The Inca Trail, Sacred Valley, and Amazon Jungle
with Alyssa Spaw
Thrive Adventures and Alyssa Spaw have partnered to combine Alyssa’s health and wellness strategies with Thrive’s adventure location secrets to groups seeking personal or leadership development through our Wellness and Development Adventure in Peru's Sacred Valley and Amazon Jungle!
End old habits and start new ones memorably! Join internationally renowned health and wellness expert Alyssa Spwa on this epic adventure through the inspiring ruins of the ancient Inca and harness this powerful and spiritual location to take your health and wellness to the next level! Follow Thrive Adventures local guides on a less traveled section of the Inca Trail through the Sun Gate and into Machu Picchu itself. Experience local highland culture & cuisine and end the trip in treehouses of the Amazon Jungle canopy.
End old habits and start new ones memorably! Join internationally renowned health and wellness expert Alyssa Spwa on this epic adventure through the inspiring ruins of the ancient Inca and harness this powerful and spiritual location to take your health and wellness to the next level! Follow Thrive Adventures local guides on a less traveled section of the Inca Trail through the Sun Gate and into Machu Picchu itself. Experience local highland culture & cuisine and end the trip in treehouses of the Amazon Jungle canopy.
With young vibrance and diligence, Alyssa seeks to highlight the importance of both mental and physical strength in the ever-expanding discussion on health and wellness; regardless of work title or position in this world, our bodily systems all deal with some external pressure—toxins, unhealthy relationships, sedentary lifestyles, junk food, and more—as well as the internal pressure and stress we put ourselves through.
Starting out with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Neuroscience focus, it was obvious early on that only a scientific approach would quench her desire to study human behavior and mental health. Said desire to learn about strong ethical research led her to complete two years in a campus research lab in which she was able to manage various studies and projects among her peers. In line with other developing interests in nutrition and physical wellness, this research experience in human behavior and psychology led Alyssa to pursue a PhD program that focused on human eating behavior. The years spent in the Nutritional Sciences program contribute to much of the nutritional knowledge she uses daily in her one-on-one coaching.
Alyssa then moved on to follow her competitive hobby into another career path when nutritional studies were no longer enough. In 2016, she competed in a Natural Bodybuilding Competition and won her pro card. This led her to become certified as a Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).
Outside of the gym, Alyssa has been a local performer for several years; lending well to the passion to speak about the importance of health and wellness. Throughout high school and college, she performed in several musicals, local talent shows, and an a-cappella group—taking home several awards. Ultimately, Alyssa’s experience with human behavior, nutritional science, and physical performance imparts an extremely capable platform to educate, coach, and inspire a wide range of audiences to achieve long-term health.
Starting out with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Neuroscience focus, it was obvious early on that only a scientific approach would quench her desire to study human behavior and mental health. Said desire to learn about strong ethical research led her to complete two years in a campus research lab in which she was able to manage various studies and projects among her peers. In line with other developing interests in nutrition and physical wellness, this research experience in human behavior and psychology led Alyssa to pursue a PhD program that focused on human eating behavior. The years spent in the Nutritional Sciences program contribute to much of the nutritional knowledge she uses daily in her one-on-one coaching.
Alyssa then moved on to follow her competitive hobby into another career path when nutritional studies were no longer enough. In 2016, she competed in a Natural Bodybuilding Competition and won her pro card. This led her to become certified as a Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).
Outside of the gym, Alyssa has been a local performer for several years; lending well to the passion to speak about the importance of health and wellness. Throughout high school and college, she performed in several musicals, local talent shows, and an a-cappella group—taking home several awards. Ultimately, Alyssa’s experience with human behavior, nutritional science, and physical performance imparts an extremely capable platform to educate, coach, and inspire a wide range of audiences to achieve long-term health.
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Trip Includes
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Dates:
August 25 - September 4, 2020 11 Days / 10 Nights
Starting in Cusco, ending in Iquitos Pace 3 – Several destinations, average time in each location: 2-3 days.
Activity Rating 3 – Activities of mild-moderate intensity, average level of fitness required.
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NOT INCLUDED: International Flights, extra nights in accommodation, lunch on day 8, drinks, snacks
Thrive Adventures itineraries represent the best our locations have to offer, but we know that each traveler has unique goals. Drop us a line to explore customization.
Fly to Peru
Most flights to Cusco & the Sacred Valley involve either an overnight layover in Lima and a short flight to Cusco the next morning, or an overnight flight with a layover in Central America that will arrive early in the morning in Cusco the next day. Some travelers choose to spend an extra night or two in Lima to break up the flights and add to the trip. We suggest staying in Miraflores as it is safe and stunning.
Day 1 - August 25: Arrive in Cusco and Acquaint
Ensure you forward your arrival details including your airline and flight number. A member of the team will be waiting just outside the Cusco airport baggage claim where the taxi drivers are. Look for a sign with your name on it. It's a very small airport and we don't usually have issues finding each other. You will be dropped off at your hotel where you can check in and get cleaned up for our first dinner together! If you arrive early the hotel will hold your luggage and you can explore the stunning city. Meet in the hotel lobby at 6:00pm to depart for dinner.
Day 2 - August 26: Salt Mines | School at Pilliray | Pachamama Traditional lunch | Moray Ruins | Chinchero weaving community | Ollantaytambo
We will meet you in the hotel lobby at 8:30am and start our day outside the village of Maras where a salinized stream flows through an elaborate collection of connected pools constructed in pre-Inca times to harvest salt.
We will then travel to the nearby village of Pillaray where our local partners are sponsoring a primary school. We will interact with the children and learn about the lives of the highland farmers and the ways in which tourism is benefiting them directly. If you feel so inclined, please bring school supplies for the children. We will walk with the children to the home of a local family for a picnic lunch to see first hand the traditional Pachamanca cooking methods.
