Is Peru safe for teen travel programs?
Yes. Rustic Pathways has operated in Peru since 2008 with experienced local staff, vetted accommodations, and reliable transportation.
What service work do students complete?
Service projects are identified each year based on community needs. Recent projects have included local school construction, potable water infrastructure, and reforestation. Students complete approximately 20 hours of hands-on service.
How many service hours will my teen earn?
Students earn 20 verified community service hours.
What is the homestay like?
Students spend four nights with host families in a Sacred Valley village. They have beds in a private room shared with other Rustic students, access to flushing toilets and non-heated showers, and limited electricity. Meals are shared with host families.
Does my teen need to speak Spanish?
No. Basic Spanish and Quechua phrases are introduced during the program, and bilingual staff support communication throughout.
What is included in the program fee?
Accommodations, meals, in-country transportation including two internal flights, all activities and entrance fees, airport transfers, staff support, and medical evacuation coverage. International airfare to and from Lima is self-managed.
What are accommodations like?
Students stay in hotels in Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Cusco with electricity, showers, and flushing toilets. The four-night homestay offers simpler conditions with limited electricity.
How physically demanding is the program?
Moderate to high. Students participate in construction-style service projects, hike at altitude, climb a via ferrata, and bike through hilly terrain. Good physical fitness is recommended.
Does my teen need a visa to travel to Peru?
Most students from the United States do not require a visa for short-term stays. Families should verify entry requirements for their nationality.
What is a typical day like during the homestay?
A typical day includes morning service work with community members, lunch with the group or host family, afternoon activities such as hiking or cultural exchange, dinner with host families, and evening reflection or free time.
Is the train to Machu Picchu included?
Yes. The scenic train journey from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and back is included in the program fee.
What makes this different from a Machu Picchu tour?
This is a service-learning program, not a sightseeing tour. Students spend four nights with host families contributing to community projects before visiting Machu Picchu. The focus is hands-on work and cultural immersion, with adventure and exploration woven throughout.
Can my teen handle the altitude?
Yes. The Sacred Valley sits between 2,800 and 3,400 meters (9,200–11,150 feet), with Cusco at approximately 3,400 meters. The itinerary is designed for gradual acclimatization, starting in the lower Sacred Valley before moving to higher-elevation Cusco. Staff monitor students for altitude-related concerns throughout the program.
Is this program right for my teen?
This program is best for students who want a balance of service and exploration, are comfortable with physical activity, and are open to living with a host family in a rural village. Teens should be ready to work alongside community members, try unfamiliar foods, and navigate limited electricity and non-heated showers during the homestay. Students who thrive here are curious, adaptable, and motivated by hands-on contribution rather than sightseeing alone.
What should my teen pack for Peru?
Pack layers for variable mountain weather, sturdy shoes for service work and hiking, and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty during construction projects. Rustic Pathways provides a detailed packing list after enrollment.
Is the hike to Machu Picchu difficult?
The program takes a scenic train to Aguas Calientes, not the multi-day Inca Trail trek. From Aguas Calientes, students take a bus up to the ruins and then walk through the site on uneven stone paths with stairs. The walking is moderate, not strenuous, but good footwear is essential.
How is this program different from volunteer programs with Global Leadership Adventures?
The main difference between Rustic Pathways and Global Leadership Adventures is that Rustic Pathways has operated in Peru since 2008 with permanent local staff and established community partnerships. Service projects are identified each year based on needs expressed by community leaders, not predetermined by the organization. The four-night homestay provides deeper cultural immersion than programs based in hotels or hostels.
