a rare and fascinating insight into traditional Andean life. You'll also see incredible glaciers, crystal clear mountain lagoons, and many, many alpacas! What you won't see are many other tourists.
All camping equipment is provided (other than sleeping bags) and porters are available to carry foam sleeping mats, sleeping bags and a change of clothes. Cooks accompany the group and the food is extraordinary! Water is provided along the way and warm water is prepared each evening for washing.
On the final day, after hiking out from the mountains you will catch a train to Aguas Calientas, where you'll stay the night. The 4th day begins with an early rise and bus trip up to Machu Picchu for a guided tour and additional small group exploration.
The Lares trek is rigorous, but not extreme. The maximum altitude reached is 15,500 ft. Oxygen is carried in the event that trekkers have altitude problems. Since Strive students will have already been training at high altitude, altitude sensitivity during the hikes is typically not a problem.
The Inca Trail: Sacred Valley Program 2 July 16 - Aug 4
Hike the Inca's royal highway to extraordinary Machu Picchu, first 'discovered' by Hiram Bingham in 1911. Due to overwhelming popularity, strict limits have been placed on the number of hikers allowed on the trail each day. Only 200 tourist permits are sold per day and these permits are both non-transferable and non-refundable, so bookings MUST be made early.
The Inca trail takes you along stone paved trails, up and down staircases, through ruins, temples and tunnels, and finally emerges above Machu Picchu on the final day. As you ascend the trail early in the morning of the 4th day, you enter through the Temple of the Sun, seeing the incomparable 'lost' city spread out below.
After reaching Machu Picchu, you will have time to tour the site with a knowledgeable guide and also enjoy time to relax and explore the site in small groups. And afternoon train and bus take you back to Cusco at the end of the day.
All camping equipment is provided (other than sleeping bags) and porters are provided to carry your foam sleeping mats, tents, sleeping bags, and a change of clothes. Cooks and guides accompany the group and the food is extraordinary! Water is provided along the way and warm water is provided each evening for washing.
The Inca trail is a fairly rigorous experience, but with porters provided, Strive students carry only a daypack which usually contains water, a snack, and a camera, and have enjoyed the hike immensely. The maximum altitude reached is 13,800 ft and oxygen is carried in the event that trekkers experience altitude problems. Since Strive students will have already been training at high altitude during the hikes is typically not a problem.
