Gap Adventure: Peru & Bolivia (10 Weeks)

Forget sightseeing — this is travel you can feel!

Move through hundreds of miles and hundreds of years of Inca history in just ten weeks as you explore the four quarters of their incredible empire, including the ancient capital city of Cusco.

Picture this… Hiking ancient Inca trails to Machu Picchu, racing across endless salt flats, dune buggying through a desert oasis.

There’s hands-on archaeology too. Plus meet the locals, floating islands on Lake Titicaca, and hang out with Humboldt penguins. And, so much more.

We really can’t do it justice here, so keep scrolling for our ten-week overview featuring all the best bits!

You’ll go deep, learning how empires clash, how delicate ecosystems operate, and how incredible traditions survived against all the odds. From rainforest conservation to starry mountain nights, you’ll see how people and the planet are connected — and how you can make a difference.

From Lima to La Paz, this is an expedition that will take you to places that guidebooks just can’t touch.

Learn some Spanish, make lifelong friends, and boost your skills with action-packed workshops. You’ll leave knowing more and ready to take on the world.

Are you ready to write your own story? Let’s go!

Embark on this ten-week passage through the heart of Peru and Bolivia, where ancient mysteries, vibrant cultures, and breathtaking landscapes await.

Explore from Lima to La Paz via Cusco, venturing into the depths of the Amazon rainforest and trekking through the majestic Andes.

This is a journey that will ignite your spirit of adventure and leave you with so much more than memories and photos.

You’ll take home confidence, friends, knowledge, new skills, and a smile!

Begin your Peruvian journey in the vibrant capital city of Lima, exploring its UNESCO-listed centre. Enjoy your welcome meal and get acquainted with your new city and friends!

Then, head south to Paracas and witness the incredible biodiversity of Isla Ballestas, home to playful sea lions, penguins, and countless seabirds.

Venture further south to uncover the mysteries of the Nazca Lines before heading north for a thrilling dune buggy ride and sandboarding in the enchanting Huacachina oasis.

We’ll fly you to Puerto Maldonado and dive deep into the Amazon Rainforest. Once you’re in the rainforest, you’ll contribute to reforestation efforts, learn wildlife conservation techniques, and care for rescued animals at the Taricaya Ecological Reserve.

Experience the jungle’s nocturnal wonders on night walks and climb the tallest canopy walkway in South America.

Fly to Cusco, where you’ll experience a homestay, take cooking classes, and explore the Coricancha Sun Temple.

Embark on a one-day practice trek to Pumamarca, go white-water rafting, and tour Ollantaytambo and Sacsayhuaman. Engage in a three-day archaeology project in the Sacred Valley, protecting ancient walls and ceramics.

Marvel at the colourful Rainbow Mountain and spend a week with an Indigenous Quechua community, learning weaving, farming, and ancestral traditions. Then, move on to the challenging five-day Salkantay Trek to the awe-inspiring ‘lost city’ of Machu Picchu, complete with a guided tour.

Your trek will conclude in Cusco, where you’ll use your ‘tourist ticket’ to visit up to 16 attractions in your own time. Travel on to Lake Titicaca, where you’ll join the Uros floating island community for an overnight stay. Then it’s time to cross the border to Bolivia!

Start your Bolivian leg in La Paz with cable car rides, the bustling San Pedro Plaza, and the intriguing Witches Market.

Explore historical sites, ancient ruins, and colonial silver mines. Join a multi-day hike through the Frailes Range, discovering cave paintings and weaving villages.

Immerse yourself in the otherworldly Salar de Uyuni with a three-day jeep tour. Witness the Train Cemetery, boundless salt flats, flamingos, and surreal desertscapes.

Visit Oruro before concluding your journey in La Paz, where you can reflect on your incredible adventure.

They are the perfect blend of adrenaline, exploration, and meaningful connection. We pride ourselves on our ability to deliver authentic, unforgettable experiences – with safety, support, and the freedom to explore.

