Peru · Summer 2027
Teen travel programs to Peru
On Rustic Pathways teen travel programs to Peru, students live with host families in a Sacred Valley village, complete 20 hours of community service, paddleboard a mountain lake and walk Machu Picchu, the Inca citadel that UNESCO inscribed as a World Heritage site in 1983.1
- 12 days
- Ages 14–18
- $4,195 Program Tuition
- 1 summer 2027 departure
$4,195 Program Tuition12 days · Ages 14–18 · 1 departure
See dates and prices- Operating in Peru
- Since 2008
- Language
- Spanish; none needed to join
- Altitude
- 2,800–3,400 m in the Sacred Valley
- Getting there
- Optional chaperoned group flight from Miami
The Peru teen travel program for summer 2027
Sacred Valley Service is Rustic Pathways’ only Peru teen travel program for summer 2027. Students begin in the Sacred Valley and end in Cusco, spend Days 3–6 on community service projects while living with host families in a village homestay, paddleboard a mountain lake, and ride the train to Machu Picchu.
The route, Sacred Valley to Cusco
Arrive Lima on Day 2 after an overnight flight from Miami, and depart from Lima on Day 12.
Days 3–6
Sacred Valley village
Community service projects by day and a host family homestay by night.
Day 7
Mountain lake
Stand-up paddleboarding on the lake, mountain biking and the Salinas salt terraces.
Day 8
Machu Picchu
The train to Aguas Calientes, then a guided visit to the Inca citadel.
Days 9–10
Cusco
Inca temples and colonial cathedrals in the former Inca capital, plus a chocolate-making workshop.
Peru vs. Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic and Belize
Peru differs from Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic and Belize by combining village service, an Andean host-family homestay and a guided day at Machu Picchu. Costa Rica offers turtle conservation, surfing or service; the Dominican Republic features public health service at the lowest tuition; and Belize offers rainforest and reef experiences in an English-speaking setting.
Peru vs.
| This pagePeru$4,195 | Costa Rica$2,495–$3,495 | Dominican Republic$1,995 | Belize$2,795 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Choose this if… | Your teen wants a village homestay, service and Machu Picchu. | Your teen has one interest: turtles, surf or service. | Your teen wants public health service and the lowest tuition. | Your teen wants rainforest and reef in one English-speaking week. |
| Length | 12 days, 9 nights | 8 days, 7 nights | 8 days, 7 nights | 8 days, 7 nights |
| Program Tuition | $4,195 | $2,495–$3,495 | $1,995 | $2,795 |
| Language | Spanish; none needed to join | Spanish; none needed to join | Spanish; none needed to join | English |
| Time difference in July2 | 1 hour behind U.S. Eastern | 2 hours behind U.S. Eastern | Same as U.S. Eastern | 2 hours behind U.S. Eastern |
| Travel time from New York3 | 7 hr 56 min nonstop | 5 hr 9 min nonstop | 3 hr 49 min nonstop | 4 hr 29 min nonstop |
| Travel time from Los Angeles | 8 hr 35 min nonstop | 5 hr 41 min nonstop | 8 hr 54 min, 1 stop | 4 hr 34 min nonstop |
| Travel time from London | 14 hr 55 min, 1 stop | 11 hr 30 min nonstop | 12 hr 35 min, 1 stop | 21 hr 27 min, 2 stops |
| Travel time from Hong Kong | 25 hr 45 min, 1 stop | 20 hr 35 min, 1 stop | 24 hr 10 min, 1 stop | 25 hr 10 min, 2 stops |
| Getting there | Passport. Optional chaperoned group flight from Miami to Lima. | Passport. Optional chaperoned group flights from three U.S. cities. | Passport. Optional chaperoned group flight from Miami. | Passport. Optional chaperoned group flight from Miami. |
| Land vs. water | Andes service and homestay, Machu Picchu, mountain lake paddleboarding. | Volcano, turtle beach or surf coast, by program. | Service inland, then reef snorkeling and a surf lesson. | Rainforest first, then island and reef snorkeling. |
| Service | Village community service, 20 hours | Schools, trails, turtles or beaches, 12 to 26 hours | Public health projects, 15 hours | Conservation service, 22 hours |
| 2027 departures | 1: Jul 6 | 18 across four programs | 2: Jun 22, Jul 20 | 3: Jun 29, Jul 6, Jul 27 |
| See Peru dates and prices | View Costa Rica programs→ | View Dominican Republic programs→ | View Belize programs→ |
Prices are in U.S. dollars. Program Tuition is not the total cost. Flights to and from the program, the enrollment fee, medical insurance (required), travel insurance (optional) and personal expenses are separate.
