Peru offers a unique and eye-opening setting to explore global healthcare. Its diverse geography and healthcare challenges provide an ideal environment to witness how medical services adapt across different communities. This exposure helps you understand the realities of medicine in resource-limited settings while contributing to meaningful community outreach.
Cusco, with its mix of Incan heritage and modern vibrancy, provides a perfect cultural backdrop for your journey. You'll get to practice your Spanish, experience Peruvian daily life, and connect deeply with the community.
You'll not only gain valuable medical experience during your time in Peru, you'll also build resilience, adaptability, and cultural awareness while exploring one of the world's most breathtaking and historically rich destinations.
This programme blends real-world medical exposure with cultural immersion and adventure. You'll begin in Cusco, the heart of the Andes, where our team will introduce you to local customs, the Peruvian healthcare system, and key Spanish phrases for your placements.
Throughout your stay, you'll shadow medical professionals in local clinics, observing real patient care and gaining a deeper understanding of healthcare in a developing context. You'll also join community outreach campaigns, helping to deliver basic medical support to rural areas while learning about public health in action. Practical workshops - including suturing, first aid, and injections - help you build essential medical skills for the future.
Beyond your medical work, you'll dive into Peru's rich culture through language lessons, traditional cooking and dance classes, and market visits. A highlight of your journey will be an adventurous weekend excursion to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley - adding a sense of adventure and discovery that make this experience as transformative personally as it is professionally.
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Teacher Checklist
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Example Itineraries for our 2026 trips
Days 1 - 2
Land in the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco, deep in the Peruvian Andes. Our staff will meet you at the airport and take you to your accommodation, giving you the chance to admire the stunning architecture of this unique city. Our staff will give you a comprehensive induction session to prepare you for your trip. You'll be introduced to the culture of Peru, covering customs and expectations, and you'll get a quick tour of the local area. Here, our staff will help you exchange your spending money and set up your phone to stay connected with friends and family back home.
You'll also learn the details about the Peruvian healthcare system and the work you'll be doing, so that you can fully understand what is expected of you. Lastly, you'll get an introductory Spanish lesson to cover some key phrases and medical language that you'll need to thrive over the next few days.
Days 3 - 4
Time to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in with your project work, starting with a morning of observation in the health centre to get used to your shadowing role. Then, attend a training session on conducting outreach and first aid, in preparation for the next day.
Head out of the city centre and conduct outreach campaigns to provide essential medical support to more isolated communities who live on the outskirts of Cusco.
Days 5 - 6
Visit local health centres to continue shadowing and learning from medical professionals while also gaining an understanding of common local diseases. Attend a suturing workshop to gain vital skills that will help you gain vital skills for a career in medicine and healthcare field. In the afternoons, explore the rich cultural heritage of Peru by visiting traditional neighbourhoods in the city, strolling around the bustling main plaza and discovering the local markets and shopping mall.
Days 7 - 8
As a reward for your hard work this week, you'll head on a weekend trip full of cultural discovery. Starting with a trip to the Awanacancha artisan foundry, you'll visit a small museum and witness the traditional methods of casting dyes and weaving. Then, head to the historic town of Urubamba and the nearby Ollantaytambo archaeological site for a guided tour. This is one of the main areas where Inca artefacts are uncovered, organised, and restored, giving a fascinating insight into the history of the region. The following day, after a comfy night in a local hotel, you will head to the breathtaking Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Enjoy
a fascinating tour and enjoy the chance to take photos and explore the mountaintop citadel. Return to the hotel, enjoy a delicious lunch, and head back to your host family for a second week of learning!
Days 9 - 11
On your return to Cusco, you'll jump straight back in with observing medical professionals at the health centre. After a week in Peru, you will be comfortable in the environment and feel fully focused to learn as much as possible. During the week, you'll attend a workshop on medical dissections, and get additional Spanish lessons to help sharpen your language skills. You'll also enjoy a
traditional cooking class, learning more about culture and daily life in Peru. You'll also head back out on another health campaign outside of the city centre, accompanying doctors as they continue to provide essential healthcare to those who cannot easily access it.
Days 12 - 13
Continue to build on your clinical skills as you take part in a workshop on injections. After some busy days in the health centre, get ready to take part in an exciting salsa dancing class one afternoon with your group. Spend your final afternoon exploring the local craft market, giving you the opportunity to pick up some souvenirs for you and your friends back home. Appreciate the dedication and skill
of Peruvian artisans before your final, farewell meal in the city.
Day 14
Reflect on the once-in-a-lifetime journey you've undertaken as you head back to the airport. Look back at your time with the Peruvian people and how useful your experience has been. Think about your newfound medical skills, confidence, and memories during your journey - these will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Which Curriculum Subjects do we cater for?
Medicine
What size groups do we cater for?
All group sizes of 5 or more. Free staff place with every 9 students.
Access for visitors with disabilities?
Disabled facilities can be offered on request.
Visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?
Visitors with special educational needs can be catered for on request.
Anything else?
Projects Abroad holds the Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge and operates in compliance with BS 8848 standards for overseas activities. For school leaders and governors, this means the programme meets recognised national benchmarks.
We provide comprehensive risk assessments, safeguarding policies, and approval-ready documentation for every trip, supporting SLT, governor, and district approval processes. The team that plans your trip is the team on the ground when you arrive.
By travelling with us, you also contribute positively to local economies, environmental protection, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Don't take our word for it; we're B Corporation Certified! We're committed to setting the new sustainability standard in school travel by offsetting 110% of carbon emissions associated with your in-destination programming.
Our Partnerships Team is happy to answer any queries and guide you through the process of booking the school trip of a lifetime!
Who are Projects Abroad?
Since 1992, Projects Abroad has helped young people step beyond the familiar and discover what they're truly capable of. As a global leader in educational travel, we've partnered with over 500 schools to deliver transformative school trips that help shape students' passions, careers, and futures.
We realise that each school has its own goals and interests, and the students have their own interests. We work with every school to develop a tailored itinerary that reflects their values and allows the students to make a connection with the community in which they serve.
We're proud of our dedicated in-country staff whose diverse skill sets, local knowledge and love of their community allow us to develop relevant, immersive and worthwhile schedules for school trips. These experiences give the students responsibility and teach them to see the world through a different lens.
The result is a trip that students remember long after they've left school, and one that reflects well on the school that made it possible!
Teacher Checklist
Risk Assessments Inspection Visits Free Places for Teachers Resource Packs LOtC Quality Badge Tailor your trip Help promoting your trip Offset your trip carbon footprint
We work with all the top School Travel Tour Operators, offering a huge range of inspirational trips, tours and expeditions, whether you are looking for a short hop over the channel to France, or a multi-week trek on the other side of the globe, use our tailor-made trip form and we can help you find the perfect overseas trip for your group.