Collaborating in the Sacred Valley of the Incas: More than just an English Course

For the past two months I have had the privilege of teaching an English course to the indigenous Andean community of Janac Chuquibamba in the Sacred Valley of the Incas here in Peru. The community of Janac Chuquibamba is part of the native Inca rural tourism association, “La Tierra de los Yachaqs,” who strive to preserve their Inca ancestry through socially-responsible and sustainable existential tourism. This association helps to preserve cultural heritage, generate a form of income for the subsistence farmers that compose this existential tourism association, and employs environmentally sustainable humanitarian projects such as eco-latrines and improved ventilated stoves through their humanitarian partnerships and rural tourism programs. It is due to the incredible partnership of Ascend Humanitarian Alliance, Ascend Adventure Travel, and La Tierra de Los Yachaqs, that I have had the honorable privilege of teaching this English course to the families of La Tierra de Los Yachaqs in Janac Chuquibamba.

Our goal with this English course was to provide a two month long course with classes two days a week in Janac Chuquibamba. This course was outlined to begin with the basic English constructs of vocal and consonant sounds, building to ultimately having the students be able form English dialogues in different settings and situations (both business and casual), that they would encounter in their rural tourism experiences. There were three main goals in teaching this English course. The first was to allow the subsistence farmers (students) to make their tourists feel more comfortable by being able to converse with their tourists using basic English expressions. The second was to allow the association to broaden their clientele base to tourists that are not fluent in either Quechua or Spanish (as all of their marketing, advertising, and business negotiations are done using these two languages). The third goal was to learn more about the lifestyle of these subsistence farmers in understanding their education system, their daily lives as subsistence farmers, and as selfless hosts through their rural tourism association.

Outside of the English course I helped them build community centers out of adobe bricks, construct Eco-latrines (sustainable, economical bathrooms that don’t use water and convert the human waste into fertilizer for agricultural purposes), worked alongside the men, women, and children in their agricultural fields, and co-taught at their local school to evaluate their educational opportunities and structure. Working in their agricultural fields, I have never seen such hard working people. They wake at five AM and work until sundown. I understood the true meaning of community by helping them with their many community projects. When a home needs to be built they all work to build it together. When a man needs help planting his fields, they all leave their fields to offer their help. This is a community because they work together for the common good of all, selflessly with an outlook of equal prosperity. In their local schools and through my English course I realized that their education opportunities are unmatched to their counterparts living in the cities. Their teachers are generally less qualified and their government funding falls behind. My friend Herman, a local campesino, voluntarily teaches Spanish to the kids of the community under the age of nine, as the Peruvian government is either unwilling or unable to help the Quechua speaking native children learn Spanish (a necessity for life outside of the communities as everyone in the cities speaks Spanish). Finally, and without regard, I found complete and selfless generosity in their home stays. I had to beg to help clean the dishes; and the cultural interaction and friendships I gained would have been impossible in any other “tourist” setting.

I was proud to see their willingness to learn and be challenged with the foreign language of English after their 12 hour days, working in their fields. I know that they will only grow as a rural tourism association through their new educational knowledge, and with the cross-cultural experience we all gained through our interpersonal professional and casual daily interactions; and ultimately, I hope that our partnership with this existential tourism association allows them to continue their traditional Inca lifestyles, and share it with all of us.

Thomas Smith, intern for Ascend Adventure Travel and student at the University of Utah working on Undergraduate Degrees in Environmental and Sustainability Studies and International Relations, with a certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

Hike of the Achupalla: Why Rural Tourism?

One of our current projects here at Ascend Adventure Travel is working with “La Tierra de Los Yachaqs,” a purely Inca rural tourism association that focuses on sustainable tourism by sharing their cultural traditions and implementing sustainable development projects in their communities. This association consists of eight native Inca villages called campesinas (or farming communities) throughout the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The “Yachaqs” is a Quechua term that translates as “Wise Ones.”  They share their ancestral wisdom of the Inca culture and their customs through rural tourism options in their Andean communities decoding Andean textiles, learning about Andean gastronomy, learning about Andean agriculture, hiking to traditional Inca ruins with the native peoples, and in the community where I have been working…the hike of the Achupalla. 