The Costa Rica column covers its four 8-day programs.
Is Peru right for your teen?
Peru is right for your teen if they want a village homestay, 20 hours of community service and Machu Picchu in one 12-day program.
Peru fits if…
- Your teen wants to live with a host family in a Sacred Valley village and work on projects the community chose.
- Your teen wants to see Machu Picchu, Inca ruins and colonial Cusco in the same program.
- Your teen is ready for a 12-day program in the high Andes, and you will talk to a doctor about altitude sickness first, as the CDC advises.
- Your teen likes active days: via ferrata, zip lining, mountain biking and paddleboarding on a mountain lake.
Look elsewhere if…
- You want a shorter program with lower tuition: the Dominican Republic, at $1,995 for 8 days.
- Your teen wants Spanish and service on the coast, with surfing or sea turtle work: Costa Rica.
- Your teen wants ancient ruins and reef snorkeling in an English-speaking country: Belize.
- You need dates outside early July: Costa Rica has departures from early June to early August.
What Peru Program Tuition includes
Peru Program Tuition is $4,195 for 12 days and 9 nights, including accommodations, scheduled meals, ground transportation, airport transfers within designated windows, and planned activities.
Included
- Accommodation for every program night
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, from the first meal after airport pickup through the last meal before airport drop-off
- Airport transfers within the published arrival and departure windows
- Ground transportation during the program
- Flights between Lima and Cusco
- All scheduled activities, excursions and entrance fees listed in the program itinerary
- Gratuities and donations, so students never need to bring money to give away
- Program Leaders housed on site and available overnight
- 24/7 emergency support line for families
Not included
- Flights to and from the program, including the optional chaperoned group flight
- A one-time $100 enrollment fee, which rises closer to departure
- Medical insurance with coverage in Peru (required)
- Travel insurance (optional, and strongly recommended)
- Personal expenses, such as spending money, laundry and phone data
Summer 2027 teen travel departure dates by destination
Rustic Pathways’ Sacred Valley Service program in Peru departs July 6, 2027. Compare this date with summer teen travel departures to Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Belize in the calendar below.
Calendar tip: Each row represents a week starting Monday. Select a date to view that departure.
Costa Rica dates carry a program initial: P for Pura Vida Service, M for Pura Vida Service (Middle School), T for Turtle Conservation Project, S for Surf and Service.
Is teen travel to Peru safe?
Yes, teen travel to Peru is safe on a supervised Rustic Pathways program. The U.S. State Department rates Peru Level 2 but places Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu outside its higher-risk areas,4 and the July program falls in the Andes’ dry season of sunny days and little rain.5
Rustic Pathways has run programs in Peru since 2008, with Program Leaders housed on site and available overnight and a 24/7 emergency support line.
Why book Peru with Rustic Pathways
Booking with Rustic Pathways brings a team that has run programs in Peru since 2008, a chaperoned flight option, a parent portal and an advisor you can call.
In Peru since 2008
Rustic Pathways has run programs in Peru since 2008, with permanent local staff and established community partnerships. Service projects are chosen each year from needs that community leaders express, and students live with host families during a village homestay. Rustic Pathways has operated student travel since 1983.
Chaperoned group flight
U.S. students can join an optional chaperoned group flight from Miami to Lima and back. The chaperoned group flight is not included in Program Tuition. The flights between Lima and Cusco are included in Program Tuition.
MyRustic parent portal
MyRustic (myrustictrip.com) is Rustic Pathways’ free, web-based parent and student portal. It holds enrollment forms, billing, the full itinerary, travel logistics and a moderated daily photo feed.
