Few countries in the Americas evoke as much mystery and wonder as Peru, with its soaring Andean peaks and the sacred expanse of Lake Titicaca. Incan ruins scattered throughout the country reflect a history of conquest and the legacy of grand civilizations. The Andes Mountains stretch the country’s length, creating a diverse range of climates, while the Amazon Rainforest preserves some of the world’s richest ecosystems alongside arid coasts and highland deserts. Peru’s cultural diversity mirrors its ecological variety, with nearly sixty ethnic groups, including millions of Quechua descendants of the Inca.
On this program, students explore Peru’s cultural diversity, history, and the challenges of conservation and development, gaining insight into environmental issues and community-based strategies. They build meaningful connections to the country’s people and landscapes while developing a deeper sense of global citizenship, self-awareness, and leadership.
Practice and improve Spanish through formal lessons, place-based activities, and daily interactions with host families and local community members.
Gain firsthand understanding of Peru’s diverse cultures, history, and indigenous communities through immersive experiences and meaningful interactions.
Visit the iconic 15th-century Incan site, exploring its historical significance and cultural importance.
Upon arrival in Cusco, students transfer to their accommodation in Huarán, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. After a long travel day, they enjoy a welcome meal and an evening opening ceremony. The following day, orientation covers health and safety, language lessons, and group expectations, along with team-building activities to foster a supportive culture. Short excursions into nearby Urubamba provide a glimpse of local life and landscapes.
In Urubamba, students live with host families and participate in Spanish lessons, place-based language practice in markets and plazas, and excursions to hikes or archaeological sites. Guest speakers share insights on Andean cosmovision and ancestral knowledge, while workshops with local mentors teach traditional crafts such as weaving, silversmithing, and ceramics. Evenings may include movie nights, salsa lessons, or soccer games. A full-day visit to Huilloc-Alto or Paru Paru deepens connections to the region and its people.
The journey concludes with a train trip to Machu Picchu, where students explore the 15th-century Incan site. The final day in Cusco includes markets, monuments, reflection on lessons learned, and local cuisine. A celebratory dinner honors the journey, leaving students with a deeper appreciation of Peru’s culture, language, and global interconnectedness.
Arrive in Cusco and transfer to our accommodations in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. After a long day of travel, unwind and join us for a celebratory welcome meal and orientation. In the evening, gather around the fire for an opening ceremony. The following day, continue orientation with health and safety briefings, begin your Spanish lessons, and work together to set group intentions, goals, and norms that foster a supportive and curious community.
Morning check-in and homestay briefing, then travel to Urubamba. Participate in a neighborhood scavenger hunt and get oriented to the town. In the afternoon, settle into your host families’ homes and share dinner and evening activities with them.
Spend mornings and evenings with your homestay families, and gather each morning for check-ins and Spanish lessons—both in the classroom and out in the community. Learn from guest speakers, attend workshops in traditional crafts such as weaving, silversmithing, and ceramics, and go on local hikes or visits to archaeological sites, weather permitting. Evening activities might include movie nights, salsa lessons, or soccer games with community members. One day during this period, enjoy a full-day excursion to the local community of Huilloc-Alto or Paru Paru. On the final day, celebrate your host families with a gratitude ceremony.
Travel by train to Machu Picchu and spend the day exploring this 15th-century Incan site, perched at 7,970 feet.
Back in Cusco, reflect on your experiences and begin transference activities to carry Peru’s lessons home. Explore local markets and monuments, savor the country’s best dishes, and close the program together with a final ceremony.
Head to the airport and depart, bringing home memories and new perspectives.
Each Custom School Program is tailored to meet your needs. Through a close, hands-on collaboration, we take the time to understand what matters most—and draw on decades of experience to create something unique, thoughtful, and authentic.
Together, we’ll design a program that’s cohesive, purposeful, and fully supported from start to finish—never a collection of tourist stops or disconnected activities. We’re ready when you are.
Our Program Components are the building blocks of your itinerary. During the customization process, these components can be dialed up or down to meet the goals and vision for the program. Each program component is thoughtfully planned to ensure that your students engage meaningfully and authentically connect with the places they visit.
Our instructors are more than guides—they’re mentors, educators, and trusted companions. Each member of our team is thoroughly vetted, background-checked, and trained in our unique pedagogy and risk management practices. With an average of over four years living abroad and fluency in local languages, our instructors serve as meaningful cross-cultural liaisons.