Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Immerse your students in authentic Peruvian culture with a hands-on journey from Lima to Cusco. Your group will contribute to an ongoing, community-led project and participate in daily reflections and group discussions. You'll also discover several impressive archeological sites, including Machu Picchu and Ollataytambo, learn about traditional Peruvian artistry, and explore all the must-see sites in Cusco.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Lima
Meet Camps International staff and transfer to your hotel
Day 2
Fly to Cusco
Cuzco city walk
Explore Cusco on a guided walking tour that helps students examine how Inca and Spanish cultures shaped the city. Study colonial art and archaeological relics inside the Cusco Cathedral, then gather in the Plaza de Armas to discuss its role as a civic centre since Incan times. Visit the Qorikancha Temple to see original Inca stonework beneath the Convent of Santo Domingo, illustrating layers of history firsthand.
Daily reflection and group discussion
Each evening, time is set aside to update your Reflection Journal and share the thoughts and insights from the day.
Day 3
Travel to Camp Tarawasi
Camp Tarawasi orientation
Stay at a permanent camp set directly on the edge of the wetlands, where wildlife sightings often begin right outside the cabins. Students sleep in simple wooden lodges with bunk beds and share communal spaces for meals, downtime, and learning. Camp activities, from daily life to conservation work, can be conducted in Spanish or English, allowing students to build language skills and apply them in real situations. Evenings are spent relaxing together, enjoying freshly prepared dinners, reflecting on the day’s work, and participating in group discussions or team activities, with local staff always on hand for support.
Introduction to the community project
Students will begin hands-on service work at the camp, working in small teams on active conservation projects. Activities may include using camera traps to identify and track local wildlife, helping mark protected land boundaries to support conservation efforts, building beehives alongside local apiarists to protect vital pollinators, and planting saplings as part of reforestation work. Each project gives students a meaningful role in protecting the local environment while learning through real-world experience.
Tortilla-making class
Daily reflection and group discussion
Each evening, time is set aside to update your Reflection Journal and share the thoughts and insights from the day.
Day 4
Continue the community project
Continue working in small teams on meaningful, long-term projects that have been developed in partnership with the local community over many years. Guided by experienced project leaders, students gain hands-on experience in infrastructure work while learning how these projects create lasting impact. The focus is not only on contributing through service, but on taking home practical knowledge that can be applied in students’ own communities. Be ready to roll up your sleeves. Gloves and clothes you can get dirty are recommended.
Afternoon soccer match with the community
Artisans and dancing workshop
Daily reflection and group discussion
Each evening, time is set aside to update your Reflection Journal and share the thoughts and insights from the day.
Day 5
Continue the community project
Continue working in small teams on meaningful, long-term projects that have been developed in partnership with the local community over many years. Guided by experienced project leaders, students gain hands-on experience in infrastructure work while learning how these projects create lasting impact. The focus is not only on contributing through service, but on taking home practical knowledge that can be applied in students’ own communities. Be ready to roll up your sleeves. Gloves and clothes you can get dirty are recommended.
Trek to Tarawasi archaeological site
Introduction to local agricultural techniques
Daily reflection and group discussion
Each evening, time is set aside to update your Reflection Journal and share the thoughts and insights from the day.
Campfire evening
Day 6
Complete community project
Travel to the Scared Valley
Ollantaytambo archaeological site visit
Ollantaytambo market visit
Day 7
Train ride to Agua Calientes (Machupicchu Pueblo)
The train passes through the Sacred Valley of the Incas to Aguas Calientes.
Explore Machu Picchu
Board a train and travel through the Sacred Valley on a full-day excursion to Machu Picchu, Peru’s most famous site. Set high on a mountaintop and surrounded by jungle, this remarkable Inca city remained hidden from the outside world until 1912.
Transfer by train back to Cusco
Return by train to Cusco, enjoying scenic views from partially glass-roofed carriages that look up toward the cliffs lining the deep valley walls.
Day 8
Cuzco guided sightseeing tour
A local guide explains how the Spanish Conquistadors built churches atop Inca temples, pointing out the lasting evidence seen in the city’s intricate stone walls. Visit Qorikancha, the former heart of the Inca Empire, to study exceptional stonework and learn about the empire’s social structure, beliefs, and ambitions.
Final reflection and group discussion
Students take part in a student-led reflection session to look back on the week’s experiences, discuss personal and group achievements, and bring closure to the service journey. Time is set aside for final journal entries and optional sharing in a supportive group setting.
Dinner and dance show
Enjoy dinner with a local dance performance, with opportunities for group participation.
Day 9
Fly back to Lima
Day 10
Return home
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
With TourFlex, available for tours departing October 2027 or later, you get the flexibility to shape an itinerary that's as unique as your group. Dial your trip up or down for more choice, more control, and more unforgettable hands-on moments, all while getting the right experience at the right value. Available options vary by program and destination.
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theatre tickets or unique excursions
- Swap activities for ones that better serve your group
- Extend the learning through go-aheads or stay-behinds
Go Your Way
- Choose the most accessible departure airport for your group
- Opt for 2-, 3-, or 4-star hotels that are centrally located or a convenient ride to major itinerary attractions
Dine Your Way
- Opt for pre-selected meals or encourage exploration by dining on your own
- Enjoy 2-3 course, culturally representative meals or opt for 3-course, authentic dinners at local restaurants
Already Included
WorldStrides Tour Director: A dynamic destination expert who makes learning come to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Transportation to and from your destination
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Authentic accommodations such as tents, traditional bandas (huts), or hammocks in the jungle, all within local communities
Daily meals, with options varying by program (ask your Program Consultant for details)
Community-based projects
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Scenes from Peru
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
Through the WorldStrides Canada Financial Assistance Program (FAP), we provide travel grants to elementary and secondary school facing financial hardship. These grants, which can be up to $250 for coach tours and up to $1,000 for flight tours, are designed to make our programs more accessible to students from all backgrounds. Interested families are encouraged to speak with their school to learn more about our confidential application process.
Payment Plans
Monthly Automated Plan
Enroll with a deposit of $99 plus the cost of your travel protection plan (if included). We’ll automatically debit the rest of your tour fee from your chequing account in equal monthly payments, with the final payment due 35 days before you travel.
Please note: If two consecutive payments are declined, your account will be moved to the 4-Step Manual Plan.
4-Step Manual Plan
Manage your payments manually with a $249 initial payment plus your travel protection plan costs (if included). You’ll then make three more payments at key milestones as your departure date approaches. The final balance is due 65 days before your trip.
Please note: Payments on this plan are not automatically deducted and must be made manually.
Fundraising Tools
We are committed to helping you make your educational travel dreams a reality. We offer a comprehensive Fundraising Guide packed with creative ideas, tips, and resources to help you and your students reach your fundraising goals. From setting a timeline to brainstorming innovative campaigns, our guide provides a structured approach to make fundraising a fun and engaging experience for everyone involved.