Peru Community Service
14 Days
- Immerse yourself in everyday life in a traditional Peruvian village
- Restore a community center or build a greenhouse
- Explore the mysterious mountain-top citadel of Machu Picchu
- Play fútbol with Peruvian friends
Community Service Projects
Students will spend an estimated 35-40 hours on community service projects. Work side-by-side with locals in the community on a variety of projects focusing on infrastructure development and education.
How To Apply
• About the Application Process
• Apply Now
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Itinerary — 14 Days
In Peru's Sacred Valley of the Inca, ancient ruins and tiny villages are scattered among the lush folds of the Andes, and the Quechua people carry on the colorful traditions of their ancestors. We'll make our home in a mountain village here and work alongside members of the community on an array of service projects. Get in tune with the rhythms of life in the heart of the ancient Inca Empire; explore Cusco and Machu Picchu; and capture the experience through photos, journals, and video.
Community Service Village
11 days. The program begins in the Sacred Valley of the Inca with a day of orientation in Ollantaytambo, a colonial town built on ancient Inca foundations. Then we'll head deeper into the valley to our host village, and settle into rural life. Immerse yourself in the local culture while working alongside community members on a range of service projects. Possible projects include building a classroom, painting a mural, constructing a community center, and helping young students improve their English. Get further involved in village life by volunteering at the village clinic, learning to cook a typical Andean meal with the local women, or spending a day herding sheep with a shepherd. In the afternoons, play soccer with village friends, hike remnants of ancient Inca footpaths into the surrounding mountains, or relax and play music with your Peruvian peers. Chronicle your experience in the village through an independent project of your choice: learn to play a Quechua song on a traditional instrument, try your hand at weaving, or photograph local children and display their portraits at the school.
From your base in the village, take day trips into nearby Cusco, the capital of the mighty Inca Empire, considered at the time the “navel of the Earth.” Head into the cobbled lanes of the city center; discover Inca temples and other impressive archaeological finds; and explore the fortress at Sacsayhuaman, where the Inca fought a historic battle with the Spanish conquistadores.
Machu Picchu
3 days. A scenic train ride brings us to one of the most magnificent spots in the world: the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu. Abandoned by the Inca for centuries, the site was rediscovered 100 years ago by explorer Hiram Bingham and excavated by a team from National Geographic. Venture into this mysterious city, examine the Inca's remarkable stonework, and hike the surrounding slopes to take in the views. We'll gather for a final evening of sharing the stories and skills we've picked up in Peru before returning to Lima for our flight home.Accommodations
In the village, the group sleeps on bunk beds in simple village housing. Boys and girls have separate spaces, and bathrooms are shared. In Cusco and Machu Picchu we stay in small family-run inns and hostels.
Note: Cusco is at an elevation of 11,200 feet, and Machu Picchu is at an elevation of 8,000 feet.
Apply now for this program or call us for more information at 877-877-8759.