After lunch we continue on to the Moray ruin to contemplate the concentric circles that make up an ancient Incan agricultural laboratory. Hike down into the archaeological site which also housed one of the main amphitheaters for the Incas where they performed rituals and ceremonies.
Finally, we will travel to Chinchero where we will then walk through the beautiful village and visit the women's weaving cooperative where we will watch a demonstration of local weavers who are still using traditional Inca patterns and techniques for dyeing fabric. Here you will have time to browse the shop which sells Inca style purses, tablecloths, wall hangings, and many other colorful and exquisitely patterned artisanal goods.
Finish the day nestled in the steep mountain valleys of Ollantaytambo with a dinner underlooking the towering and famously impenetrable Inca Fortress in the heart of the village.
We will then travel to the nearby village of Pillaray where our local partners are sponsoring a primary school. We will interact with the children and learn about the lives of the highland farmers and the ways in which tourism is benefiting them directly. If you feel so inclined, please bring school supplies for the children. We will walk with the children to the home of a local family for a picnic lunch to see first hand the traditional Pachamanca cooking methods.
After lunch we continue on to the Moray ruin to contemplate the concentric circles that make up an ancient Incan agricultural laboratory. Hike down into the archaeological site which also housed one of the main amphitheaters for the Incas where they performed rituals and ceremonies.
Finally, we will travel to Chinchero where we will then walk through the beautiful village and visit the women's weaving cooperative where we will watch a demonstration of local weavers who are still using traditional Inca patterns and techniques for dyeing fabric. Here you will have time to browse the shop which sells Inca style purses, tablecloths, wall hangings, and many other colorful and exquisitely patterned artisanal goods.
Finish the day nestled in the steep mountain valleys of Ollantaytambo with a dinner underlooking the towering and famously impenetrable Inca Fortress in the heart of the village.
Day 3 - August 27: Inca Trail Day Hike
Take the train from Ollantaytambo to begin the shortened version of the famous Inca Trail at Km 104. This route was used as a highway to bring supplies and people straight up the mountain to the most important temples, palaces, and resulting small cities the Inca had ever built, including Machu Picchu, all engineered into the mountains themselves. This route allows us to enjoy the best ruins on the Inca Trail while the big crowds who come to hike the full 4/5 day pilgrimage are on the trail. Hike through the Sun Gate at sunset, catch a quick glimpse of Machu Picchu (full tour tomorrow), and head down to our accommodation to clean up and replenish.
Hike Details: 6.3mi (10kms), 1,900ft (630m) elevation gain, 5-7 hrs
Hike Details: 6.3mi (10kms), 1,900ft (630m) elevation gain, 5-7 hrs
Day 4 - August 28: Machu Picchu Walking Tour | Huayna Picchu | Hot Springs
Rise at 5:30am for breakfast at 6am. Sunrise at Machu Picchu is worth it! Tak the 20 minute bus ride to Machu Picchu and enjoy a 2 ½ hour walking tour of the site where we will visit the most important temples and palaces and understand why the Incas built this magical place. Have free time to explore on your own and climb Huayna Picchu to the temple of the high priest. The afternoon and evening will be free time to explore the town. Lunch and dinner are on your own today.
Day 5 - August 29: Free day in Aguas calientes
Walk to a waterfall, enjoy the local market, spend more time in Machu Picchu, or just relax and enjoy a nice lunch along the river. Meet in the hotel lobby for a dip in the hot springs at 5pm, dinner at 7pm. Lunch is on your own today.
Day 6 - August 30: Local highland farm tour | Cooking quinoa | Locals Market | Cusco
Take the train back to Ollantaytambo in the morning and transfer to our guide’s family farm passed down three generations where he and his family still live and farm. Walk the farm and learn how REAL Peruvian highlanders live. Join the chef in the kitchen for a class on cooking the traditional quinoa soup. After a wonderful meal we continue on to the market at Urubamba where locals buy and sell goods and tourists are few and far between. End the evening with some free time in Cusco.
Day 7 - August 31: cusco city tour | free time in Cusco
Enjoy a relaxing morning and meet in the lobby of the hotel for a city tour at 10am. Take notes on your favorite places and spend the rest of the day exploring on your own. Lunch and dinner on your own today.
Day 8 - September 1: Rainbow mountain
This tour starts very early in order to avoid the crowds. You will be picked up by private driver at your hotel at 3 am. It will likely be cold so you have to dress very warmly with hat, gloves and warm coat. We will have pillows and blankets in the van so that you can try and continue resting on the way while we will drive 3 hours to the trailhead where a hot breakfast will be prepared and served. After breakfast, we will start ascending from 4,300 meters (14.200 feet) towards our goal of 5,200 meters (16,200 feet) usually taking 3.5-4hrs. During our hike, we will see stunning views of Ausangate, the highest mountain the Cusco region, while hiking through fields where alpacas, llamas and vicuñas are grazing. When we reach the summit, we will be rewarded with the magic vistas of the rainbow mountain and hear about the geology and geography of the region. There will be time for photos and questions before we start our descent which will take 2 to 2 1/2 hours. On the way down we will stop at one of the amazing viewpoints for a box lunch before finishing the descent. You can expect to arrive back at our accommodation in Cusco by about 7 pm.
Day 9 - September 2: Fly Cusco to iquitos | Amazon river cruise | Treehouse lodge
Head back to Iquitos by boat and transfer to the airport or extend your adventure.
Day 10 - September 3: Amazon Jungle experience
Choose from a number of experiences including piranha fishing, river dolphin swimming, dugout canoe trip, and jungle walks.
Day 11 - September 4: departures
Head back to Iquitos by boat and transfer to the airport. Book your flight any time after 12pm, noon.