 

A couple of weeks ago my grandma was visiting from the U.S. and I was able to take part in this amazing cultural experience with her, one that is unlike any other “tourist” venture you will encounter in Peru.  I am currently working in the Yachaqs community of Janac Chuquibamba teaching a two month long English course to give the community members basic conversational skills for interacting with their tourists, especially since most of them only speak the Inca language of Quechua. (More about this in a later blog post).  The rural tourism option in Janac Chuquibamba for “La Tierra de Los Yachaqs” is of course the hike of the Achupalla. Enough with the details, time for the experience.

When my grandma first arrived they dressed her in their native garb including a skirt, poncho (for women), the fedora type sombrero that the Inca women wear, and a purse all woven out of sheep and alpaca fur, all died with various vibrant colors using local plants, and all of course hand crafted in this very village. We then began our hike to the Cliffside of the community (the only place where this cactus-like plant the Achupalla grows). For an 80 year old grandma at nearly 13,000 feet in elevation this was a little taxing. However, my grandma is not only my role model, she is one tough cookie! Only a week after this visit to Janac Chuquibamba she made history as the oldest person to complete the five day (elevation 15,200 feet) backpacking trip to Machu Picchu on the Salkantay trek!  With flutes playing and white roses being spread over her head as a traditional blessing, we arrived at our destination of the hike…the home of the Achupalla.  They then shared the story of their Inca God Wiracocha who brought this native plant to their community through a door in the Cliffside of their mountains (and literally showed us this magical door, amazing!). We then learned about all of the plants uses as a food source to increase memory in children, through its production of tools, and about the susacuro (worms) that grow in its flower stock that are an incredible and delicious source of protein when served on a pizza, to name just a few!  The site of the Achupalla in the community was incredible as well! Not only because this plant only grows out of the Cliffside, but that this location was also the site of pre-Inca ruins that we explored (including skulls of their ancestors!). Our final venture in this incredible cultural experience was a feast of a lunch with susacuro pizza (worms from the Achupalla), half of a guinea pig each, and of course a variety of delicious potatoes like Moraya, all of which exemplify the gastronomy of their ancestral Incas.

   

When departing, I could see the water building in my grandma’s eyes and couldn’t help but do the same.  This was a truly special experience for both of us. Without this experience my grandma would have never have experienced Peruvian culture from the true ancestors of the Incas, and I would not have been able to show her how incredibly selfless, heart-warming, and joyful the people of Janac Chuquibamba are in sharing their lifestyle with us as the true descendents of the Inca.  

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu!

This past weekend our Ascend Adventure Travel team discovered one of Peru’s greatest trekking adventures…the Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu!  Self-supported, we set out on the 80 kilometer adventure on a mission to make it to the “Lost city of the Incas” in just three days (an adventure that usually takes five).  As we set out on early Sunday morning from the city of Mollepata outside of Cuzco we knew that in order to complete the trail in less than three days we would need to hike 10 hours  a day for the first two days…and that is just what we did. In the first day we made it to Salkantaypampa, 25 kilometers into the hike. This is the closest you can camp to the highest point of the trek, the pass between Nevado Huamantay and Nevado Salkantay at over 4,600 meters, or 15,200 feet.  At about 10pm on the first night a huge lightning snow storm hit us that unfortunately persisted for over an hour.  With only a bivy sack to keep my sleeping bag dry, I felt as if I was being tossed as the mixture of sleet, hail, snow and lightning came shooting in sideways into the breathing pocket of my bivy sack! I awoke with the sunrise to find an ice sheet covering my bivy sack and backpack (both incredibly still relatively dry).

  