Each programme contains our Gap Components, the DNA of our philosophy around transformational travel.

Gap Components focus on five essential aspects: 

• Adventure  — outdoor activities that boost confidence
• Community  — make a positive impact, and develop real connection through relationships
• Exploration  — go off-grid, embrace nature, and build resilience through new experiences
• People & Planet  — learn about global issues, local responses, and different cultures
• Transformation  — personal growth, new skills, and self-discovery

With over 30 years of experience connecting people with purpose, we’re no strangers to the transformational power of travel.

We believe for transformation to take place, your experience must be authentic. Likewise, the best experiences unfold where there is a real connection to other people, places, and the planet. And, when done well, travel benefits everyone involved.

Our global network means we have the two things to give you the experience, security, and connection you crave — local experts and local knowledge.

Of course, we know the sights, and you’ll see these. But you’ll be more than a tourist. You’ll be immersed in a local culture and way of life — so you won’t just see the world, you will feel it too.

• Relax, we’ve got this — we handle the planning so you can focus on the fun stuff.
• Budget-friendly — honest pricing means no nasty surprises. Accommodation, activities, meals… all included.
• More than just photos — return with new friends and unlock a whole new outlook, passion and perspective on this planet you call home.

The cost of your trip covers everything except your flights, visa(s), insurance, and spending money.

You’ll get:

• Picked up from the airport, and taken back again when it’s time to go home.
• All internal travel such as coach, ferries, and flights.
• Three meals a day.
• Accommodation.
• 24/7 support in destination(s).
• Regular social events, excursions, and workshop activities.
• Access to 16 museums in Cusco.
• Visa support and advice.
• Full induction and orientation by experienced staff upon arrival.
• A minimum of at least two Programme Leaders with you during your trip.

For a full list, read What’s included in the price?

All that is needed to secure your place on any Gap Programme is:

1. Pay a €295 deposit today.
2. This deposit is taken off the final balance of payment for your trip.
3. The remaining balance is due to be paid three months before you travel.

You can choose how much, and when to pay, up to three months before your start date.

This means you have complete flexibility to save up or pay in instalments at a time that suits you.

There is no interest, no credit, and no fees. You are in total control.

Read Payments made easy for more information.

Our Gap Components are the DNA of our philosophy around transformational travel.

Each Gap Programme contains five essential components:

Adventure

Leave your comfort zone in the dust! We’re talking hiking epic trails, rafting down rapids, dune buggies, and ziplining through incredible landscapes. This is more than just an adrenaline rush. These adventures are designed to build your confidence, strengthen those friendships, and give you life skills that will stay with you long after you unpack your bags.

Community

Ready to make a difference? Get involved and give back to the incredible places you’ll visit. Roll up your sleeves and join beach cleanups, help protect endangered forests and wildlife, or teach, build, and lend a hand in local communities. You’ll learn about giving back, see the world through a whole new lens, and leave a positive footprint, wherever you tread.

Exploration

Time to go wild! Picture camping under the stars, spotting rare animals, trekking into the remote wilderness, and experiencing life in a homestay. It won’t always be easy, but that’s the point. These programmes are designed to build your resilience and ignite your sense of adventure. You’ll push your limits, ditch the digital world, and stretch yourself further than you ever thought possible.

People & Planet

Ready to go beyond sightseeing? Dive headfirst into the real issues facing our planet, learn from local experts, and immerse yourself in vibrant communities. Get hands-on, open your heart, and experience different cultures for yourself. These programmes will shake up your perspective, inspire you to act, and help you understand your own place in this awesome, interconnected world.

Transformation

This gap year is your chance to invest in yourself. Homestays, workshops, excursions… These aren’t just activities; they’re stepping stones to uncovering what makes you tick, setting goals, and building the skills that will help you become the best version of yourself. Think boosted confidence, newfound independence, and a global mindset that’ll open doors down the road.