Peru Summer Program

Spanish language and culture immersion, volunteering and adventure travel in Peru

This summer program gives you the chance to experience Peru’s incredible cultural, social and environmental diversity. We immerse ourselves in Spanish, volunteer and homestay with local families, bike and trek an Inca jungle trail to Machu Picchu, explore Mediterranean-like islands at 12,000ft on Lake Titicaca, wander the ancient cobbled stones streets, plazas and markets of Cusco and Arequipa, hike into the spectacular Colca Canyon, visit mysterious Nazca, sand-board the dunes at Huacachina and head off-shore to the Ballestas Islands.

This summer abroad program is suitable for high school graduates, gap year students, university students and graduates, ideally 18 – 23 years.

Peru is a ‘land of contrasts’ vibrantly alive with enchanting and heart warmingly friendly people, many of whom are descendants of the Incas and retain rich traditions of language, colorful dress and lively music. It has stunning, diverse landscapes, from the highest snow dusted peaks of the Andes to the lush Amazon jungle. The food is fantastic. The language, surprisingly easy to pick-up. Wild life abounds – you’re sure to see flamingos, condor, llamas and the elusive vicuna.

Peru Summer Program Highlights

• One week of immersion Spanish Language - all levels catered for
• Homestay with local families in Cusco to enhance your language acquisition
• Volunteer with organizations in Cusco supporting orphans and disadvantaged youth, during our language week
• Explore historic Cusco, former capital of the Inca Empire
• The Inca Jungle Trail - mountain biking and trekking through the jungle to spectacular Machu Pichu
• 3-day white water rafting trip down the Apurimac River - the headwaters of the Amazon
• Homestay with indigenous islanders on Amantani Island in the middle of Lake Titicaca
• Condors, camping and hiking in Canyon Del Colca (twice the depth of the Grand Canyon)
• Soak up the charms of beautiful Arequipa
• Mysterious Nazca - pre-inca cemetery and the option to fly over the Nazca lines
• Sandboarding at Huacachina
• Boating around the Ballestas Islands
• Very personalized small group experience (compare with other programs of up to 40 students)
• Fantastic program leader supported by great local guides

"This experience changed my life...I made life long friends...and had the time of my life. Volunteering with the kids and seeing their world was eye opening and rewarding. My home stay family was fantastic - they welcomed me as if I was one of their own daughters, and I still keep in touch with them. Everyone I communicated with was very patient with my Spanish skills. The adventure part of the trip was fantastic as well. I had never hiked or camped before this trip and had no idea how I was going to live out of a backpack for a month, but I learned and dove right into the experience. I can't explain how much fun I had hiking, camping, white water rafting and sand boarding. Peru is a friendly and breath taking country, and I would recommend this trip for all looking for new experiences and challenges.”
C Feindt, participant 2008

Academic credit available on the Peru Summer Program

Click on the link below to view course and registration information for optional transferable credit available on this program.

Seattle Central Community College
Credit is available through the Seattle Central Community College Office of Cooperative Education and Service Learning. Whether you are from the US, Canada, or elsewhere, you are able to undertake this optional independent-study credit while on a Pacific Discovery program. Courses can be taken for 5 or 10 quarter credits and a maximum of 20 credits can be taken per quarter. This credit is a particularly good option for gap-year students and students wanting an economical credit option.

Scholarship available on the Peru Summer Program

Click on the link below to view details and application process for scholarship available on this program.

LIVFund Scholarship
The LIVFund Scholarship has been designed for anyone who wants to learn, intern or volunteer in Latin America and is seeking financial assistance to offset their program or living abroad expenses. The scholarship competition is open to anyone over the age of 18 who has plans to learn, intern or volunteer abroad in one of the following countries for at least one week. LIVFund awards two US$500 scholarships per month to selected recipients. Candidates may apply for the LIVFund Scholarship up to six months in advance of their program start date. Applications are accepted year-round.