The second day began with the trek over the pass of Nevado Salkantay and ended at a makeshift campsite in the jungle near our turn-off along the Rio Santa Teresa; a 30 kilometer day of hiking from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm.  With 25 kilometers still to go, and knowing that I had to make it to Machu Picchu on our third day as I had previously bought my entrance fee for that day, we began our third day with the arduous pass of Llactapata. Passing remote villages with coffee farms, we snatched some beans in hopes to gain a little caffeine boost. After a steep descent we arrived at Hydro Electrica and began our final 2 hour 10km trek along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. As it was already one-o-clock in the afternoon, and knowing that Machu Picchu closes at five pm, I walked as fast as I could, yet feeling like Forest Gump with leg braces on because my feet and legs were in such agony from hour-after-hour of continuous trekking. By the grace of the Incas, I luckily made it to Aguas Calientes (the town of Machu Picchu) at three pm and caught the last bus to Machu Picchu at 3:20 pm. (I would have done the additional 2 hour trek to the entrance of Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes, but knowing that it closes at five it would have been impossible to make it in time; plus, I definitely needed a break). When I made it to Machu Picchu I found a nice spot on the top of the hill, kicked my feet up, and enjoyed the “Lost city of the Incas” as the sun began to set and my feet finally got the chance to rest. The only thing left to do was enjoy a cold Cusquena cervesa and reminisce our incredible journey to one of the most amazing places in all of South America.

 

Our Never Ending Backdoor Adventure:

Most tourists come to Cusco, Peru with the intent to trek to the famous Machu Picchu.  As this is definitely a must see, it is not the only kind of adventure you can have in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the great Inca Empire, especially if all you have is a pair of hiking boots or a rental bike.  As I have recently discovered, Cusco has some amazing and fairly unexplored adventures immediately surrounding the city.  Due to its location at over 11,000 feet, Cusco is home to infinite adventures up remote mountainous canyons and to the peaks of its surrounding Andean mountain range.  The adventure I am featuring is neither the typical Machu Picchu trek, City or Sacred Valley Tours of the late Inca Empire, yet it has important significance in Inca history and more importantly it represents what I like to call a true adventure.  This was an adventure simple because no one I know of has previously thought of it as a touring option, and that in my mind is what makes a true adventure come to life.

At 8:30 am, Timothy Marti, who runs Ascend Adventure Travel, and I (his intern) head out the door in the Cusco district of Wanchaq for what we expected to be about a 5 hour mountain bike ride.  Heading up the Camino a Huillcarpay path, we began our adventure with a bag of peanuts, some apples, and jam sandwiches we had made during breakfast.  After passing through the quaint Inca village of Huillcarpay, avoiding multiple packs of ravenous dogs, and two grueling hours of climbing up the canyon pass, we reached our first summit at 13,000 feet, the “Abra de Punacancha.”  As storm clouds began to surround us, we were forced with a difficult decision.  Turn back now and enjoy the comforts of some nice hot coffee back in Cusco, or push on to the next pass and continue our backdoor adventure (one that would take a 4X4 truck over 2 hours to drive)?  We look each other over. “Hungry? No. Cold? Not yet. Ok let’s go!” The next section was an amazing 500-foot descent into the village of Punacancha, which featured only a few farmers working in their fields.  However, Punacancha is also the site of the little known yet famous Wanakauri Inca Ruins.  A place of mystical legend where Wiracocha, the Inca God who banished darkness and was known as their creator, send his children from the sun to plunge his golden cane into the Earth, signifying the capital of the Inca Empire as the city of Cusco.  As we passed through the village of Punacancha and the nearby ruins of Wanakauri where the children of the sun had emerged, the clouds began to lift and with gratitude we continued to ride on.  From this sacred yet remote village we embarked on a second climb of 3,000 feet to our final pass at 14,000 feet overlooking San Jerónimo.  Six hours into the adventure and we had made it to the final summit; now the only thing left to do was descend, and what an epic descent it was!  Over 3,000 feet straight down through winding switchbacks, lush agricultural fields, and a total descending time of one hour without a single stoke of the pedal, this was a thrilling culmination to an epic Andean adventure!  Shooting out in the Southeast end of Cusco we meandered the city streets back to our home (which took two tries after missing the turn due to pure exhaustion), arriving exactly seven and a half hours after we left our backdoor.  Without a word we headed straight to the local polleria for some hot soup, ¼ of a chicken each, a semi-healthy salad and topped it off with a liter of Coca-Cola and a huge plate of fresh Peruvian fries (the only way to gut this meal is after a true Peruvian adventure)!

