Peru Expedition

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Peru Expedition

Destination

Peru

Current Grades

10th, 11th, 12th

length

15 Days

view dates and prices
Meeting Place

Arrive & depart in Cusco, Peru (CUZ)

This is an epic 16-day adventure through Peru’s most stunning landscapes! We’ll dive deeply into the Incan culture while experiencing unforgettable outdoor adventures in the incomparable Andes Mountains and the neighboring cloud rainforest. From exploring Machu Picchu to soaking in natural hot springs, from visiting innumerable ancient Incan sites to rafting one of the world’s most coveted rivers, this is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure you’ll never forget.

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Pery Expedition Itinerary

Whitewater rafting

Spend three days on one of the most sought-after rivers in the world: the Apurímac! Nestled deep within the Andes, the Apurímac River is fed by glaciers and flows through deep, narrow canyons. We’ll reach the river by hiking through ancient Incan settlements on the Qhapaq Ñan (meaning “royal road” in Quechua) trail, an ancient road system with extraordinary history that links the Andes’ highest peaks with the coast. By day, we’ll navigate exciting rapids up to class III, and at night we’ll practice our Spanish and sleep on the riverbanks under the brightest stars you’ve ever seen. It’s not uncommon to see otters, deer, foxes, and tropical Andean birds!

Backpacking & day hiking

Get ready to immerse yourself in the jaw-dropping beauty that Peru’s mountains have to offer! We’ll kick off the trip with an unforgettable hike to our rafting site, winding through beautiful and ancient Incan settlements like Maukallacta.

Another day, we’ll hike to the Perolniyoc waterfall outside of Ollaytantambo, a cascade reaching more than 300 feet tall and sitting at over 11,000 feet in elevation.

Then, we’ll be well-prepared to take on the elevation of the peaks enveloping the Sacred Valley. We’ll backpack for several days through more Incan ruins, waterfalls, glacial moraines, and other incredibly beautiful scenery. Heading toward La Raya Pass (above 14,000 feet), we’ll be supported by mules and sleep among spectacular views of the Andes. We’ll hike through the Chancacucho quarry, where you’ll learn the astonishing ways that Incans moved innumerable enormous boulders by hand across the valley to construct nearby villages. Our third day, we’ll descend back into the village to prepare for our next hike toward Machu Picchu.

Hike to and around Machu Picchu

In 2007, Machu Picchu was voted as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and for good reason: These remarkably constructed ruins offer fascinating (and nebulous!) glimpses into the ancient Incan world… and the views are absolutely astounding. After a short train ride through the Sacred Valley and into the cloud rainforest, we’ll begin our climb toward Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail. We’ll eat lunch at Wiñay Wayna, another set of ruins impressively built into the steep mountainside, before trekking toward Inti Punku, aka the Sun Gate; this is where we’ll be rewarded with our first views of the citadel itself. The next day, we’ll tour Machu Picchu itself, immersing ourselves in the ruins’ intricate stone constructions.

The next day will take us to Llactapata, another historical site on the “backside” of Machu Picchu. Just like our initial trek on the Inca trail, we’ll be surrounded by beautiful landscapes, including the region’s vibrant flora (if you like wild orchids, this is the place for you!).

Cultural activities

After so much hiking through the Andes, it’ll be time to reward ourselves with a special treat: Harvesting and making our own chocolate at a renowned organic farm, recognized for its commitment to conserving and preserving native species of fruits, medicinal plants, and organic agricultural practices.

Additionally, during one of our hikes, we’ll have the opportunity to plant Queuña trees (aka the Andean oak) high above the Andean valleys. This quickly disappearing tree (due to too much deforestation) is one of the hardiest trees in the world and indigenous to this region, and it is critical to supporting its surrounding fauna, flora, and culture.

Dates and Prices

Departure 1
  • Departure Day
    06/22/25
  • Return Day
    07/06/25
  • Price
    $6,595
Departure 2
  • Departure Day
    07/10/25
  • Return Day
    07/24/25
  • Price
    $6,595
Departure Day Return Day Price
06/22/25
07/06/25
$6,595
07/10/25
07/24/25
$6,595

Because of this trip’s physical challenges, any new student applying to Peru will schedule a director interview to ensure a mutually good fit. Students need a valid passport whose expiration date is valid for six months past the start of their travel to Adventure Treks. For non-US citizens, please confirm your country’s requirements for traveling to Peru. 

Included in tuition:
  • All meals
  • Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack, and all group gear
  • Guided activities
Not included in tuition:
  • Airfare to and from Cusco (CUZ)
  • Travel protection (more info here)
  • Personal clothing and items
Camping

Sleeping arrangements will be comprised of “frontcountry” campsites, where we’ll generally have a more developed campsite with running water, toilets, and sometimes cell phone service. Some of our nights will be spent “backcountry” camping, referring to wilderness locations where we are most likely out of cell phone service and away from our vehicles, electricity, and other amenities.

Challenge/fitness level

Fitness and physical challenge are subjective, so Adventure Treks does not “rate” its trips based on challenge. However, as noted above, Peru is one of our most challenging trips—we will have lengthy, strenuous hiking trips at high elevations. Because we’ll be highly engaged in backcountry activities throughout trip, our students have the responsibility to be physically fit.

We cannot stress enough how important it is to come prepared so that you and your fellow students can succeed. One student not coming prepared with physical fitness can severely impact the entire group. In the months leading up to their trip, students should develop a routine that emphasizes stamina and sustaining a moderate to high level of exertion for many hours, several days in a row. Running, swimming, bicycling, aerobics classes, and team sports are all beneficial and will help improve cardiovascular fitness in preparation for a student’s trip.

Activities

Backpacking / day hiking

Machu Picchu

Whitewater rafting

Cultural activities

Reviews

Laurel Simmons, Austin, TX
July 2024

Caroline loved her experience. She felt challenged, yet taken care of, and learned so much about Peru, other people, and herself. AT did a great job at providing a rewarding, challenging and fun experience for my child. It was extremely well-planned and executed.

Maurine McAdams, Chicago, IL
July 2024

This was an amazing opportunity for kids to gain independence and confidence and see new things with the right amount of support and risk taking. She has gained confidence to do things by herself, and her problem-solving has improved. The first Peru trip seemed pretty seamless from my side. I think you choose great people to partner with in Peru, and the mix of activities was great.

Meredith Calhoun, Hendersonville, NC
July 2024

The Peru trip was amazing, and she really enjoyed the addition of the cultural experiences to the outdoor experiences. It was fun, challenging, sometimes uncomfortable, and absolutely something she’ll never forget. The boost to her confidence is very noticeable and she loved the other students, the AT instructors, and the Peruvian guides.

Camille Bright, Kittredge, CO
July 2024

My son Max is a 17-year-old with a great attitude and a ton of potential. He also spends way too much time on his phone and playing video games. He has worked super hard in school and enjoys some sports, but mostly his big successes were related to video games. Until the Adventure Treks trip to Peru! Since his return we have heard many stories about counting on his group, learning to work with and trust people, trying new things, and discovering history with new eyes. He has even joked about putting his phone down for hours and then not knowing where it is, which was unheard of just a few weeks ago. On top of all that, Max just loved the food, the friends, the instructors, and the mountains! 10 out of 10 for sure. PS Max left “hating” fruit. After a day of fruit tasting in Peru, he has been converted!