PERU
SERVICE EXPEDITION IN THE SACRED VALLEY
Explore the ancient Inca empire while working alongside local communities to create lasting impact.
Program Overview
Experience Peru’s Andean highlands in the ancient Sacred Valley, the heart of the Inca Empire. Go on an epic train ride to Machu Picchu and experience this iconic wonder of the world. Look around more, and you’ll learn Peru has areas of need – poverty and economic development issues are common in rural areas. You’ll come to see that Peru is more than its wild landscapes and ancient arts: The generosity and lively culture of its people are what have truly endured the last several centuries.
On GLA’s Peru: Foundations Of Global Health program you will:
- Embark on a two-day expedition through the Lares trek, camping among snow-capped peaks before taking a scenic train ride to Machu Picchu
- Whitewater raft through a stunning river valley
- Explore Cuzco’s cobblestone streets and bustling artisan markets
- Learn about Peru’s traditional agricultural, artisanal and spiritual practices from locals
Program Menu
PERU
SERVICE EXPEDITION IN THE SACRED VALLEY
Sample Itinerary
Let’s take a sneak peek at what your program experience might look like this summer! Please note that the order of activities may differ for each program session. The details provided here represent a general outline of what you can anticipate, though community service projects and activities are subject to change based on the needs of our local community partners, cultural celebrations and traditions, weather conditions and the specific requirements of the student group.
Day 1: Arrival
Welcome to Peru! Fly into Cuzco, the gateway to Machu Picchu and the mystical Andes. GLA staff will be at the airport waiting to greet you! We’ll drive to our first Home Base in Cuzco where we’ll meet our local staff and fellow GLA students. Get settled in and then take a walking tour before your first Peruvian dinner.
Day 2: Maras Salt Mines, Cuzco Exploration & Orientation
Today marks our first full day together in Peru as a group! We’ll kick off with a student orientation and continue our day by visiting the famous Maras Salt Mines that have been active since Inca times! Afterward, we’ll return to the imperial city of Cuzco where we’ll eat lunch and receive a guided tour of the historical center.
Day 3: Community Tour & Andean Ceremony
Today, we’ll drive to our Home Base in the Sacred Valley. After settling in, we will visit the nearby ruins that tower over our town and participate in a traditional Andean ceremony to pay tribute to Mother Earth.
Days 4-5: Service, Cultural Exchange & Local Artisanal Markets
Service begins! In the next few days we’ll visit our service site and work on infrastructural and environmentally-focused projects that enhance community development. We’ll meet the community members we’ve been serving over the next two days and explore our hometown’s main square and artisanal market in smaller group while also practicing your Spanish with local vendors.
Day 6: Whitewater Rafting Adventure & Pisac Market
Today, we’ll head to the South Valley to enjoy non-stop fun and excitement, bouncing and splashing down Class II and III rapids on a whitewater rafting adventure.
Days 7-9: Service & Dance
These will be your last service days before you embark on the Lares Trek and Machu Picchu, so make sure to go the extra mile to give back to the local organization in the Sacred Valley and connect with those around you! Take a dance class where we’ll learn the traditional rhythms and steps of dances from across Peru and immerse yourself in the Peruvian coast, mountains and jungle sounds!
Days 10-11: Lares Trek
¡Vamonos! For the first part of our journey to Machu Picchu, we will be transported to the starting point of our trek in the town of Lares. From there, we’ll hike through traditional farming communities and alpine meadows to the first campsite where we’ll camp under the stars before heading to Machu Picchu the following day!
Day 12: Machu Picchu
Today is the day! We’ll board an early train to Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu. Take in the majestic scenery and notice how the foliage changes to more deep greens as we descend into the Amazon cloud forest corridor!
Day 13: Final Reflection & Farewell Dinner
Today, we will travel to Cuzco. We’ll pack and prepare for our journey home before reveling in our final day with a few leadership and reflection activities. We’ll end the day partaking in a festive farewell celebration!
Day 14: Departure
Before we know it, our two-week Peruvian adventure has come to an end. Head to the airport today with memories that will last a lifetime! Staff will assist students with checking in and accompany them until they have safely departed for their gates. ¡Buen Viaje!
Program Map
PERU
SERVICE EXPEDITION IN THE SACRED VALLEY
Program Details
Dates & Tuition
2027 Session Dates
July 08 – July 21, 2027
July 25 – August 07, 2027
What's Included in Tuition
In-country transportation
Lodging
3 meals per day
Professional full-time staff and experts
24/7 parent support hotline during program
Secondary medical and evacuation insurance
Cultural activities, lectures and excursions
Pre-departure materials and support
Educational materials
to hold your spot on-program.
Program at a Glance
Every GLA Program is Backed by our 5-Point Safety System™
GLA HOME BASE:
SAFE & SECURE LODGING
CARING SUPERVISION &
EXPERT LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
SAFE
TRANSPORTATION
HEALTHY FOOD
& PURE WATER
24/7 SUPPORT &
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Recommended by Students and Parents
Michaela | 2015 Alumni Student
“Service in the sacred valley had to be the best possible way to spend a part of my summer and it may have been my best summer yet. Being apart of this program has made me realize how much I like working with children, and how I want to incorporate that into my future. The same goes with traveling: once you’re bit by the travel bug, there’s no going back. GLA offers you an opportunity to discover what you’re passionate about or, if you have that passion already, to further discover the best way to incorporate what you love into your future. I would definitely do this again.”
The Program Experience
Service Learning
Address significant economic challenges facing indigenous populations in remote rural areas of the Peruvian Andes. Work alongside local community leaders and residents on hands-on infrastructure projects designed to directly enhance quality of life and long-term well-being. Through this collaborative labor, contribute to sustainable local development while gaining firsthand insight into how community-led initiatives drive lasting positive change.
Outdoor Adventure
Immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage of the Sacred Valley. Outside of service, discover the living traditions of the Incan empire by visiting a local weaving cooperative, taking hands-on cooking classes, learning traditional Peruvian dances and meeting a local healer to participate in an Andean ceremony. Your physical adventure culminates in a two-day trek through traditional Quechua villages and high-altitude valleys framed by snow-capped peaks, leading to the world-famous UNESCO World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu, followed by an exhilarating whitewater rafting trip down a scenic river valley.
Country Spotlight
Discover the vibrant history, deep-rooted indigenous traditions and dramatic mountain scenery of the Peruvian Andes.
Lodging: Stay at a locally-owned property in the Sacred Valley featuring ample space for group activities, cultural discussions and shared meals. Students stay in gender-segregated rooms with access to shared bathrooms with warm and cold water. During multi-day hiking excursions, students will experience nights under the stars in tents and local mountain lodges.
Meals: Fuel your active days with fresh, locally sourced Andean dishes, including hearty stews and soups, fresh meats, seasonal vegetables, native potatoes, rice, tropical fruits and freshly prepared juices.
PERU
SERVICE EXPEDITION IN THE SACRED VALLEY
Photo Gallery
PERU
SERVICE EXPEDITION IN THE SACRED VALLEY
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