Sacred Valley & Rainbow Mountain Peru Expedition

From working alongside rural communities to improving local infrastructure to trekking the spectacular Salkantay route to Machu Picchu, this expedition blends meaningful service with incredible adventure.

  • Location Peru, South America
  • Duration 25 days
  • Expedition Type Service Expeditions

Work together with local communities on projects that support education, sanitation, and sustainable development while gaining insight into daily life in rural Peru. As you trek through the Andes and visit iconic locations such as Rainbow Mountain and Machu Picchu, you will challenge yourself physically and mentally while developing confidence, teamwork, and resilience.

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A fully supported expedition, from start to finish

Your expedition cost is comprehensive and covers the incredible activities you’ll be taking part in, as well as the extensive support you’ll receive in the lead up to, and during, your expedition.

Don’t forget you’ll also need your vaccinations, visas, kit and some spending money. You can find guidance on all of these on your personal Traveller Gateway once you sign up.

  • Round-trip international flights
  • In-country transfers
  • Expedition Leader (qualified and experienced)
  • Comprehensive travel insurance
  • All meals
  • Unlimited, safe drinking water
  • All accommodations listed in the itinerary
  • All activities listed in the itinerary
  • Entrance fees for all included excursions
  • All in-country transfers by private, approved vehicles
  • Project materials, costs, and management
  • 24/7 support throughout the expedition

Day

Activities

More details

Day 1 Arrive in Peru You’ll be met at the airport by a member of our awesome Camp Peru team who will transfer you to your accommodation in the city for the night.
Day 2 Head to your first camp We’ll hit the road and transfer to the first camp of your expedition, where you will be given an arrival briefing, camp orientation and village tour. After settling in, you will then get stuck into some project work.
Day 3-6 Immerse yourself in Peruvian culture You’ll be staying at our camps, located in a small Peruvian community. When you’re not getting stuck into project work, you will be learning about traditional local life such as cooking and traditional dancing. You will also undertake a short trek into the hills to get a feel for the area and experience the stunning views.
Day 7 Travel to your next camp We will hit the road in the morning and travel to the next camp, where you’ll have some time to settle in before you are given a project briefing. You’ll learn about the issues faced by the community in this region and the sustainable solutions we have developed in partnership with local people.
Day 8-11 Community project work You will work with us on several initiatives to improve infrastructure and provide safe and productive learning environments for local children. In addition to the projects in the school, we are building a toilet for each house in the community to improve sanitation.
Day 12 Cusco After lunch, we will travel by bus to Cusco. There, you will receive a trek briefing and have the chance to make any last minute purchases before you head off for your trekking adventure phase.
Day 13-16 Salkantay Trek Embark on an adventurous trekking journey to the iconic Inca city of Machu Picchu. You’ll take the Salkantay Trek route, journeying through the spectacular Andes mountains, with breathtaking views at every turn, before arriving at Machu Picchu.
Day 17 Machu Picchu You may have seen hundreds of pictures of this famous site, but nothing will prepare you for the magic of seeing it in real life – and the challenging trek of the last few days will make the experience even more rewarding. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one not to be missed!
Day 18 Ollantaytambo After the excitement of Machu Picchu and the trek, this is an opportunity to unwind a little bit. Ollantaytambo is a small town with houses built on top of Inca walls, a great artisanal market and some huge Inca agricultural ruins. It is a great place to recover from the trek and prepare for the next phases
Day 19 Rainbow Mountain We will leave very early in the morning to head off to see this extraordinary natural phenomenon. It is a day full of photo opportunities and some high altitude awe. We will end the day in Cusco.
Day 20 Cusco Today you will have more time to explore this city. It was the centre of the Inca empire and therefore also a focus for Spanish colonial administration. The modern city is vibrant and busy, but life in it takes place among the architectural influences of both the Incas and the conquistadors. You will have the chance to visit a huge market, wonder around unique streets and alleyways and get some welcome city time.
Day 21-24 The third and final camp Each of our camps has its own character and the experience in them is completely distinct. Each of the communities in which we work also has its own atmosphere and sense of self as well as its own challenges. On the basis of our long-term relationships with these communities, we have identified projects of real value to the community members and we work on those projects alongside those people. The group will set themselves goals and work toward achieving those as they head toward the conclusion of their expedition.
Day 25 Departure It is time to say good bye to new friends and head back to the airport. Good bye Peru.

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

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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

community development

Peru – Community development

Due to the remoteness of the Colca region and relatively harsh environmental conditions, the community here is very poor. We have a number of ongoing project initiatives within this community and you could be helping with anything from primary school development to building guinea pig houses.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

e-inverted-icons_web-01

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

whatsapp-image-2022-07-31-at-5-29-24-pm-2

Peru – School improvements

Over the years we are proud to have made some real improvements to the school in the community, and that is work that is still going on. Dining rooms, toilet facilities and improving classroom infrastructure is our focus. The community also has difficulties with water supply and sanitation, and we are working with the community in those areas.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

e-inverted-icons_web-01

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

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.

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
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Camp Maras

A global contender for the camp with the best views, Camp Maras sits on a steep hill overlooking the Scared Valley of the Incas.

Peace, star gazing and a majestic sense of scale are the lasting impressions from a stay at Camp Maras.

  • Location: 50 km (2 hours drive) from Cusco Airport
  • Accommodation: Tents
  • Bed type: comfy mattresses
  • Toilets: Flushing toilets,
  • Showers: Warm bucket showers & basins
  • Power: 110v American plugs in social area
  • Signature dish: Alpaca en jugo – Alpaca cooked in gravy
  • Social: Traditional adobe building and large tents

The 3 weeks I spent at Camp Peru ended up being the best month of my life. During my time in Peru, I undertook the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, while the trek itself was incredibly gorgeous, Macchu Picchu was even more breath-taking than I could have ever imagined. I’d recommend this trip to anyone that wants to make a difference, while having the time of their life & making lifelong friendships with like-minded people!

Annelise, Camp Peru 2016

Our local camp legends

Our camps are staffed by members of the community who will make you feel like a local in no time. These legends will make your expedition spectacular and will show you the very best of their home country.

Epifania Huaman Juarez

Peru is a country defined by the majestic Andes Mountains, with breathtaking landscapes. Our rich culture is reflected in the vibrant colors and intricate textures of our traditional crafts. Peruvian cuisine, renowned around the world, showcases the diverse ingredients grown across our distinct regions. And of course, Machu Picchu stands as a powerful testament to the creativity and ingenuity of the Inca civilization. Camps International supports education and the development of community infrastructure in various rural areas of Peru, helping to create lasting, positive change.

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