Peru: History, Landscape & Service Learning via Land and Water

Depart Home for Lima, Peru

Arrive in Lima, Peru

Airport Transfer

Hotel check-in, Relax & Refresh Orientation Walking Tour - The group will become oriented with their neighborhood, the public transportation systems, nearby pharmacies, markets,
ATMs, etc. Additionally, an in-depth safety briefing will be provided for what to do incase of an emergency.

Welcome Dinner - The group will be taken for an authentic dinner with a variety of menu options to cater all diets

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Full Day Sailing Tour of the Palomino Islands & Larco Museum - Sail the waters of the Pacific Ocean to an incredible adventure with sea lions from the Callao Yacht Club, where we will board the vessel that will take us to the Palomino Islands. You will learn about the fascinating history of the islands we’ll pass along the way, including San Lorenzo and El Frontón; you’ll be amazed by the sheer number of seabirds that soar above the shores of the islets, and you’ll also be able to spot penguins; but the real attraction of this tour is the chance to experience nature in the best possible way, by taking a swim with the friendly sea
lions that will make this adventure a guaranteed success!

Afterward, we will head to the Pueblo Libre District and visit the Larco Museum, an eighteenth-century Viceregal mansion that houses more than 3,000 years of Peru's pre-Columbian history. The museum boasts a supremely fine collection of gold and silver jewelry and worship paraphernalia that demonstrates the superb skill of ancient Peruvian gold and silversmiths. The Larco Museum also contains a famous collection of erotic ceramic tomb art that gives insights into various aspects of pre-Columbian sexuality.

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Airport Transfer

Flight to Cusco

Manos de la Comunidad & Pisac Market - Here, we will learn about the various types of camelids (Llamas, Alpacas, Vicuñas, and Guanacos) that live in the Andes region.
Afterward, the tour will continue to Pisac, one of the most emblematic towns in the Sacred Valley. Guests will have time to explore the Pisac Market, renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and cultural authenticity. The market features a wide variety of handcrafted textiles, alpaca wool garments, traditional ceramics, silver jewelry, musical instruments, and
local artwork, many of them made by artisans from surrounding Andean communities.

Check-in at your Hotel in the Sacred Valley - Relax and enjoy the surrounding Andean landscape.

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Full Day Focused on Superfoods & Wellness in Huama Community - Visit Huama, a mountain community in Lamay, a traditional village in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will learn about local resources, farming techniques and the use of plants and herbs for
food, medicine, cosmetics and other holistic and spiritual uses in the Andes. We will walk across farms and recognize the crops according to the season. We will plow the land, saw, plant or harvest to feel the hands-on experience. Then we will participate in the cooking or
processing of some of the superfoods that the locals consume on a daily basis, like native potatoes, tarwi, quinua, chuño and moraya (dried-fermented potatoes), corn beer and uchucuta (chili hot sauce). Coca leaves will always be part of the equation in the Andean culture and diet. We will discover the relationship and connection of food with the spiritual elements of life: Pachamama & the Apus, water, wind and fire; together with the plants and
rituals they close the circle of life and sustainability.
Lunch Included

Drive Back to Lamay and then to Hotel

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Pumamarca Ruins & Hike to Ollantaytambo - Enjoy a full day cultural and scenic experience in the heart the Sacred Valley. The journey begins with a visit to the fascinating ruins of Pumamarca, an ancient Inca administrative and agricultural complex perched on a
hillside, offering impressive stone structures and sweeping views of the surrounding valley. As you explore the site, you’ll gain insight into Inca engineering, history, and their strategic use of the landscape.
From Pumamarca, the adventure continues with a scenic walk toward Ollantaytambo, following traditional paths through Andean countryside, local farmlands, and picturesque villages. This gentle hike allows you to fully appreciate the natural beauty and living culture of the region.

The tour continues with a guided visit to the impressive Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, one of the most important archaeological sites, famous for its massive terraces,
ceremonial temples, and finely carved stonework.

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Full Day Visit to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu departing from the Sacred Valley - The day starts with a transfer to the train station for a comfortable Expedition train ride ending at the station of Aguas Calientes. You’ll be amazed at the spectacular vistas along
the way!
On arrival, we will take a bus that drops us at the admission fee to the citadel of Machu Picchu itself. Unearthed for modernity by Hiram Bingham more than a century ago, Machu Picchu is considered one of the seven wonders of the world. Its architectural beauty, spectacular natural setting, and the energy that radiates from its enigmatic buildings will take your breath away. We will follow in the footsteps of the ancient Incas as we take a
tour of the magical citadel led by one of our guides.
Finally, we will return to Aguas Calientes train station and catch the Expedition train back to Ollanta station. Upon arrival, private transfer to your hotel in Cusco.

