OPI Participants Climb Machu Picchu

For Joseph Roberson, OPI Program Director, the result of his adventure earlier this month in the Land of the Incas was that “we (have been) forever denied the possibility of discounting the power of the human spirit.”

For Chris H., one of four OPI Participants who accompanied him on the trip to Machu Picchu, the Urubamba Valley and the Manu Wildlife Center in the Peruvian Amazon Basin, it was the four-hour hike up Wayna Picchu with its towering elevations and clouded rainforests that was “an awesome experience.”

“The view was amazing. But it was a really rough hike. The trail was really steep and my legs were shaking as I was climbing. I was scared for my life.”

Joseph saw the hike in a more philosophical light: “The trip up Wayna Picchu was so physically taxing and seemingly impossible that the successful climb inspired us to believe we could endure and accomplish anything, should we set our minds to accomplish it.”

This trip was organized by San Francisco-based Geographic Expeditions, a pioneer in adventure travel. Geographic Expeditions teams with OPI to offer customized trips for OPI Participants.

The group of five left Los Angeles for Lima Peru and then traveled to the Urubamba Valley where they explored ancient Incan farming methods, visited Incan salt mines and an Incan Sun Temple.

From there it was on to Machu Picchu where their personal guide, Rosa, introduced them to this “lost Incan City” that lay undiscovered until 1911. She then filled them with Machu Picchu legend and lore while leading them on a tour of the ancient village and ruins.

After Machu Picchu the group traveled to Cusco, Peru, and stayed in what Jacob K. described as “a very nice part of the city close the Main Square and a beautiful cathedral.”

But the adventure still continued. The group participated in an ancient Incan ritual. A shaman blessed them in order to help them realize their wishes for the next year. Each participant held a plate containing cocoa leaves and alpaca fat as well as symbols of their special wish while the shaman rubbed a small, dead armadillo on top of their heads and made patterns on their backs.

Next the group headed to the Amazon jungle. They took a six hour boat ride into Bolivia and then hiked into the rainforest where they saw a Cayman (a tiny alligator), a Capybara (a pig sized amphibious rodent), parrots, unusual insects and more.

Jordan M. loved the rainforest. “I’ve always wanted to go to a rainforest,” he said. “I’m really into plants and animals and photography. It was a great place to take pictures and learn about different kinds of wildlife.”

The group was also able to meet some natives of the Amazon jungle and visit their village. Stefan T. said of his experience in the village, “The people were poor but the happiest I’ve seen. They made me realize all you need in life are the basic necessities, family, and a purpose.”

After their Amazon experience, the travelers stayed in Lima for one night before flying back to Los Angeles. In Lima, they were able to tour the city and visit the Museo del Oro (The Gold Museum) which features room after room of ceramics, gold and textiles from different Peruvian cultures

After the travelers returned to OPI, Joseph Roberson explained, “we returned as a family of sorts, forever bonded by the profound impact of being immersed in a foreign culture together.”

He says of his experience with the young adventurers, “During the course of the trip there was a moment where each individual was able to shine and the rest of the group came to appreciate the beauty of that person as an individual and the importance of the role they played in the group.”

Now OPI Participants are busy dreaming where the next trip will take them. While no one knows the destination, yet, it’s sure to be far beyond the study halls of Pierce College or the Malibu surfline.

Geographic Expeditions offers a sensational and varied roster of overland tours, walking trips, treks, expeditions and voyages to the world’s most fascinating places. Travel and Leisure Magazine recognized Geographic Expeditions as one of the world’s top 10 tour operators .