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Peru

Peru: Andean Service and Culture — Custom School Trips

Groups of 8+ | Custom Dates | 12 Service Hours | Fully Supported | 4.9 on GoOverseas

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This program gives students the opportunity to learn about Andean culture, the stunning Peruvian landscape, and the challenges and inequities community members here face. Focusing on access to education and traditional gender norms, explore the experiences your peers in the Sacred Valley must overcome to attend school. Participate in meaningful service projects with our partner, the Sacred Valley Project, as you work to address these issues. Hike through majestic mountains and visit Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu was definitely a highlight. It was totally surreal to walk around and wonder, ‘How is this a real place?’ It was so cool learning about it in history class and then seeing it in real life.

Custom School Trip

Contact us for a custom quote

Custom dates & duration. Groups of 8+.

Response within 1 business day

Anna Beckerman

Anna Beckerman

Head of School Group Travel

Dartmouth · 15 years at Rustic

321+ school partners since 2010

Not sure yet?

Email Rustic Pathways

Talk to a personal travel advisor: +1 (440) 975-9691

Schedule a call

View program itinerary

What Does a 10-Day Program Include?

A typical program. Daily activities are subject to change based on group logistics and weather.

1

Depart for Peru

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.
2

Welcome to Peru!

Arrive at Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima (LIM) and meet your program leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Head to the hotel and settle in, relaxing after your long flight. Join the group for an orientation discussion and an introduction to the local culture. Flights don’t cross the Andes after dark, so you’ll relax here overnight before your early morning flight to the Sacred Valley. Overnight: Hotel, Lima
3

Cross the Andes to the Sacred Valley

Wake up and take a bus back to the airport for your quick flight to the Sacred Valley and Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco (CUZ). This flight will only be about an hour. Make sure to look out the window as you descend into the ancient capital of the Inca Empire in the Andes Mountains! Leaving from the coast, the group will fly high into the Andes to the historical capital of the Inca empire. End your day in a comfortable hotel in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
4

Hike to Rural Communities

Hike into the mountains around the Sacred Valley to get a perspective on the landscape challenges that make access to education more difficult. Visit families in rural communities well off the “tourist” track, explore Inca ruins, and witness majestic mountainscapes. This activity mirrors what local students would have to do to attend school if residing at home with their families. It brings into focus the realities of students from remote communities and what they have to overcome just to continue their education. Overnight: Hotel, Calca
5 – 6

Service in the Sacred Valley

Participate in service initiatives with the Sacred Valley Project, a local organization that supports the secondary education of girls from remote Andean communities. Depending on the school’s needs during your visit, this will likely focus on infrastructure improvements. You will also have time each day to interact with Sacred Valley Project team members at the dorm, as you discuss the role of this organization in supporting their students. When possible, get to know the local students during group activities and meals. Optional activity for Day 5: Ziplining This one-day activity is available for an extra per-person fee. Scale 400 meters (1,312 feet) up the side of the Via Ferrata rock face in a climbing harness, using bolted holds and ropes to make your way up to the top. Once you arrive, it’s time to fly down! Zipline down 6 different platforms, flying over the Sacred Valley and enjoying the breathtaking scenery along the way. Overnight: Hotel or homestay, Calca
7

Experience Machu Picchu

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 shop, and gear up for the adventure ahead. Upon arrival, start the hike up to the ruins and then take a guided tour of the site’s history. Marvel at the intricate stonework and pause to take in the breathtaking views from the perched terraces. At the end of an epic day, take the train back to Ollantaytambo. Optional Activity for Days 7-9: Community Expedition This three-day activity is available for an extra per-person fee. This expedition will make you feel as though you have hiked through time and will show the group what it means to live truly off the map. Fully outfitted with camping supplies, we will hike deep into the Andean mountains to the communities where the families of Sacred Valley Project students live. With no road access, these communities will seem as though they were frozen in time and will open our eyes to the obstacles that many people have to access education and other basic services. Overnight for optional expedition: Camping with full equipment and cook staff provided, Rural Cusco
8

Explore Cusco

After breakfast this morning, drive for approximately an hour and a half from Ollantaytambo to Cusco, taking in the breathtaking views of the Southern Peruvian Andes. Enjoy this mix of the past and present as you explore Cusco, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit 16th-century cathedrals, admire ancient Inca temples, and wander colonial streets. Visit the Chocolate Museum and make your own handmade chocolates from Peruvian cacao. Celebrate your last night with a big local dinner, Cusco-style. At the end of each 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. Overnight: Hotel, Cusco
9

Adios, Peru!

