PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM
Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!
Here are a few things to know and expect:
- Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
- We typically receive 2-3 blog posts per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
- Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
- Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.
Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.
For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.
-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team
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BLOG POST FOR JULY 23
Written by: Fernanda, GLA Staff
Hola from Ollantaytambo!
Today we started with notifications about delayed flights. What it was supposed to be an easy day with everyone arriving early, became an interesting day of adjusting logistics.
Finally we came to our homebase with a group of students who are eager to embrace this experience. We are still waiting for students and some bags to arrive tomorrow in the morning.
We will share our journey together in the magical Sacred Valley 🙂
BLOG POST FOR JULY 24
Today was our first day with (almost) the full group! After an adventurous morning at the airport our new students arrived to Ollantaytambo.
Today we got to explore the city that will be hosting us for the next 2 weeks where we saw the archeological site of Ollantaytambo with its temple of the Sun. We explored the narrow streets and a traditional home of the only Inca living city in Peru.
After the tour, we participated in a traditional Andean ceremony where we got to connect with nature and present an offering to Pachamama (mother nature) for our intentions and a successful trip.
The day ended with our nightly meeting and a reflection in mentor groups about connecting with others in real life. We are all excited about our first day of service work tomorrow!
BLOG POST FOR JULY 25
Hello from the Sacred Valley!
Today was our first service work day. After a ride through mountains and rivers, we reached Patacancha Community. Here, the community leaders and members greeted us with music and big smiles.
Before starting the work, the community shared their traditional clothes and invited us to participate in a celebratory dance. We all got dressed in colorful local outfits and danced to the rhythm of carnival music.
After the warm welcome, we all got our gloves on and started moving dirt bricks and sifting soil to continue constructing the new community center for Patacancha.
We all did our best effort to contribute to the development of this community.
After service work, we had some rest that we used for playing volleyball and just relax.
We ended the day with leadership activities and an interesting debate. We are excited about what tomorrow will bring.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 26 (JULY 27TH ALSO ADDED BELOW)
Hello everyone,
We started the day with service work. The task was to prepare the wooden logs that will make part of the roof of the community center.
Today was the first day as a full group! Two new students arrived in Ollantaytambo!
After picking up the students near the home base, we headed to Pisac. On the way we stoped at different places like a ChcherÃa where they make chicha, a fermented drink made from corn, which is used in many rituals and ceremonies across Peru.
Along the way, we also stopped at a restaurant in Lamay, where they sell guinea pig. We had the opportunity to try this delicacy for the first time.
We eventually arrived in the city of Pisac, where we shopped for artisanal goods for our family members and ourselves.
The day ended with our nightly meeting and some volleyball with the group. We are all excited for the many adventures still to come!
Sam – Leader of the day
BLOG POST FOR JULY 27
On Day 5, we had an early wakeup to make our way to a rural town to cut hay and sift it in a rolling field. This hay will be used for the roof of the community center whe are helping to build as part of our service work.
The scenery was surrounded by Alpacas, Dogs, and beautiful views at every angle. We did this throughout the morning, and concluded our time at the property with a nice lunch made by a family who lived there. We took the bus back to our homebase, and the rest of the afternoon we spent playing football and hanging out in a cafe. After that we had dinner, which was followed by a detailed explanation of how we need to prepare for our Lares Trek the following day. After packing for the Trek, we went to bed early due to our early wakeup time the next morning.
Jack Cowan-Dewar – leader of the day
BLOG POST FOR JULY 28
Today we woke up bright and early at 5 AM, to begin the Lares Trek. After packing up all of our bags, we took a couple buses for the journey. First, we stopped at a local market to buy some goods to give out to the children and animals in the area, like bread and coca leaves. We drove a while longer through the beautiful mountains and eventually got to an elevation of around 13,000 feet where we stopped to take pictures as a group.
Upon arriving at the Lares trek, we suited up and headed up the trail. As we got higher and higher in altitude, the breathing became a struggle, but we persevered. Students motivated each other to push harder and to drink water frequently. We eventually arrived at our lunch spot where we enjoyed garlic bread and soup among other foods under a tent. The locals of the towns we passed were very welcoming and kind, and the views were beautiful and unlike anything any of us that ever seen.
Upon arriving to the Camp, our tents were already set up and all we had to do was make ourselves at home. We took a few group photos and adventured a little bit farther from Camp while waiting for dinner.
