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PERU Adventures - April & October 2011
(details below)

SPIN-Camp 2011

w/ Jeff Della Penna              at The Santa Fe Spa

8 Sundays between January 09th and February 27th …

12:00 p.m. @ The SF SPA

R i d e    S c h e d u l e:

01/06 - 2 hr. Spin      

01/16 - 2.5 hr. Spin    

01/23 - 3 hr. Spin      

01/30 - 3.5 hr. Spin   

   02/06 - 2 hr. Spin    

02/13 - 3 hr. Spin

        02/20 - 2.5 hr. Spin        

02/27 - 3.5 hr. Spin    

24 total hours of training                                Program Fee:  $180.

(Non-Spa members must join The Spa or pay The SPA Day-Fee)

                            FitnessTips© radio show available soon.

                            SuperSeniors©, a nationwide initiative featuring

                                   The NureoMetrics© Exercise Program created by Jeff Della Penna

                                    KILLER WORKOUT  a novel by Jeff Della Penna

P E R U  Adventure

October 10th – 16th  2011

Cusco - the Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu

Hike at YOUR own Level…at YOUR own Pace.    Experience the culture with the indigenous people.

(Also Note: The Ausangate Mountain & Q’eros Cultural 6 day Add-On…See below.)

DAY 1      Monday, October 10th             Cusco

Fly to Cuzco in the morning (Please book your flight so as to arrive in Cusco on this day, from Lima, between 7:30 and 10 a.m.).  Our Experienced Guide Team will be at the Cusco airport, to meet you and oversee your transfer from the airport into town and your check-in.  At around noon, our guides from the Q’ero community (The last indigenous community of the Peruvian Andes) will help you start your acclimation process (Cusco is at almost 12,000 ft. above sea level) with an easy walk through the heart of Cusco, to our Welcome Lunch, on the Plaza de Armas.  This will be your first chance to taste many of the wonderful foods that make Central Peru (home of over 5,000 different types of potatoes and tubers), the birthplace of fusion.  After lunch, if you’d like, you can join the group for a guided tour of central Cusco, including the San Pedro open market, or meander back to your hotel to relax.  That evening you’ll walk as a group into the “Old Artist’s District” for a wonderful dinner.

DAY 2      Tuesday, October 11th           Cusco

After breakfast, those who wish to hike, will start out early for a tour/climb along the ancient processional route, up through the old part of the City, to Saqsaywaman, the mysterious Incan ritual site, perched over Cusco.  Those who slept-in, will catch the shuttle van and rendezvous with the hikers, up at the site, for an extensive interpretive tour of what is known as the “Head of the Puma”.  After a charming lunch, there will be plenty of time to explore the shops, before regrouping, in the afternoon, for a special guided tour of the Museo Inca.

DAY 3       Wednesday, October 12th     Pisac/Ollantaytambo

After breakfast in the hotel, you’ll depart Cusco for a full day of adventure. 

First Stop - - a textile cooperative presenting weaving demonstrations and a petting zoo with a complete array of the different camelidae of the Andes.  Then, we’ll continue down,  down, down into the Sacred Valley, 1,500 ft. below; arriving at the picturesque market town of Pisac, along the Urubamba River.  Everyone will proceed up to the overlook for a dramatic view of the Pisac historical site.  Several options present themselves; with short hikes, long hikes, or a leisurely stroll through the central village…available.  After a box lunch, the group will gather to visit the village proper and tour the market, ending with a quest for the perfect Pisco Sour or an excellent cappuccino at one of several café/bars around the plaza.  In the afternoon our private bus will follow the Rio Urubamba, downstream, to the romantic village of Ollantaytambo, and our hotel, next to the Patachanca River, with views of the famous Incan site.

DAY 4    Thursday, October 13th       Ollantaytambo

In the morning, after exploring the actual historical and ritual site at Ollantaytambo, and an early lunch, you’ll have several options for hikes and adventures, or you can relax in town and peruse the local artisan shops.  In the afternoon, friends from the nearby village of Patachanca will visit to show their weavings, on the grounds of the hotel.  That evening, you’ll enjoy dinner and continue your exploration of the ancient city.  Ollantaytambo is one of the oldest unreconstructed villages in central Peru and the sight of two important battles; one of which was between an Incan ruler and a charismatic general named Ollanta. 