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. Your program leaders will take you to the airport for your departure to Lima as you say goodbyes and reflect on your adventure. This flight will likely be an overnight flight back to your home airport. Flights: Rustic Pathways is happy to book your flights as an optional add-on service.
10

Return Home

Arrive back at your home airport and reconnect with your friends and family. Thank you for joining us on this adventure!

Total: 10 calendar days / 9 nights. International flights are not included.

How Does Rustic Pathways Handle Safety?

24/7 Support

In-person staff + US emergency line

Trained Program Leaders

Background-checked, first-aid certified, deep local knowledge

Licensed & Insured Transport

Risk management plans for every program

Customizable Itinerary

Custom dates and duration

Learn more about Rustic Pathways safety protocols.

Peru

What Do School Organizers Ask?

Flights & Cost

How do flights work?

School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways coordinates airport pickup and handles all in-country logistics.

What's included in the price?

Included: Lodging, all meals, in-country transport, all activities, 24/7 staff.
Not included: International airfare, travel insurance, personal spending ($150–200).

Is travel insurance required?

Travel insurance is not included in the program fee. Rustic Pathways recommends that families purchase travel insurance. Get a quote from our recommended provider →

Supervision & Safety

Who supervises the students?

Rustic Pathways Program Leaders complete a four-month vetting process, and programs maintain a 7:1 student-to-staff ratio. All Program Leaders are first-aid certified, and most have led multiple Rustic Pathways programs. Leaders range from 25 to 35 years old.

Are rooms gender-separated?

Yes. Students room with same-gender peers. Staff stay in adjacent rooms.

What about medical emergencies?

All Program Leaders are first-aid certified. Nearest hospitals are mapped out in all locations. Our health & safety team reviews all medical forms before departure and works with families to plan medications, allergies, and dietary needs.

Communication

Can students contact home?

Yes. Rustic Pathways’ policy is that students can call, text, or WhatsApp anytime. Rustic Pathways is happy to defer to established school policies instead.

How do families stay informed?

Rustic Pathways sends daily photo updates throughout the program.

Group & Logistics

How big is the group?

Group size varies based on the school’s needs. Contact Rustic Pathways for a custom quote.

Can friends room together?

Yes. Rustic Pathways provides a room list prior to travel. Schools can assign rooming allocations or allow students to choose their roommates.

Program Details

Will students have unsupervised time?

Structured independence with staff nearby. No unsupervised time in public areas.

Can Rustic Pathways accommodate food allergies? 

Yes. Dietary needs are collected during enrollment and shared with all meal providers.

How much spending money should students have?

$150–200 recommended. Tipping is included, no extra cash needed.

Support

What if a student gets homesick?

Homesickness can be common during the first few days; Rustic Pathways is well-prepared. See how staff support students through homesickness

Does Rustic Pathways support neurodiverse students?

Rustic Pathways welcomes all students. Read how Rustic Pathways supports neurodiverse students.

What Should Teachers Know?

Which students thrive on this program?
Students who are curious, adaptable, and open to new experiences. No prior travel experience is required.
What will students do each day?
Each day includes a mix of structured activities, cultural experiences, and group time. See the itinerary above for a day-by-day overview.
Peru offers a unique combination of cultural richness, safety, and meaningful engagement opportunities for student groups. Rustic Pathways has operated programs here for years and maintains strong local partnerships.
How Do Flights Work?
School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways program leaders meet the group at the arrival airport and manage all in-country logistics from there.
What Meals Are Included?
All meals included. Dietary needs accommodated.
Included:
  • All lodging
  • All meals
  • In-country transport
  • All activities and excursions
  • 24/7 staff support
Not Included:
  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal spending money

What Other Program Types Are Available?

Peru Americas Service + Culture
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