PoD - Expedition for Teachers Summer 2009

Expedition for Teachers Summer 2009

An exciting opportunity for teachers to join our expedition to Peru in August 2009. This is 'teachers only' spending two or three weeks on expedition in Peru visiting the Amazon Rainforest, visiting Machu Picchu and spending time in Cusco - and with the option of trekking to a remote Inca fortress and whitewater rafting down one of the head waters of the Amazon.

This expedition will be led by Mike - one of the PoD directors and expedition manager.

Whether you have been on several expeditions as a teacher and are already well travelled or have no expedition experience and are thinking of taking a group abroad in the future this exciting opportunity could be for you.

You will have the chance to spend a week at our jungle research centre in the Amazon Rainforest - taking part in the ongoing research and data collection and experiencing this amazing environment first hand. You will also see some of Peru's incredible Inca history and even have a chance to learn salsa dancing in the ancient capital of the Inca Empire.

Any teachers wishing to arrive early or stay on in Cusco and volunteer in one of our orphanages or schools can do so at no extra cost (you'll need to cover your own food and accommodation).

And all with no students in tow!

Dates	1st to 16th August 2009
Duration	2 weeks (optional 1 week extension)
Price	£955
Number of teachers	up to 20

Aim of the expedition

The focus of this expedition will be the needs of teachers thinking of taking groups abroad. It will be a relaxed and fun fortnight in Peru (with the option of a week extension for a trek or extra extension for volunteering) and we will run informal seminars throughout the trip on the following topics:

    * expedition health
    * safety in remote environments
    * travel in the developing world
    * maximising the benefit to students
    * geo-blogging and Google Earth
    * the environmental impact of adventure travel
    * the importance of 'real world' fieldtrips to students
    * The British Standard 8848 'A Specification for adventurous activities, expeditions, visits and fieldwork outside the UK'

The trip will provide you with an insight into the way PoD runs school expeditions and field trips and will give you the chance to experience an expedition without students to consider!

For those that want there is the chance to develop resources for your teaching using data collected at the centre.

give us a call on 01242 250 901 and speak to Mike if you want know more

Why go?

Peru is an amazing, varied and interesting country
The Amazon Rainforest is an essential and disappearing resource – this is a chance to live in it, to learn about it and to do something to protect it
You can use this trip as a recce to plan potential future trips for a group from your school – this could be an adventurous field trip or an expedition
It’s a chance to take part in a trip tailored to the needs of teachers with the idea of helping you to educate your students about this amazing country and threatened environment
All your travel in Peru is arranged for you (except the internal flights) and guided by our expedtion leader
Information you collect at the research centre including data and photos can be used to develop your own teaching resources on your return to the UK
You will have access to other research carried out in the centre to use for your own teaching
If as a result of your trip, your school books a field trip or expedition through PoD in the next 5 years we will refund £500 to you.

Who is it for?

This expedition is for any teacher who wishes to travel to Peru and who is enthusiastic about learning more about the Amazon Rainforest and protecting the world we live in. Its for teachers who are keen to develop their expedition experience and skills and who are excited about travelling with a group of likeminded teachers to some of the greatest sites in Inca history.

The size of the expedition team is flexible so we will not be turning away suitable applicants.

Provisional Itinerary

Day 1	Arrive Lima
Day 2	Fly to Cusco, afternoon seeing the sights and preparing for the jungle
Day 3	Travel to edge of the Andes and spend the night in the cloud forest
Day 4	Descend from the cloud forest into the jungle
Day 5-10	at the jungle centre
Day 11	Return to Cusco
Day12	Visit Sacred Valley
Day 13	Visit Machu Picchu
Day 14	Day off in Cusco
Day 15	Fly to Lima and return to UK
OR	Optional extension to do a trek in the Andes near Cusco
OR	Stay on in Peru for some independent travel

Work at the research centre

We will assist with the work of the centre, as well as holding our own seminars and training sessions.

