Route: Cusco, the Sacred Valley and its villages, Machu Picchu, then back to Cusco for the flight home
How is safety managed, and where do students stay?
Rustic Pathways prioritizes student safety with a written risk management plan for every program. Students stay with vetted host families in the Sacred Valley and spend the remaining nights in hotels.
Supervision and safety
- Supervision Median 4.37:1 student-to-staff ratio, maximum 7:1. Program Leaders run the service days, activities, and travel with the group.
- 2026 Incident Record 0 incidents logged on the July 2026 session.
- Emergencies Enrolled families receive a 24/7 emergency number for use during programs and travel days.
- Medical Dr. William R. Smith, a board-certified emergency physician, supports leaders and families. Teams keep lists of medical facilities for every major program location.
- Program Leaders Background checks through Sterling, more than 80 hours of training (40+ in person), CPR and First Aid certified. Rustic Pathways staff members completed Viristar’s month-long Risk Management for Outdoor Programs certification course.
- Transport Every owned, leased, rented, or contracted road vehicle used to transport students is licensed or registered as required in the country where it operates. Staff who drive students hold a valid in-country driver’s license and pass a motor vehicle background check.
Where they stay
Students spend four nights with host families in a Sacred Valley village and five nights in hotels in the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, and Cusco.
- Village homestay · 4 nights Host families in one Sacred Valley village, with at least two students to a home. Homes are simpler than the hotels, and phone signal is limited.
- Hotels · 5 nights Hotels in the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, and Cusco, with 2 to 4 students sharing gender-separated rooms. Rustic Pathways Program Leaders are housed on site and available overnight.
- Gender-separated rooms
- Roommate requests accepted
Accommodation can change by session and availability. We confirm where each group stays before departure.
Who leads it, and who went in 2026?
Trained, background-checked Program Leaders run every session. In July 2026, 20 students from 13 different U.S. states traveled to Peru with Rustic Pathways.
Who runs it
Alex Ball
Peru Country Manager
Alex manages operations in Peru and has been with Rustic Pathways since 2006.
2026 Program Leaders
Emma Pryre
The 2027 Program Leaders are confirmed closer to departure.
The 2026 group
Rustic Pathways’ July 2026 group was 20 students from 13 U.S. states. At travel start, 1 was 14, 2 were 15, 4 were 16, 9 were 17 and 4 were 18.
Students in their own words
Alumni describe the work, the village and the friends they made.
“I actually got to meet the people that I was digging the pipeline for and that just made the experience even more worthwhile and amazing.”
Read Olivia’s story
“I was inspired by the project and it really triggered my awareness to the complexities in seeking education—specifically for Quechua-speaking youth in Peru.”
Read Mikaela’s story
“In the [Peruvian] village everyone helps everyone. You help your neighbor. They want the best for everybody.”
Before you enroll: what parents ask
Most asked
What is the student-to-staff ratio?
Rustic Pathways maintains a median of one staff member per 4.37 students (4.37:1), with no program exceeding 7 students per staff member (7:1).
New Program Leaders go through a four-month selection process, and every Program Leader holds current CPR and First Aid certification.
How are students supervised in the homestay?
Students live with host families in one Sacred Valley village, at least two students to a home. Program Leaders run the service days and activities with the group.
How can I stay in touch with my child?
Peru is 1 hour behind New York in summer.
- After the final scheduled activity of the day, students have their phones, with limited connection during the homestay.
- Routine help: call +1 440-975-9691, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
- Emergencies: use the 24/7 number in your pre-departure materials.
If a student has an urgent, medical, or significant personal need during activities, a Program Leader helps them contact home.
Do students come alone or with friends?
Most students join on their own, and some join with friends or siblings. Roommate requests are accepted during enrollment for students coming together. Program Leaders run icebreakers on day one, and friendships form quickly.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellations within 24 hours of enrollment receive a refund of all amounts paid to Rustic Pathways.
Cancellations before midnight ET on March 31, 2027, receive a full refund of the program tuition. The enrollment fee and any airfare already booked become non-refundable.
For cancellations after March 31, 2027, see the enrollment terms.
If your family experiences a serious, documented emergency, contact us. We review these situations on a case-by-case basis.
Flights
How do flights work?
U.S. students can join a chaperoned group flight from Miami (MIA) to Cusco (CUZ), connecting in Lima, with a Rustic Pathways Flight Leader. Families can also book their own flights into and out of Cusco.
Program Leaders meet students who fly on their own at the Cusco airport and see them off at the end of the program. Flights, including the group flight and the Lima connection, are not included in tuition.
Flying independently? See the arrival and departure dates below.
Who books each flight?
Whichever option you choose, Rustic Pathways staff meet every student at Cusco airport on the arrival date and see them off on the departure date.
Option 1: the chaperoned group flight
Cost: Chaperoned group flight fee, plus airfare.
- A Rustic Pathways chaperone meets students at Miami (MIA) and flies with the group to Cusco (CUZ), connecting in Lima, and home from Cusco (CUZ) to Miami (MIA) on the departure date.
- Getting to and from Miami (MIA): Rustic Pathways can book the connecting flights between your home airport and Miami (MIA), or your family can. Students fly that leg on their own, with an airline unaccompanied-minor service if the airline requires one.
- Every student on the group flight pays the chaperoned group flight fee, even if your family books the connecting flights.
Option 2: independent flights with support
Cost: Flight Support Fee, plus airfare.
- You choose the flights and Rustic Pathways books them, into and out of Cusco (CUZ).
- Students fly on their own, and you get 24/7 travel support if plans change.
Option 3: book your own flights
Cost: No Rustic Pathways fee, just airfare (for students not on the group flight).
- Your family books and manages the flights, into and out of Cusco (CUZ).
