Peru Experience

Day 1: Welcome to Peru! On arrival at Cusco Airport you’ll be met by a local representative who will take you back to your host family accommodation on the outskirts of the city to settle in.

Lunch included.

Day 2: Today gives you a chance to really settle in and get familiar with your new surroundings, an orientation will be held first thing followed by an interesting tour of Cusco. The in-country team will also be giving you a Spanish test today to determine your Spanish level in preparation for your Spanish classes later in the week.

Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 3 - 6: To help you get the most out of your time in Peru, we’re including some Spanish lessons for you over the next 4 days; whether you are a complete beginner or know the ropes already, they make a great start to your programme and give you some extra confidence to be able to chat to local people along the way. In the evening of day 4, you’ll be given some Latin dance classes which always make for a good night out! On day 6, as well as your Spanish lesson, you’ll be visiting the bustling central market where you’ll be able to try out your Spanish and practice your haggling skills with the locals!

Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 7: In the afternoon, you’ll be visiting the Cathedral of Cusco as well as some fascinating archaeological sites near Cusco including Tambomachay, Pukapukara, the amphitheatre of Q’enqo, Qorikancha and the Oracle of Sacsayhuaman. The visit will give you a fantastic insight into Peru’s Inca culture and history.

Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 8: Today you’ll enjoy a day trip into the heart of the Sacred Valley, explore the famous market in Pisac and haggle for some bargains, discover the fascinating Inca town of Ollantaytambo and wander through the traditional Peruvian village of Chincheros, as well as witnessing some of Peru’s most spectacular scenery along the way.

Breakfast and lunch included.
 

Days 9 – 11: For the next 3 days, all participants will be volunteering at one of a number of community projects in Cusco, all of which help vulnerable children from all walks of life and backgrounds. The projects are thoroughly worthwhile and will no doubt be one of the highlights of your time in Peru. Our in-country team will place you according to the needs of the projects at the time of your visit. All of the projects involve working with children to help develop their education, self-confidence and key skills, and of course having a lot of fun along the way

Some of the projects are either in the morning or afternoon only, so you are likely to have some free time each day when you might like to explore more of Cusco. In the evenings, you may like to socialize with other volunteers and travelers and sample some of the local restaurants, cafes and the Latin dance clubs in the centre of Cusco.

Breakfast and lunch included.

For the next 3 days, you have the choice of continuing with your volunteer project or choosing the Trekking option and embarking on the Lares Trek.

Volunteer option

Days 12 – 13: For those choosing the volunteer option, you’ll be continuing your community volunteer project for the next two days and staying with your host family in Cusco.

Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 14 - 15: No trip to Peru would be complete without a visit to Machu Picchu, so that is exactly where you’ll be going next! On day 14, it’ll be an early start as you’ll catch the train to the popular town of Aguas Calientes, ready to take the bus to Machu Picchu itself! On day 15, you’ll need to be up nice and early for the climb to Machu Picchu in time to witness sunrise! In the morning you’ll have a two hour guided walk of Machu Picchu where you can learn more about this incredible place. After the tour, you’ll have free time to continue exploring independently the ancient ruins before heading back to Cusco in the early evening.

Breakfast included. 

Day 12: Today is when the real adventure begins as you have a very early start to take the scenic journey from Cusco through the Sacred Valley to Quishuarani, passing by small Andean communities, herds of Llamas and Alpacas as well as spectacular views along the way. Quishuarani marks the start of your trek and where you’ll be meeting the trekking staff that will be with you for the next few days.

The trek begins with a gentle climb to Queuña Cocha lagoon where you’ll be able to see Mount Sawasiray and Colque Cruz. The next phase is a short, steep climb to Hualcacasa and your first pass where Mount Veronica (a sacred Apu mountain in this Valley) can often be observed in the high mountains. After a stop for lunch beside the beautiful ‘Seven Lagunas’, you’ll continue your trek down through the community of Cuncani before starting another ascent to your second pass at Qolqecasa; following a short descent passing some lovely waterfalls and lagoons, you’ll reach your campsite for the first night of the trek in the late afternoon.

Minimum altitude: 3800m/12502ft
Maximum altitude: 4400m/714476ft
Trekking distance: approximately 14km
Approximate walking time: 6-7 hours

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 13: The trekking adventure continues today which another early start as you take the long descent to Chaqchapata, passing by local communities living in stone houses, flocks of Llamas and Alpacas and farming areas on the way. From here you’ll be heading to your lunch stop destination by a glacial stream at Champacocha. After a well deserved rest over lunch, you’ll be ascending to the highest point of the trek, the passage of Auroracasa, where you’ll be able to see the Auroracocha lagoon and spectacular views.

