JOURNEY TO PERÚ

Machu Picchu, Service Learning Projects & Hiking in the Magical Andes

Vermont Academy

March 7-19, 2025

Priority deadline: November 15, 2024

Register for the Vermont Academy Peru Trip

The Vermont Academy March Break trip 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!

Students interact daily with the community at the Q’ewar 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, 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 have opportunities to organize various activities. We will also be working closely with families in farming, utilizing new tools as we learn about their practices in organic farming and agriculture. These families will have the chance to learn from others who share a deep connection with the land, which they depend on for their food. Additionally, we can learn about ancient weaving techniques and jewelry making, gaining insight into traditional crafts.

TRANSPORTATION
All group transportation expenses upon arriving in Peru are included in the cost of this program. Gogi leaders will meet Gogi students at the airport, and there is a hired bus for the duration of our time in Peru.

FOOD
While in Peru, students will be provided three square meals a day. We tend to eat vegetarian meals with plenty of fresh vegetables, fruit, and grains. When meals do contain meat, there is always a vegetarian option. Meals will include traditional Peruvian fare, including rice and beans, seafood, chicken, tortillas, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

LODGING
We will be staying at the beautiful Q’ewar Project. Each student will share a room and a bathroom. After our stay at the Q’ewar Project, we will be staying in a hotel in Ollantaytambo and a hotel in Cusco.

SPANISH

As we travel through Peru, we'll have a unique opportunity to immerse ourselves in the local communities. This experience will go beyond just sightseeing; we'll be actively engaging with the people who live there, learning from them, and contributing to meaningful projects. One of the key aspects of our journey will be learning Spanish, which will allow us to communicate more effectively and connect on a deeper level with the locals. By working on community projects together, we'll not only gain practical skills and cultural insights but also make a positive impact in the areas we visit. This combination of cultural immersion, language learning, and community involvement will make our trip an enriching and unforgettable experience.

Andean Culture and Learning about Shamanism
As you travel to Peru and the Andean highlands, you will hear or read the word apu. In Incan mythology, apu was the name given to powerful mountain spirits. The Incas also used apu to refer to the sacred mountains themselves; each mountain had its own spirit, with the spirit going by the name of its mountain domain. Apus were typically male spirits, although some female examples do exist. In the Quechua language—spoken by the Incas, and now the second most common language in Peru—we will be creating ceremonies in the apus! Gogi has been working with Shamans for many years and they will teach students about a Pachamama Ceremony. There is only one Sacred Valley; in this transformational place, students will learn and work with local shamans to release extraneous energies from the body and spirit, returning with a new relationship to oneself, your life and the world around you.

Pachamama Ceremony
Offerings made through the Pachamama ceremonies, or “Pay to the Earth” ceremonies, are rituals of ancestral origin honoring Mother Earth and her gifts. The ceremony is based on a connection between the material world and the spiritual world and seeks to give back to the Earth all that it has given us. During the Pachamama Ceremony, we can ask for our most desired wishes, what we dream of for our future, and what we want for our loved ones.

TOWNS AND SITES STUDENTS WILL VISIT:

Aguas Calientes: Aguas Calientes, the main gateway to Machu Picchu, is located at the bottom of a magnificent valley. We will take a scenic train ride along the Urubamba River to the Aguas Calientes. Along the way, the group will pass under the stunning Veronica peak and along the impressive bottom section of the Urubamba River. We will spend the afternoon in and around Aguas Calientes, and activities will vary based on the interests of the group. These may include taking a trip to the hot springs, shopping at the local market, visiting the Machu Picchu museum, or hiking to a nearby waterfall.

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: 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.

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.

Extra Meals and Snacks
Students are responsible for any food purchases in addition to the three daily meals included by the program. Note: Bring snacks/food with you while traveling in the airports. No liquids are allowed, but healthy snacks will be important for your time at the airport. We also advise students to bring extra travel money for the airport.

