14 days starting and ending in Lima. Maximum 8 travelers.
LARAOS, PERU March 13-26, 2015 Registration deadline, February 2, 2015 This travel program is organized by Alberta College of Art+Design, Extended Studies. Everyone is welcome. Please contact ACAD Extended Studies at 403 284 7640 or extendedstudies@acad.ca for information and to register. 14 days starting and ending in Lima. Maximum 8 travelers. HIGHLIGHTS Travel by private van with a dedicated driver. The van and driver will stay with our group for the duration of the program. Spectacular scenery on the drive to the village of Laraos from sea-level to 11,400’ altitude, canyons and mountain scenery, paved highway Local markets with an astounding variety of fresh produce Excellent for photographers, every day is different, mountain scenery is stunning Pre-Incan stone and thatch dwellings, ancient stone streets and stairways in Laraos Stay in comfort in a very small, new hotel in the village Massive stone terraces over 3,000 years old, still cultivated today (World Monument Fund site) provide fresh produce for daily meals Nor Yauyos Scenic Preserve surrounding Laraos is a rich, protected biodiversity area Day trips by private van to small towns and festivals in the area: architecture, culture, village life Day hikes to points of interest: lakes, waterfalls, museums, petroglyphs, pre-Incan ruins Overnight and sightseeing at Lunahuana: pisco distilleries, historical town centre, traditional fresh cammaronnes (freshwater crayfish) lunch. Lunahuana is a centre for white-water rafting. Overnight and gourmet meals at Refugio de Santiago organic plantation and restored hacienda World-class restaurants, museums, large archeological site and excellent shopping in Lima pre/post travel program This trip is subject to a minimum of six confirmed participants by February 2, 2015. If the minimum is not reached, the trip will be cancelled and any fees paid will be fully refunded. LARAOS 15 DOSSIER ACAD Travel Programs are designed to delight you with worry-free days saturated in cultural history, in remarkable built environments with gorgeous natural settings. We specialize in off-the-beaten-track destinations that provide that rarest credential – lived experience, close-up with worlds unknown to nearly all Westerners. When you travel with ACAD Extended Studies, the logistics are handled for you so that every day is free to fully enjoy. Our groups are small and the days are organized so that you can choose to remain with the group or to venture on your own. Solo travelers are welcome and the small group makes it easy to develop friendships. We travel with a Canadian expert as well as a local guide, in our own vehicle. What to expect: • We stay in clean, comfortable, and modest accommodations. • In-country transportation is by private van with a dedicated driver. If the distance is long, we may fly between sites. • A medium fitness level is required. You should be able to carry your own bag, including up stairs, and be able to walk several kilometers unassisted over the course of a day. • Our Trip Escort is well-versed in the area and we add detail and colour to his knowledge with a local guide. Whenever possible, we will connect you with local artists, experts, and families. • In true expedition tradition, you will need to accept local standards and be flexible. Some delays and changes to the itinerary are likely. LARAOS, PERU The mountain village of Laraos has maintained its traditional architecture and culture, making it a rare example of indigenous, pre-Incan ways of life still functioning in modern Peru. Its streets are narrow stone stairways, houses are stone – some with traditional thatch roofs. For at least the past three thousand years, citizens of Laraos have used the same ancient tools to work the agricultural terraces that surround them, producing yearround food and income for the village. This travel program brings a small group to Laraos during their late summer-early fall (our spring season) when the weather is very pleasant. We stay at their small new hotel and venture out every day in our van with our guides to visit other villages, hike to ancient ruins, participate in local festivities, and enjoy spectacular scenery in the Andes. You can expect to be introduced to life customs, costumes, dances, folk art and other aspects of the social and cultural past and present, and to hike to amazing pre-Incan ruins far away from any tourist route. An interpreter will be available daily to increase your understanding of the sights and activities. The trip will wrap up with a very special one-night stay and