Peru School Expedition

Projects Abroad School Trips

Why should you consider Peru School Expedition with Projects Abroad for your next School Trip or Educational Visit?

Projects Abroad arrange overseas service and internship programmes which are challenging, meaningful, educational and safe.

We have been taking students overseas since 1992 and work in over 20 developing and emerging countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Key to our work is the 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 which give the students responsibility and teach them to see the world through a different lens.

We offer programmes in community development, conservation, construction, education, sports, empowerment, human rights and healthcare among many others. These projects are designed to contribute towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, broadening the student experience to see the contribution of a few going towards a movement for global change.

All school trips are individualised, and we realise that each school has its own goals and interests, the students their own passions. We work with the school to develop a tailored itinerary which reflects their values and allows the students to make a connection with the community in which they serve.

Teacher Checklist

green tick Risk Assessments
Free Places for Teachers
Resource Packs
LOtC Quality Badge
Duke of Edinburgh Award

Example Itineraries

Day 1 - Arrive in the Amazon
Touch down in the town of Puerto Maldonado – your gateway to the Amazon! Boat to our base in Taricaya Reserve and settle in.

This remote conservation area is home to some of the world’s most famous wildlife with monkeys, tapirs and jaguars on your doorstep.

Switch off your devices and embrace the rainforest – your alarm clock is now a chachalaca!

Days 2 - Orientation
Awake to a chorus of birds and howler monkeys. After a breakfast of eggs and fresh fruit, you’ll receive a tour of your new home.

Get your first glimpse of a Scarlet Macaw and familiarise yourself with our conservation efforts. Our friendly staff will make sure you have everything you need for the upcoming week!

Days 3 to 8 - Volunteer in the Taricaya Reserve
Located in the lush southeastern Amazon rainforest, Taricaya sits on the border of Tambopata National Reserve. With nearly 500 hectares of protected forest, this area is recognised as one of the most biodiverse places on the planet.

Days 9 to 11 – Explore Cusco
Experience the culture of Cusco! Step out into the central square, Plaza de Armas, and breathe in the Andean air.

Once the capital of the Inca Empire, this city is a rich blend of indigenous and colonial influences. Take a stroll through the open-air market and get your first taste of choclo con queso (corn and cheese). Enter Iglesia de Compañía de Jesús, one of the oldest churches and best examples of colonial baroque architecture in the Americas!

Days 12 to 14 – Volunteer in Cusco
Now that you’re familiar with Cusco, it’s time to truly immerse yourself. Continue making a positive impact working alongside community members to address UN SDG #4, Quality Education.
This is your opportunity to give back. Help renovate a school, run literacy workshops and support the elderly. Engage with locals, exchange ideas and learn about the experiences of others.

Days 15 – Prepare for the Trek
Take the day to prepare for your trek. Head to the market to gather supplies and gear. Receive an overview of the trek, and first-aid training and choose leadership roles.

You’ll have a few routes to choose from, so get together with your guides and decide which ones you’d like to tackle.

Days 16 to 18 – Inca Trail Trek
Set off early for the Andean town of Piscacucho, you’re starting point for the Inca Trail! Warm up your legs with a 2-hour walk to Miskay, familiarising yourself with the surrounding flora and fauna. After lunch, it’s another 2-hour hike to Wayllabamba, your first camping spot!

Start early again the next day, your second day of the Trek. Hike through a narrow ravine to Lluluchapampa. Now, the famous Abra Warmihuañusca mountain pass (4,200m) awaits you! Cross the peak and make a 2-hour descent to Pacamayu. Rest in the afternoon and camp beneath the stars.

Day 19 – Machu Picchu
Epic views and ruins await you! Awaking at 3:30 am, you’ll take a hike up to the Sun Gate getting your first glimpse of Machu Picchu – the former ‘summer’ retreat of Inca Emperor Pachacuti. Built in the 15th century without the use of wheels or mortar, it is a true feat of engineering. One of the best-preserved Inca remains, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a must-see while visiting Peru.

In the afternoon, rest sore legs by swimming through the thermal baths of Aguas Calientes. After some relaxation, make your trip back to Cusco and celebrate your accomplishments!

Days 20 & 21 – Disembark from Cusco
Spend a final day in Cusco reflecting on your experiences. Explore vibrant markets and do some last-minute souvenir shopping before joining the team for a celebration meal.

