Summer Adventure: Peru (4 weeks)

Peru is the traveller’s dream with its potent blend of history, culture, nature, and adventure.

Moving from the coast, through the Amazon, and across the Andes, you’ll meet wildlife, pass ancient monuments, enter the rainforest, raft along rivers, and breathe pure mountain air.

Benefit from guided access to the diverse natural beauty, fascinating history, and incredible culture and nature of each region you visit.

Our carefully crafted four-week itinerary delivers the very best of Peru, with an emphasis on going beyond the guidebook for a truly authentic and unforgettable experience.

You’ll do more than meet the local people; you’ll become one. Live with host families, trek ancient trails, adopt traditional crafts, and take part in vital archaeological and environmental projects that preserve Peru’s nature, history, and heritage.

Learn Spanish and salsa dancing, white water raft, make chocolate, dune buggy to a desert oasis, explore cities and nature, and much more.

Don’t just travel; be transformed.

Your journey begins in Peru’s capital, Lima, where you’ll spend your first days exploring the city and getting to know your fellow travellers. Head south to discover the mysterious Nazca Lines and experience adrenaline-pumping adventures in desert oases.

Next, fly to Puerto Maldonado and venture deep into the Amazon Rainforest by boat, where you’ll support vital conservation work and discover incredible biodiversity. Then travel to the ancient Inca capital of Cusco to explore archaeological wonders and support community projects.

Your adventure concludes in the Sacred Valley, where you’ll live with indigenous communities, learn traditional skills, and finally reach the magnificent Machu Picchu. Every step of your journey combines adventure, learning, and meaningful connections with local people and places.

Begin your Peruvian journey on the coast, in the capital city of Lima. After getting to know your fellow travellers, you’ll dive into Spanish language lessons and explore the city’s rich cultural heritage.

Head south to Paracas for an unforgettable boat trip to Isla Ballestas. Spot large colonies of sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and thousands of seabirds while marvelling at unique coastal rock formations. Explore the stunning Paracas National Reserve by land before continuing your journey.

Continue to the mysterious Nazca Lines, where you’ll learn from experts about these enormous ancient geoglyphs etched into the desert. Visit the local museum to understand pre-Columbian (before 1492) culture in the region.

Round out your first week with an exhilarating visit to Huacachina Oasis. Test your courage with high-octane dune buggy rides and sandboarding adventures before relaxing by the palm-fringed lagoon.

Fly to Puerto Maldonado and venture deep into the Amazon Rainforest by boat. Your home for the week is an ecological reserve within the Manu Biosphere – the world’s largest ecological reserve and one of its most biologically diverse environments.

Work alongside experienced conservationists to conduct wildlife surveys and collect vital data. Climb South America’s tallest canopy walkway for a bird’s eye view of the forest and join night walks to discover nocturnal wildlife.

Learn to set mist traps and camera traps while understanding the process of recording and analysing scientific data. Help prepare food and care for animals being rehabilitated for release into the wild. Every day brings new discoveries as you learn about the incredible diversity of rainforest plants and animals.

Arrive in Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, perched high in the Andes Mountains. Explore cathedrals, plazas, and markets while visiting important sites like the Qoricancha Museum – once the most important temple of the Inca Empire.

Support local community leaders with vital reforestation efforts in the mountains surrounding Cusco. Learn about protecting natural landscapes and maintaining wildlife habitats while improving your Spanish language skills through immersion.

Work with archaeological experts in the Sacred Valley, learning about cleaning, categorising, and recording techniques. Explore museum archives and active excavation sites before embarking on a hike to Rainbow Mountain, reaching elevations over 5,000m (16,000ft).

Your final week begins with the exploration of various Inca archaeological sites, including the Salineras salt mines, Moray terraces, and the mighty fortress of Ollantaytambo.

Spend three nights with a rural Quechua community in the Andes. Learn traditional textile, agriculture, cooking, and building techniques while discovering how to make chocolate and coffee from scratch. Experience working with alpaca and llama wool, natural dyes, and ancient farming methods.

Your journey culminates with a visit to the magnificent Machu Picchu, perched 2,430m (8,000ft) above sea level in a tropical mountain forest. Learn about the sophisticated design and management of this incredible Inca citadel before celebrating your achievements with your fellow travellers.

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 coaches, ferries, and flights
• Three meals a day
• Accommodation
• 24/7 support in destination
• 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, Gap Project, or Global Gap Year 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 about 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 your 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.