- Students fly on their own. Changes and rebooking are between your family and the airline.
Arrival and departure windows
Students who are not on the group flight land within the arrival window and leave within the departure window, about four hours each. Your Personal Travel Advisor shares the exact times before you book. Flights outside the windows carry an additional fee.
What are the arrival and departure dates for students flying independently?
Dates on this page run from the day the group flight leaves Miami to the day the group leaves Peru. The group lands in Cusco the day after it leaves the U.S., after connecting in Lima.
| Session dates | Arrive Cusco (CUZ) | Leave Cusco (CUZ) |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 6 – Jul 16, 2027 | Wed, Jul 7 | Fri, Jul 16 |
When your student flies independently, book flights that arrive and leave on these dates. Flight times can change, so contact your Personal Travel Advisor before you book.
Before you book
- Fly into Cusco (CUZ). Staff meet students there. Double-check the airport code before you pay.
- Stay within the arrival and departure dates and times. Your Personal Travel Advisor shares the exact windows. Flights outside them carry an additional fee.
Where does the program start and end?
At Cusco airport (CUZ). The first night is at a hotel in the Sacred Valley, and the group flies out of Cusco on the evening of Day 11.
Do U.S. citizens need a visa for Peru?
U.S. citizens do not need a visa for Peru. Other passports may need one: check yours on the IATA Travel Centre, the airline industry’s entry-rules checker.
Cost & enrollment
What is the enrollment fee?
The enrollment fee is a one-time fee, separate from tuition, covering enrollment, pre-departure advising, and trip planning. It begins at $100 and increases closer to the departure date.
The enrollment fee is refundable for cancellations within 24 hours.
Does Rustic Pathways offer payment plans?
Yes. Rustic Pathways offers a 4-Pay payment plan that splits program tuition into four payments over six weeks. This plan is only available for enrollments more than 90 days before departure and only for U.S. bank accounts.
Need-based financial aid and merit scholarships are also available. Explore scholarships and financial aid.
What insurance do we need?
Medical insurance with coverage in Peru is required. Travel insurance is strongly recommended, not required.
Neither is included in program tuition. Rustic Pathways recommends Arch RoamRight: get a quote.
How much spending money does my child need?
$150 to $200 per week is recommended for shopping, snacks, or souvenirs. Meals, scheduled activities, and gratuities are included in program tuition.
Safety & wellbeing
Are rooms gender-separated?
Yes. Students room with same-gender peers.
How are medical needs handled?
Personal Travel Advisors review all medical forms and plan with families to manage medication, allergies, and dietary requirements on the program.
Program Leaders are first-aid and CPR certified, and teams keep lists of medical facilities for every major program location.
Will my child have unsupervised time?
Students don’t have any unsupervised time in public areas. Free time is structured, with staff always nearby.
What is the phone and smart device policy?
Rustic Pathways follows Trip Before Scroll: staff store phones and connected devices securely during daytime programming and hand them back after the final scheduled activity.
Students keep them overnight, subject to quiet-hours and lights-out rules. Travel-day, medical, accessibility, and some homestay exceptions apply. Expect limited connection during the village homestay.
Does Rustic Pathways support neurodiverse students?
Rustic Pathways welcomes all students and works with families to provide appropriate support. Learn about Rustic Pathways’ inclusion policy.
The group
What is the group size and age range?
The group is limited to 15 students, ages 14 to 18. In 2026, 17 of the 20 students were 16 to 18.
Can non-U.S. students join this program?
Yes. Non-U.S. students can join this program. International students fly to Cusco to arrive within the designated arrival window for their session.
Rustic Pathways staff meet them at the airport and ensure safe departure within the designated window at the end of the program.
Visa requirements depend on the passport, so ask an advisor.
Day to day
What service do students do?
About 20 hours of community service in the host village, working alongside local families on a project the community chooses. In 2026 that meant digging a channel and moving stones with villagers.
How physically demanding is the program?
Moderate. Service involves manual labor with hand tools. Other activities include hikes to rural communities, paddleboarding, and mountain biking, most of it at 2,800 to 3,400 meters (about 9,200 to 11,200 feet).
The hike up to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes is moderate to hard: an hour or more of steep switchbacks, then more walking around the site.
What does a typical day look like?
Days in the village mix service with the community, hikes to nearby communities and Inca ruins, and Spanish and Quechua practice with host families. The rest of the program is guided travel: Machu Picchu, a mountain lake, Chinchero, and Cusco.
Can dietary needs and allergies be accommodated on program?
Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and other diets, plus common food allergies can be accommodated. Dietary needs and allergy information are collected after enrollment and shared with meal providers and project partners in advance.
Does my child need to speak Spanish?
No. Leaders and local staff speak English and Spanish, and students learn basic Spanish and Quechua phrases for the homestay.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes. The itinerary may change due to weather, safety concerns, transportation issues, or site availability. Program Leaders may adjust activities and schedules to keep students safe and ensure a positive program experience.
Ready, or one question first?
$4,295 at checkout ($4,195 Program Tuition + $100 enrollment fee), about $358 a day with lodging and all meals. Full refund within 24 hours.
What happens after you enroll
- You have 24 hours to change your mind for a full refund, including the enrollment fee.
- Rustic Pathways calls every family for a welcome call.
- Fill in the traveler details form. That opens your MyRustic family portal, with your payment schedule, forms to complete, the full itinerary and the packing list.
- Before departure, MyRustic adds the flight itineraries and the Wheels Up packet: arrival instructions, contacts and the program emergency number.
- During the program, you get daily photo updates. After it, Rustic Pathways calls every family.
Rather talk first? Call Scott Ingram at +1 (440) 975-9691, schedule a call, or ask an advisor.
Deciding together? Send this trip to your parent · Send it to your teen · Copy link
