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!
- Late night arrival to Lima. Meet your Global Works Trip Leader and check into the 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 in Calca, nestled in Peru’s Sacred Valley. with a stop at the mirador for pictures
- Stops along the way for a picturesque mountain vista, a local weaving demonstration, and alpaca farm for feeding and fun interactions with the animals
- Arrive to hotel, settle into rooms, and continue orientation
- 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
- Spend the morning at a local school for children with disabilities. Work alongside teachers and students on building repairs, or maybe install a piece of needed adaptive equipment for rehabilitation services. Take breaks from work to play with the kids and help with snack time
- Lunch in Calca
- Meet local children and spend the afternoon playing fútbol, volleyball and basketball!
- Excursion to the indigenous town of Kajllarakay
- Hands-on service project related to water infrastructure – work alongside our community partners
- Learn about the traditional Quechua lifestyle, language, and culture through spending a couple hours in a local home
- Traditional meal and ceremony alongside our new friends
- Stop by the interesting Inka site, Moray to round out our knowledge of agriculture and cultural practices in the Andes
- Evening group reflection
- Continue service projects in Calca or Kajllarakay, depending on need
- Afternoon arts and crafts (ceramics, t-shirt stamping). If time allows, visit a local interactive museum where real size replicas of ancient Peruvian civilizations are featured
- Final group dinner in Calca, along with Machu Picchu briefing
- Morning transfer to Ollantaytambo via bus
- Explore the ruins and market in Ollanta before lunch at a local restaurant
- Board train to Aguas Calientes, box dinner en route
- Nighttime briefing at our hotel for a spectacular Machu Picchu adventure tomorrow
- Early departure for Machu Picchu
- Tour the magnificent site of Machu Picchu. Climb the steps of the Inka for a panoramic view and follow the paths of this ancient city around the most important buildings
- Buffet Lunch in Aguas Calientes
- Evening departure to Ollantaytambo by train, then bus transfer to Cusco
- Check into Cusco hotel, dinner and final trip reflections
- Cusco tour including a market scavenger hunt and a look at key sites across this culturally significant city
- Closing ceremony in Sacsayhuaman, including a stunning panoramic vista of Cusco city
- Depart for the airport according to flight schedule for your flight to Lima
- (Day 10) Overnight flight from Lima 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.
