Tarapoto, known as the "City of Palms", is a thriving commercial hub in northern Peru, an hour by plane from Lima, situated in the San Martin Province in the high jungle plateau to the east of what is known as the selva baja (low jungle). Tarapoto is at an altitude of approximately 1,200 feet above sea level on the high jungle plateau, also called the cloud forest. Founded in 1782 by Baltazar Martínez Jiménez de Compagnon, Tarapoto has a population of 180,000 with the outlying districts according to the 2007 census. It often used by tourists and local visitors as a "jumping off" point for excursions into the vast Amazon Rainforest. The region's main activities are tourism, commerce and agriculture. Average temperatures are low 70’s and highs 90’S.

This team will be comprised of students from the University of Alabama Honors College.