DAY 5   Friday, October 14th  Ollanta./Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu

Early in the morning, you’ll catch the train to Aguas Calientes, check into your hotel, and then shuttle up to Machu Picchu… the most famous cultural site in all of the Americas.  You’ll tour the grounds and then enjoy a wonderful buffet lunch near the main entrance.  After lunch you can spend the rest of the afternoon climbing “Old Mountain”, wondering up to the Sun-Gate, or meandering through the site with Fernando Silva (Our head-Peruvian Guide) - - on an interpretive tour.  The plan is to pace yourself…as the long day wears on, the majority of the tourists will head back down to town to catch their trains, leaving the citadel to us in the incredible evening light. We’ll catch the last bus down, returning to your hotel in Aguas for a well-deserved shower and great dinner.

DAY 6   Saturday, October 15th Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu/Ollanta.

In the morning, we’ll shuttle back up to Machu Picchu on an early bus, to explore a quite, less crowded, Machu Picchu - in the morning mists.   Just before noon, you’ll say “goodbye” to this fantastic place, catch the bus back into town, regroup for lunch, and then gather at the train station.  The train will return you Ollanta in the afternoon, so you’ll have plenty of time to wonder Ollantaytambo again or visit a famous potter at his villa/factory.  That early evening, you are invited to partake in a special ritual Despatcho, guided by our Q’eros friends, within the grounds of the hotel.  Afterward, you’ll enjoy a candle-lit dinner at a nearby restaurant.

DAY 7  Sunday, October 16th  Ollantaytambo/Chinchero/Cusco

After breakfast and an early morning walk through Ollantaytambo, we’ll head out, in our bus, up through the town of Urubamba and across the Urubamba River, climbing up and out of the Sacred Valley, up to the picturesque farming village of Chinchero.  The home of a famous market, as well as our friend, and well-known weaver, Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez, author of “WEAVING IN THE PERUVIAN HIGHLANDS; Dreaming Patterns, Weaving Memories”.   Nilda will give us a fascinating overview of the Art and Craft of weaving, and a tour of the weaving cooperative that she founded in Chinchero.  You’ll have time to explore the famous Chinchero market and walk up to the ruins and church, if you like.  You’ll regroup at Nilda’s mother’s home for a traditional lunch.  After lunch, you’ll continue back into Cusco and re-check into the hotel.  There’s time to wonder or shop or just sit somewhere and soak it all in…putting closure to your incredible adventure. That evening you’ll celebrate the trip with a special Farewell Dinner.

(We always encourage visitors to stay at least a few extra days in Cusco at the end of the official trip.  We’re happy to book additional nights for you at the hotel, or perhaps you’d like to upgrade to one of Cusco’s famous 5-star hotels.) 

October 10th  – 16th  

Cusco - the Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu   Package Includes:

All hotels (in the $30 - $65 per night range.  If you wish to upgrade your hotels - credit will be given and every effort will be made to provide the special transfer services, but you will be responsible for all reservations and confirmations).

The services of our top guide team and interpreters (Headed by one of the Cusco area’s most knowledgeable and requested Licensed Peruvian Guides, Fernando Silva), with representatives from the Q’ero Community acting as cultural guides.

All museum fees, entrance fees to ruins and cultural venue fees.

All bus fees, van, taxi and train transportation fees and taxes.

All meals, including restaurants, buffets, picnics, box lunches, cocktails and snacks (Every effort will be made to accommodate special dietary requests.  Be aware that the meal package is fixed and includes three meals per day as well as snacks).

Guesstimated cost (based on 12 people on the trip) $1580.00 per person.

$500 holds your spot on the trip.

For more information or to discuss these trips, please contact…

Jeff Della Penna (505) 231-5039        jeffdellapenna@aol.com

(Please feel free to ask to speak with past participants)

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + A d d – O n + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Ausangate Mountain (Apu Ausangate) & Q’eros Cultural Trek Add-On

2 Nights in Ausangate, 3 Nights in the remote Q’eros Community.

A place so rare, so primitive, so special, it’s almost beyond description.

Maximum of 7 people.