Shopping
There are many shopping opportunities in Peru, and students can purchase everything from clothing items to handwoven baskets and hammocks, hand-carved bowls and spoons, and pottery. Students must bring their own spending money, and we recommend bringing no more than $100-$150. Please bring clean, crisp bills in $20 dollar denominations or you can bring an ATM card and get cash.

An Example Itinerary of an 12-day trip

Important Note: This is an active, experiential learning program. It is not a tourism trip. Gogi Abroad wants participants to know that it is important to come with an open mind and enthusiasm about working and living in a new culture.

March 7th /Day 1 - Depart USA

March 8th/ Day 2 - Arrive in Cusco/ Andahuaylillas

Activity AM/PM: When we arrive in Andahuaylillas, we will rest and enjoy a delicious meal before we begin exploring. There is a sense of peace and contentment in this village where the mountains surround clusters of small, adobe houses. Student travelers will engage with the local people and culture daily by working at a school, learning different ways of food production, and practicing Spanish and Quechua. We will also have the opportunity to learn about the Q'ewar Project, an important initiative started in Andahuaylillas by Julio Herrera and Lucy Terrazas. Later we’ll walk through town and visit the Church of San Pedro Apóstol, which was built in 1580 and features a simple façade that contrasts with the beautiful Baroque interior, altars, walls, paintings, and ceilings.

March 9th/ Day 3 - Make connections in the Andahuaylillas Community

Activity AM: In the morning, we will bake bread or take part in other activities with the children in the kindergarten classes. As the students learn new songs in Spanish and Quechua, curiosity, shared laughter, and open hearts will connect the students with the schoolchildren. We will learn about the history and geography of Peru, which is an extremely diverse country with wide-ranging scenery. Students will focus on the Highlands because this region is the backdrop to our Gogi Abroad journey.

Activity PM: In the afternoon we will enjoy clay modeling with Julio, our instructor. Julio takes students through modeling exercises step-by-step, beginning with the sphere and moving into other symmetrical and non symmetrical shapes. Students enjoy this meditative activity while creating something beautiful, and this visual activity means that even students who know little Spanish can still understand the whole lesson and feel successful.

March 10th/ Day 4 - Service Learning Project and Pachamama Ceremony in Andahuaylillas

Activity AM: After our breakfast, we will start to learn about the process of building adobe and the construction projects going on at Q’ewar. We will prepare lunch and HIKE up the Andes Mountains to collect paja, or hay that is crucial for building adobe structures. We will walk for a few hours alongside a donkey carrying the paja down the mountain. At the top of the mountain, we will see the Sacred Valley and the river that we will travel along to Machu Picchu.

Activity PM: At the highest altitudes in the Peruvian Andes, live the Q’ero. In the afternoon, we will learn about the Q’ero tribe, and take part in a Pachamama ceremony with the women from the Q’ewar Project to learn about “Pachamama” Mother Earth. Gogi Abroad works closely with two shamans who will prepare offerings and present them to the Pachamama.

March 11th/ Day 5 - Continue Service Learning Project

Activity AM: In the morning, we will continue our service learning project, further contributing to the community and the construction efforts. Later in the day, we will immerse ourselves in the local culture, engaging with the traditions and daily life of the people in the region.

Activity PM: This time is open to engaging in activities such as art, weaving, or painting, offering us a deeper connection to the traditional crafts and creative expressions of the region.

March 12th/ Day 6 - Hike Rainbow Mountain in Cusco Region

Activity AM: A hike to Rainbow Mountain, known locally as Vinicunca (its Quechua name) or the montaña de siete colores (seven-colored mountain), is an absolute must for all those who love stunning landscapes and gorgeous scenery. Nestled in a remote region of the Andes Mountains, Rainbow Mountain was once a spectacle only to be admired by trekkers.

Activity PM: Head back to our hotel, relax and enjoy a fun dinner in the city.