A travel advisor to call
Scott Ingram, Director of Admissions, and Emily Green, Admissions Counselor, answer Peru questions before you enroll. Call +1 440-975-9691 or schedule a call.
Peru in their words: student takeovers
After the program, students take over the Rustic Pathways Instagram with their own photos and stories. Here is one from the Peru program in summer 2024.
“We had to speak entirely in Spanish, and adjust to a new style of living.” Eitan, on Instagram
“My name is Eitan, and this summer I did the Peru Sacred Valley Service. This was my second Rustic Pathways trip. Last summer I did the Alaska trip and really enjoyed it.
I picked Peru because it seemed to be the most similar to Alaska in terms of adventurous activities, but also being in unique and rural areas at times. After two days of tiring travel, the first three days upon arrival were dedicated to service.
This was another reason why I had chosen the trip. We carried heavy bricks, mixed concrete, and carried big wheelbarrows across long stretches of farmland.
During this time we stayed in homestays in a small village called Pachar in the Sacred valley of Peru. This was one of the parts of the trip that I enjoyed most. We had to speak entirely in Spanish, and adjust to a new style of living.
Cold showers and high altitude were some of the challenges in Pachar, however I enjoyed these aspects of living. By far my favorite part of the trip was climbing up 300 meters and ziplining down.
I loved the thrill and the adrenaline of climbing, and it is definitely something that I found out I loved and want to continue to do back at home.
The most beautiful part however was seeing Machu Picchu as it is one of the Seven Wonders of the world. It was a physically demanding hike up, but well worth the views and pictures.
Overall the group was amazing, and I had an amazing time in Peru. I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone who loves to be outdoors and experience a very unique country.”
Eitan, Peru: Sacred Valley Service, summer 2024
Peru teen travel FAQ
Will the altitude in Peru affect my teen?
Yes, the altitude in Peru can affect your teen and may cause altitude sickness. The Sacred Valley ranges from 2,800 to 3,400 meters (9,200–11,150 feet). According to UNESCO, Cusco sits at 3,400 meters and Machu Picchu exceeds 2,400 meters.
The CDC advises discussing altitude-sickness prevention and treatment with a doctor. Review its Peru travel health guidance before departure. Rustic Pathways reviews every medical form before the program.
Where do students stay on the Peru program?
Students on the Peru program stay in hotels and with host families in a rural Sacred Valley village. The homestay is their base for service days; the itinerary also includes Cusco and a day at Machu Picchu.
Does my teen need to speak Spanish?
No, your teen does not need to speak Spanish in Peru. The English-friendly program introduces basic Spanish and Quechua phrases, and bilingual staff support communication throughout.
Can the Peru program handle dietary needs and food allergies?
Yes, the Peru program makes reasonable accommodations for dietary needs and food allergies when they can be delivered safely. Share needs at enrollment so local meal providers can plan before departure.
Do students get proof of their Peru service hours?
Yes, students receive proof of their Peru service hours through a certificate of participation and completed-hours record, typically within 30 days. Sacred Valley Service includes 20 community service hours on locally prioritized projects in rural villages. These hours are not college credit.
What do students need to travel to Peru?
Students need a passport and medical insurance valid in Peru to travel on the program. U.S. citizens do not need a visa; other nationalities may. Review the CDC’s Peru travel health guidance before departure.
U.S. students can choose a chaperoned round-trip flight between Miami and Lima. International students fly independently to Lima, where Rustic Pathways coordinates pickup. Program Tuition includes flights between Lima and Cusco, but not international flights.
Footnotes
- The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983. Its heart, the Inca citadel built in the fifteenth century, sits at more than 2,400 meters above sea level. ↩
- Time differences are for July, from the IANA time zone database. None of the four observes daylight saving time. ↩
- Shortest total travel time, including layovers, for one-way flights on any day from June 22 to 28, 2027, as listed on Google Flights on October 6, 2026. New York and London include all area airports, and schedules change. ↩
- Advisory levels as of October 2026. Check travel.state.gov for the current level before travel. ↩
- Andes dry season, April to October: Peru’s official tourism portal. ↩
Peru has one summer 2027 departure: July 6.
See Peru dates and prices