Cusco has 12 sacred Apus, or mountains that are home to Inca ancestors.  Some of these less touristy Apus include Wanakauri, Pikol, Pachatusan and Mama Simona; all accessible single day trips from Cusco, and all relatively off the beaten path.  Our Peruvian biking adventure was truly memorable because it took us to Andean villages that most people would never think to visit, but are definitely worth the trip.  It pushed us both physically and mentally, but allowed us to soak in the utter serenity of the Andes.  Our biking adventure by Apu Wanakauri was one of many Peruvian adventures that were waiting to be explored right out of our backdoor in Cusco, and yet one of many still to come.  
 

Cusco Orphanage Playground Inauguration:

Through selfless fundraising efforts and a collaboration of resources the Girl’s Orphanage San Judas Chico in Cusco, Peru inaugurated a beautiful new playground on Sunday, September 16th! The PC5 and the North Ogden service expedition groups raised $2,400 for the construction of this new playground.  Through the accomplished coordination of Ascend Alliance, Ascend Travel, and these dedicated service expedition groups that came to Peru last June, the girls at San Judas Chico now have a safe place to relax, exercise, play and be kids in a place they can finally feel at home.

Before:

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There are three orphanages in Cusco that take in boys and girls ages 5 to 17.  These brave young children are either orphaned, have impoverished families that are unable to support their children, or are victims of domestic abuse, social risk, or sexual abuse.  All three Cusco orphanages are directed by Señor Luis Alberto Palma Gonzales, the President of the Sociedad de Beneficiencia Publica del Cusco (a state run organization that serves neglected youth, the mentally challenged, and a retirement community). The Hogar de Niñas San Judas Chico Girls Orphanage where the playground humanitarian project was installed is run by Señora Maruja, and hosts 36 amazing, intelligent, and inspiring young Peruvian girls.

As an intern with Ascend Adventure Travel, I have had the pleasure of working with these girls in their vegetable garden over the past three weeks, and I have never seen them so happy as the day we first opened their playground!  The ceremony itself was a congregation of children from all three orphanages in Cusco.  When Timothy Marti, the CEO of Ascend Travel and Regional Manager for this project, cut the tape to signify the opening of the new playground nearly 100 children went bolting for its castle, monkey bars, and teeter-totters! Tim and I where both relieved that it was finally inaugurated, yet scared for the children’s lives, hoping our Chief Operator Señor Felipe had made the castle feature strong enough to withstand 50 enthusiastic Peruvian children!  We looked at each other with a slight grin, both thinking “no better way to test it out than this!”  As I savored my delicious, authentic Peruvian lunch with all the children and their mentors, celebrating our new playground, I felt accomplished, gratified, and most importantly I felt like their friend.

After:

Puno and Lake Titicaca

Check out these amazing pics of Lake Titicaca and Puno!! Wanna go?? Check out all our Classic Peru Travel Packages at http://www.ascendtravelperu.com/services/classictours.html

Looking for awesome videos and photos?

We would like to thank our awesome Media Team of husband and wife videographers Spencer and Kylie Turley.  They spent the summer in Cusco with Ascend Travel and made our outstanding informational video. If you are looking for awesome videographers, look no further!

Kylie Turley

A Brigham Young University – Hawaii graduate in International Cultural Studies, Communications, and Intercultural Peace-building, Kylie interned with us to further develop her skills in filmmaking and photography in an international environment.  As one who is fascinated by different cultures and in creating peace inter-culturally, she strives to seek opportunities in the third world sector that  help strengthen individuals, families and communities.  Her experience living in developing nations has strengthened her ability to resolve conflict creatively through sharing stories and expressing life changing experiences through media.  Kylie says that working at Ascend Travel as an international intern was a great way to see parts of the world outside of leisurely travel, with a sincere purpose and desire to serve people in need.

www.theflybird.com

Spencer Turley

As an independent videographer, Spencer joined Ascend Travel because he felt strongly about sharing the cultures of people throughout the world who live in need.  Working in the film industry for the past two years helped Spencer to develop the skills necessary to create quality films that inspire others to become active in a worthy cause.  Whether the films he creates are to motivate others to join a humanitarian expedition or donate time, money or expertise towards charitable efforts – his passion for filmmaking helps to obtain the interest and support organizations need to be sustainable and successful in their cause.  In the process of moving others to take action on their sense to do good in this world, Spencer has learned valuable lessons that teach him to be humble, teachable, and amiable.

www.spritzvisuals.com

Rural Tourism in Cusco, Peru

Sure, you’ve heard of Machu Picchu – but did you know that some of the best Peruvian destinations are off the beaten path? Rural tourism is an exciting new form of tourism becoming popular around the world for those who aren’t content with long lines for often visited tourist attractions (not exactly “new” per say, it’s been around for years but has not been widely promoted, well developed, or effectively marketed).

