Peru Trek Expedition

Peru’s unique and vibrant culture is unlike anything you’ve experienced before. Immerse yourself in rural village life, learning about how to tackle local challenges, before taking on the ultimate bucket list challenge – trekking to the ancient Inca ruins of Machu Picchu.

  • Location Peru, South America
  • Duration 4 weeks
  • Expedition Type Trek

You’ll get to soak up the Peruvian life, exploring iconic cities steeped in history and staying in a variety of our unique community-based camps, from the windswept highlands to the outskirts of the breathtaking Colca Canyon. The projects you work on will make a measurable difference to some of the poorest regions of Peru, helping to tackle critical issues such as education and sanitation. Of course, no trip to Peru would be complete without a visit to the world-famous Machu Picchu. You’ll get to trek the spectacular Salkantay route to the ancient Inca city – a bucket-list experience you’ll never forget.

peru-map
Play video
school_expedition_peru_trek_lake_titicaca_view
school_expedition_peru_trek_mountain_llama
school_expedition_peru_trek_traditional_craft-1

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
  • 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 Leave for Peru This morning you will make your way to your designated meeting point ready to embark on your journey to Peru.
Day 2 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 3 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 4 – 9 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 10 – 15 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 16 – 20 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 21 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 22 Travel to your next camp After a good night’s rest, 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 23 – 26 Community project work Get stuck into projects for the next few days, getting your hands dirty with plastering, painting and low-level construction alongside local skilled tradespeople.
Day 27 Back to Cusco Your last full day in Peru will take you back to the city of Cusco. You will get the chance to explore this historic place and to shop for some last-minute souvenirs in its colourful handicrafts stores.
Day 28 Chao Peru After saying goodbye to our Camp Peru crew, you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight home.
View more

See what life is like on expedition

Check out the photos from our previous travellers for a first-hand view into life on expedition. 

school_expedition_peru_trek_flute_player
school_expedition_peru_trek_view_from_trek-1
school_expedition_peru_trek_project_work
school_expedition_peru_trek_uros_handicrafts
school_expedition_peru_trek_sunset_walk-2
school_expedition_peru_trek_lake_titicaca
school_expedition_peru_trek_flute_player
school_expedition_peru_trek_view_from_trek-1
school_expedition_peru_trek_project_work
school_expedition_peru_trek_uros_handicrafts
school_expedition_peru_trek_sunset_walk-2
school_expedition_peru_trek_lake_titicaca

For more of our travellers’ best photos visit our photo competition gallery. See more

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. 

camps_international_moray_sanitation_facilities

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
e_inverted-sdg-goals_icons-individual-rgb-01

No poverty

End poverty in all its forms everywhere

e_inverted-sdg-goals_icons-individual-rgb-02

Zero hunger

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

e_inverted-sdg-goals_icons-individual-rgb-06

Clean water and sanitation

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

camps_international_colca_kindergarten_project

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-sdg-goals_icons-individual-rgb-01

No poverty

End poverty in all its forms everywhere

e_inverted-sdg-goals_icons-individual-rgb-05

Gender equality

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

e_inverted-sdg-goals_icons-individual-rgb-10

Reduce inequalities

Reduce inequality within and among countries

olympus-digital-camera

School improvement

The communities surrounding Lake Titicaca remain some of the poorest in Peru. The remoteness of this region means that there is little or no help available from surrounding towns. You’ll work on projects to improve educational facilities for children in the area, taking part in our ongoing work at the local elementary school and kindergarten.

UN Sustainable Development Goals
e_inverted-sdg-goals_icons-individual-rgb-01

No poverty

End poverty in all its forms everywhere

e_inverted-sdg-goals_icons-individual-rgb-04

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. 

camps_international_moray_tents_view_mountains

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
Find out more
camps_international_titicaca_entrance

Camp Titicaca

Camp Titicaca arguably offers the most spectacular views of any camp. Located on the shore of Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake (3,800m above sea level), you’ll be rewarded with gobsmacking views of the lake and surrounding mountains from your accommodation the minute you wake up! The camp itself is situated in the heart of this small and charming lakeside community where you’ll get the privileged opportunity to spend time with the Quechua people and learn about their extraordinary way of life.

  • Location: 380 km (7 hours drive) from Cusco/Arequipa Airport
  • Accommodation style: brick & adobe buildings with comfy mattresses & bedding
  • Toilets: flushing toilets
  • Showers: warm bucket showers & basins
  • Power: mains electricity, US standard plug / European round 2-pin plug
  • Social area: chill out spaces with wood burning stove, camp fire, volleyball court, lake beach
  • Signature dish: Chicharron de trucha – Lake trout, battered & fried
Find out more
camps_international_colca_peru_entrance_social_area

Camp Colca

Camp Colca is a wonderful camp set in the heart of a humble and friendly community on the edge of the great Colca Canyon, the world’s second deepest canyon (and only second by a couple of metres!). This very special location is peaceful and offers you a feeling of space and remoteness. The camp’s elevated position (3,600m) offers spectacular views and encompass some big sweeping landscapes, from the surrounding Alto Plano desert, to Inca terracing and huge jaw-dropping mountain ranges. The village is very charming, with little adobe buildings everywhere and donkeys strolling along the dirt roads. Camp Colca is sure to transport you to another world making you feel like part of the community in no time.

  • Location: 200 km (5 hours drive) from Arequipa Airport
  • Accommodation style: Rooms within a converted building
  • Bed type: Comfy mattresses
  • Toilets: Flushing toilets
  • Showers: cold showers or warm bucket showers & sinks
  • Power: Mains electricity. US standard plug / European round 2-pin plug
  • Social area: Chill out zone with fireplace
  • Signature dish: Alpaca en jugo – Alpaca cooked in gravy
Find out more

The month I spent at Camp Peru ended up being the best month of my life. During my month 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. 

Sonia

Peru is a very special country because of its diversity in culture, colourful traditional dress and the wonderful landscapes – not to mention the marvellous food! Everyone travelling with and employed by Camps International makes a direct impact in areas where we need it the most, contributing to the economic progress and wellbeing of our communities. Vital projects such as building kitchens, schools and nurseries all make a big difference to quality of life and are helping to shape the future of Peru.

Meet our crew

Interested in this expedition?

Step 1 of 3

33%