Global Nature Awareness! Check out what we have in store for the ultimate in Nature exploration!
Trail of the Incas Amazon Expedition
Extreme landscapes, cultural immersion, and incomparable biodiversity. Join us for an expedition of a lifetime as we head to South America for a 2 week trip for teens that includes:
- Backpacking from the high Andes down to the Amazon basin along the ancient Trail of the Incas
- Searching for the origin of the Inca culture on the Island of the Sun at 12,500 feet elevation in the middle of Lake Titicaca
- Exploring the spectacular biodiversity of the Amazon’s Madidi Biosphere Preserve
- Guided explorations for the trip by a local anthropologist
- Cultural exchange with local Aymara through a photo-documentary service project
- Pre-trip Athletic Fitness and Photography Training
- Pre-trip overnight backpacking trip
- Post trip Aymara photo-book production and storytelling celebration event at the Riekes Center
Itinerary
June 20
Depart San Francisco International Airport midday.
June 21
6 a.m. Arrive La Paz, Bolivia. Check-in at hotel, tour cultural sites of La Paz while acclimating to the elevation. Afternoon and evening preparation for tomorrow’s backpacking trip.
June 22 - 24 Choro Trek/ Inca Trail
After breakfast in La Paz, we will drive 1 hour into the trail head which begins in the Cordillera of the Andes at at pass which is 15,400 feet above sea level. We will follow in the footsteps of the Incas as we occasionally walk along stone pathways laid by this ancient civilization. Over 3 days we will pass many pre-Columbian ruins while being guided by a local anthropologist. Along the way we will gradually descend from a tundra (above tree level) landscape down to the lush tropical vegetation of the Amazonian basin of the Yungas mountains. We will backpack this journey, stopping occasionally in local villages along the way, and will end the hike in the small town of Coroico. We will return to a La Paz hotel on the evening of the 24th for food and showers.
June 25-27 Lake Titicaca/Island of the Sun
We will leave in the morning for the 3 hour drive to Lake Titicaca. Along the way we will take a short ferry and stop in the famous city of Cococabana. From there we will take the 1 hour boat ride to Island of Sun in the middle of the lake at 12,500 feet above sea level. Since there are no roads or cars on the island, we will hike 1 hour to the family property of one of our instructors (Rosie). Once there we will be greeted by the local Aymara community and will share the evening with food around a campfire. We will camp under the spectacular stars of this place which is the legendary home of the Inca culture, surrounded by the high peaks of the Andes.
The second day will be spent exploring the pre-Columbian ruins of the island with our anthropologist guide. During the afternoon and evening, we will gather again around the fire. The teens on our trip will interview local elders as part of the photo-documentary that they will create for this trip. Their photos and stories of the island will be gathered upon our return to the U.S. The students will create a photo book from this trip, the proceeds from which will be used to fund educational scholarships for the young women of the Island through a partner non-profit Los Libros del Sol. Our final night on the island will again be spent sleeping under the stars.
Jun 27
After breakfast on the island, we will reverse direction, returning to La Paz by evening to stay at a hotel.
Jun 28-July 2 Madidi/Amazon
After breakfast in the La Paz, we will travel to the airport to take the short flight to Rurrenabaque, entry point for Madidi National Park and Biosphere of Pilon Lajas.
With Rurrenabaque as our home base, we will visit the biologically and culturally rich regions of Madidi National Park and Pilon Lajas Biosphere Park and Research Preserve found along the Beni River of the Amazon basin. With our anthropologist as our guide, we will have opportunities to learn from several of the indigenous cultures that co-exist here including: Mosetenes, Tsinames, Tacana, Esse-Eja, Quechua, and Aymara.
We will return to La Paz on the afternoon of July 2 to once again stay in a hotel.
July 3
Our last day will be spent touring the cultural sites of La Paz and shopping for family and friends. Our return flight departs at 10 pm.
July 4
Arrive in San Francisco in the morning.
Pre-trip Preparation
Our preparation for this adventure will involve specialized training with all 3 departments of the Riekes Center including:
- Athletic Fitness Training. Our trip will involve a strenuous, high elevation, 3 day backpacking trip. To prepare for this, beginning one month prior to departure, students will be offered customized athletic conditioning exercises by specialized Riekes trainers, 2-3 times each week. Picture treadmill training with backpacks and more!
- Nature Awareness. To prepare for the backpacking trip Nature Awareness staff will lead a 5-10 mile overnight backpacking trip during the month prior (date TBA). During this trip we will train the students in low-impact camping techniques, hazards, and safety for the trip. Two of the Nature Awareness staff leading the trip (Mark Batcheler and Ken Clarkson) are both Wilderness First Responder certified.
- Creative Arts. The students will be photo-documenting their journey to create a book after the trip. Proceeds from this book will raise money for a scholarship fund for young women on the Island of the Sun. Students will receive a group 3-5 hour photography training by Creative Arts staff.
Post-trip Processing
Following our return, students will have an opportunity to gather at the Riekes Center to edit and consolidate their photos. The project will end with an end-of-summer gathering of students, family, friends, and staff at the Riekes Center for an evening of storytelling with a video/photo slide show.
Trip Cost
$5300. Includes air-fare, food, lodging, ground transportation, pre-trip training, guides and park entrance fees. Students are responsible for paying for their visa, vaccination, and foreign travel trip insurance prior to departure. A non-refundable deposit of $1300 is required to hold a space. Balance is due prior to departure.
*10% discount if registering by April 15
Scholarships
Limited partial scholarships are available. To apply for a scholarship, contact Ali at the Riekes Center at 650-364-2509. Email atyson@riekes.org
Click here to download a Scholarship Application.
To Register
Send a Nature Awareness application and deposit to:
Ken Clarkson
Riekes Center
3455 Edison Way
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Click here to download a Nature Awareness Application
Payments may also be made via Paypal on our website.
Click here to make an online payment.
Monthly payment plans can be set up if you download a payment contract.
Click here to download a payment contract.
For more information, contact Ken Clarkson, kclarkson@riekes.org, 650-823-4346.
