The Andean HUACA Project

The Andean HUACA Project, or "HUACA" (WA-kah) for short, uses this acronym to mean Human Understanding through Archaeology and Cultural Awareness. A “huaca” in the Quechua language is a place or object that has spiritual and sacred value, such as a temple or even a small rock. HUACA is an immersion in the ancient and modern worlds of the Peruvian Andes, and our journey there will be guided by such questions as, "What is civilization?", "How does colonialism change a society?", and "How do cultures preserve their identities despite outside influences?" 

This is a physically rigorous program and participants should expect to be active every day at high altitudes (14,000+ feet above sea level) on walks, jaunts, hikes, and a challenging multi-day trek. We will explore ancient, colonial, and modern sites in and around Lima, Caral, and Chavín de Huántar, before moving our adventure to the region of Cusco, the “navel” of the Inca empire. While there, we will behold the crown jewel of Inca innovation—Machu Picchu. The highlight of the adventure will perhaps be a rigorous five-day trek to rediscover Choquequirao: a hard-to-reach ancient Inca citadel still hidden deep amidst the breathtaking mountains and canyons of the Andes and thus untouched by mass tourism. In recognition of our ambitious itinerary, the program will be peppered with well-timed breaks to indulge ourselves in some of the finer elements of Peruvian culture and cuisine. 

Knowledge of the Spanish and Quechua languages is not required, but an open mind and a willingness to take on diverse perspectives is expected. Prepare yourself for the learning adventure of a lifetime!