Peru: The Ultimate Adventure | Teen Travel Network

Peru

The Ultimate Adventure

Mountains, Jungles & Machu Picchu

The Experience

Experience the adventure of a lifetime in South America this summer. Journey to Machu Picchu, explore ancient Inca civilization, and gaze out over scenic vistas.

Trip Highlights

PLEASE NOTE: THIS PROGRAM IS PLANNED FOR SUMMER 2024. IT IS NOT RUNNING DURING SUMMER 2023.

Explore Cuzco, South America’s oldest continuously inhabited city
Journey to the greatest icon of ancient South America, the historic Inca citadel of Machu Picchu
Travel through the Sacred Valley, known for its mystical significance for the Inca

Meet with locals and encounter the many indigenous cultures that still reside here
Wander through the fertile heartland of the Sacred Valley and see the magnificent Ollantaytambo archeological site
Stop at a Quechua village for a ceramic workshop and enjoy lunch and conversation in a community that still practices many Inca traditions

Peru

The Ultimate Adventure

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Program Overview

Travel to Peru and marvel at the remnants of the Inca civilization, Peru’s fascinating ancient peoples. Have eye-opening local experiences and share amazing moments while traveling responsibly.

Peru boasts one of the most planet’s widest array of climates and ecosystems. From mountain peaks to rich jungles, from dry deserts to rainforests, and from sea level to the highest altitudes, you’ll find adventure tucked into every nook and cranny of Peru’s impressive landscapes.

And of course, you’ll top this all off with a journey to Machu Picchu, one of the seven wonders of the modern world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This stunning ancient Inca citadel is not to be missed.

KEY DESTINATIONS

REGION: SOUTH AMERICA

COUNTRY: PERU

CITY: CUZCO

LANDMARK: MACHU PICCHU

Peru

The Ultimate Adventure

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AT TEEN TRAVEL NETWORK, YOU'RE NOT ONLY TAKING A JOURNEY IN MILES, BUT A JOURNEY OF SHARED EXPERIENCES AND SELF-DISCOVERY.

PROGRAM ITINERARY

THIS ITINERARY IS AN APPROXIMATION OF THE OVERALL PROGRAM EXPERIENCE. THE ORDER OF ACTIVITIES ON YOUR TRIP MAY CHANGE.
IF A PARTICULAR SCHEDULED EXPERIENCE IS CANCELED, WE MAY REPLACE IT WITH AN ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITY.

Day 1: Arrival

Welcome to Peru! Meet up with your group at the Cuzco airport and get settled in to your hotel. Staff will lead an orientation to go over what to expect in the days to come and get some tips on how to acclimate to the local culture. Get to know each other through games and icebreakers and enjoy a special welcome dinner before turning in early — we’ve got a big day ahead!

Day 2: Cuzco Walking Tour

Enjoy a three-hour walking tour of the city of Cuzco, stopping at all of the landmarks and important sites. Both colonial and Inca architecture are prominent here. Walk towards the San Blas artist’s quarter and visit the colonial arch and Inca aqueduct of Sapantiana. Visit the neighborhood of San Cristobal for amazing views of the city. Next, we’ll visit the San Pedro open air market and discover all of the interesting items to be found there, from traditional foods to handicrafts.

Day 3: Pisaq

This morning we’ll head to the famous Pisaq archaeological site. Take in beautiful views of the Sacred Valley as you wind through this lush river valley. Stop for lunch in a local community, where you’ll also get the chance to learn about their traditional lifestyle and maybe try your hand at a few words of the Quechua language. On our way home, we’ll stop at a local llama and alpaca center and get to spend some time with these sweet animals. Not only are they cute, they both hold great significance in traditional and modern Peruvian culture and commerce.

Day 4: Chichubamba and Ollantaytambo

Continue through the Sacred Valley towards Ollantaytambo, passing maize crops and fertile terraces carved high into the valley walls. On the way, stop in the Chichubamba community to gain a greater insight into the local lifestyle with a traditional Andean lunch and a visit to a local workshop.

Arrive at the Ollantaytambo ruins, a magnificent example of Incan urban planning and the perfect warm up for Machu Picchu. This Inca fortress is made of large stones and includes a bit of a hike to explore it thoroughly. We’ll stay the night in the town of Ollantaytambo and enjoy its cozy cobblestone streets and ancient architecture.

Day 5: Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes

Further explore Ollantaytambo’s archaeological site with an expert local guide who will discuss the evidence of the Incas’ engineering skills in the ruins of ancient aqueducts and dams on the Urubamba River.

Once we have thoroughly exhausted ourselves, we’ll hop on a train to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu. Be sure to have your camera ready, as this train ride offers unbelievable views of the Andes. Check in to our accommodations and rest up for our big day tomorrow!

Day 6: Machu Picchu → Cuzco

Today we’ll mark Machu Picchu off our bucket lists! Wander around the incredible architecture of the many temples, palaces and living quarters and enjoy the breathtaking view against a backdrop of forested mountains.

Its mortar-free design is particularly earthquake resistant and the stones are so precisely cut that, to this day, not even a knife fits between them. Learn more about this UNESCO World Heritage Site from an experienced guide.

In the evening, take a bus back to Aguas Calientes, then catch a train back to Ollantaytambo. From here, we will make the drive back to Cuzco for the evening.

Day 7: Cooking Class in Cuzco

Enjoy some downtime after our Machu Picchu adventure: spend some quality time with staff and fellow students or take some quiet time to recharge.

This afternoon, enjoy a traditional cooking class with in-depth instruction on Peru’s culinary history from a local chef. Taste the fruits of your labor and keep the instructions so that you can recreate these dishes at home.

Day 8: Rainbow Mountain

We’re back on the road! Travel a few hours south of Cuzco through the rugged mountain countryside to reach the aptly named (and extremely photogenic) Rainbow Mountain, striped with colorful mineral deposits and located far off the beaten path.

Hike with a guide to the summit for a once-in-a-lifetime wilderness adventure, or rent a horse (additional expense) for easier access to the same incredible views.

Day 9: Rafting & Zipline

We’ll set out on a day trip and explore the area via water with a rafting adventure through the rapids of the Urubamba River. Marvel at the landscape as we head downstream.

Later, we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch and relax in a sauna before getting our blood pumping on a zipline through the forest canopy.

Head back to Cuzco, where we’ll pack and say our final goodbyes at a special farewell dinner. Reflect on the past ten days and all that we’ve experienced together!