After an incredible three weeks, it’s time to head home. Pile souvenirs into your backpack and travel to the airport.

Check in, drop off your bags and sit back. Take some time to let it all sink in. You’ve just had the trip of a lifetime!

Leave with newfound confidence, a deeper sense of self and lifelong friends. The experiences and skills you’ve gained will help you throughout your future, no matter what path you take. Can’t wait to see you again soon!

In addition to those listed above, Projects Abroad will organise many evening and out-of-placement activities such as cooking lessons, movie and quiz nights, meditation lessons and watching sporting events.

What size groups do you cater for?

All group sizes of 5 or more. Free staff place with every 9 students.

Do you offer access for visitors with disabilities?

Disabled facilities can be offered on request.

Do you cater for visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?

Visitors with special educational needs can be catered for on request.

Anything else?

Projects Abroad provides an individualised service and schedule planning which is backed up by excellent pre-departure preparation and by a dedicated and highly experienced local team in each destination.

We aim to provide a challenging and rewarding experience for every student which promotes self-belief, resilience, leadership, teamwork, reflection, and a new perspective on the world.

Please contact us so we can support you with your trip planning.

Who are Projects Abroad?

This three-week programme offers the opportunity to make a contribution to conservation and education work in some of the most stunning parts of Peru. It will also challenge, educate and inspire students through spending time deep in the jungle, hiking the Inca Trail and connecting with the local people at all stages of their journey.

The focus of the programme is service, discovery and adventure aiming to give the students a new perspective through service, enhanced self-confidence and resilience as well as working on skills such as teamwork, leadership, decision making and generally operating outside their comfort zone. This programme is a significant personal growth and opportunity for discovery.

Elements of the programme:

Service – Projects Abroad supports numerous pre-school and primary school settings in and around Cusco as well as some elderly care initiatives. The group will take on a community development challenge which could be a renovation project at one of the settings as well as devising activities for the students or older people which may be based around literacy, nutrition, fitness or other subjects of their choice.

This aspect of the placement will take the students into some of the less developed parts of Cusco where government services are sparse and small groups support the more vulnerable in their community, the work the group does here is a boost for the setting and insightful and rewarding for the students.

In addition to the service work in Cusco, students will spend part of the placement at a conservation camp in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest. This is an initiative established by Projects Abroad nearly 20 years ago and has made significant strides in rehabilitating this part of the jungle and studying the flora and fauna there.

Students will support the work of rehabilitation and release of illegally trafficked animals brought to our centre. They will also participate in the study and research of life in the area, keep the trails clear and work on seasonal programmes such as turtle egg collection or hatchling release.

This project has helped inform good practice in many similar initiatives around the world, attracted a lot of academic research and had a lot of success in successfully releasing animals as well as attracting species back to the area which had not been seen for many years.

Discovery – conservation work at the rainforest camp will be complemented by educational talks from the local team and practical discovery as the students participate in the day-to-day tasks. This will give them first-hand knowledge of the various ecosystems in the rainforest, the threats to its sustainability and the efforts to find a balance between human needs and the needs of the jungle.

While in the Sacred Valley, students will learn about the Incan culture and see the sites of this civilisation all around them. They will also learn about the Peruvian way of life in the hills, eating the local food and through the many evening activities Projects Abroad will arrange to showcase the culture and engage and entertain the students.

Adventure – this programme is certainly packed full of adventure. From the heart of the jungle to high on the Inca Trail, students are outdoors in some of the most stunning settings imaginable. In the rainforest, they will stay at the conservation camp in dorms surrounded by the towering ancient trees and the constant sounds of the monkeys, insects and macaws through the day and mysterious grunts and calls through the night.

Students will also walk the trails and climb to bird observation posts high in the trees, scanning for wildlife and soaking up the intensity of the growth and the biodiversity.
Once in Cisco, the four-day Inca Trail trek will take them through the Sacred Valley’s mountain passes as they hike through centuries of history and stunning landscapes to arrive at the almost unbelievable 600-year-old ruins of the mysterious and breathtaking Machu Picchu.

This is a hugely varied programme and a great challenge for any student. It offers a great insight into the country and teaches the students inter-cultural competence, the ability to be a considerate and curious traveller, and increased self-confidence, resilience and perspective.

Projects Abroad staff will accompany the group at all times and manage daily debriefing sessions to help students reflect on and absorb the day’s events.