Peru Illay Expedition

Camps International are partnering with Raleigh International in an industry first – combining Camps’ expertise in impact and service learning with Raleigh’s renowned leadership adventure model. Together, we are creating a new standard in purposeful youth development.

Go on your own illay, meaning “journey” in Quechua, on a wild Peruvian adventure designed to challenge, inspire and grow your confidence. You’ll live and work alongside an Andean community, trek the legendary Salkantay route, and camp beneath the stars – all while surrounded by a close-knit team of peers and expert leaders who’ve got your back every step of the way.

  • Location Peru, South America
  • Duration 2 weeks
  • Expedition Type Adventures By Camps

From the high-altitude streets of Cusco to the glacial heights of the Salkantay Pass, this expedition challenges you to adapt, collaborate and lead. You’ll support a local Andean community with school and infrastructure projects before setting off on a self-supported, multi-day trek on the Salkantay Pass to Machu Picchu. Along the way, you’ll learn to navigate unfamiliar situations, take responsibility, and support your team through real challenges, growing you into a more confident, resilient global citizen.

peru-map
a boy traveller smiling and holding a walking stick with other travellers with backpacks in the background
group of traveller students walking in the jungle carrying plank of wood and smiling

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.

  • Ongoing pre-expedition support
  • Flights and in-country transfers
  • Travel insurance
  • Food and accommodation
  • Adventure challenge
  • Project costs
  • Leader and staff costs
  • Camps t-shirt
  • Orientation and language lessons
  • 24 hour emergency support
  • Reserve location

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 PHASE 1: INDUCTION. GET EXPEDITION-READY. Arrive into Cusco, sitting at 3,400 metres above sea level, where acclimatisation begins the moment you step off the plane. You’ll settle in at fieldbase, meet the team, and be briefed on what to expect from the adventure ahead, including the equipment you’ll need.
DAY 2-5 PHASE 2: RESEARCH + FIELD PROJECTS. MAKE AN IMPACT. Get stuck into local field projects, working alongside a high-Andean community and gaining a deeper understanding of their culture and way of life. You might help out at a local school, build toilets for community members, make bricks, or support local farmers. You’ll even pick up some Quechua along the way. Set at 3,700 metres, this phase keeps you acclimatising as you work, preparing your body for the challenges ahead. We’re not learning from textbooks here – this is curriculum-connected learning in the real world.
DAY 6-12 PHASE 3: ADVENTURE CHALLENGE. EARN EVERY STEP. It’s time to push your limits on an adventure which is fun, challenging and rewarding. You’ll return to Cusco to prepare as a team – buying provisions, checking kit, and planning as a self-supported group – before setting off on the legendary Salkantay trek. Passing Humantay Lake and climbing to 4,600 metres at Salkantay Pass, you’ll head down into humid valleys and back up to Llactapata, working together to lead, cook, and navigate as a team. The final stretch brings you down to a campsite with Machu Picchu itself in view. You’ll gain independence and resilience as you carry your own kit and tackle the demands of the trek, with the chance to step up as Day Leader and guide your team through the unknown.
DAY 13-14 ENDEX: END OF EXPEDITION DAYS. CELEBRATE THE JOURNEY. Wow – you’ve made it to the end! With an early start, you’ll climb the 1,700 steps to Machu Picchu itself, guided through the ancient citadel and its history within the Inca empire. You’ve taken the lead, pushed your limits and conquered challenges on your expedition. Endex is time to review and debrief on what you have achieved on your expedition, and you’ll learn more on how you can take your expedition learnings back home with you and get inspired about what you can do next. And of course, there will be a farewell celebration as well.

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.

Primary School Improvements Peru

Peru – Sanitation, Education and Food Security

The remote nature of this region means there is little to no support from nearby towns. As part of your experience, you’ll contribute to projects aimed at enhancing educational facilities for local children, including ongoing efforts at the high school, elementary school, and kindergarten. Additionally, you’ll assist in building greenhouses to support sustainable food production.

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

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

Fruit tree planting Camp Tarawasi.

Peru – Community Development and Conservation

The river running through the community is in the Peruvian government red “at risk” list and we are working to protect its banks. That involves building protective structures and working in reforestation of the hillside above it. Additionally, we are engaging with the community by working closely with the local school and establishing greenhouses that are integrated with the reforestation project.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

3 Good health and well-being

Good health and well-being

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

4 Quality Education

Quality education

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

6 Clean water and santitation

Clean water and sanitation

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

15 life on land

Life on land

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

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.

camp-maras-peru-min

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

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

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.

Interested in this expedition?

"*" indicates required fields

Step 1 of 3

Are you a teacher, parent, student or expedition leader?*