This trip has been completed. View photos of the trip.

July 2-11, 2009. This trip has been developed specifically for multi-generational travelers, offering a variety of activities in the land of the Incas of interest to those of all ages.

Frequently referred to as the "Land of the Incas," Peru is a vast amalgam of history, peoples, legends and traditions. Travel to the heart of this ancient empire and explore massive ruins, age-old villages and spellbinding landscapes.

Put together specifically for those traveling with children, this program includes activities and sightseeing opportunities that travelers of any age will find stimulating. The two major highlights of the program are visits to Machu Picchu, the once-lost city of the Incas, and Lake Titicaca, the world's highest commercially navigable lake. But each day will uncover a new, if unsung, example of Peru's riches.

After flying into Lima, continue on to the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit towns rich with archeological ruins and yet-vibrant markets. Raft on the Urubamba River. And walk the historic streets and visit the landmarks of Cuzco, once the center of the Incan Empire. Travel by train to the base of Machu Picchu and explore its granite temples, altars, squares and fountains. Spend free time at the complex to walk to the "Gate of the Sun" or to climb the dramatic peak of Huayna Picchu. Then journey overland through vistas of snow-capped mountains and charming villages to the shores of Lake Titicaca. Embark on a boat ride to floating man-made islands woven from reeds and to Taquile Island, known for its hand-made textiles.

Shannon Brink '09, a Woodrow Wilson School major, will serve as study leader for this program. Shannon has served as co-president, secretary and Peru project leader for the Princeton chapter of Engineers Without Borders, participating in several EWB assessment and project trips to Huamanzaña, Peru. These student teams installed photovoltaic panels and a battery-charging station to provide villagers with light, and later built cleaner-burning stoves to reduce indoor air pollution in village homes.

Shannon has also studied, traveled and worked in Chile and Nicaragua.

After graduating in June 2009, Shannon will begin service as a Charles and Marie Robertson Government Service Scholar, working for the U.S. Agency for International Development's Peru mission. After two years of service, she will return to the Woodrow Wilson School to enroll in its master of public administration (MPA) program.

During our journey, Shannon will speak on development issues in Latin America, including subsidies, free trade and poverty, with particular focus on Peruvian communities, and the work of Princeton students and organizations. In addition, she will assist our group's Peruvian guide in providing an overview of Andean history.