Explore the breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cultures, and ancient civilizations of South America on an unforgettable 10-week adventure. Pacific Discovery's South America Gap Semester is designed for young travelers seeking a unique blend of adventure, culture, and community service.
From the majestic peaks of the Andes to the Amazon rainforest, you'll experience the diverse wonders of this incredible continent. You'll hike through stunning national parks, volunteer with local communities, and learn about the rich history and traditions of South America.
You'll challenge yourself, step outside your comfort zone, and develop valuable life skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and resilience. You'll gain a deeper understanding of South American culture, history, and traditions through hands-on experiences and interactions with local people. You'll contribute to the preservation of South America's natural beauty and learn about sustainable practices. And you'll connect with like-minded individuals from around the world and form bonds that will last a lifetime.
Pacific Discovery's Gap Semester programs are designed to help you develop life skills, build confidence, and foster self-discovery. Weekly workshops and activities focus on leadership, teamwork, and communication, ensuring you return home with a newfound sense of purpose. You'll have ample opportunities to reflect on your experiences, set goals for the future, and make this gap semester a transformative stepping stone toward your future endeavors.
As you explore the region among a group of supportive, like-minded travelers with experienced instructors by your side, you'll feel empowered to step outside your comfort zone and embrace new challenges in a safe and encouraging environment.
Pacific Discovery's South America Gap Semester is more than just a trip; it's a chance to connect with nature, discover South American culture, and make a lasting impact.
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**What's more, you can earn College Credit while on your Program! Academic credit is optional for our students, but for those who choose it, an integral component of their program.
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Get ready for an epic adventure—biking through stunning landscapes, trekking through the mountains, and arriving at one of the most famous places in the world, Machu Picchu. It’s the perfect mix of adrenaline, history, and jaw-dropping views.
Dive into the world-famous Galápagos Islands, where you can snorkel with sea turtles, marine iguanas, and possibly even hammerhead sharks. Kayaking in these crystal-clear waters will make you feel like you’re in a nature documentary, exploring one of the planet’s most biodiverse ecosystems.
This isn’t just another volunteer experience—it’s a deep dive into Andean culture. You’ll work alongside an indigenous community, contributing to sustainable practices and helping with eco-friendly projects. Plus, you’ll get to work with llamas, learning about their role in the community and helping out with traditional farming practices. It’s a hands-on, immersive experience that connects you to nature and local traditions in a way you’ll never forget.
This is a guide to what you can expect to do on program. The order in which the activities occur might vary.
Click download to view the full 10 week sample itinerary.
Download Sample Itinerary
On arrival in Lima, Peru, you’ll meet your Program Instructors at the airport and fly together to Cusco, the former capital and heart of the Incan Empire. From Cusco, we travel to Urubamba in the Sacred Valley for an introduction to Peruvian culture. We’ll start with an in-depth orientation where we focus on getting to know each other and creating a positive and reflective group culture.
In this first week, we’ll explore the stunning ruins of Pisaq, Ollantaytambo, and Moray. These ancient Incan sites will give us a deeper understanding of Peru’s rich history.
We’ll also engage with a local Community through a service project and activities, where you'll have the opportunity to work directly with local people, learning about their traditions and contributing to the community.
In the afternoon, we’ll have Spanish lessons at two levels, ensuring everyone can improve their language skills as we immerse ourselves in the culture. This will continue throughout the week, balancing exploration, service, and learning.
We then embark on a 4-day journey towards Machu Picchu on the Inca Jungle Trail. This thrilling adventure includes biking, zip-lining (optional), natural hot springs, and river traverses, offering a diverse and exciting approach to Aguas Calientes, the gateway town to Machu Picchu. Each day will be filled with a blend of outdoor activities and stunning landscapes.
Once we reach Aguas Calientes, we’ll hike up to Machu Picchu for sunrise, a breathtaking start to the day that will make the experience even more memorable. After an informative tour of the sacred city, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the ruins independently. For those feeling adventurous, there will be the option to climb Huayna Picchu, where you'll get a bird's-eye view of the ancient city and surrounding mountains.
Nestled in the Sacred Valley, Cusco has the feel of an enchanting European city with its narrow cobbled streets, orange-tiled adobe homes, and the majestic cathedral. We’ll start the week with a Cusco Legend and Culture Tour, where we explore the city's rich history and learn about the myths and stories that shape its vibrant culture.
Next, we’ll visit a Farmers Market and participate in a Cooking Class, where we'll dive into the local food culture and learn to prepare traditional Peruvian dishes.
We then dive into our second volunteer project, based in Urubamba, with project founders Alejandra and Jorge — along with their resident llamas. Our focus will be contributing to the Project, which aims to recover traditional uses and breeding of carrier llamas. This project works closely with local communities on environmental education, sustainable rural development, and the conservation of Andean mountain ecosystems in the Sacred Valley highlands.
During the week, we’ll help with a social enterprise replicating a traditional Andean village, where both locals and international visitors can learn about Andean ways of life. Additionally, we’ll go on a fun day-trek with llamas, immersing ourselves in the environment and connecting with the communities that this project supports.
✓ All in-program travel and transport - excluding flights and visas
✓ All accommodation
✓ All meals (not including snacks)
✓ All expeditions, activities, excursions, volunteer projects and entry fees as described in the itinerary
✓ Experienced Program Instructors and local guides
✓ Informal lectures from resident experts on conservation and eco-tourism
✓ Experiential core curriculum that pushes students to reflect and ask questions of themselves
✓ Certificate of Program Completion
Request Information Booklet
Anyone with an average to advanced fitness level and an enthusiasm for the outdoors and new experiences will have a great time on this gap semester! You will need to be prepared for a multi-day hike towards Machu Picchu and for some physical work during the volunteer projects on the program, like trail building or the removal of invasive plants.
You will be camping a few nights on this program.
You will be able to make a big difference to the local community during your stay. Be prepared to get your hands dirty and do some hands-on learning about local issues.
Hear What Past Students Have To Say
South America (Peru, Ecuador, & the Galapagos Islands)
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