Peru Learning Service

Week one of your trip begins in Puerto Maldonado. A scenic boat ride transports you to the ecological reserve—your home for the first five days. Here, you’ll settle into rustic lodges amidst the lush Amazon rainforest, surrounded by the serene sounds of nature. The evening offers a warm welcome and a chance to rest and prepare for the days ahead.

Your time at the ecological reserve will blend learning, conservation, and hands-on tasks. Guided by our team, you’ll explore the camp, participate in workshops, and contribute to animal care, sustainable farming, and trail maintenance. Highlights include ascending South America’s tallest canopy walkway for bird surveys, crafting with mahogany, and participating in nighttime wildlife explorations.

You’ll then bid farewell to the rainforest and travel to Cusco, the ancient heart of the Inca Empire. Explore its rich cultural heritage through a walking tour, language classes, and archaeology and cultural awareness workshops.

Your first week concludes with a meaningful tree-planting activity in the Andean foothills, connecting the experiences of the Amazon with broader environmental efforts. The blend of hands-on conservation work and cultural immersion offers a profound understanding of global ecological and social issues, which will enrich and inspire you!

Delve into Peru’s rich cultural and historical tapestry while continuing impactful community engagement. Beginning with an archaeological excursion, you’ll assist with the reconditioning and preservation of ancient Inca artefacts, exploring the stories they tell about this once-powerful civilization! The evening offers a culinary experience with a traditional pachamanca (underground hot stone BBQ) cooking class, blending cultural learning with culinary delight.

Midweek, the focus shifts to community initiatives, where you’ll engage in seasonal service projects like constructing adobe walls or renovating schools and community spaces. These activities foster connections with local residents and highlight the importance of preserving cultural heritage. Afternoons are filled with joyful interactions, from playing games with schoolchildren to bonding over sports, culminating in reflections on the value of collaboration and shared humanity.

Round off your trip with visits to iconic Inca sites, including the Sacred Valley, Pisac, and Machu Picchu. Marvel at the ingenuity of ancient civilizations and their enduring legacy!

• The second longest river in the world, the Amazon River, starts in Peru. At around 4,000 miles, it travels through Peru, Colombia, and Brazil before ending at the Atlantic Ocean.
• 60% of Peru is covered by rainforest.
• Peru is home to Machu Picchu, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
• Three-quarters of the world’s alpaca population lives in Peru, and about 150,000 families there make a living selling their meat and wool!
• Peru recognises three official languages: Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara
• Over 10,000 years ago, Peruvians first discovered wild potatoes by Lake Titikaka. On 30 May each year, the country celebrates National Potato Day by eating lots of delicious potato dishes!

We handle all the essentials, so you can focus on the experience.

Your trip includes the following as standard. Talk to us if you’re looking for anything customized, we can help.

• Accommodation
• Three meals per day
• Drinking water
• In-destination transportation, including airport transfers
• One free staff place for every nine students that travel
• Excursions, cultural activities, and social events
• Project materials
• 24/7 staff support for the duration of your trip
• A custom-made reflective journal (upon request)
• A fully customisable bespoke itinerary
• An in-person or online talk before you sign up
• A Q&A presentation for students, parents, and teachers
• A pre-departure presentation prior to travel
• A full risk assessment for every group trip
• Support from application to departure
• Fundraising advice
• Assistance with booking flights
• Comprehensive induction and orientation upon arrival
• Dedicated group pre-departure support

For more information, request your Teacher Handbook, our practical guide designed to support you plan, organize, and deliver a safe and successful school trip.

Projects Abroad is a Certified B Corporation, which means we have joined the global movement of businesses committed to using business as a force for good.

We also calculate emissions linked to our programmes before funding climate action projects that offset what is produced. We then go further, adding a 10% contingency to account for any variation, and planting a tree for each participant. This makes our operation climate positive — we offset more carbon than we create.

Read more about our commitment to Sustainability.