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Cusco & the Sacred Valley, Peru

Peru: Sacred Valley Service

12 days | Ages 14-18 | Summer 2026 | Fully Supervised | 4.9 on GoOverseas | International flights not included

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Peru: Sacred Valley Service is a 12-day teen travel program in the Andes for high-school students ages 14–18. Students live with Peruvian host families in a Sacred Valley village, complete approximately 20 hours of community service alongside local families, and explore one of the most historically rich regions on earth, from Inca ruins to Machu Picchu.

What Will Students Experience?

Students on the Peru: Sacred Valley Service program experience a balance of community-based service, cultural immersion, and active exploration across the Andes. Village homestays and locally led projects are paired with guided travel through Cusco and the Sacred Valley, a train journey to Machu Picchu, traditional weaving and chocolate workshops, and adventure days on a mountain lake and the via ferrata.

Program Tuition

$4,195

Excluding flights.
Payment plans, financial aid, and scholarships available.

Summer sessions typically fill by March

Summer 2026

Program tuition refundable until March 31

Scott Ingram

Scott Ingram

Director of Admissions

At Rustic since 2018

Looking for group travel? School group enrollment →

UN SDG 4 Quality Education UN SDG 5 Gender Equality UN SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation UN SDG 9 Industry Innovation and Infrastructure

Aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals

155,829 students since 1983 · 38+ countries

Walking through the Sacred Valley, you feel history all around you—in the quiet strength of ancient ruins, the rhythm of life in cobbled streets and the mist that clings to the mountains, as if the past is still breathing.
Quote by: Alex Ball Peru Country Director

What Does a 12-Day Program Include?

A typical program. Daily activities may change based on group logistics and weather.

1

Let the Journey Begin

Group meetup in Miami · Overnight flight to Lima
2

Welcome to Peru

Flight to Cusco · Arrive in Sacred Valley · Hotel orientation · Sacred Valley overview
3-6

Homestay in Cusco

Village homestay · Community service projects · Sacred Valley tour · Explore Inca ruins
7

Paddleboarding and Mountain Biking

Stand-up paddleboarding on mountain lake · Mountain biking · Salinas salt terraces · Picnic lunch
8

Explore Machu Picchu

Train to Aguas Calientes · Guided Machu Picchu tour · Train to Ollantaytambo
9-10

Via Ferrata and Cusco

Via ferrata and zip line · Chinchero weaving workshop · Inca temples and colonial cathedrals · Chocolate-making workshop
11-12

Departure

San Pedro Market · Group flight to Lima · Chaperoned return flight

How Does Rustic Pathways Handle Safety?

24/7 Support

In-person staff + US emergency line

7:1 Student-to-Leader Ratio

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

Licensed & Insured Transport

Risk management plans for every program

Gender-Separated

Rooms with staff on site

Cusco & the Sacred Valley, Peru

What Do Parents Ask?

How do flights work?

U.S. students can join a chaperoned group flight from Miami to Lima. International students fly independently to Lima, where Rustic Pathways coordinates pickup. At the end of the program, U.S. students return to Miami on the chaperoned flight, and Program Leaders ensure the safe departure of all other students. International flights are not included in program tuition; in-country flights between Lima and Cusco are included.

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).

Do you offer financial aid or scholarships?

Yes. Payment plans are available for all families, and Rustic Pathways offers both need-based financial aid and merit scholarships. Explore scholarships and financial aid

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 →

Who’s supervising my child?

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.

Can I reach my child?

Yes. Students can call, text, or WhatsApp anytime.

How will I know they’re okay?

Parents receive daily photo updates throughout the program.

What is the phone/device policy?

Students may bring phones but can’t use them during group activities, meals, or fieldwork. Wi-Fi is available at accommodations, but speeds vary.

How big is the group and how old are the participants?

The group is limited to 18 students, aged 14-18. Most students on this trip are 15-17 years old. Program Leaders group similarly-aged students together for activities.

Can international (non-U.S.) students join this program?

Yes. Rustic Pathways programs are open to students worldwide, with participants from 50+ countries each year. International students fly independently to the arrival airport, where Rustic Pathways coordinates pickup. Visa requirements vary by passport and destination, so contact a travel advisor for guidance.

Do students come with friends, or on their own?

Most students join without knowing anyone. 94% travel solo. No experience needed. Most are nervous at first. Program Leaders run ice-breakers on day one, so friendships form quickly, and everyone has a place in the group.

What is the accommodation like?

Students stay in a mix of hotels and a village homestay, with 2–4 students sharing gender-separated rooms and access to shared bathrooms, electricity, and showers (with more limited amenities in the homestay). Rustic Pathways Program Leaders sleep on-site to provide 24/7 supervision. All accommodations are vetted for safety and proximity to program activities. .

Can friends room together?

Yes. Roommate requests accepted during enrollment.

Will my child have unsupervised time?

Students have structured independence during free-time with staff always nearby. There is no fully unsupervised time in public areas.

Can you accommodate dietary needs & food allergies?

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and common dietary restrictions accommodated with advance notice. All dietary needs collected during enrollment and shared with meal providers.

How much spending money?

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

Do we need a visa?

U.S. citizens don’t need a visa for Peru, but travelers from other countries might. Contact Rustic Pathways for advice on visa requirements.

What if my child gets homesick?

Homesickness can be common over the first few days; Rustic Pathways is well prepared. Read how Rustic Pathways combats homesickness →

Do you support neurodiverse students?

Rustic Pathways welcomes all students and works with families to provide appropriate support. Share any relevant information during enrollment so staff can prepare. Learn about Rustic Pathways’ approach to inclusion →

What Should Parents Know?

Which students thrive on this program?
Students who want hands-on community service, are curious about Andean culture, and are ready to live with a host family on a highly-structured cultural immersion program.
What will students do each day?
Community service work in rural Sacred Valley villages, homestay life with host families, and local cultural learning through markets and workshops. Exploration days include Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Cusco, plus a guided train trip to Machu Picchu, stand-up paddleboarding on a mountain lake, mountain biking, and a via ferrata and zipline.
Rustic Pathways uses a graduated independence model. Students begin with closely guided activities and take on more autonomy as they demonstrate competence.
Who might this program not suit?
Students who prefer unstructured travel, need constant phone access, or are uncomfortable with group-based schedules and early mornings. Expect active days with hiking to rural communities, stand-up paddleboarding, biking, and a via ferrata climb.
Why this location?
The Sacred Valley and Cusco region offers a direct window into Inca and pre-Inca history while connecting students to living Andean communities through village life, local markets, and daily cultural exchange.
What makes the service or learning meaningful?
Service work is rooted in rural communities in the Sacred Valley, where students contribute to locally prioritized projects and learn through shared daily routines with host families.
How is the experience structured for teens?
Students rotate between a village homestay and established hotels in the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, and Cusco, creating a consistent base for service days and guided excursions.
What cultural experiences are included?
Pisac market visit, Chinchero weaving workshop, Cusco chocolate-making workshop, and a guided train visit to Machu Picchu.

What’s included?

  • Lodging
  • Most meals
  • In-country transport
  • All activities and excursions
  • 24/7 staff support

What’s not included?

  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal spending ($150-200)

What Other Program Types Are Available?