Peru School Trip Overview
From the peaks of the Andes Mountains to the archaeological wonders of Machu Picchu, a trip to Peru will be sure to amaze young travelers. This tour offers a comprehensive look at life in the Sacred Valley, both in ancient times when the Inca called it home and for the modern indigenous cultures who thrive there today. We’ll begin in Cusco and explore this vibrant city, as well as the archaeological sites around it. Then we’ll journey into the Sacred Valley to meet local families, help them with their daily tasks, and engage with schoolchildren. Students will earn up to 10 hours of service credit as they volunteer in local communities. Of course, no trip to Peru would be complete without visiting one of the New Seven Wonders of the World: the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu!
Our mission is to provide an authentic experience rooted in “teaching teens to be travelers, not tourists.” Language students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Spanish and practice what they have learned in the classroom. Students can order their own food at meals, chitchat with shopkeepers, and haggle with street vendors. Our staff members will help students discover that foreign languages are an exciting tool they can use wherever their travels might take them.
Our goal is to help students to step outside their comfort zone, appreciate other cultures, and discover the joy of traveling. Thanks to our years of experience in leading young travelers around Latin America, Travel For Teens are experts in engaging and inspiring student travelers. Join us on this one-of-a-kind cultural experience and leave them with memories to last a lifetime!
Did You Know? Teachers travel for free! Learn more about the Benefits for Teachers.
During this trip, you and your students will…
- Earn up to 10 hours of service credit working with indigenous families at their farms and schools
- Visit some of the world’s most impressive archaeological sites, heritage from the Inca Empire
- Shop for souvenirs in a bustling handicraft market and see local artisans at work
- Explore the beautiful Andean villages of Moray, Misminay, and Ollantaytambo
- Marvel at Machu Picchu, an Inca city in the middle of the Andes that will take your breath away!
- Try your hand at traditional weaving using natural fibers and dyes
- Visit the famous salt pans of Maras, where one of the finest salts in the world is produced
Detailed Trip Itinerary
Learn more about what each day is like on tour! Click on the day to discover the different sites and activities you will experience
DAY 1: ¡Hola Peru!
¡Bienvenidos a Peru! The adventure begins as you fly from your preferred airport to Cusco. Your Travel For Teens guides will meet you at the Cusco Airport and accompany you for the duration of your journey. Upon arrival, board our private coach and head to our hotel in downtown. We’ll take a short walk to get acquainted with our surroundings before enjoying our first dinner of Peruvian cuisine.
DAY 2: Discover Cuzco
Get to know Cusco like a local this morning as we take a guided tour of the city. Our first stop is the Tipón Archaeological Center to see some of the Incas’ many engineering achievements. We’ll visit Pikillacta, one of the most important pre-Inca cities, and Andahuaylillas, which is home to a beautiful 17th-century church. After lunch, visit a bustling handicraft market to shop for souvenirs. In the evening, we’ll take a nighttime visit to Koricancha Temple, the Main Square, and Mirador San Cristobal for the best views over Cusco.
DAY 3: Fortress of Saqsaywaman
In the morning, we’ll visit the impressive fortress of Saqsaywaman. In the afternoon, pay a visit to an artisan workshop, where you’ll be able to see local artists working with silver and other materials. You’ll have some free time for souvenir shopping in Cusco before enjoying another traditional Peruvian dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants.
DAY 4: Misminay
Leave Cusco today on a day trip to Misminay, one of the most beautiful villages in the Sacred Valley. Immerse yourself in Peruvian culture today as you visit Andean families at home and share their daily tasks. Work on the land and learn about local agriculture, then take part in a ceremony to thank Pachamama (Mother Earth) for her bounty. Later, take a weaving lesson to learn how the locals spin thread and dye it using natural dyes. You can even try your hand at spinning and take home what you make!
DAY 5: Working with School Children
Meet Peruvian school children today! We’ll volunteer at a school in the Sacred Valley, doing light maintenance work. Later, we’ll explore the mysterious terraces of Moray, as well as the salt mines and beautiful lagoons.
DAY 6: Maras Salt Pans
We’ll continue our service work in another village of the Sacred Valley today. In the afternoon, visit Maras, a small village in the Urubamba Valley that’s famous for having the biggest salt pans in the region that have been mined continuously since the Inca Empire. One of the finest salts in the world is produced there. In the afternoon, explore Ollantaytambo, an Inca military, religious, and agricultural center located at the top of a mountain. At the end of the day, we’ll take a train to Aguas Calientes, our base for exploring Machu Picchu tomorrow.
Day 7: Machu Picchu
Today’s the big day: Time to visit one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu! We’ll spend the whole day exploring this imposing Inca city in the middle of the mountains. Make your way around the ruins, learn about the history of these incredible people, and of course, take unbeatable photos. This evening, we’ll have an upscale final dinner to celebrate the end of an amazing trip!
DAY 8: Adios Peru
Your TFT guides will accompany you to the airport and assist you with check-in for your flight. Wave goodbye as you head through security and sit back and relax on your flight home.
LOOKING FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE LONGER? THIS TRIP CAN BE EXTENDED!
For teachers looking for a longer adventure, this trip can be adapted to up to 12 days! Our expert trip designers will be able to help you craft the perfect itinerary with plenty of options and exciting cultural connections to extend your stay. Contact us for details!
The TFT Difference
We Never Combine Groups
Your tour should be special and just for you and your students! We will never combine two or more groups on the same bus or tour. We will lead a trip with as few as six people and a teacher. Your Trip Director travels with you for the duration of your program.
Stress-Free Planning and 24/7 Support
We are there for you every step of the way, and our support begins the moment you decide to do a TFT trip! We will provide you with a team member who will help bring your tour to life, along with everything you need to help get students to sign up for the adventure! On the tour you will have 24/7 dedicated staff with you to ensure everything runs smoothly and because we know travel is full of surprises, solve anything that may pop up along the way.
Photos and Email Updates
Your trip is special and you and your students should have those memories captured forever! Expect frequent personal email updates and hundreds of photos from your TFT staff shared with you and your students’ families so everyone can follow along on the journey. We are the only teen travel program to offer this in-depth trip communication and it truly makes all the difference!
Central Accommodation and Local Meals
Authenticity is engrained in everything we do. We stay at locally owned accommodation in the city center so you don’t waste your valuable time commuting. We dine at charming authentic restaurants to get a real flavor (literally!) for the local culture. The best way to travel is like a local. So ditch the tour bus and have a real traveler’s experience with us!
Request A Free Custom Quote For This Itinerary
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Authenticity is engrained in everything we do. Eat, stay, and travel like a local.
Check out what past travelers have to say about TFT and discover why we are consistently winning awards for Top Youth Travel Organization.
Travel with us and discover why we are consistently winning awards for Top Youth Travel Organization.
