Overview

 Highlights


  • Your first glimpse of the incredible ancient ruins of Machu Picchu
  • Time spent exploring the beautiful city of Cusco
  • Ollantaytambo, the Sacred Valley and Pachamanca ceremony
  • Hiking with llamas on the Sapacto Panorama hike
  • Learning traditional farming methods and cooking local recipes
  • Visiting the geological structures of Moray and the salt pans for Maras
  • Walking tour of the city of Cusco
  • Immersion in the local community and understanding their unique ways of life

Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring Andean landscapes of Peru, where breathtaking scenery, rich biodiversity, and vibrant local cultures come together. Connect with the Indigenous communities of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, sharing in their traditions and way of life. Trek through majestic mountain trails alongside llamas, and let the journey become a powerful experience of connection, empowerment, and purpose. As you explore, you'll also play a meaningful role in supporting nature conservation, ecological regeneration, and the sustainable growth of local communities.

Countries:

Start and Finishing Point:

Cusco

Activities:

Grading:Adventure touring   

Addressing:


Day of arrival in Cusco, the former capital of the Incan empire. We will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Coca tea and a light lunch are recommended for a better acclimatization. Time to relax in the guest house or in Lamay village. Lamay is a peaceful traditional village in the Sacred Valley, were you will meet with local people, farmers and local initiatives. We will take a relaxed walk in the village and then regroup for our welcome dinner. We will meet our first new Peruvian friends and enjoy a delicious local and healthy meal, before getting back to our our lodging and recharge for the journey of a lifetime that is about to begin. Overnight: Lamay Village guest house.

Meals:  L,D

We will pick you from your lodging and head to the Calca Market, strategic for being the link between the Andes and the Cloud Forest. We will meet the ¨Caseras¨ (female vendors) and learn about the huge diversity of food that reflects the abundance of the Cusco area. We will taste the varied flavors and the real local culture of the Sacred Valley. Later we will visit the Bee Sanctuary, a beautiful project with a very important purpose, caring for bees as a key element in the conservation of biodiversity and environmental balance. We learn about the importance of bees in our environment, interact with the beehives and learn about hive care and management, and make some creative projects with bee products. After our morning experience, we will go for lunch to a nice local restaurant in the village of Calca, before heading back to Lamay. Once in Lamay, we will enjoy a spontaneous afternoon activity meeting local people and learning about their interesting and important professions. Walking through the village, we will visit the Lamay Church, built in the 17th century and now stocked with plenty of artwork, brought from important cities in the world. Then we climb to the bell tower and learn how the bells ring for each different occasion, a language that has been lost among the years. Visit the guinea pig shed and meet the breeders that have made a traditional activity into a trendy business opportunity. Afterwards, we will visit the Lamay bakery, an important meeting place of the Lameños every morning. It is very interesting to learn about all the uses that the locals give to such important tool, the huge village oven. Dinner and Overnight: Lamay Village guest house.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we will visit Huama, one of the mountain communities in Lamay, where we will learn about their life, traditions and also contribute to the sustainable development of the community. Start the day by driving to the heights of the community, were the locals will warmly receive us and start the experience by hiking across the hills and farming terraces, identifying the native crops and the wild plants used for dyeing the wool, and also for spiritual and medicinal purposes. We will try a ¨hayachico", the traditional snack for the farmers and then participate in a faena agricola, recognizing the different varieties of local crops and learning about their traditional farming tools and techniques. After the activity, we will have a typical lunch, based on the food produced by the community. Then the women will share with us the art and process of weaving, a very important activity in their family dynamics and we will make our own weaving project. We will have the opportunity to talk with them about their customs and the women's role in the fields. Enjoy dinner with your local hosts. Overnight: Lamay Village guest house

Meals:  B,L,D

Wake up early as the locals do every morning in order to start their daily routine. We will split into groups in order to share the different labors. Some will help with feeding the animals and preparing the tools for the daily activities, and some will help with preparing a warm and healthy breakfast. Then we start our hike to the mountains to harvest the produce that we will use to cook our food for the day. Today we will learn more about the farming process and its cycles, and discover the connection of the local cultures with Pachamama (Mother Earth) and Pachacamac (Cosmos). Coming back with the harvest, our hosts will share with us their traditional recipes and we will participate in the preparation of a nutritious lunch. This will be a great opportunity to strengthen our relationship with our new friends and family from the Peruvian Andes and share topics about our own lives. We will have a farewell dinner and sit all together to share around a fire. Overnight: Huama Community homestay

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we will hike one of the best routes in the heights of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, with beautiful landscapes along easy slopes. And the best part is that we will walk accompanied by friendly local muleteers and cargo llamas that will make this trip one of a kind. In the morning, after saying goodbye to our hosts, we will drive from Huama community to Sapacto, the starting point of the day's hike. We will meet our community guides and load the llamas with the gear and food for our picnic lunch. Then we will start walking along the highland slopes, wetlands, potato farms, with spectacular views of snow-capped mountains and lakes of many colors. We will stop for lunch in a selected spot in a lake, were we will see migratory and native birds that will shape our skies. Views of the Cordillera Urubamba glaciers will leave us breathless. Shepherds and farmers will share their smiles and warm greetings along the way. At the end of our hike the bus will pick us up and take us to Ollantaytambo, on the way to our next iconic destination: Machu Picchu. Overnight: Ollantaytambo hostel

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we will visit the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. Prepare to be amazed by the majesty of its landscape, its rich history and especially the energy it has. We will walk to Ollantaytambo Station, where we will take the train to Machu Picchu Pueblo. It will be a guided and interpreted visit to the Lost City of the Incas, where we can learn and create our own theories of how this iconic citadel was brought to life. Enjoy a delicious lunch at Machu Picchu Pueblo and take the train back to Ollantaytambo Station. Overnight at Ollantaytambo hostel.

