December 3-13, 2025 (11 days | 16 guests)
The Trip
Join us on this winter getaway on which you and fellow Carls will have the opportunity to learn firsthand about rainforest ecology and the Inca Empire of Peru with evolutionary ecologist Mark McKone and an expert tour manager/guide.
We will spend time in both a lowland tropical rainforest and within a cloud rainforest at the foot of Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition, we will enjoy Peruvian culture and cuisine while traveling among some of the region’s amazing landscapes.
Highlights:
- Spend time walking nature trails, exploring the treetops of the rainforest on a canopy walk, and traveling down the Madre de Dios River in and around the Tambopata National Reserve and the Amazon rainforest.
- Wander the ruins of Machu Picchu on two separate occasions, with the opportunity to visit this amazing site in both the afternoon and the morning.
- Discover for yourself other captivating Inca ruins such as:
- Ollantaytambo, a massive Inca temple/fortress with large stone terraces on a hillside
- Q’enqo, which is entirely sculpted in a natural rock formation and was a significant sanctuary for the Incas
- Sacsayhuaman, an Inca fortress in the hills overlooking Cusco, whose walls were constructed using immense stones
- Tambomachay, dedicated to water worship, with its complex hydraulic engineering
- Explore the cultures of the Sacred Valley, visiting a weaving center, a traditional market, and a unique cultural center where one can see and feed three species of camelids (llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas) and learn about processing their highly coveted wool.
- Enjoy two nights in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cusco, the original Spanish capital of Peru, founded by conquistador Francisco Pizarro. Spanish Colonial architecture is built atop Inca buildings and we will have some time to explore this great city on our own.
Professor McKone has led previous Alumni Adventures to acclaim, and he looks forward to sharing with you insights into rainforest ecology, the domestication of plants and animals, and the peopling of the Americas.
This exclusive Carleton Alumni Adventure is limited to just 16 participants so, if you wish to join, I suggest that you reserve your spot today, before the trip is waitlisted.
Faculty Leader
Mark McKone is the Towsley Professor of Biology at Carleton. He received a Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior at the University of Minnesota in 1985, followed by post-doctoral work at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand until he joined Carleton’s Biology Department in 1987. Mark is an evolutionary ecologist, with particular interest in how the interaction between plants and insects influences their mutual adaptations. He also has worked extensively to plan and assess the outcome of the large prairie restorations in the Carleton Arboretum. Mark’s regular courses at Carleton include Evolution and Population Ecology. For 20 years, Mark taught a Tropical Rainforest Ecology course at Carleton, which included a trip to the Costa Rican rainforest. He also has led Alumni Adventures to Costa Rica and Tanzania. Now, he is excited to explore the rainforests of the Amazon Basin with alumni and to visit the high Andes, including the spectacular cultural site of Machu Picchu.
Prices Per Person (10 nights)
Double Occupancy (13-16 participants) $6,195
Double Occupancy (16-21 participants) $6,495
Single Supplement (limited availability) $775
Single room supplement will be charged when requested or required.
With fewer than 10 participants, a small group surcharge may be applied.
Itinerary
Wednesday, December 3, 2025: Fly to Lima, Peru
Thursday, December 4: Fly to Puerto Maldonado | Amazonia | Welcome dinner
Friday, December 5: Amazonia: Tambopata National Reserve, Lake Sandoval canoe trip, Inkaterra Canopy Walkway, Wetland walk, Evening rainforest walk
Saturday, December 6: Amazonia: Nature trail walk, local farm tour
Sunday, December 7: Fly to Cusco | Awana Kancha Center | Sacred Valley
Monday, December 8: Urubamba market | Maras salt mines | Chinchero weaving community | Pachamama ceremony
Tuesday, December 9: Ollantaytambo | Train to Machu Picchu Pueblo | Machu Picchu
Wednesday, December 10: Machu Picchu
Thursday, December 11: Train to Ollantaytambo | Cusco
Friday, December 12: Q’enqo | Sacsayhuaman | Tambomachay | Cusco | Farewell dinner
Saturday, December 13: Cusco: Koricancha Temple, Cathedral complex | Fly to Lima | Fly home
Additional Information
Download the detailed brochure
To reserve your space using an online form, click here.
For reservations or for more information, download the detailed brochure, call 800-811-7244 or email Carleton College Alumni Adventures.