1) Program Description
2) Main Components
3) Accomodation and meals
4) Mini Project in Andean Communities
5) Weekly program
6) What is included?
7)Application and costs.
8) Application Process
9) Cultural Adventures.

1. Description of the Program.
This Volunteer Program concentrates on developing social projects where the volunteer has a high level of social and cultural immersion in an Andean community. The Volunteer Program is specifically designed to relate to the abilities and desires of each volunteer. Additionally the volunteer has a lot of flexibility in the structure of their program which gradually increases its level of immersion in the community as time goes on. The development of each Project is assisted by program staff who analyse needs within communities, plan, execute and follow the Project through to its conclusion.
The Volunteer Program includes the following Andean High communities:
o Chupani, Cuncani and Yanamayo: There is a volunteer room, Basic sanitary services and a solar heater. These three communities had the support of the NGO HOPE, for the construction of its schools. As such, there are two rooms for the teachers and one of these rooms is free to enable lodging for volunteers.
o Chaullacocha and Paqchaq: There is currently no lodging for volunteers but this is being worked on.
o The communities are located 2 and 4 hours by car from Urubamba. You also need to be able to walk to some of the communities through a high Andean landscape.

The Programs are available all year.

2. Main components.
o Individual Works and development of the Project.
o Lodging and meals with a family in Urubamba and in a community.

3. Accomodation and meals
The volunteers are allocated to safe, pre-selected families in Urubamba. Uusally, volunteers quickly integrate in their new family life. Also they can opt for being lodged in Rufada House (a volunteers house). For the Volunteer Program, Rufada maintains a House in Urubamba, that is open from 8:00 to.m. to 10:00 p.m., for meetings and relaxation of the volunteers.

4.Mini Project in Andean Communities
Fine Arts Project.
The purpose of the Fine Arts Project is to encourage the collection and investigation of the Andean cultural and artistic demonstrations. Subsequently the volunteer, with local teachers and the Project coordinator, will put them into practice in the schools of the high Andean communities. It is important to hand on these Andean traditions which are increasingly viewed as less desirable than Western attributes in a society that is attempting to modernise.

Drawing. The volunteer aims to stimulate the interest of the students of the primary school by encouraging drawing and paintings of the landscapes that surrounds them - like as hills (Apus), lakes, recognition of the different constellations and representations that the Incas used, to draw a phase of the sowing of potatoes, the routine works of grazing of alpacas, and of the ladies working in weaving,

Dancing. Andean dances explore the origin of life, the plants, the towns, the civilizations; they express characteristics of the climate, of the fauna and flora, and of religious, political, social, and productive processes. Among the indigenous dances we have: Huallatas, kèulla Tusuy, Las Pallas, Huanquillas, Los Antis, Huancas, Rucus and others

Music. In music, the volunteer will first learn (for one-two weeks) and then teach students in the primary school to play wind instruments and percussion like the quena, la tarola, tarka, pomatinya, zampoña, okarina, pututu, pingollo. All are indigenous instrumental elements of ancient Peru.

For the drawing we will be assisted by the local teacher. For the dances and music we will be assisted by a music specialist from Urubamba.

5) Weekly program

First week
Note: where Rufada House is mentioned, it means either with family or at the Volunteer House.
Monday
o Welcome in airport by Project Coordinator.
o Transfer to Rufada House in Urubamba, in the Sacred Valley.
o Lodging at Rufada House
o Breakfast at Rufada House
o Orientation to Volunteer project.
o Lunch at Rufada House
o Supper at Rufada House

Tuesday to Friday
o Breakfast at Rufada House or with family
o Music lessons with the music specialist in Urubamba
o Lunch at Rufada House
o Music lessons with the music specialist in Urubamba
o Supper at Rufada House

Saturday and Sunday.
o Breakfast at Rufada House.
o City Tour Cusco (Not included in price of program but organised through Apus Peru Adventure Travel Specialists)
o Tour Sacred Valley (Not included in price of program)

Second week
Monday to Friday.
o Breakfast at Rufada House.
o Trip to the Andean Community
o music lessons in the school for 1 hour.
o Lunch in the school.
o Music lessons in the school for 2 hours.
o Supper in the school.
Lodging in the community.

Saturday and Sunday.
o Breakfast at Rufada House.
o Visit to Machu Picchu (Not included in price of program)

For the 4 week Fine Arts Program.
You will have 7 days of learning about dance or music in Urubamba and the remaining 21 days will be spent in the community teaching as well as assisting making the clothing of for dances or of wind instruments.

6. What is included?
The Program includes:
o Lodging and diet at home of Rufada or at home family.
o Mini Project Financing.
o Backup from the the Project Personnel during the whole Program.
o emergency Contact 24 hours a day from Rufada personnel.
o Daily Access to Rufada House for meetings and trest.
o Transportation to and from the Cusco airport.

The Program does not include:
o International Airfare.
o Cost of passports or visas
o Insurances.
o Independent travel during the program.
o Personal Expenses.

The program costs may change without notice due to currency changes.

7. Application and Costs.
o Early Application: Any time up to one month prior to commencing the program, a 30% deposit can be paid to secure your place.
o Latest time for application: 1 month before commencement.
o Total cost: The balance of payment should be paid no later than 30 days before commencement.
o Start of the Program: First Monday of each month.
o Duration: 2 weeks minimum duration.

Cost 2 weeks: US$. 740,00
Please enquire for longer program costs.

8. Application process
1. contact us for an application form
2. once completed, we will forward this application to Rufada peru
3. this will be evaluated, and upon acceptance, you need to pay a 30% deposit to Apus Peru
4. Rufada (not Apus Peru) will respond within the week with a complete welcome package.
5. Rufada will contact you soon after this with more information about your program, you can ask any last minute questions.
6. One month prior to departure you need to pay your trip in full.
7. Your andean immersion experience will commence upon your arrival in Cusco

APUS PERU Adventure Travel Specialists - Email: apusperu@westnet.com.au

© A.Svenson 2005. The design, content and photographs (except where noted) are 100% original. The majority of our treks were designed by Apus Peru.