DAY 1  Tuesday, October 18th   Cusco/ Occongate /Ausangate

The group will leave from Cusco first thing in the morning and drive 3 hours down through the major agricultural valley and then…up, up, and up into the Andes.  Occongate is a dusty little cross-roads town, high on the pass that leads to The Jungle and Brazil.  You’ll stop there to look around and stretch your legs before you continue for about 40 minutes beyond Occongate, up into the rural communities of the North side of Ausangate (the most sacred mountain in Southern Peru), to our base-camp, a traditional farm house, at almost 14,000 ft. Our host family is indigenous to these mountains, and will make every effort to welcome you and make you feel at home.  You’ll be sleeping on the second floor of their traditional homestead.  After a quick traditional lunch, you can relax with the weavers in the courtyard or head out in almost any direction for hikes - - all of which offer breath-taking views.  Traditional dinner with your hosts.

DAY 2  Wednesday, October 19th       Ausangate

After a traditional breakfast you are welcome to stay around the compound, rest and enjoy your surroundings, or help with the chores, or…you can head out for a trek to the mystical “Eye of Ausangate” a crystal clear reflecting pool at the very base of the summit of the Mountain, 5,000 ft. directly below the peak.  Here, your Q’ero spiritual guides will perform a ritual despatcho to ask Apu Ausangate to protect our group and grant us a safe passage on our journey.  Picnic lunch provided.  Later you can hike down the valley to a pre-Incan archeological site. Traditional dinner with your hosts.

DAY 3  Thursday, October 20th       Ausangate/Occongate/Q’eros

After an early breakfast you’ll load up for the 2½-hour, single lane, hanging-over-the-edge-of-the-cliff drive to “The End Of The Road”, the jump-off point for your 6-hour trek. Horses are provided for the up-hill sections…only the strongest and quickest trekkers can cover the distance within the time allotted. The route starts at 13300 ft above sea level and climbs slowly at first and than steeply up to 16,000 ft. at the pass.  From there, you’ll drop down into one of  8 remote Q’eros communities, to the ancestral home of our Q’eros friends and hosts.  Snack-lunch on the trail. When you arrive you’ll be welcomed with open arms by our hostess and served hot tea.  Get settled in and enjoy the traditional end-of-the-day sights of a community that has not changed significantly for the last 1,000 years.  Traditional dinner with your hosts and then settle in for your first night sleep in this remote community - - at over 14,000 ft. above sea level, without electricity, plumbing or any modern conveniences.

DAY 4   Friday, October 21st       Q’eros

After a traditional breakfast you are welcome to rest and stay around the compound…enjoy the daily life of the village, or, if you’re ready for more adventure, make the 2-hour trek, downhill, to the central community and to a rare historical site for a tour.  After a picnic lunch enjoy the 2½ - 3 hour hike back up to the host house.

DAY 5  Saturday, October 22nd       Q’eros

After a traditional breakfast relax around the compound…get involved in the daily life of the community, walk the alpaca up to graze, or trek with guides over a 15,000 + ft. pass to the neighboring valley to visit the homes of other friends in the Q’eros.  Traditional lunch and dinner with the hosts.

DAY 6  Sunday, October 23rd      Q’ero/Occongate/Cusco

After an early hearty breakfast you’ll say your farewells to your new friends and load up for the 6 hour trek - - back up and over the 16,000 ft. pass - - back down through the long beautiful valley, to the rendezvous with the waiting van.  Lunch is served on the trail.  You’ll drive the 2½ hours on the windy – scary road, back to Occongate.  At Occongate you can stretch your legs and wonder the local stores, before you’ll transfer into another van for the 3-hour drive back to Cusco…A long, hard day, but incredibly worth the effort.  Think of the experience.  Think of all the pictures you’ll have.

Package Includes:

Traditional (like the locals sleep) lodging…including sleeping bags and mats.

The services of a top guide team and interpreters, as well as the services of countless locals and cultural guides.

All meals, including restaurants, picnics, traditional foods, cocktails and snacks.

All van fees and transportation fees, including horses and their handlers, and surcharges.

Maximum of 7 people for this special adventure… $1120.00 per person.

$500 holds your spot on this totally unique trip.

For more information or to discuss these trips, please contact…

Jeff Della Penna (505) 231-5039        jeffdellapenna@aol.com