Peru Summer Program Itinerary

Spanish language and culture immersion, volunteering and adventure travel in Peru

Day 1. Lima, Peru. On arrival in Lima transfer to our hotel and freshen up before program orientation. Following orientation we head out to visit the city’s key sites -  San Martín Square, the Government Palace, Basilica Cathedral, and The Catacombs - underground crypts from the colonial times. We’ll enjoy our first group dinner in the evening.

Day 2-8. Cusco – Spanish classes and volunteering. Fly from Lima to Cusco, the former capital, and heart of the Incan Empire. Nestled in the ‘Sacred Valley’, Cusco has the feel of an enchanting old European city – welcoming people, narrow cobbled streets, old white-washed and orange tiled adobe homes. We have a language school orientation, before meeting our homestay families. During this week, mornings are spent immersing ourselves in Spanish, with lessons at the most contemporary language school in Cusco. Afternoons we volunteer with local organizations focused on education and assistance for orphans and disadvantaged youth. Evenings you’ll enjoy with your homestay family. Day 8 we regroup at our hotel for a trekking briefing, and free time in the afternoon to pack.

Day 9. Sacred Valley of the Incas to the Amazon Jungle. We begin a fantastic  4-day journey to Machu Pichu, on the Inca Jungle Trail. An early morning start takes us by van into the Sacred Valley of the Incas, through Chincheros, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo until we reach the Abra Malaga pass (4350m).  We then mountain bike downhill through cloud forest and exotic fruit plantations (mango, pineapple, papaya, avocado, coffee, and coca) to the small jungle village of Santa Maria. Tonight we’ll dine and camp near the river.

Day 10-11. Jungle trekking to Aguas Calientes. Over the next two days we trek about 6 hours each day traversing jungle, canyons, spectacular waterfalls, hot springs, mountain views and archeological sites from Incan times. Birdlife is abundant and you are sure to see the Peruvian national bird, cock-of-the-rocks. He’s an odd looking little fellow and definitely one to ‘google’ before you leave home so you know what you’re looking for! Our first night is spent camping at Santa Teresa, and on arrival in Aguas Calientes we are rewarded with a comfortable bed (in a hotel) and the chance to soak in the hot springs.

Day 12 -13. Machu Pichu to Cusco. Hike up to Machu Pichu for sunrise and a breathtaking start to the day. After an informative tour of the sacred city, you’ll have plenty of time to explore independently, and may like to climb Wayna Picchu. Mid afternoon we depart Aguas Calientes and catch the train back to Cusco, arriving late evening. Day 13 is a free day in Cusco to give you time to rest, do laundry and email, and explore this great city at your own pace.

Day 14-17. Apurimac Rafting. The Apurimac River is arguably the most direct source of the Amazon, making it the longest river in the world and our journey down the Apurimac is rated as one of the ten best rafting trips in the world. We spend 3 thrilling days running mostly class 3, 4 and 5 rapids, amongst the impressive granite walls of the narrow gorge, camping and lunching on white sandy beaches. Our very experienced guides not only carry us safely through these exciting waters, but also make a fantastic camp-side fire and wonderful dinners. Nights camped beside the river give us plenty of time to gaze up at the starry southern skies. Day 16 we return to Cusco by early evening, and Day 17 is a free day to rest and explore.

Day 18-20. Lake Titicaca and Island Homestay. The road to Puno and Lake Titicaca stretches across an arid moonscape of mountains, lakes, clusters of earthen homes and scattered herds of llama. After a night in Puno we boat out onto Lake Titicaca, visiting the remarkable Uros Islanders, who live on floating islands made entirely of reeds (see the cover photo of this booklet). Our destination, the island of Amantani, has a distinctly Mediterranean feel. Its tranquility and simple subsistence lifestyle is alluring. We homestay with local families for the night, giving us ample time to explore the terraced slopes, significant hilltop ruins, swim in the highest lake on earth, and soak up the wonderful ambience. On our return journey to Puno the next day we’ll stop at Taquile Island and hike across the island for lunch in the village square.

