Peru: Andean Adventures and Machu Picchu

Meet up with your group at a pre-selected location at your home airport. Once everyone has arrived, check your bags and go through security as a group. From here you will board your flight and depart for your international flight to Peru. This first day is counted as a full day of travel because the standard travel time to this destination exceeds 12 hours. This may change depending on your departure location.

Flight Details: Rustic Pathways will be happy to book your flight as an add-on service.

Arrive in Lima on an overnight flight and connect directly on a short trip to Cusco in the heart of the Peruvian Andes.

Arrive in Cusco, the historical capital of the Inca empire high in the Andes Mountains. After a delicious light lunch we will descend into the Sacred Valley of the Incas for a relaxing afternoon and some time to acclimatize. End your day at a comfortable hotel in the heart of the Sacred Valley.

Overnight: Hotel, Sacred Valley

Today we’ll immerse ourselves into the Andean highlands. This imposing mountain landscape has ancient archaeological sites hidden behind every turn and offers plenty of natural wonders to enjoy. Spend the day hiking through small mountain communities, enjoying a picnic lunch and learning about the cultural and natural history of the region.

Overnight: Hotel, Sacred Valley

See a completely different side of this beautiful region. Start the morning paddling on a pristine mountain lake with views of surrounding glaciers, Bike through the rolling hills to the site of our picnic lunch and explore the historic salt terraces that have been producing salt for the region since the pre-Inca cultures populated these areas.

Overnight: Hotel, Sacred Valley

Optional add-ons:

2 Days (Days 3-4): Service and Culture

Explore the remote Andean Highlands. Hike through traditional Quechua communities to a breathtaking waterfall and a strategic Inca fortress that overlooks the valley. Learn about rural life and indigenous culture. In the evening visit a local non-profit that provides education for girls from the region’s communities. The following day work alongside NGO staff on improvement projects for the girls’ home.

2 Days (Day 3-4): Language Immersion and Local Living

Tack on some language learning and cultural immersion with homestays or hotel stays. Daily language classes and afternoon adventures or workshops will add a unique and immersive aspect to your program.

Start your day with a picturesque train ride to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of the Machu Picchu ruins. Explore the town and gear up for the adventure ahead. Upon arrival, start the hike up to the ruins and then take a guided tour to learn about the site’s history. Marvel at the intricate stonework and the breathtaking views from the perched terraces. At the end of an epic day, take the train back to Ollantaytambo.

Overnight: Hotel, Ollantaytambo

Get your adrenaline pumping while scaling rocky valley walls. Harnessed in, the group will ascend hand over hand up an iron ladder attached to the granite walls. From the top enjoy incredible views of the Sacred Valley, and then zipline back down. After lunch, hop into the van for a ride to Cusco. Along the way, stop in Chinchero for a workshop on the traditional methods of weaving and fabric dyeing.

Overnight: Hotel, Cusco

Enjoy a mix of past and present as you explore Cusco’s 16th century cathedrals, ancient Inca temples, and colonial streets. See why the city is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Then in the afternoon, visit the Chocolate Museum and make your own handmade chocolates from Peruvian cacao. Afterwards, sample traditional Peruvian delicacies and international fusion foods for dinner.

At the end of the program, students reflect on their experiences during a closing discussion and the traditional Rustic Ties ceremony. This unique and powerful activity allows students to capture their memories and contemplate ways to share what they’ve learned with their communities back home.

Visit the local San Pedro market, taste the local fruits and vegetables, and bargain for any last-minute gifts for family and friends during your final morning in Peru. Share a final lunch before heading to the airport for the flight to Lima and your connecting flight home.

Flight Details: Rustic Pathways will be happy to book your flight as an add-on service.