Current projects include:

Fauna - wildlife monitoring and capacity building programme
Macaw monitoring at the clay lick
Large mammal monitoring – tracking and recording the presence of jaguar, puma, tapir and other species
Mapping - using GPS to map the area and record areas of special interest Water purification - using local plants and biomass to filter and cleanse water
Carbon initiative - offsetting greenhouse emissions through forest regeneration
Reforestation – regenerating areas of forest that have been damaged by logging and farming
Education - educating local children in rainforest and sustainable development practices
Field guide - producing an illustrated educational tool
Night monkeys - studying the habits of the night monkey
Jungle exploration - maintaining and expanding the trail system and exploring the area

Accommodation and lifestyle

Accommodation is in dormitories in two-story thatched buildings with majestic views over the Madre de Dios River. There is a large dining area, bar and kitchen as well as a relaxation area with hammocks that overlooks the waterfall that borders the site.

When not working you can relax in this amazing environment. There is a town nearby which can be reached by a short trip across the river and a 40 minute walk. You can visit the town for some time out and to use the Internet. There are also local activities and tours that can be organised such as trekking, visiting thermal springs and river trips.

About the Manu Biosphere Reserve

The Manu Biosphere Reserve (MBR) is an integral component of the Vilcabamba Amboro Conservation Corridor, a thousand-kilometre-long network of protected areas that run from Machu Picchu in Peru to Amboro in central Bolivia. The importance of this area was recognised in 1987 it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The MBR is world renowned location for biodiversity and has an abundance of wildlife. Biologists have documented close to 1,300 species of butterflies (15% of the World total), 800 species of birds (9%) and 160 species of mammals (4%). 140 species of amphibians and reptiles and 250 species of freshwater fish have also been identified over the last few years. Of an estimated 25,000 species of flowering plant in Manu, only 18% have yet been properly described.

The MBR is also home to no less than eight Amerindian tribes as well as native highland Quechua-speaking communities and immigrant colonists (mestizos), all of whom add-up to a cultural mix of 18,000 people. A further 6,000 people (mainly foreigners) visit the MBR every year as tourists.

About the research centre

Our centre is a key site for research and education. Its mission is to:

Educate local rainforest populations and visitors
Promote sustainable natural resource development
Integrate pure and applied research of the rainforest environment and its natural systems
Conserve and preserve tropical ecosystems

The centre is located in a 600 hectare private reserve of diverse humid tropical rainforest habitat in the MBR. The site has been developed using traditional thatched techniques and modern design, and the latest in natural resource management to maintain the site. There is accommodation for 24 people in spacious dormitory areas with fully equipped bathrooms. There is also a large dining area, bar and kitchen as well as a relaxation area with hammocks.

The setting is a rainforest clearing dominated by a clear-water stream and cascading waterfall and with majestic views over the canopy, Madre de Dios River and surrounding areas. The whole area is intersected with rivers and mountain streams, and is full of natural bathing pools and waterfalls.

At the site there are first aid qualified staff, a field medical kit, communications radio and electricity generator. The nearby town has additional medical facilities and there is access to helicopter evacuation to Cusco in case of emergency.

Price and what's included

The expedition will cost £955 per person and will include:

Training in the UK prior to departure and the chance to meet the rest of the team
Information and advice on health, planning for the expedition and what to take prior to departure including a detailed information pack
Support from our staff in Peru during the expedition
Accommodation on arrival in Lima
Transfer to the airport in Lima
Pick up from the airport in Cusco
Accommodation throughout the expedition
Meal on the evening of arrival in Cusco and on the last night of the expedition
All food whilst at the Jungle research centre

If you choose to stay on for the trek in the Andes the cost will be an additional £290, which will include:

A 4 to 5 day guided trek in the Andes
All expenses on the trek including food and porters fees
3 extra nights in Cusco

The price will NOT include

Flight to Peru
Flight from Lima to Cusco
We can advise you on how to book these flights
Insurance – this can be arranged for you at an additional cost

Fundraising and sponsorship

A number of teachers we have spoken to are applying to their school for sponsorship or a contribution from their inset budget towards the cost of the expedition as it will be excellent professional development. Another route is for you to fund raise towards the cost of your trip as you are going to work with a charitable jungle conservation foundation.

When to travel

You can, of course choose either to fly out on the official dates with the group or travel independently to visit Peru or other areas in South America before the expedition start date. Similarly at the end of the expedition, you may choose to travel straight back to the UK or join our organised trek in the Andes, or continue travelling after the expedition ends. We can offer advice on travel in Peru and on the options for other activities including trekking.