culinary treat at Refugio de Santiago, located near Lunahuana in the lower Rio Canete valley. Every day is full with activities and different destinations, which you are free to join or to venture off on your own. Pre-travel meeting in Lima on the evening of Thursday, March 12, 2015. The private van will pick you up from your hotel and depart from Lima to Laraos the following morning, Friday, March 13th at about 9:00am. The private van will return you to your hotel in Lima in the early evening of Thursday, March 26, 2015. Registration deadline: Feb 2, 2015 Group limit: 8 crn 35067 fee Fri – Thu, Mar 13 – 26 $3599 (single or double accommodation) Includes accommodation, meals, events, private van with driver, local guide, and ACAD Escort for the full length of the program. *Flight to/from Lima, Peru; airport transfers, personal shopping, tips, and Lima expenses before and after the program dates are not included. You can secure your space with a 50% deposit; balance must be paid in full by February 2, 2015. Due to the nature of this program, no refunds will be available after February 16, 2015. LARAOS 15 DOSSIER TRIP ESCORT Gerald (Gerry) Forseth, of Gerald L. Forseth Architects Ltd, is a Calgary architect, urban designer, researcher, teacher, writer, curator, exhibitor and traveler with keen interests in & contributions to the public realm, archaeology, culture, history, traditions, politics, contemporary art, sculpture & architecture. He has taught and lectured at the Universities of Calgary & Lethbridge, at SAIT, Mount Royal University and the Glenbow Institute. Gerald is a past-President of AAA and a Fellow of the RAIC. He curated the exhibitions “Calgary Modern” at the Nickle Arts Museum and “Lethbridge Modern” at SAAG. A seasoned world traveler, Gerald Forseth has visited Laraos several times, meeting the village Mayor, dignitaries, and citizens who have welcomed us to their village. He currently works with Universidad del Pacifico faculty members developing archeological sites and local economies in Peru. ITINERARY Lima, Peru / Laraos The following itinerary is a rough guide only. Conditions may require changes or substitutions at any point. All travelers book their own flights to/from Lima and airport transfers to their hotels. ACAD will recommend several moderately-priced and well-located hotels in Lima. You must stay at one of the recommended hotels to facilitate the van pick-up and drop-off. All hotels are in the seaside suburb of Miraflores. Most will arrange pick up at the airport if requested. In Lima: Your Lima accommodation and meals are not included in the program fee. Everyone is required to meet with Gerald Forseth the evening before departure to Laraos to check documents, finalize any supplies, check luggage size, and confirm the van departure time for each hotel. Be sure to obtain nuevo soles in Lima prior to departure as there is no access to funds in the village. Depart Lima for Laraos by group van on the morning of Friday, March 13. Pick up will be at your hotel at about 9:00am. LARAOS 15 DOSSIER In Laraos: The van and driver will stay with our group from the Lima departure until we return to our Lima hotels. Once the van departs Lima, and until it returns to Lima, breakfast, lunch and dinner every day are included in your program fee. Each day the van will go to a pre-determined destination set by Gerald Forseth. You can choose to travel with the van, or spend the day on your own. If you are on your own, you can hire a local taxi to a different destination, go for a walk or hike, or stay in the village. The van will have a predetermined departure time and place, and a pre-determined return time and place that participants must meet. DAILY ITINERARY (subject to changes at any time) Thursday, March 12 Group meeting in Lima, approximately 5:00pm. Please be sure to arrive in Lima in time for this meeting. It is important that you are well rested from your flight before our departure on Friday as we will be traveling to just over 11,000’ altitude. Being well rested will help you acclimatize to the altitude. Near the hotels, you may want to pick up food items or sundries at a supermarket (the produce sections are astounding) or browse the shops. Lima is known for its outstanding seafood restaurants and leading-edge cuisine. Several museums have impressive collections of pre-Incan textiles, ceramics and metalwork. There is a very large archeological excavation underway just outside the city that you can tour. Exchange your funds for Nuevo soles at a Lima bank – there is no access to cash (and no option to use credit) once we get into the