Peru: Sacred Valley Expedition

Independent Student Travel. Ages 14-17

Get ready for an unforgettable journey through the heart of the Peruvian Andes. On this safe, guided expedition, you’ll travel from remote mountain communities to the breath-taking wonders of Machu Picchu. Along the way, you’ll take part in meaningful service learning projects that focus on social development and conservation – all while building your independence, resilience and a deeper understanding of the world around you.

  • Location Peru, South America
  • Duration 2 weeks
  • Expedition Type Independent Student Travel. Ages 14-17

You’ll live and work alongside local communities, contributing to initiatives in sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation, and infrastructure – all designed to support and strengthen local families. These service learning projects connect your efforts on the ground with global challenges, helping you develop new skills, reflect on your impact, and grow as a globally minded young person.

Peru: Sacred Valley Expedition isn’t just a trip – it’s a life-changing experience that will challenge you, inspire you, and leave you with lasting memories and a powerful connection to the people and places of Peru.

Cost
From USD: $3,830 Excluding airfare and travel insurance

Dates Available 2025
Arrive on 4th October 2025 and depart on the 18th October 2025
Dates Available 2026
Arrive on 13th June 2026 and depart on the 27th June 2026

peru-map

Camera icon in grey.

Soak in the vibrant atmosphere of Cusco

Community icon in grey.

Work with communities of important social development project work.

Icon of a compass

Visit Machu Picchu, a UNESCO Heritage Site.

Traditional Musicians in Peru
Machu Picchu

Your expedition cost is comprehensive, covering the incredible activities you’ll take part in, along with extensive support before and during your journey. Flights and travel insurance are not included.

Don’t forget, you’ll also need vaccinations, visas, kit and some spending money. Once you sign up, your personal Traveller Gateway will provide all the guidance you need to prepare for your adventure.

  • Ongoing pre-expedition support
  • All meals
  • Unlimited drinking water
  • All accommodation mentioned in the itinerary
  • Project costs
  • Leader and staff costs
  • Orientation and language lessons
  • 24 hour emergency support
  • Camps t-shirt

This sample itinerary will give you an insight into what you’ll be getting up to. Please note, the exact projects, activities and camps may change closer to the time of your expedition.

Day

Activities

More details

Day 1 Arrive at Alejandro Velasco Astete Cusco International Airport (CUZ), Peru Please arrange your flight into Cusco to arrive between 12pm-10pm. On arrival at the airport in Peru, you’ll be greeted by a member of our Camps crew. They will transfer you to your accommodation where you’ll spend your first night.
If you are arriving before the arrival date or departing after the departure date, accommodation, food and transport arrangements for the additional days will be at an additional cost. Please discuss with the Camps International Team prior to making any reservations.
Day 2 – 6 Camp Tarawasi & Community Project After breakfast, you’ll make the journey to you first camp – Camp Tarawasi. On arrival you will be given an orientation briefing from our Camp Manager of the local area and information about the project work you will be getting stuck into. Our sustainable projects in Peru are mainly focused on social development, with some elements of conservation and the way in which people can live with their environment. Peru has significant issues with rural poverty, educational infrastructure and health. At Camp Tarawasi, we are also working in the protection of the local river course and in helping the community with sustainable agricultural techniques.
Day 7-10 Camp Moray & Quechua Community Immersion Next, you’ll travel higher into the Andean mountains to Camp Moray, a Quechua community where you’ll experience a unique and ancient way of life. The breathtaking views and rich cultural heritage make this a truly special place to spend time. Over the years, our teams have helped build a community center, install household toilets and showers, and support income-generating initiatives through conservation and forestry. All project goals are set by the community, and you’ll work alongside them to make a lasting impact. While at Camp Moray, you’ll also trek to the stunning Moray archaeological site, one of the most famous Inca sites in the Cusco region. These striking circular terraces were once used by the Incas for agricultural experimentation.
Day 11-12 Machu Picchu Adventure With your project work complete, you’ll descend into the Sacred Valley and take a train from Ollantaytambo to the town beneath Machu Picchu. The journey itself is breathtaking, with steep valleys and awe-inspiring landscapes that hint at why this ancient citadel remained hidden from Spanish colonialists for so long. The following morning, you’ll start early to climb over 1,000 steps to the entrance of Machu Picchu for a guided tour of this world-famous Inca citadel. In the afternoon, you’ll board the train back to Cusco, taking in the unforgettable scenery one last time.
Day 13 Exploring Cusco Your final day is yours to unwind, pick up souvenirs, and soak in the vibrant atmosphere of Cusco. Once the heart of the Inca Empire, this extraordinary city blends ancient Inca and Spanish colonial history with modern-day culture, making it the perfect place to reflect on your journey.
Day 14 Departure After two incredible weeks of adventure, learning and impact, it’s time to say goodbye to the Camp Peru crew, before heading back to the airport in time for your flight home.

