Productive Reforestation and Environment 2d/1n

Productive reforestation with native trees along with environmental education for adults and children is a recipe for success. "Productive" reforestation means that the trees being planted produce fruits for better nutrition, flowers and leaves for dying wool and alpaca, natural medicines, and wood for artisan goods. This type of reforestation helps community members earn additional income while simultaneously improving the environment. Coupled with environmental training workshops in which we teach about recycling - reducing and reusing, and install trash and recycling containers is a great way to fight the harmful deforestation and trash problems that plague Southern Peru.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1
Cusco - Community Reception - Reforestation - Home-stay

We will start the day early (7:30 AM) to pick you up in our private transportation to shuttle to Amaru - taking us about 1-½ hours to arrive. Upon arrival, we will be treated to a welcoming ceremony with members of the community and a short introduction. We will begin our project with a visit to the seedling garden, where thousands of tree seedlings are being raised. Here, we will learn about the productive qualities each plant and the importance of reforestation to the community. 

We will take ½ or so to help you gain a comprehensive understanding of the project and answer any questions you might have. After our pre-project meeting, we will go on a short hike with the community members to an area that has been pre-selected for reforestation. We will plant the first of our seedlings to help you better understand the process of selecting the correct location, digging the hole to the proper depth, and positioning the fertilizer mixture.

We will break for a delicious lunch prepared by the trained community members with local ingredients. After lunch, we will return to the reforestation area and continue planting seedlings until approximately 4 PM, at which point we will visit our rural-homestays and relax and wash off before dinner.

Tonight we will enjoy a fantastic display of the local culture as we dine on more authentic and organic foods. After a memorable dinner, enjoy a fascinating dance presentation, a warm campfire, and the stars like you’ve never seen them before. Spending the night in the village is a once in a lifetime experience you won’t soon forget. After the festivities, it’s time to get some sleep for an early morning tomorrow.

Day 2
Environment Presentation - Reforestation - Farewell - Cusco

We will start the day off around 7 AM to a hot breakfast and herbal “mate” (tea with locally grown herbs and brown sugar). After breakfast, we will participate in a group demonstration about protecting the environment and deliver it to the community in order to teach about the importance of environmental conservation. Depending on the time of year, we will either teach at the local school or teach a group of adults. After the presentation, we will recommence our reforestation activity for 3 hours before another savory lunch.

After you’ve relaxed with an awesome lunch, we will begin our final stage of planting, lasting till about 3 PM or so. From here, we will head back down to the community to gather up our belongings and say goodbye. Around 4:30, we will head back to Cusco, making it home just before the sunset at your hotel. This marks the end of services and experience with the fascinating Amaru Village.  It is expected that each person can plant approximately 50 trees in this time period.

Bonus: You will get access to our “See the Change” Humanitarian Project Software where you can follow along with the progress on the Productive Reforestation and Environment project from Ascend Travel.

Accommodations

Accommodations are provided in rural home-stays in the village of Amaru. Accommodations are not luxiours, however they are clean, comfortable and hot showers are provided.