As the temperature dropped we collected together in the dining tent and had a delicious meal prepared for us buy some of the Sherpas. After dinner, a couple groups set out to go stargazing. As the sky got darker and darker more stars began to appear. We saw multiple shooting stars and the Milky Way. We eventually returned to Camp where we were met with nice warm water bags given to us by the Sherpas. These helped significantly with keeping our bodies warm for the night.
Jack Reed & Max Weinstein – leaders of the day
BLOG POST FOR JULY 29
Today we woke in sleeping bags and tents to a sunrise over the frosted Andes mountains. Greeted with hot tea right outside of our tents, to help with the chilly temperatures of the night. We had a breakfast consisting of fresh fruit, pancakes, bread & butter, hot chocolate and so much more. We took in all of the scenery and made the most of our time before we headed up the mountain for the second day of trekking. We packed our bags, saddled up (not literally), and headed up the mountain for the next hour. Along the way, we walked across thin cliff side trails, saw Andes geese and chinchillas.
We trekked along taking in the breathtaking views around us, and always taking small frequent sips of water!! We made it to the mountain pass, the highest point in our trek, as well as the end of the incline and the beginning of the decent. We stopped there, took photos and wandered around the top. A glorious sight. We then took a group photo and held up Llama hands!! Yay!! Then the decent began (aka everyone’s favorite part). We passed lakes, llamas, and luscious mountains.
We finished our trek in our service village, Patachancha. There, we had a celebratory and very warming lunch. Consisted of fried rice, chicken, corn, pumpkin & tofu sauce and tea. We conversed in healthy and happy conversation and enjoyed each other’s company. Then we loaded up onto the bus and headed back to homebase. We showered and freshened up for the next hour and then headed to a coffee shop. After, we walked back to homebase where we did a mentor activity, separating personal values based on our own importance. We narrowed 75 values down to 3 each. Then we separated and discussed and explained our top 3. We talked through how we get off track and distracted from the things in life that matter most to us. We concluded and headed to dinner! Where we started with soup, then had trout, rice and veggies as the entree. We ended the night with convo in the courtyard and friendly games of keep-it-up
Harding Edwards – leader of the day
BLOG POST FOR JULY 30
Hello everyone!
On day 8 we enjoyed a nice breakfast before we boarded the train, passing the time with cards, jokes, and enjoying the beautiful change of scenery. Eventually, we made it to Aguas Calientes, a town near Machu Picchu, where we were given the opportunity to explore the bustling artisanal markets.
After a successful shopping trip we stopped and had lunch as a group. From there we boarded our bus up to the entrance of Machu Picchu. After taking many photos, we learned about the city’s history, the Inca Trail, and Incan hierarchy. We followed our tour guides and were able to explore the ruins, see llamas, and take in the intricate architecture.
Finally, to end the day, the group boarded the train back to Ollantaytambo where we ended the day with a delicious dinner. We returned to Home Base and got ready for our second to last day of service.
Lilly and Sophia – Leaders of the Day
BLOG POST FOR JULY 31
Today, we had our second to last day or service. One group worked on leveling the floor of the community center and sifted out the rocks so they can use them in future projects. The other group sanded logs to be used as a structural frame for the roof and smoothed bamboo for parts of the roof.
The group all together indulged in a wonderful meal that was prepared by the Quechua people in Patacancha. We feasted upon a delicious quinoa soup and a stew with rice.
We then returned to Ollantaytambo, where we had the opportunity to clean up a bit and did some leadership activities. We went to the coffee shop and markets before dinner and after dinner we returned to home base to have a karaoke night.
Jackson K. – leader of the day
BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 1
Today we started off the morning with a bus ride up to the Patacancha community to finish out our service work. We worked on finishing our part of the work for the community center. We have completed so much work in only our couple days here!
The kind people of the community then cooked us a traditional celebrational meal by heating up rocks in the ground that cooked foods consisted of Alpaca, chicken, pork, potatoes and vegetables. Then we got to see how the local community makes their different products like textiles and blankets. We got to see how they use natural dye to color their different products. We saw them make the products by hand from real alpaca, llama and sheep wool. We had a chance to buy some of these handmade products from people of the community.
Once we got back from the service site we had a traditional dance class with dances from the various regions of Peru, the Mountains, Amazon, and the coast, and a classic salsa dance. We all gathered and danced for over an hour together while learning dances together. After we finished we all gathered for dinner, where we had conversations about the day before returning to home base to talk about our trip to Cusco the next day, play games, and eventually all go to bed to get ready for our adventure to Cusco.
-Gabe Magaro and Jesse Profeta – Leaders of the day
