Traveling Peru - Exploring the ancient world from the coastal deserts to the deep Amazon rain forest

During my first foray into Steamit yesterday I neglected to add pictures and other content to my post. I can't seem to figure out how to add photos after the fact so I figured I would give it another shot with some updates. 

On January 03 my non-profit organization Kipu Life will embark on our first trip.   Kipu Life is an organization dedicated to bringing healthy, holistic, spiritually expanding travel experiences to people in the United States and around the world.When one embarks on travel it is possble to gain new experience and insight. It forces a chance to challenge boundaries and self explore.  However, many can also encounter great temptation to indulge in unhealthy habits feeind addictions to drugs, alcohols, sex and other vices.

I founded Kipu Life earlier this year. My intent was to  create a platform to offer others the opportunity to experience the world via unique, safe and spiritually expanding avenues.  

Kipu Life is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All proceeds from our trips will be donated to organizations focused on helping people struggling with the disease of addiction and in aiding the empowerment of indigenous people in the Americas and around the world. 

The first Kipulife trip will be between January 03-13. Additionally if you would like to learn more please visit www.kipulife.com

Day One: Group Meet up at JFK  –   Wednesday, January 3

Meet at JFK Airport at 8:00pm – Over night flight that departs New York at 12:15am – Lands in Lima on Thursday, January 4 at 7:55am

Day Two: Lima – The City of Kings   –  Thursday, January 4

Check into our hotel in the Bohemian District of Barranco. Tour of downtown Lima, lunch in the historical colonial section of the city. Head back to Miraflores for an early dinner by the ocean. We will then walk about 30 minutes along the water back to the district of Barranco where we will meet up with a group of people in recovery. We will have a night time NA meeting followed by fellow shipping with Peruvians in NA and a trip to an NA Food truck for post meeting snacks.

Day Three: Ancient Ruins of Caral   –  Friday, January 5

On our 3rd day in Peru we will travel to the Ancient City of Caral. Findings have confirmed Caral was established more than 5000 years ago, between the 26th and 20th century BC. Caral was a prosperous city at the same time as the Great Pyramids of Ancient Egypt, making it older than Ancient Greece.

Day Four: Travel to Cusco, the heart of the Ancient Incan Empire  –  Saturday, January 5

Drive back north to the Airport to catch our flight to Cusco. Arrive in Cusco and head to Jerry’s Moon Temple Retreat Oasis. We spend the first day acclimating to the altitude, touring the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, taking in the present moment of being in the Andes mountains, and top of the night with a light dinner in the Plaza de Armas of Cusco.

Day Five:  Mindful meditation, yoga and reconnection with nature  –  Sunday, January 7

We’ll spend Sunday relaxing in the clean air of the Andes Mountains. Participating in the yoga and taichi teachings of Master Instructor Jarek Kielar

Day Six: Pisac/ Ollantaytambo  –  Monday, January 8

Explore the jewel of Pisac in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Frequently overlooked by tourists.  This town lies atop a hill at the entrance to the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

After starting the morning off in Pisac we’ll travel by truck to the Ancient town and fortress of Ollantaytambo. This is known as the last royal estate of the Incan Emperor Pachacutec. This town nestled in the mountains will give you the feeling as if you’re walking into an ancient living past.

Day Seven: Machu Picchu  –  Tuesday, January 9

Tour the great ruins of Machu Picchu. Further words are not necessary to describe this holy site.  After a full day at the ruins we’ll take an over night bus to Puerto Maldonado.

Day Eight: Arrive in Puerto Maldonado  –  Wednesday, January 10

Relax and recuperate in our lodgings at Las Piedras Amazon Reserve in the Amazon.  Sample local cuisine from the Amazon. Welcome to a level of serenity you have never experienced before in the Amazon.

Day Nine: Reserva Lago Sandoval (Sandoval Lake)  –   Thursday, January 11

Hiking, boating and exploring the lungs of the planet. For me personally this will be like coming home. No place on earth has ever brought me the peace that I have experienced in the Amazon. We will be in a place where the only sounds will be those of nature. Where everything around us will be alive and brimming with life. Where you will see more stars at night than you knew existed. Don’t let yourself be worried. We will be in the care of professionals at the Reserva Lago Sandoval of the Tambopata Research Center. This center monitors wildlife and biodiversity, and protects thousands of hectares of primary rainforest. The Tambopata Research Center provides a comfortable space to integrate with wild nature. It opts for simplicity and sustainability within the wild rainforest surroundings.

Day Ten: Last day to de-stress in the Amazon. Camunidad Nativa Palmareal  –  Friday, January 12

Spend our last full day together taking in the majesty of the Amazon rain forest. We will spend the night with the local indigenous people of the Camunidad Nativa Palmareal and learn about their customs. This will probably be one of the most momentous experiences of the tour. We’ll end our 11 day journey with seeing first hand what the indigenous people of the Amazon value and how they live. I hope this will leave you with a warm, caring, all loving and peaceful energy to bring back with you to the states.

Day Eleven:  Back to the good old “US of A”  –  Saturday, January 13