How you’ll make a difference

You’ll work on a range of projects throughout your expedition, each aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and designed to make a significant and lasting impact on the region’s most critical issues.

Sanitation and rural housing improvement

Peru – Sanitation and rural housing improvement

The small rural community in Moray is extremely poor with no basic sanitation or sewerage. You’ll get involved with projects such as renovating houses and constructing toilet blocks in each of the houses in the village, providing families and vulnerable elderly residents with proper sanitation facilities.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

No Poverty Icon

No poverty

End poverty in all its forms everywhere

3 Good health and well-being

Good health and well-being

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

6 Clean water and santitation

Clean water and sanitation

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Planting Avocados at Camp International's Camp Tarawasi

Peru – Food and Education

We are partnering with the school and local parents to enhance its infrastructure, focusing on sustainable food production and nutrition education. As part of this initiative, we are building a biohuerto (organic garden) and supporting the development of a kitchen garden. These spaces serve a dual purpose: providing fresh, homegrown vegetables and educating young people on the importance of nutrition and sustainable agriculture. This community are highly committed to the initiative, making us confident that the gardens will continue to thrive long after our involvement.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

2 Zero Hunger Icon

Zero hunger

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

4 Quality Education

Quality education

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

Experience the local way of life in our authentic camps

Our camps are the heart of our expeditions. Built and staffed by locals in the traditional style, and located within the heart of communities, they are the perfect place to relax after a day of project work. You’ll get to stay in a number of camps during your expedition, which could include those featured below.

Large building with plaque named Camp Tarawasi.

Camp Tarawasi

Camp Tarawasi sits in a community at lower altitude in the Andes. It is in an area famous for its avocados and we have our own small avocado orchard in the camp.

Surrounded by imposing mountains and with a small Inca archaeological site just down the valley, the views from the camp are fantastic.

  • Location: 81 km (2.5 hours drive) from Cusco Airport
  • Accommodation style: Dormitories
  • Bed type: Bunkbeds with comfy mattresses
  • Toilets: Flushing toilets
  • Showers: Hot showers
  • Power: 110v American plugs in social area
  • Social area: Large open dining area, balcony and various spaces across 2 floors
  • Signature dish: Guinea pig
Camp Moray

Camp Moray

Camp Moray is situated on a beautiful high plateau (3,600m) close to the world famous Sacred Valley of the Incas.

This unique wilderness camp gives you a true taste of what it’s like to live in the Andes, with spectacular mountain views across the valley and a real feeling of space and remoteness, allowing you utter peace and a chance to get away from it all.

  • Location: 50 km (2 hours drive) from Cusco Airport
  • Accommodation: Tents
  • Bed type: comfy mattresses
  • Toilets: Flushing toilets,
  • Showers: warm bucket showers & basins
  • Power: Solar lights in dining area
  • Signature dish: Cuy dorado – guinea pig
  • Social: Large social/dining tent, camp fire, volleyball court

Helping you on your way

What kind of service work in Peru do students participate in?

Students take part in sustainable, community-driven projects focused on:

  • Infrastructure: Sanitation facilities, school infrastructure, community facilities and water systems
  • Conservation: Forestry regeneration and preservation with income generation
  • Livelihoods: Supporting sustainable farming and small businesses

I had the best time on my trip to Peru. Our group leader was fantastic and ensured everything went smoothly. I made so many great friends and memories along the way and challenged myself both in the camps and on the expeditions. I didn’t want to come home! I would definitely recommend Camps International and would love to go again.

Unknown, Travelling Student Camp Peru 2024