School Expedition in Peru

As we encourage interaction with locals, we set students a challenge based in the bustling San Pedro market of Cusco. Teams will have a set time to answer all the questions, bringing them closer to the Peruvian culture. Students learn about the environmental impact of certain foods and about the culture and customs of locals working in this beautiful market. We enjoy an overnight stay in Cusco.

After journeying through the bewitching Andean mountains, we arrive at our homestay in Kuyoc Chico-Pisac, located in the sacred valley of the Incas. Here students will meet their friendly host families and lunch in their house. Students discover the self-sustaining manner of the community with an adobe brick-making workshop. We then have dinner with host families and overnight stay in their houses.

Students prepare for their challenging 2-day Lares Trek with a half-day walk to the peaks surrounding the community. Students should work in teams to ensure everyone can complete the hike in good health. After, learn the art of creating stunning ceramics using locally-sourced materials. This memorable day culminates with myths and stories of the land while gathered around a bonfire. We enjoy an overnight with host families.

An essential part of this expedition in Peru is an adventure in the Sacred Valley. Students tackle this 2-day trek, exploring a lesser-traveled route through the towering Sacred Valley mountains, passing Andean villages and walking through native forests and drastic valleys. You will get a taste of true Andean cuisine as your group is accompanied by local cooks that prepare delicious and hearty meals, giving you the energy to tackle the challenging route.

Along the way, you will experience ancient Andean living passing small farms, thatched-roof houses and farmers transporting their goods and packs of llamas. Of course, you will encounter Inca ruins and learn about how the native communities lived and traveled these valleys.

This unique experience will bring you closer to the magic of the Sacred Valley region, sleeping under the stars in cozy and comfortable camps prepared by your dedicated local team. The final overnight stay will be in Ollantaytambo.

One of the magical experiences of visiting Peru’s archeological wonder is the train journey winding through towering Andean mountains. Once in Aguas Calientes, students will be able to enjoy some free time and have the opportunity to buy locally-made handicrafts from the markets. We enjoy an evening meal before an early night ahead of tomorrow’s tour of Machu Picchu. We relax with an overnight in Aguas Calientes.

There’s a reason Machu Picchu has been billed as one of the most spectacular and unmissable travel experiences on the planet. This ancient Inca city bewitches, beguiles and leaves visitors aghast with its 15th-century ruins poking through the clouds at 7,970 feet above sea level. Students will hike to the ancient city before enjoying a guided tour. After, we enjoy lunch in Aguas Calientes before a transfer back to Cusco for an overnight stay.

Today, students will witness the effects of one women’s empowerment project on the community as they visit a village twice almost destroyed by first a mudslide and then the negative effects of tourism. After dining on a traditional lunch with the ladies, students will participate in a hands-on workshop whereby they learn traditional weaving methods and how clothes are dyed using plants and insects. We transfer the group to the airport in plenty of time for their flight home.