Peru
Community Service & Culture
About the Program
Immerse yourself in Peruvian culture through community service and language exchange while exploring one of the world’s most iconic landmarks—Machu Picchu. Students will engage in hands-on service projects that support local communities in the Andes while practicing their Spanish in real-world settings. Through cultural exchanges, daily language use, and meaningful service work, this program offers students the chance to connect deeply with local communities while making a positive impact.
Itinerary
Discover the exciting adventures and impactful moments that await each day on this itinerary!
- Arrival late night to Lima, meet the Global Works trip Leader, and check into hotel
- Orientation to Peru and Global Works!
- Short flight to Cusco. Private bus transfer from airport to downtown Cusco
- Stop for lunch at local restaurant in Cusco’s famous Plaza de Armas
- Travel by private bus to Hotel Samana Wasi in Urubamba with a stop at the Mirador for pictures
- Local weaving demonstration and Alpaca farm for feeding and fun interactions with the animals
- Arrive to hotel, settle into rooms, and dinner at hotel
- Sacred Valley tour- visit the impressive ancient Pisac ruins; barter for artisan goods; lunch in Pisac Market -try the delicious empanadas!
- Silver ring and jewelry workshop. Learn to make jewelry with a local artisan
- Dinner at guesthouse and preparation for the next phase of the trip- community service in Calca!
- Gather in the town of Calca to begin hands-on service work alongside members of the community. Past projects have included the construction of a food garden, maintenance on facilities at the local elementary school, and the building of a community kitchen
- Local lunch in town as a group
- Return to the guesthouse and spend the evening reflecting on the trip thus far
- Excursion to indigenous town of Kayllarakay, where we learn about the traditional Quechua lifestyle, language, and culture
- Share hearty lunches with members of the community
- Afternoon activity at the local school – games and sports!
- Back to the lodge for the night
- Continue Service Projects in Calca or in Kayllarakay
- Lunch with members of the community as a group
- Excursion to archeological Incan site of Moray
- Final morning of service work before departing Calca for Machu Picchu excursion!
- Travel via private bus to town of Ollantaytambo for a quick tour and look around the artisan market
- Board train to Aguas Calientes, box dinner en route
- Late night briefing at hotel for the spectacular Machu Picchu
- Early departure for Machu Picchu; full-day guided tour including hiking and exploring
- Buffet Lunch in Aguas Calientes at Inca Wasi
- Evening departure to Ollantaytambo by train, then bus transfer to Cusco
- Check into Cusco hotel, dinner and reflections on the trip thus far
- Cusco tour including a market scavenger hunt and a look at key sites across this culturally significant city
- Depart for the airport according to flight schedules
- Overnight flight back home
Educational Focus & Highlights
Hands-On Projects in Calca
Work alongside local community members in Calca and Kayllarakay on meaningful service projects such as building food gardens and community kitchens, fostering collaboration and impact.
Unearth Cusco’s Secrets
Explore Cusco’s markets and historic sites through guided tours and scavenger hunts, immersing students in the vibrant cultural heritage of this ancient city.
Walk Among Ancient Wonders
Experience a full-day guided tour of the iconic Machu Picchu, hiking and exploring this awe-inspiring Incan site while learning about its historical and cultural significance.
Explore the Sacred Valley
Discover Peru’s rich history through visits to ancient ruins in Pisac and Ollantaytambo, learn local artisan crafts, and engage with the Quechua community to understand their traditions and lifestyle.
Gallery
Lodging
Participants
Participants stay in comfortable, dorm-style rooms that typically accommodate 4-6 students per room. These accommodations are carefully selected and often include locally run hotels or eco-lodges that reflect the culture of the area. Each location is selected to have private meeting spaces for group activities, ensuring both a supportive and appropriate environment for our programs.
Chaperones
Chaperones can expect to stay in private rooms, unless otherwise noted by the Global Works operations team. These rooms are located in the same facility as the student accommodations, allowing for a peaceful environment to relax and recharge without compromising proximity to the group. During homestays, chaperones typically have a choice to either stay with a homestay family or in a nearby hotel (location dependent).
Bring Your Classroom to the World
Collaborate with Global Works on an impactful service-learning travel program for your students.
