Peru
Homestay & Language Immersion
About the Program
Experience an authentic immersion into Peruvian culture by living with local families in the Andes. Through daily interactions, students practice their Spanish while gaining unique insights into traditional Peruvian life. This program combines meaningful cultural exchange with language immersion, allowing students to form deep connections with their host families and communities while enhancing their language skills in a real-world setting.
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!
- Homestay orientation back at the hotel
- Dinner, games, and dessert with our new hosts! Become acquainted with your host family at tonight’s celebration – head to your new home for bedtime
- 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 at your homestay
- Silver ring and jewelry workshop. Learn to make jewelry with a local artisan
- Dinner at your homestay
- 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
- Back to homestays for the night
- Continue service projects in Calca or Kajllarakay, depending on need
- Afternoon arts and crafts (ceramics, t-shirt stamping), and a pickup soccer game with local students. If time allows, visit a local interactive museum where real size replicas of ancient Peruvian civilizations are featured
- Final ‘despedida’ fiesta with homestay families
- Morning transfer to Ollantaytambo via bus after saying adios to your homestay family
- 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
Live with Peruvian Families
Experience daily life with homestay families in Calca, immersing yourself in the Quechua culture. Participate in family meals and local customs while practicing Spanish.
Serve in Indigenous Communities
Work alongside community members in Calca and Kayllarakay on projects such as building sustainable gardens and community kitchens. Dig into create lasting impact through hands-on service.
Explore the Lost City
Hike and explore the world-renowned Machu Picchu with a full-day guided tour. Immerse yourself in the history and natural beauty of this iconic Incan site. An unforgettable experience!
Discover Ancient Wonders
Visit the Pisac ruins and explore the Sacred Valley, learning about the rich history of the Inca civilization while engaging with local artisans and going to markets for unbelievable finds.
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 and eco-lodges that reflect the culture of the area. Each location is chosen to provide private meeting spaces for group activities, ensuring a supportive environment for our programs. Homestays typically house 2-3 students. Participants stay with families who have long-standing relationships with Global Works.
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.