March 13th / Day 7 - Community Work and Say Goodbye to our New Friends in the Evening at Q’ewar

Activity AM: We will go to a market and explore Pisaq for the day.

Activity PM: In the afternoon, we’ll prepare a community dinner and invite the women from the Project to join us. At our closing circle, students will sit by the fire, listen to live music and give thanks to everyone. We’ll meet as a group later in the evening to discuss packing and say our goodbyes to Q’ewar.

March 14th/ Day 8 - Travel to Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes

Activity AM: After working and immersing ourselves in the culture at the Q’ewar Project, we will start our travels to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and stay the evening in Aguas Calientes. We will stop in Ollantaytambo where we will take a nice walk through this beautiful little town before heading to Aguas Calientes.

Activity PM: In the afternoon, we will take the train along the roaring waters of the Vilcanota River to Aguas Calientes.

March 15th/ Day 9 -Trek to Machu Picchu

Accommodations: Ollantaytambo

Activity AM: We will wake up at 4:30 a.m. to begin our two- to three-hour trek to Machu Picchu (or take the bus). As we hike up the surrounding slopes and into the cloud forest, we will learn about the vegetation and see the sunrise over the spectacular ruins. We will explore the ruins all day and delve into Incan culture, learning the history of the temples and dwellings as we uncover some of the secrets of its past inhabitants.

Activity PM: In the late afternoon, we will head to the hot springs to enjoy a well-deserved healing soak before heading back to Ollantaytambo on the train. We will sleep in a cozy and peaceful little hostel by the water.

March 16th/ Day 10: Explore Ollantaytambo & Jewelry-Making Workshop
Accommodations: Ollantaytambo

Activity AM: Wake Up in Ollantaytambo: Known as one of the best-preserved examples of Inca city planning. Morning Exploration: Visit the Ollantaytambo ruins and explore the city's narrow streets and stone terraces.Lunch: Enjoy a typical meal at a local farm, featuring fresh, local ingredients.

Activity PM: Jewelry-Making Workshop: Learn traditional jewelry-making techniques from a local family business. This hands-on lesson offers insights into the craftsmanship passed down through generations.

March 17th/ Day 11: Salt Mines, Moray & Travel to Cusco
Accommodations: Cusco

Activity AM: Salt Mines: Visit the ancient Maras salt mines, a stunning network of terraced salt pools still harvested today. Moray: Explore the impressive circular terraces of Moray, believed to have been an agricultural research center in Inca times. Lunch: On the way, stop for lunch at a local spot.

Activity PM: Travel to Cusco: Make our way to Cusco and settle into your accommodations. Enjoy some free time in the city to relax or explore.

March 18th / Day 12:Discover Cusco

Activity AM: After breakfast, we will go to Qorikancha and to the Plaza de Armas. We will take time to admire crafts at the market and eat lunch at Meson de San. We’ll end with a special closing circle to express gratitude for the trip and for each other.

Activity PM: Our expedition ends in the imperial city of Cusco, known to the Inca as the “navel of the Earth.” Here, we’ll begin with an orientation to discover the city's rich history, and we’ll stroll through the city’s winding streets to discover the remains of an empire long gone but not forgotten. Then we’ll explore the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, the site of one of the bloodiest battles in the Spanish conquest.

March 19th / Day 13: Depart and arrive home to the States

TUITION: 3500 (USD Per Student)

Tuition includes:

All ground transportation in Peru, including pick up from the 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 in Aguas Calientes
Gogi guides to help translate and support you throughout the trip
A shamanic ceremony where you’ll absorb the teachings of Sacred Valley

Tuition does not include:

Roundtrip airfare to Cusco ($1200-$1600)
Excess baggage charges
Food and drinks at the airport
Food and meals outside of the three daily meals provided
Personal expenses, such as gifts
Travel insurance (around $100-$150)

HOW TO SIGN UP

Questions? Feel free to Email us at: info@gogiabroad.com or call for more information at 802-275-2948