Itinerary Highlights Pisac This Peruvian town in the Sacred Valley is known for its Inca ruins and its market. It’s also a place where a traditional way of life is still embraced, so visitors will see traditional attire, cobblestone streets, and local cuisine. Ollantaytambo This town in the Sacred Valley is located along the Patakancha River amid the mountains. The area is known for its Inca ruins, including a large site with terraces called Temple Hill. The old town has cobblestone streets and adobe buildings and is a common launching point for people who want to hike the Inca Trail. Machu Picchu This may be the most famous site in Peru. It’s sometimes called the Lost City of the Incas and once was home to about 750 people. There’s some mystery surrounding how the citadel was built, but many researchers believe it was the royal estate for the first Incan emperor. Today some people believe the fog in the area carries the spirits of lost Incas. Cusco This city was once the capital of the Inca Empire and today is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Unfortunately, the Spanish destroyed many Inca palaces and structures in the city and used some of the walls that remained to construct newer buildings. Some Inca buildings survived the test of time, but today one of the best known buildings in the city is the Spanish Cathedral of Santo Domingo.
Accommodations The students will stay in various types of accommodations throughout the program. These will provide comfort, convenience, and unique cultural experiences. Accommodations may include: Hotel in Sacred Valley Located on the banks of the Urubamba River amid the mountains, this lodge has spectacular views. Homestay The students will spend nights with a host family and be immersed in the Incan culture. Hotel in Ollantaytambo The Tunupa Lodge Hotel is located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Ollantaytambo. The hotel is at the foot of the mountains and is near the archaeological ruins in the region. Hotel in Cusco The Anden Inca Hotel is located near the main square in Cusco. This boutique hotel showcases Peruvian artworks in its decor. Students will share gender-separated rooms, with access to Western amenities like Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and private bathrooms.
Service Projects The program will include 20-hours of hands-on service in a rural community where the student will stay with host families. Each year Rustic Pathways works with the local community’s leaders to identify the most-needed projects. This year we hope to work again on construction projects at an underfunded school. Previously we finished a multi-purpose room to help the school and the surrounding community. Depending on time and need, other projects may be thrown into the mix. In a previous year, groups planted trees in areas deforested by fires that were set by locals who wanted to plant crops. Some students also worked on water projects. Program Leader Nancy Trujillo said they dug a ditch to lay a pipe connecting a water source with a storage tank. She thought the project would take all day and was surprised how hard the students worked. “They finished it in two hours. They were relentless and didn’t take breaks,” Trujillo said. Regardless the project, Country Director Alex Ball says the students enjoy spending time with the local villagers and exploring the surrounding area. “In the Sacred Valley program you get a deep bond with the place where you’re doing service,” Ball said. “You see really remote, spectacular subsistence farming communities. The Sacred Valley is a special place and you really get to know the region.”
Food Students will eat at a variety of locations and will enjoy both Peruvian and international fare. Breakfast is the lightest meal of the day, which usually includes eggs, bread, fruit, tea and coffee. Lunch is usually a soup followed by a main course (a typical meal called a “menu” in Spanish), and dinner is usually just a main course. Peruvian food incorporates a lot of potatoes, quinoa, and chicken, but most importantly, it’s all delicious! Come ready to try new foods, along with plenty of juice and tea. Students also will be provided bottled and purified water while in Peru. Tap water is fine for showering/brushing teeth. Please remember to bring your reusable bottle water so we can minimize our plastic usage.
The views were incredible but the best part was being able to talk to people without social media and iPhones being a conflict. This was just the beginning of being unplugged, and I didn’t know how freeing it was going to be. – Molly Caffry, Rustic Pathways Alumni
What’s Included in Your Program Program Leaders & Guides English Speaking Rustic Pathways international and local leaders Airport Transportation Meet and greet with private transportation to and from the airport Comfortable Accommodations All nights of accommodation All Meals Included Breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout your stay Ground Transportation All transportation between program locations and activities All Activities Every activity, entrance fee, and experience in your itinerary 24/7 Support On-call support throughout the program for peace of mind Emergency Coverage Included emergency evacuation assurance plan All Fees & Tips Airport taxes, departure fees, donations, and guide tips What’s Not Included in Your Program International Flights Souvenirs Additional Snacks Visa Expenses Passport Fees
Hear the Story of a Past Rustic Pathways Traveler to Peru An Unexpected Friendship As soon as Zach Gross arrived in the town of Markuray in Peru, a young boy tugged on his arm and asked him if he wanted to play soccer. The boy named Ishmael, who looked about ten, beamed with pride as he showed Gross around his village, including his deteriorating mud-brick house. Ishmael’s unbridled enthusiasm for Gross’ visit continued throughout the time when the Rustic Pathways students, including Gross, and local villagers completed a water tank project. “The first drop fell and cheers erupted. We bent down as three young children walked by and sprinkled yellow confetti on our heads in gratitude. The entire village stood across from us admiring the massive, colorfully decorated water tank that would change their lives forever. Ishmael, tearing up, ran over and jumped into my arms telling me that he never wanted me to leave. Our week’s worth of hard work had come to an end in the best way possible. For the first time ever, the villagers had access to clean and drinkable water.”