mountains. Friday, March 13 Depart Lima at about 9:00am for leisurely drive with several stops for sightseeing. Once on the van, breakfast, lunch and dinner each day are included for the duration of the Travel Program. We will stay overnight at Lunahuana. Enjoy touring the pisco distilleries, colonial town centre and a traditional meal of ‘chupe de camarones’ (a rich and delicate soup of fresh crayfish farmed locally). Saturday, March 14 Continue the drive to Laraos. We will climb to 3470masl today, taking our time to acclimatize to the altitude. Stop at small towns and villages along the way: local markets, spectacular scenery that changes from desert along the coast to lush river valley, to high mountain plateau. Check into our hotel (our group will take all the rooms), view the Southern Cross and Milky Way close enough to touch. Sunday, March 15 Wake to a voluminous dawn chorus – bird-watching is rich and diverse due to the village location within an environmental preserve. Watch the sun rise over the changing lake colours at our doorstep. Today we will remain in Laraos to acclimatize to the altitude. All meals deliciously prepared by the local Sinchimarca women’s group who cook with fresh produce direct from the terraces and local markets. Walk the stone streets, wander the agricultural terraces with their mountain stream irrigation system, meet the village dignitaries and see some traditional performances especially for us. Keep your camera handy! Monday, March 16 The van will travel to Huancaya (pop. 500), going through the tiny villages of Llapay and Vitas for short stops along the way. Rugged scenery with towering rock canyons lead into the reserve. We will see wetlands with abundant bird life and large cataracts. Huancaya boasts a lovely 1845 Republican-style bridge over the cataracts and ancient Chocoparara rock paintings. The town centre has a little museum of mummies and items that were discovered locally. Tuesday, March 17 Hike to Huaquis, a pre-Incan village at 3751 masl. The remains of a large village flow around the steep sides of this mountain-top site reached after a moderate 2-hour walk. Watch for large brown hummingbirds feeding on LARAOS 15 DOSSIER cactus flowers, and condors riding the valley thermals. Wide trail with spectacular views, llamas roaming freely. Wednesday, March 18 Local festivals or rest in Laraos. We seek out the local festivities happening during our stay and will attend when possible. These can include ‘Festival of the Cows’ when cattle are earmarked with their owners colourful yarns, gatherings of shepherds and their flocks when thousands of sheep pour down the mountainsides to stone corrals, or a demonstration of the local Water Festival in Laraos. Shop the tiny stores in the village for handmade alpaca-wool weaving and knitting. Talk agriculture with the locals – Laraos grows over 200 types of potatoes! Thursday, March 19 Off to Alis, population 400. The village boasts a lovely main square with an archway in the arcade leading into the town. Very clean streets, small restaurants, socialize with the locals in the town square and enjoy the view. It is possible to walk agricultural fields here to see how crops are planted and harvested. Confer with the Sinchamarca ladies in Laraos about dinner – is it time to try cuy? Fridy, March 20 Take a longer drive today, adventuring off the beaten track to Vilca (population 200) and Lake Papacocha. Passing through Huancaya, we will climb to nearly 4000masl on a narrow track with glorious scenery. Lake Huallhua on the way is fed by kilometers of gushing cataracts and surrounded by super-sized blue lupine bushes (beautiful phot op). Once in Vilca, tour the village and hike to Lake Papacocha past alpine meadows and marshlands on a vast scale. Saturday, March 21 Lunch in Tomas ( population 600) after a drive through an astounding rock canyon of great height. Thomas features a sculpture of ‘Les Negroes’ in its charming main plaza. Small restaurants run by local women surround the plaza and are welcoming and delicious. Try trout with oca (traditional Incan tuber that comes in multi-colours) and mint tea – all grown locally. If we are lucky, the local horse racing will be on. Sunday, March 22 The drive to Carania is our longest and most difficult. Stop at the Mirador on the way there for a limitless view over ranges of mountain tops and to see where we came from and where we still have to go. Well worth the effort, Carania (population 300) is quite isolated and different from the other villages with terraces of wheat, the homes feature horse stables and corrals of livestock. Villagers