Nothing compares to the experience of visiting or staying in a rural community – the native traditions, clothing, landscapes, music, textiles, gastronomy – and it helps out the locals by giving them a sustainable source of income. Rural tourism allows for rural communities, who are mainly subsistence level farmers living in extreme poverty, to engage in an all new micro-entrepreneurship activity. These communities have been trained in customer service, food preparation, and tour activities – so you don’t have to worry about the quality of the experience.  Many tourists have already visited these communities, and is evidenced by our testimonials, they had an awesome time!

We know and work with the locals in the communities and help them with development projects – also, we have native bilingual guides that can help you understand all the amazing cultural activities. Check out the list of our current Rural Tourism Travel Packages:

1. Decoding the Andean Textile 1d or 1d/1n

Experience the magic of authentic Andean weaving, from the shearing process of the llamas and sheep all the way to the final product. The vivid colors of the clothing worn by the villagers of Amaru come from natural dyes extracted from plants and other organic elements. The weavers create fantastic geometric shapes that enclose ancient Incan codes. The communities knit their identity, customs and desires – creating a conversation with them by means of visual patterns. The Amaru villagers will teach you how to speak this language through textiles as you build your own design with their help. Optional one night extension includes rural home-stay lodging, authentic Andean cooking, and cultural ceremony.

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2. Flavors of the Andes 1d or 1d/1n

The villagers of Huchuy Qosqo are masters at preparing ancient Andean recipes as well as modernized takes on classic Andean fare. This savory experience will have you traveling back in time with flavors that you have never tasted before. Learn different ways of preparing and presenting dishes from a wide-range of cuisine that uses the biodiversity of the Andes. Products such as potatoes, quinoa, corn, grains and organic vegetables are the stars of this culinary exhibition. All villagers have been trained in sanitary food preparation, and the food is guaranteed to be safe. Our guides will be with to explain every step of the process so you can give these recipes a try when you get back home! After the meal enjoy and participate in traditional dance and theater performances by the villagers of Huchuy Qosqo. Optional one night extension includes rural home-stay lodging, authentic Andean cooking, and cultural ceremony.

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3. Children of the Earth Andean Agriculture 1d or 1d/1n

The “Yachaqs” (Quechua word for “wise”) collect the fruits of the Earth. Decoding the cycles and the desires of the Pachamama (Mother Earth) is not only an ancient knowledge, but also a way of ensuring their subsistence. In the community of Huayllafara you will make a complete journey of the art of Andean agriculture and the importance of the environment, all through the perspective of the Andean man. The community members will teach you the importance of vertical control, time cycles, seasons and agricultural rituals. Then you get to practice using traditional tools to plant or harvest food and manage a team of oxen! Optional one night extension includes rural home-stay lodging, authentic Andean cooking, and cultural ceremony.

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4. Andean Textiles, Agriculture and the Route of the Llama 2d/1n

This package combines the activities of “Decoding the Andean Textile” and “Yachaqs – Children of the Earth” and adds an amazing 5-hour nature hike called “The Route of the Llama” that exceeds altitudes of 4000 meters (13,000 feet!). Herds of llamas walk through rugged landscapes. They represent one of the most important treasures for the Yachaqs, as the provide wool and food for the villagers. The route of the llama is an unforgettable journey through the countryside where llamas are the kings. This route joins the communities of Amaru and Huayllafara at a distance of 3.5 miles (5 hours). During the walk you get to see the lakes of Kinsacocha and Hulchacocha, and pass through the Abra of Collaccasa and the Abra of Zapacto (the highest point of the route is 4344 meters or 14,031 feet). You will also observe the villagers working the giant fields of native potatoes that grow at these high altitudes.