Hotel Check-in

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Service Project in Cusco - This morning you will have the opportunity to contribute to a local community. Typical activities may include light improvement or maintenance work, helping with community beautification, supporting classroom tasks, or participating in organized activities with local children.
Specific tasks may vary according to the community’s needs at the time of the visit.

Cusco City Walking Tour - We will begin with a visit to San Pedro Market, Cusco’s main street market, alive with the aromas, flavors, colors, and sounds of local products from the Cusco region. From there, we continue to Qoricancha, the most important temple of the Inca
Empire, dedicated to the Sun God. According to legend, its inner walls were once completely covered in gold. Then we head to the Plaza de Armas, where we will visit the Cusco Cathedral, one of the most important colonial landmarks in the city. We then continue to the Church of the Society of Jesus, built on top of an Inca palace and considered one of the finest examples of Spanish Baroque architecture in Peru. Afterward, we walk along Hatun Rumiyoq Street, a narrow Inca street believed to have been part of the palace of the sixth Inca ruler, Inca Roca.
Here, you will admire the famous Twelve-Angled Stone, a remarkable example of Inca stonework precision. The tour continues in the artistic and bohemian neighborhood of San Blas, home to many renowned local artists. Walking through its narrow cobblestone streets, we arrive at the main plaza of San Blas, surrounded by well-known artisan workshops such as Mendívil, Olave, and Mérida. We will take time to visit some of these workshops and appreciate the artists’ work. We will also enjoy a panoramic visit to the San Blas Church, built in 1563 on top of an ancient Inca sanctuary. Although simple in structure, the church is famous for its extraordinary pulpit carved from a single cedar tree, considered one of
the finest examples of Spanish churrigueresque wood carving created by indigenous artisans.

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Half Day Tour to Nearby Ruins: Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park, Qenqo Archaeological Complex, Puca Pucara Fortress and Tambomachay Archaeological Site. We will start the day by traveling to the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, a colossal structure built with
huge carved rocks joined with absolute precision. This astounding example of Incan military
architecture is undoubtedly the greatest architectural work of the Tahuantinsuyo. Beyond
its impressive construction, it demonstrates the empire’s remarkable administrative capacity and powerful logistical system, capable of organizing and mobilizing such an enormous project. Over time, its appearance changed, as stones from the fortress were later used in building colonial Cusco.

Next, we will take a short walk to Qenqo, where you can observe fascinating rock formations and ceremonial spaces, including carved channels and altars that reveal the spiritual practices of the Incas. We will then continue by a short trek to Pucara, an important pre-Incan fortress. Here, you will explore the remains of its walls and terraces, gaining insight into the earlier cultures of the region and the strategic significance of these highland settlements. Our final stop will be Tambomachay, renowned for its intricate water
fountains and ceremonial baths. This gentle hike allows you to enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding area while appreciating the engineering skill of the Inca.

Free Afternoon

Farewell Dinner, Show & Program Closing - You will enjoy a delicious farewell dinner with
show in a local restaurant.

RETURN

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Transfer to Cusco Airport

Depart Cusco, Peru for Home

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Transfer to Cusco Airport

Flight to Puerto Maldonado

River Journey to Lodge - Once landed, begin an 18-miles river journey along the Madre de Dios River to our lodge. Lunch Included at the Lodge Guided walk along a signposted interpretative trail to the Caiman Lake, where it is possible to observe caimans, efficient hunters at the top of the jungle food chain which live on the many varieties of fish found in the lake. In the late afternoon, we will witness a spectacular Amazon sunset, an experience filled with overwhelmingly intense colors.

Dinner Included at the Lodge

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Amazon Exploration - Walk into the depths of the forest, following a network of trails as far as majestic Lake Apu Victor, surrounded by immense wetlands and gigantic trees. We will be
witnesses to an enormous variety of wild flora and fauna. At the lake, enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of its waters from the tall observation platform, from which it is also possible to spot parrots, macaws, toucans, horned screamers, hoatzins, herons, and other animals including caimans and turtles.
Lunch Included

Visit Monkey Island - Home to several species of primates, as well as other smaller species of mammals, and an enormous variety of colorful birdlife. Finally, we will pause to enjoy the
spectacle of the sun setting over the forests of the Amazon basin.

Farewell Dinner & Program Closing at the Lodge

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Transfer to Puerto Maldonado Airport

Depart Puerto Maldonado, Peru for Home