June 1-15, 2025
The summer journey to Peru is an opportunity for students to experience living and working off the beaten track with an indigenous community in the highlands of the Andes Mountains. Students will engage in a service-learning partnership with the Q’ewar Project and learn the ancient technique of building adobe structures under the guidance of indigenous community members.
This experience immerses students in the Spanish language and connects them to artists, craftspeople and local families. In the afternoons, students will create unique “a la Inca” crafts, from claywork to weaving to spinning wool. Our focus is on connecting with a new culture and immersing ourselves with the Q’ewar Project then later setting out to explore villages and the seventh wonder of the world. Together, we will trek up to Machu Picchu and learn about the history and the magic of this amazing archeological wonder!
“If I had gone to Peru with a tourist group, I never would have had the chance to immerse myself in the Peruvian culture. I was able to experience how the people thought, how they felt, and how they acted, and I was able to interact with them, rather than simply watching them from a distance, and observing. I didn’t want to go to Peru just so I could take pictures of their monuments and take home some of their finely woven alpaca wool. I wanted more than that. I wanted to become part of the country and the culture and the people. Gogi Abroad certainly made this possible. ”
Students interact daily with the community at the Q’wear project and the kindergarten school that is also integrated into the land. Many of the indigenous people still speak the native language of Quechua, and some also speak Spanish. (Don’t worry if you don’t speak Spanish -- we have Spanish-speaking staff, and with a little imagination, it won’t be long until you master the art of nonverbal communication.)
For our service-learning work, (depending on the need) but as an example, we’ll be working with the Q’ewar Project on the ancient construction technique of building adobe structures. Students will hike up a mountain to collect important materials for making the adobe bricks. Our hike will be a bonding and cultural experience. After we collect our materials, we will celebrate the expedition by stomping on the mud to create bricks.
We will also be farming with families and using new tools as we learn about their practice of organic farming and agriculture. They will have an opportunity to learn from people who share an essential connection with the land on which they depend for food.
What’s Included:
All ground transportation in Peru (including airport)
All accommodations in Peru
Three daily meals including water, tea, and juice
Craft supplies and instruction
Guided tours of Cusco, Machu Picchu, and towns
Entry to several archaeological sites
Entrance to Machu Picchu
A train ride to Machu Picchu
Hot Springs
GOGI guides to educate, translate and educate you throughout the trip
A shamanic ceremony in which you’ll absorb the teachings of the Sacred Valley
Tuition does not include:
Roundtrip airfare to Cusco Peru ($1200-$1500)
Excess baggage charges
Food and drinks at the airport
Personal expenses, such as gifts
Mandatory International Travel insurance (around $65-$100) World Nomad
Only FIFTEEN spots are available for this adventure, so we expect it to sell out quickly.
Places we will visit!
Moray: On our way to Moray, we will pass by the beautiful snow capped Chicon and Veronica mountains in the Cordillera Vilcanota. These breathtaking mountains are our backdrop as we continue to Moray where we will visit the Inca agricultural greenhouse or laboratory, a place to study the adaptation of plants to new ecosystems. This is another opportunity to hike in the Sacred Valley!
Cusco: Often referred to as the “Archaeological Capital of the Americas,” Cusco is a beautiful city filled with contrasts between the indigenous styles and the modern western world. The juxtaposition of the Inca and Spanish colonial cultures, along with hints of the modern world, give Cusco its rare beauty. Visitors to Cusco first notice the Inca walls -- enormous granite blocks carved to fit together perfectly without the aid of mortar beds. Many of the walls were built during the construction of a new Spanish city.
Salineras: This small village is 7 miles from Moray and is famous for its salt mines that were exploited since Inca times as a means of economic exchange and securities. It is very interesting to see both how the salt is recovered from these mines and the people that work in Salineras.
MORE Places WE EXPLORE:
Machu Picchu: Our day hiking to Machu Picchu will be devoted to marveling at the sight of the breathtaking ruins of one of the most spectacular sets of ruins in the world! Students will hike up to the ruins early in the morning to see the sunrise. Students will explore and learn about the history of this beautiful wonder of the world.
Pisac: This picturesque Andean Village is known for its Sunday market. The market retains much of its local charm, as villagers from miles around gather to barter and sell their produce. Pisac is a good place to buy local ceramics and beads. There are also smaller markets in Pisac on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Pisac also has ruins to explore. Set high above a valley floor, patchworked by fields and terraces, the stonework and view at Pisac’s Inca citadel are amazing.
Ollantaytambo: This vibrant village has existed for more than 500 years, and Ollantaytambo is one of the best existing examples of Inca city planning. We will venture on its cobblestone streets and see the exceptional system of working aqueducts. Here we will also see Inca trails and ruins, and begin our journey to the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Students will Connect with Paqos: Exploring Andean Traditions
Work alongside Paqos, traditional healers of the Andes, and learn about their rich lineage of shamanic practices. Discover ancient rituals, personal stories, and sacred ceremonies that honor nature and promote balance. Dive into a unique cultural experience rooted in centuries of wisdom and tradition.