do not see outsiders often and have been very open to us. The archaeological site of Huamanmarca at nearly 4000 masl is a moderate 2 hour hike from the village along an ancient Incan trail of worn stone steps. This pre-Incan citadel arranged in terraces around a magnificent promontory can be spotted from miles away due to the scale of the structures. Monday, March 23 Pachamanga today! We will join our Sinchamarca ladies at a location near Laraos along with some villagers for a traditional feast cooked with hot rocks under layers of local herbs and soil. Preparations take most of the day, creating excellent appetites for the meat and vegetables laid out on long, colourful cloths and complimented by drinks of non-alcoholic chincha, made from purple corn and spices. It’s a festive day, good food and great company. Tuesday, March 24 Our last village – Yauyos, is outside the scenic preserve and a provincial capital. Drive past small farms stuffed with every kind of produce into multi-coloured canyons mineral-streaked with blues and reds. Condors are sometimes spotted from Yauyos and we will attempt a final hike to their ruins. A final dinner in Laraos with farewells, perhaps some music. LARAOS 15 DOSSIER Wednesday, March 25 Drive to Refugio de Santiago, our overnight destination to rest, swim and eat. The Refugio is a restored Republican hacienda located in an organic farm and garden. It produces all the food served and is known for very high quality cuisine in a lovely setting. The owner, Fernando, will host us, explaining the hundreds of Peruvian foods grown there. We will end our evening with a Cena Magica – a very special and memorable evening. Thursday, March 26 We can linger over breakfast at the Refugio, leaving for Lima mid-day with time for a final stop at a pisco distillery if desired and into Lima before dinner. The travel program ends when you are dropped at your hotel, but you may want to arrange a last dinner with your travel companions at one of Lima’s finest restaurants (several within walking distance of our hotels). The food is respected and known internationally and prices in the restaurants are very good. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FITNESS Laraos is at an altitude that requires some care to avoid altitude sickness. We will travel very slowly from sea level, drinking coca tea, and spend the first two days in the village at a leisurely pace in order to acclimatize. In spite of precautions, it is possible that altitude sickness may occur and require the individual to go to a lower altitude until the condition subsides. You must be able to walk without assistance and carry your own luggage up two flights of stairs as a rough guide to the fitness level required. No assistance with luggage or daily activities will be available. PRE-TRAVEL Please contact your physician or a travel clinic for up-to-date health requirements at least one month prior to departure. For Canadians, Peru requires a passport that is valid for at least six months after your planned departure from the country, and confirmation that you have access to a minimum of $500US cash. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THE CORRECT TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION. It is advisable to notify the Canadian Embassy of your travel dates in Peru. Travel insurance including emergency evacuation coverage (and repatriation up to $100,000US) is compulsory. You will not be permitted to participate in the trip until Extended Studies has received a copy of your insurance coverage and other documents. All travelers are required to submit a signed copy of the ACAD travel waiver and the trip contract prior to the trip departure and to provide a copy of each to Extended Studies. Be sure to book your hotel in Lima as soon as the trip is confirmed, February 16. Hotels fill early in Lima, so you should also book your return hotel at the same time. Photocopy all your documents and keep the copies separate from the originals while you travel. FLIGHTS Flight arrangements are made by each individual and are not included in the trip fee or arrangements. We recommend that you arrive in Lima for a two-night stay before embarking for Laraos. This permits time to rest, important when travelling to higher altitudes, and to see the sights. Please ensure you are checked into your hotel in Lima and available to meet with the group in the early evening of March 12th. You may like to extend your time in Peru to see other sites, either before or after Laraos, as well. You will receive a Peruvian exit card at the airport. Keep it safe with your