Meals:  B,L,D

A relaxed morning to visit Ollantaytambo, an Inca living village and its amazing stone fortress, a strategic military, religious and agricultural centre managed by the Incas. Then we will go to El Albergue, an old stablished and classic hotel and farm, where we will be able to experience the ¨Pachamanca", a traditional way of cooking with hot stones, underground, and then eat the super tasty food that was prepared there. Afterwards on the drive to Cusco, we will stop at the impressive natural depressions and archaeological centre of Moray, that was once used as an agricultural laboratory by the ancient Peruvians. Then we will visit the picturesque town of Maras and take in the view of the salt pans, still in use and managed by the local community cooperative. Arrive to Cusco city and settle into our accommodation. Dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight: Cusco

Meals:  B,L,D

This is the day for the city of Cusco, capital of the Inca Empire. We will start by driving up to Sacsayhuaman and the nearby ruins (Tambomachay and Pukapukara), were we will be astonished by the greatness and precision of the huge stone buildings. Afterwards we will walk down along the Inca Trail (Capaq Ñan) that will take us to the artisans neighborhood of San Blas, were we will have a typical Cusqueñan lunch. After lunch, we will keep walking and enjoying the art and handcrafts of this beautiful corner of the city, and then visit the most iconic attractions, such as the Cathedral, el Q´oricancha (Temple of the Sun) and the Plaza de Armas de Cusco. We return to our lodging to rest a bit and get ready for our farewell dinner of the trip. Overnight in Cusco lodging.

Meals:  B,L,D

Transfer to the airport for return trip home.

Meals:  B


Addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Good Health And Well-being:  Ensuring healthy lives and promoting the well-being for all at all ages is essential to sustainable development.

Gender Equality:  Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.

Decent Work And Economic Growth:  Sustainable economic growth will require societies to create the conditions that allow people to have quality jobs.

Reduced Inequalities:  To reduce inequalities, policies should be universal in principle, paying attention to the needs of disadvantaged and marginalized populations.

Responsible Production and Consumption:  Responsible Production and Consumption

Climate Action:  Climate change is a global challenge that affects everyone, everywhere.

Life On Land:  Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss


Learning outcomes for students

World Expeditions Schools journeys are designed to encourage positive personal development and the learning of life skills, while leaving the communities and environments we travel to, in a better condition than when we arrived.
The programs are designed to:
• Build strong friendships and bonds with their peers, their teachers, and the local people they meet.
• Increase the confidence to engage with new people, and collaboratively make informed decisions.
• Discover the benefits of working cooperatively together as a cohesive team, to achieve a common objective.
• Increase the ability to face, and cope with, mental and physical challenges and therefore increase resilience.
• Give students a chance to appreciate and care for the natural world. The environments we travel through are beautiful and often pristine, invariably the students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding about how their individual actions impact on the environment.
• Learn personal skills i.e., time management, personal hygiene, responsibility for personal gear, patience, tolerance, and public speaking.
We help encourage students to learn what it means to be a true global citizen.


Inclusions

  • All meals as in itinerary
  • Airport transfers in Peru
  • Bilingual expert guide
  • Comfortable and central hotels
  • Guest house accommodation at Lamay
  • Private vehicle transportation
  • Entrance tickets and guided visit to Machu Picchu

  • International airfare
  • Travel Insurance
  • Visa costs if applicable
  • Items of a personal nature ie laundry, phone calls
  • Tips

Grading

Adventure touring

These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery involve little extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travel days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms. Extended walking is available for those wanting something more demanding. * Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2 -3 months prior to departure.


Customise your program

We can fully customise a School Travel Program to suit your students' learning objectives and budget. Whether you require a Service Learning program, physical challenge, cultural immersion or certain curriculum targets - talk to one of our educational travel experts about the elements you need in your itinerary. We pride ourselves on developing unique itineraries to meet the learning requirements for schools.

World Expeditions Schools is a division of one of the world's leading adventure travel companies, World Expeditions. We can develop itineraries in any destination that is offered by World Expeditions, which is to every continent on earth.

Use our simple Expedition Design Form to contact us with your requirements and an educational travel expert will be in touch to assist.


Why travel with us

Why travel with us

Assisted over
14,000 Students Worldwide

Since the 1980's, we have helped students from around the globe to experience the world's most exciting destinations, allowing them to travel, give, grow.

400+ Service Learning
Programs

Together with students, we have completed over 400 Service Learning programs in developing countries. We will always continue to support causes including social justice, animal welfare, the environment and more.

Fully Customised
School Travel Programs

Want to include service learning, your school curriculum and a physical challenge, or any of the above? Contact us and we can design a program fully catered for your students and budget.

Safety and
Support - Our #1 Priority

Every school receives a detailed risk management plan that is guided by government advisories and the local partners we work with. We never compromise on the safety of your students to reduce the price of the program.

Testimonials


Want to find out more?

Our educational travel experts are ready to help you tailor an itinerary or service learning project to suit your school’s needs and budget. Contact us today to receive a free consultation.


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