BASIC FOR THE SELECTION OF PARTICIPANTS

A. GENERALITIES

A.1. The expedition “Ruta Inka 2010 – Al encuentro de los Mayas”, will be a continental journey which will travel through the principle archaeological sanctuaries and indigenous reserves of South America in the countries of Bolivia, Perú, Ecuador, Colombia, Panamá, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala, beginning in the Sanctuary of Tiahuanaco (Bolivia) on June 21 2010, and ending in the National Park of Tikal in Guatemala on August 30 of the same year.

A.2. Due to the dimensions of the expedition and the duration of the crossing the expedition will have two branches, so that the expeditionaries participate in a relay system, emulating the chasquis or Inca messengers. Hence the first stage, called the Inka Branch will be carried out from June 21 to July 25, from Machupicchu in Cusco to Capurganá, on the border between Colombia and Panamá. The second part, called the Maya Branch will take place from July 26 until August 30, from the Panama Canal to the National Park of Tikal in Guatemala.

A.3. Each of these segments will have its own diffusion in the press and selection of participants:

- Those interested in participating in the Inka Branch should send their applications to the centre of the Ruta Inka Association, at Av. Benavides 441, Of. 702, Miraflores, Lima 18 – Perú, telephone (511) 241-1789, fax (511) 445-8953, with an email copy to rutainka2010@gmail.com

- Those interested in participating in the Maya Branch should send their applications to the University of Costa Rica, in "Rodrigo Facio Brenes" Montes de Oca, San José Costa Rica Código Postal 2060 San José, Costa Rica, telephone (506) 2207-4411 Fax: (506) 2234-2427, with an email copy to rutainka2010@gmail.com

A.4. Past expeditionaries or outstanding students will be able to participate in the whole journey from Tiahuanaco to Tikal, as long as they have the possibilities to do so. Those interested should send their applications to the , with an email copy to rutainka2010@gmail.com

B. SELECTION OF EXPEDITIONARIES:

B.1 Male and female students between the ages of 18 and 23 will be selected according to their academic merit, tolerance and capacity to take on challenges, responsabilities and intense activities (walks, sports tournaments, adverse climates, living together with native communities etc.)

B.2. Those interested should present a monographic essay about the Precolombian Cultures of South America (preferably about the places which will be visited), accompanied by a letter of recommendation from their respective centre of studies, which recognizes them as outstanding students. They should also attach their CV together with a written report describing their merits (which can be academic, artistic, literary or sports) and their proposals to contribute to the success of the expedition.

B.3. 190 participants will be selected between expeditionaries and monitors for each branch. Those coming from developed countries will pay USD $400 (S/.1250 Peruvian Soles or 300 Euros, whichever results more convenient when the expedition begins). Students from developing countries will pay USD $300 ( or S/950.00 Peruvian Soles or 220 Euros), which will cover food, accommodation, local transport medical attention, documents, certificates, basic uniform for one of the two branches, each of which will last 35 days. They will also be given a documentary about the journey.

B.4. Outstanding students of few resources and by applying to their authorities can achieve discounts or even have their quota paid for. Similarly, past expeditionaries who have stood out for their leadership, service vocation or those who have presented the best works of diffusion about their expedition (journals, videos or photographs) will be able to gain discounts in their quotas in recognition of their active participation in the preparatory phase of the current expedition.

B.5. Exceptionally students may be admitted who turn 17 in 2010, as long as they have the permission of their parents or tutors and have outstanding results in their studies.

B.6 The application period for expeditionaries will close on 30/04/2010, after which students will only be admitted if there are any remaining places, and will pay 20% more on their quota. The definitive list of those selected will be published at www.rutainka.org on 31/05/2010. However applicants from distant countries who comply with the prerequisites will be accepted as soon as possible so that they can seek sponsorship without setbacks.

C. SELECTION OF MONITORS:

C.1. 12 monitors will be selected (both men and women) for each branch. They should have appropriate training and leadership qualities to lead groups of young people.

C.2 The monitors should be between 24-35 years of age, and for their selection they should submit their CV together with an essay about their experience, merits and motives to participate in the expedition. Those interested should send their application to the Ruta Inka Association, at Av. Benavides 441, Of. 702, Miraflores, Lima 18 – Perú, telephone (511) 241-1789, fax (511) 445-8953, with an email copy to rlatorre@rutainka.org

C.3 The selected monitors will pay 50% of the inscription quota of the expeditionaries. The application period will close on 30/04/2010, after which applications will only be accepted if there are spaces available and they will pay the full quota.

D. SELECTION OF OTHER PARTICIPANTS:

D.1. Journalists, artists and professors whose work is based in youth, ecology, culture, sport and adventure will be admitted, and should be accredited by their institutions, with a commitment to contribute to the success of the expedition.

D.2. Journalists interested in accompanying the expedition should present a letter from the press organization to which they belong, through which they should take on a commitment to giving coverage and making a report or documentary of the expedition. They will participate in the journey without costs, so long as they spread the calling of the Ruta Inka amongst their readers.

D.3 Composing artists will be able to participate free of charge if they compose a song about the expedition. If their participation in the entire expedition is unfeasible they will be invit4ed to participate in activities relevant to the expedition, in order to enhance their presence in the documentaries made by the journalists.

Restrictions: misbehaviour will not be permitted, nor will smoking, consumption of alcohol or other harmful substances forbidden by law. Participants who cause trouble will be separated from the expedition and the incident will be reported to their relevant home authorities. It is essential to be mentally and physically fit and to have basic knowledge of Spanish or in its defect English.

Coordinación General
rutainka2010@gmail.com
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