passport. It is required to depart Peru! Jorge Chavez International Airport in Callao Lima is about a 45-minute drive from the Miraflores district where our hotels are located. Expect a minimum of three hours for customs and taxi to your hotel. Taxis are available just outside the airport building. LARAOS 15 DOSSIER LIMA Lima expenses, including airport transfers, hotels and meals, are not included in the trip fee or arrangements. Book your arrival and departure reservations as soon as the trip is confirmed, February 16th. Hotels in Miraflores fill solidly and early. All overnight stays in Lima are at your own cost and arrangements. Travelers must stay in one of the recommended hotels in Miraflores, the cultural and entertainment district. All the recommended hotels have Internet booking capability and do not require pre-payment, although a credit card may be required to confirm your booking. You must select one of the five recommended hotels below for ease of our tour van pick-up and delivery. All room costs are in Canadian dollars, approximate, and may change: Hostel El Patio, single $65 Casa San Martin, single $50 Casa Andina Miraflores, single $115 Carmel Hotel, single $90 Hotel Faraona, single $125 While in Lima, be aware that like all big cities, it is important to exercise common sense and caution at all times. Keep your valuables safe and to be aware of your surroundings. Avoid unknown areas and walking alone after dark. Always keep a copy of your passport, airline ticket and credit card numbers separate from where you keep the originals. You will need cash for all your needs in Laraos, there are no banks or ATM’s in the village, nor are credit cards accepted. Expect daily expenses of about $20CAD for small items. If you plan to purchase goods or services, more will be required. We recommend you over – rather than under – estimate the cash you will need to avoid disappointment. Obtain Nuevo soles (Peruvian currency) for the trip in Lima, other currencies may not be accepted. LARAOS Laraos accommodation, breakfasts, lunches and dinners are included in the Travel Program fee. Snacks and alcohol are on your own. We will eat meals together in our own dining area, but the village also boasts a couple of small restaurants/cafes - albeit with limited menus. Accommodation is in a new, small hotel in Laraos overlooking the lake. Each room has its own bathroom with a flush toilet and shower with warm water. The rooms are simple, clean and comfortable, with electricity. Internet is available with charge, bandwidth is limited, modem only. If you plan to bring a phone, we recommend a satellite version and/or international calling plan. Transportation options in Laraos include our group van, inexpensive local taxis and daily buses on highway 22 that go to Lima and Huancayo. The trip is planned for the best weather possible, it should be very pleasant, but we may encounter some rain, cold nights and cloudy days, or intense sun. Big temperature variations can occur in a single day. Layered clothing is highly recommended. We suggest you bring: Travel umbrella Warm sweater or fleece jacket Weather-proof shell Hat with a brim Sturdy shoes for walking/hiking outside of the village Day pack Watch and travel alarm Sunblock and sunglasses Small towel and swim suit Sport sandals Warm gloves Toiletries (biodegradable) Flashlight Disposable wipes or hand sanitizer LARAOS 15 DOSSIER First aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band-Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild diarrhea, re-hydration powder, Ibuprofen (anti-inflammatory), extra prescription medications that you may be taking in their original containers) Casual, washable clothing including both long and short pants Hotel electrical service is 220V, 60Hz, AC with round prongs Laundry services/facilities are not available. Bring a small amount of biodegradable laundry detergent. NOTE: One soft-sided, smallish bag per person because there is limited space in the group van and you must carry your own bag. If you bring extra luggage, you will have to leave it in storage in Lima. TIPPING Tipping your Trip Escort is not necessary. Tipping locals is expected, but not compulsory. It is a way of expressing satisfaction with the service you receive and is significant to the people who will take care of you. There will be several opportunities to tip in restaurants, for local services and our driver at the end of our journey. You may do this individually, or your Trip Escort will offer to collect the money and tip as a group. LARAOS 15 DOSSIER
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