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5. The Route of the Achupalla 1d or 1d/1n

Villagers from Janac Chuquibamba used to see the Uchupalla as a spiny plant that could only be used as fuel for heating homes and cooking. However, after listening to the elders of the community, they found that they could make cups, plates, belts, ropes, bags, wallets – and even found out that the Achupalla is a source of food! In the Route of the Achupalla activity you will learn the importance of this plant, learn how to make Incan handicrafts out of the Achupalla, walk through pre-Incan ruins on the way to harvest the plant – and, if you desire, try an exotic susacuro pizza (made with a worm that grows in the core of the Achupalla) accompanied by a crispy guinea pig with mashed potatoes and beans. Your soul will thank you. Optional one night extension includes rural home-stay lodging, authentic Andean cooking, and cultural ceremony.

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6. Builders of the Tawantinsuyo 1d or 1d/1n

In the warm Sacred Valley, the Incan Royalty constructed great palaces. One of such was Huchuy Qosqo (“Little Cusco” in Quechua), which was the country residence of the Inca Ruler Wiracocha. It is a huge complex of terraces and buildings constructed on solid polished stone bases. Like all great Inca centers it is divided into a sacred palace, an agricultural section and a recreational zone. Departing from the town of Huchuy Qosqo, we will reach the ruins after a moderate hike of four hours and visit the archaeological complex located at an altitude of 3652 meters above sea level (11,800 feet). There you can enjoy of an exquisite view of the Sacred Valley and you will also gain a better understanding of the Inca´s idea of space. Optional one night extension includes rural home-stay lodging, authentic Andean cooking, and cultural ceremony.

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7. The Huchuy Qosqo Rural Experience 2d/1n

The Huchuy Qosqo Rural Experience combines the activities of Builders of the Tawantinsuyo and Flavors of the Andes. Enjoy one day of Andean cooking workshops and become an expert in the culinary arts of the Incas. The second day, we will hike to the off-the-beaten path ruins of Huchuy Qosqo and appreciate the splendor of Incan architecture. Lodging will be provided in rural home-stays in the Community of Huchuy Qosqo and we will enjoy an amazing cultural celebration and campfire with community members. A great experience for families and groups of friends!

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Lodging:

Rural Tourism home-stays are available in all of these communities. They are clean and comfortable, and bathrooms with running water and hot showers are provided.  Dinner will be provided and before eating, passengers will be treated to unique intercultural presentations with local dancing, Andean poetry and storytelling, and a warm campfire.  You can relax under the starry sky and truly become part of the rural Andean lifestyle for a night.

Ascend Adventure Travel to Launch March 1st, 2012

A message from the CEO:

Hello World!  Welcome to Ascend Adventure Travel. Operating from Cusco, Peru we are setting our sights on becoming the premiere tour operator specializing in service travel, rural tourism, classic tours and mystical experiences. Our passion is derived from years and years of humanitarian experience – and successful instances of sustainable development programs that we have helped initialize and follow-through.

So why open a tourist agency? Simple – the robust tour industry in Cusco has continued to see impressive growth during a world economic crisis and a general industry downturn – but more importantly, we’ve grown tired of watching a handful of wealthy individuals make a ton of money off of tourism while the majority of the Cusco Region’s inhabitants continue to reside in extreme poverty.  Apart from a few local-owned tour operators, the majority of the profits of an industry that sees 2 million visitors a year, and billions of dollars in profits.  We are committed to rural tourism, sustainable development projects, and donating a portion of our profits to powerful poverty-eliminating projects.

In Cusco, there is no shortage of tourist agencies – the proximity to Machu Picchu and its history as the capital of the Incan Empire make it a must-see destination for the avid traveler.  However, there are certain things that the tourism industry in Peru leaves to be desired for those whose expectations of a service provider exceed “adequate.” Foremost among these industry shortfalls is reliability – we will strive to be the most responsive, punctual, and courteous tour operator – with a commitment to social responsibility and exceeding traveler expectations on all fronts.

There is much, much more history to be written – and we plan on being a part of it along with your help as we empower poor Peruvians to become participants in the tourism industry, and above all – help them to Ascend out of poverty with their own two hands.

Check out www.AscendTravelPeru.com for more information and a list of our tour options and our Service Expedition schedule (Operations will begin March 1^st, 2012).

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Timothy Marti
CEO Ascend Adventure Travel