Day 21-25. Flamingo, Vicuna, Condors and Colca Canyon. We migrate through high desert, past lagoons and nature reserves that are home to flamingos, vicuna and llama. Late afternoon we arrive in Chivay town and enjoy a hike, hot springs and a planetarium show about the Colca Canyon. Early on day 21 we travel to Condor Cross for a glimpse of condor in flight, then begin trekking into the canyon. Crossing the Colca River in the floor of the canyon we ascend to San Juan de Chuccho village where we’ll have time with the children and families from this valley. On Day 22 we begin ascending the canyon, stopping at villages along the way. We’ll see old terraces used for cultivation, snow capped mountains, cactus forest and the mighty river of the Llatica Canyon. Trekking on Day 23 and 24 takes us to waterfalls, over cliffs, river crossings by suspension bridge, and the luxury of hot springs at the end of the day. After a short trek on day 24 we’re met by 4WD and driven back up through to the canyon, across the high desert, to Arequipa.

Day 26-27. Arequipa options. The city of Arequipa lies beneath the impressive 19,000ft volcanic cones of El Misti and Chachani. Closer to sea-level than Cusco or Puno, the air feels rich and warm. We again stay in the historical quarter, closest to the museums, plazas, markets and cafes. Our guesthouse, with its sprawling garden, swimming pool and hammocks, will feel like a home-away-from-home. Day 26 is a free day to relax – you’ll want to after our fantastic trek in the Colca Canyon. On day 26 you have time to explore the city’s historical sites independently, and the option of a mountain biking or horse trekking trip in the volcanic mountains around the city.

Day 28-30. Nasca Lines, Sandboarding and Ballestas Islands. Farewell Arequipa for a fantastic journey north along the coast of Peru stopping at key points along the way to enjoy beautiful beaches, historic sites, and some great adventures. We’ll spend a night at Nasca, and next morning have the option of a flight over the Nasca Lines. Our next stop is La Huacachina Oasis where we’ll head out for an afternoon of sand buggying and sandboarding on coastal dunes – no experience necessary – apparently anyone can pick it up! On our last day we take a private boat out to the Ballestas Islands and cruise around the islands caves and arches spotting sea lions, pelicans, penguins, and dolphins if lucky. Back on the mainland we’ll have a relaxing lunch poolside at a local hacienda, then drive to Lima completing the circle of our journey.  We’ll have a farewell dinner near the ocean in Miraflores, then transfer to the airport for the group flight which departs around 11pm.

Peru Summer Program Notes

Spanish language and culture immersion, volunteering and adventure travel in Peru

Suitability

Open to students, graduates and non-students 18-25 years. No prior travel, trekking or rafting experience is required. However, you should have a good base of fitness to get the most out of this program. You do not need to be proficient in Spanish. For Spanish language classes you will be placed in a level appropriate for your ability and fluency. This program is suitable for both beginner and experienced Spanish speakers.

Accommodation

Our accommodation varies from welcoming homestays and camping with shared facilities, to modern hotels and guesthouses with private bathrooms. Laundry, postal, telephone and email facilities will be available most days, except while on expeditions. Accommodation is diverse, comfortable and carefully chosen to fit our needs.

Meals

Food is a highlight when traveling. Throughout the trip, there will be the opportunity to eat authentic South American or Western style food. Special dietary requirements and vegetarians are catered for. Over two thirds of meals are included in the program cost. The remaining meals are not included to allow us a choice of when, where and what we eat. For the meals not included, you will have the option of dining out, or self-catering with others in the group.

Transport

The itinerary has been designed to maximize comfort and safety whilst also giving you the opportunity to experience local transport and take part in daily life. We utilize private vans, boats, bikes, trains and donkeys.

Program fee

Program cost is $4,750 USD (change currency).

Program fee inclusions

All in-country travel and transport including one flight within Peru; All accommodation; Most meals; One week of Spanish language classes and volunteer projects; All excursions and activities as described in the itinerary (unless noted as optional); Experienced Pacific Discovery program leader and local guides; Online image library for your program. Refer information booklet for international flight options.

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