After reaching the highest point of the trek you’ll be starting your descent to reach the valley of the Queuñas. You’ll notice a dramatic change in the scenery before reaching your beautiful campsite in Mantanay for the evening.

Minimum altitude: 3900m/12831ft
Maximum altitude: 4600m/15134ft
Trekking distance: approximately 16km
Approximate walking time: 7-8 hours

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 14: Today is your final day of trekking as you descend to lower altitudes and enjoy amazing views of the mountains, Moray Maras, Salineras and Queuñas bush valley. As you descend you’ll notice changes in the weather and environments along the way; this area offers much more favorable conditions for farming and it’s likely that you may see local villagers and farmers out tending the land and growing crops to sell at the markets in Sacred Valley. The final section will take you to the picturesque Peruvian village of Yanahuara which marks the finishing point of your Lares trek adventure.

After the final lunch of your trek, it’ll be time to bid farewell to the trekking team, as you’ll be collected by private bus and taken to Ollantaytambo train station where you’ll be catching the train to the bustling town of Aguas Calientes, in the shadows of Machu Picchu. When you reach Aguas Calientes, you’ll have free time for the rest of the day to recover from your trek or go out and explore!

Minimum altitude: 2700m/8883ft
Maximum altitude: 3900m/12831ft
Trekking distance: approximately 12km
Approximate walking time: 4 hours

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 15: Today is sure to be one of the major highlights of your time in Peru as you visit the world famous Machu Picchu. It’ll be an early start this morning as you travel to Machu Picchu in time to witness a spectacular sunrise over the Inca ruins. You can either take the bus or for those still feeling energetic you can take the 1.5 hour hike up to Machu Picchu.

Today you’ll also be able to enjoy a two hour guided tour of the archaeological park where you’ll learn more about the Inca culture and the fascinating history behind Machu Picchu. After the tour you’ll have free time for the rest of the day to explore independently. In the early evening, you’ll be travelling by bus back to Cusco and your host family.

Minimum altitude: 2100m/6909ft
Maximum altitude: 3400m/11186ft
Trekking distance: approximately 9km
Approximate walking time: 4-5 hours

Breakfast and lunch included.

Please note -You will be able to leave your main luggage at the accommodation in Cusco during your trek, so you should only pack the bare necessities for your trek and carry them in a day pack. You will be required to carry your own bag/day pack during the trek, therefore a relative level of health and fitness is required for this tour, as each day consists of around six hours of walking. You are advised to pack light for the trek but please don't forget to bring a sleeping bag with you.

The guides and porters who will be leading the trek, will be carrying equipment for the trek only, and not your personal luggage. 

Days 16 – 20: For the next five days, you’ll be returning to your volunteer project in Cusco, the children will no doubt be pleased to see you after the weekend, eager to play and learn. Your main activities at the volunteer project will vary depending on which project you are placed at, but will generally involve some basic teaching, helping children with their English, playing games and perhaps introducing some fun new games and activities.

Breakfast and lunch included.

Days 21 – 23: The next three days are your free time, it is entirely up to you how you choose to spend this time. There is lot’s to do in the local area so you won’t be short of ideas. You may like to use this time to discover more of what Peru has to offer, or stay a bit closer to home to explore Cusco and grab some last minute souvenirs before heading down to Lake Titicaca for the grand finale of your Peru Experience.

Breakfast and lunch included.  

Day 24: Today you’ll be travelling from Cusco to the city of Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. On the way, you’ll be stopping off to visit some ancient Incan ruins.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 25: Today you’ll be venturing out onto Lake Titicaca and exploring some of its amazing islands; including the fascinating Uros Islands, floating islands made entirely of reeds! You’ll be able to witness first-hand the traditional way of life of the unique island communities that live on Lake Titicaca.

In addition to exploring the Uros Islands, you’ll also be visiting Amantani Island where you’ll be staying for the night with a friendly local family, giving you a great opportunity to find out more about island life.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 26: The adventure on Lake Titicaca continues today as you head to Taquile Island and visit another unique island community. You’ll have time to explore the island and learn more about island life.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 27: As you’re Peru Experience nears its end, you’ll travel back to the lakeside city of Puno. You’ll have free time today to explore the city and buy some last minute souvenirs to take home with you.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 28: After an action packed 4 weeks exploring Peru, it will be time to bid farewell to this magical country and new found friends. The programme finishes in Puno, where you will be free to continue travelling or make your own way to the airport.

Breakfast included.

Please note: Itineraries and activities are subject to change.