Peru: Sacred Valley Service

Homestay: During the homestay portion of the program, students will have beds in a private room (shared with other Rustic students), access to flushing toilets and non-heated showers, and limited access to electricity.

Hotels/ Hostels: All other nights on this program will be spent at hotels and hostels where students will sleep in beds and have access to electricity, showers, and flushing toilets.

Rustic Pathways works with local community leaders and organizations to identify and prioritize the needs of each community. Please note that while we try our best to ensure we provide our advertised projects, some changes may occur due to the communities and project partners we work with.

Infrastructure Service: We have partnered with several communities in the Sacred Valley on a large-scale potable water project that aims to bring drinking water to 5 communities. Students and community members have secured a fresh water spring and installed pipes, and this year will focus on building reservoirs and break boxes, and installing water tanks depending on the speed of our progress.

This program involves adventure activities and service that require students to be physically active. 

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.

Dietary Requirements/Food Allergies – Vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free students are easily accommodated on this program. Vegans – please bring snacks as options will be limited, and also your understanding and flexibility as veganism is not a widely understood concept in Peru. With advance notice, most allergies are able to be accommodated on this program as well. Please note all allergies and food restrictions on medical forms so our team has time to arrange different food options if necessary.

Students will be provided bottled and purified water while in Peru–as much as they can drink! Tap water is fine for showering/brushing teeth. Please remember to bring your reusable bottle water so we can minimize our plastic usage.

In the Sacred Valley, where you will be spending most of your time, the weather is usually warm and sunny during the day (60s and 70s F/18-23C) and then at night the temperature drops quickly because of the altitude (20s and 30sF/-3 to 1C).

Flights: Rustic Pathways offers escorted group flights from Miami, FL (MIA) to Lima, Peru (LIM). Flight time from Miami to Lima is approximately 6 hours. The advertised dates for this program include travel time to and from the USA.

Visa: There are no visa requirements in Peru for students traveling on United States passports. Students traveling with Rustic Pathways on passports not issued by the United States are responsible for determining their own visa requirements. Please check with the appropriate consulate or embassy.

Internal Travel: Students will have 2 internal flights on this program. These are included in the program price. Upon arrival into Lima, students will have a short layover before boarding their 1-hour flight to Cusco. Student will fly back to Lima on the last day of their program and then make the connection for their flights home. During the program, students will travel to Lima, Cusco, Pisac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, the Sacred Valley, and Aguas Calientes. Students will travel via private bus throughout the program as they travel around Peru. To get to Machu Picchu, students will take a scenic train ride along the Urubamba River to Aguas Calientes.

Students will have occasional access to wifi on the program, but we want everyone to come to Peru excited to disconnect and fully immerse themselves in this incredible experience. Reception for international plans is spotty due to the mountains and we do not recommend purchasing one for this trip. Parents will have access to our 24/7 emergency number and will also receive updates from our staff over the course of the program.

Personal gifts, internet, phone calls, and snacks are not included. All other costs (accommodation, meals, in-country transportation, and activities) are included in the program price.

We recommend $150 per week to cover souvenirs and incidentals. We highly encourage students to change money to local currency prior to their departure date. Any money that needs to be changed back is best done in the airport on the return home.

Students should pack enough for the duration of the program as laundry is not guaranteed while in Peru. Laundry can be arranged for “emergency” situations at the student’s expense (~$12 USD), but also keep in mind the climate will be quite mild during the day and students won’t get sweaty, so “recycling” of clothes is totally fine and encouraged.

While most students are traveling during their summer break, it will be winter in Peru and therefore some adjustments to your wardrobe are necessary. Please leave shorts and tank tops at home and remember to pack your puffy jacket.

The key to Peru is layering! During the day, sneakers, jeans/leggings, a t-shirt and a hoodie/zip up is a safe go-to. At night, swap the t-shirt for a sweater and add a puffy jacket and you will be warm and comfortable. For camping, a set of long underwear is a great idea.

To be respectful ambassadors of your country and Rustic Pathways, we ask that you leave clothes/possessions with inappropriate words or images at home.

Ensuring the safety of your teen as they travel with Rustic Pathways is a top priority. Please review our Health and Safety measures.

Our Travel Protection Plan helps protect our participants, their belongings, and their travel investment in those unforeseen circumstances that may arise during travel. Learn more about the plan offered through our partner.