On expedition in Peru - a student's story
Adventure, Expedition News, Fundraising, Latest Expeditions | 17th October 2014
In the early hours of Sunday 06 July, 15 students, 2 school leaders and Alex Bergin (expedition leader) jetted off for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Peru for four weeks. Planning for the trip commenced 18 months previously and involved a number of fundraising events including bag packing at M&S, a quiz night and a sponsored run.
After travelling for just short of 24 hours, we touched down in Lima, where we spent two days acclimatising. We left the hustle and bustle and low cloud cover of the capital to travel overnight to the bright skies and colonial style city of Cusco, the hub of the trip. In the city, we visited Inca ruins and museums (including a chocolate one), as well as some altitude training (3300m) for the first trek.
This four day trek took us through national parks, huge valleys and remote villages where we stayed with local families. On our way, we got to experience a traditional Peruvian meal in Ponchos, watch the World Cup final with over 50 locals on a small, flickering TV and some glorious South American winter sunshine. Eventually we arrived at our project site, Paru Paru, an isolated community in the Andes.
The aim of the project phase was to provide the community with a sustainable income. We helped to achieve this by building two guesthouse accommodations, which could be let out to travellers. The local people embraced us and showed us their way of life, via agricultural and weaving demonstrations. In return for their hospitality we bought them new wheelbarrows and shovels. On our last day, we enjoyed a special farewell buffet, which included 'Cuy' (Guinea Pig).
Our second trek took five days and we camped on the Salkantay Way, which took us to Machu Picchu (UNESCO World Heritage Site). It is seen as one of the wonders of the world. In keeping with tradition, we arrived just in time to see the sun rise over the peaks, which was a truly memorable experience, except for a bout of diarrhoea!
We returned to Cusco, where we visited an orphanage. It made us realise how fortunate we all are and made the group consider how we could help improve the living standards. We used some of our funds to donate just less than 1000 pounds to pay for their rent for over a half a year and we hope to be able to fund a cleft lip palate operation, for one of the young children.
The last few days were an opportunity to chill and enjoy sight-seeing and shopping. Many of us bought some Aladdin-esque trousers in crazy colours and patterns from the market. We wore these to travel home in much to our parents' surprise.
Many thanks to our school leaders and our awesome expedition leader from True Adventure, Alex, for the most brilliant experience of our lives.
W. Cooper
