2025 GSSM Peru Cultural Journey
| Travel Dates: | January 8, 2025 - January 18, 2025 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$3,490 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Confirmed Airfare: | $1,145 |
Tuition Calculator
There are two options for payment, including an interest-free monthly installment plan. Follow whichever option works best for your family. If we are within 90 days of travel, only the pay in full option is possible.
Program Tuition: $3,490
Pay in Full
$3,490.00
due today
Payment Plan
Pay a $500 deposit at the time of enrollment and establish an interest-free monthly payment plan. If you enroll today, your estimated* monthly payments would be:
$996.67
per month
All prices in United States Dollars.
Peru Cultural Journey
Viva Peru! Here is a country with so much to offer a curious traveler: dazzling culture, world-famous landscapes, compelling history and friendly and hospitable people. Whether you’re strolling the cobblestone streets of Cusco, watching the sun rise from the splendor of Machu Picchu or working on a meaningful service project in a small community in and mountains of the Sacred Valley, Peru is sure to leave you wanting more.
Cultural Journeys
Cultural Journeys allow travelers to gain insights into the heritage, history and modern realities of their destination by offering a broad diversity of experience. We rely on the expertise of our local staff to plan itineraries which not only explore the prominent sites but also make time for the lesser-known local gems and are intentional about regular interaction with local people.
Program Highlights
Check out some of the featured experiences of your program!
Have the adventure of a lifetime with your friends
Experience the grandeur of Machu Picchu
Tour the Saqsayhuaman complex above Cusco
Learn new moves in a Latin dance class
Practice your Spanish language skills with locals
Hike through the Amazon jungle
Visit the capital city's coastal neighborhoods of Miraflores and Barranco
Canoe through Lake Sandoval in the Amazon
Enjoy a photographic scavenger hunt of Cusco in the high Andes
The Itinerary
We do everything possible to abide by itineraries as originally planned, but decades of experience teachers that we must flexible in our planning. Changes to a trip’s schedule are uncommon, but Walking Tree reserves the right to make adjustments to programming in the best interest of the group.
| Day | Location | Activity | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 8 | USA - Peru | Today the group will travel from the USA to Lima, Peru. After arrival, we will settle into our hotel and rest after the long day of travel. | Lima Hotel |
| January 9 | Lima | We will start our day with our orientation meeting to help us prepare for the days ahead. We will then make our way to the historic center to explore the plaza mayor and the catacombs underneath the convent of San Francisco. Later on, we will explore the Miraflores neighborhood, including the Parque Kennedy, and dine on some of Lima's famously delicious delicacies. | Lima Hotel |
| January 10 | Lima and Cusco | Today we will leave Lima and travel to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Quechua empire. at our hotel in the beautiful San Blas neighborhood to discuss the upcoming trip in detail. Later, we will take a guided walking tour of the historic center and marvel at how Quechua, Spanish and modern influences have molded current day Cusco. | Cusco Hotel |
| January 11 | Cusco | Our day will begin touring the famous Quechua ruins of Saqsayhuaman. After lunch, we will practice our moves in a Latin dance class before continuing exploring the the cobblestone streets around the central plaza of Cusco and visit the market and stores in smaller groups. In the evening, we will enjoy local and international food and the comforts of our quaint hotel. | Cusco Hotel |
| January 12 | Cusco - Sacred Valley - Aguas Calientes | The adventures continue as we set out for Chinchero, a small town just above the Sacred Valley, where we will enjoy a weaving demonstration from the women famous for these local textiles. We will then make our way to Salineras, where thousands of salt pools cascade down the mountains, and Moray, an ancient Quechua agricultural laboratory. From there we will descend the Sacred Valley in bikes (or vans) before we drive back to Cusco. This evening we will catch a two-hour train ride to Aguas Calientes, the base town of Machu Picchu, where we will spend the night. | Aguas Calientes Hotel |
| January 13 | Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco | Today we will have an early start. First, we will catch the bus to the ruins of Machu Picchu. With our local guide, we will learn about the history and significance of this citadel set high in the Andes, and take time to reflect on our journey thus far. After a quick visit Aguas Calientes, we will catch our train back to Cusco to prepare for our departure to the Amazonas tomorrow. | Cusco Hotel |
| January 14 | Cusco - Puerto Maldonado- Amazon | Today we will fly to Puerto Maldonado, the gateway city to some of the most biodiverse pockets of the entire Amazon rainforest. Upon arrival, we will make our way by bus and boat to the eco-lodge, our home for the next three nights in the jungle. We will receive an orientation from the lodge's guides, then set out for a night hike in the forest to experience the vibrant nocturnal wildlife all around us. | Amazon Hotel |
| January 15 | Amazon | We will begin today by exploring the jungle's canopy by hiking through a series of suspension bridges. We will continue onward to a wildlife rescue center, where we may see jaguars, monkeys, bush dogs, tapirs and more, to learn about the work being done to rehabilitate displaced wildlife back into their habitat. Later, we will hike around an agroforestry farm in the area before searching for caiman on the river's edge this evening! | Amazon Hotel |
| January 16 | Amazon | This morning we will venture even deeper in the rainforest to Lake Sandoval, a stunning palm-ringed lake in the heart of the Tambopata reserve. We will paddle around the pristine lake, keeping our eyes peeled for howler monkeys, macaws, hoatzin, and the endangered river otter. Back near the lodge, we will enjoy a relaxing afternoon floating the river, watching for turtles, heron, and capybara. We will end our adventures in the Amazon tonight with lectures from local conservationists on the projects they are working on to preserve this delicate ecosystem before falling asleep to the sounds of the forest. | Amazon Hotel |
| January 17 | Puerto Maldonado - Lima - USA | This morning we will say goodbye to the Amazon basin and begin our journey back to the USA. We will take an afternoon flight from Puerto Maldonado to Lima. If time permits, we will leave the airport to enjoy a final meal overlooking the Pacific Ocean before catching our overnight flight from Lima to the USA. | Airplane |
| January 18 | USA | Arrive home. | Your own bed! |
Accommodations
In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing group accommodations. Walking Tree partners with hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, locally operated, clean and safe. We inspect each partner hotel to ensure they meet these standards.
Mami Panchita
Mami Panchita is a family owned and operated colonial style guest house in San Miguel. Conveniently located between the airport and the attractions of the coastal neighborhoods, this hostel offers a cozy retreat from the bustle of the Peruvian capital that students will surely enjoy. Free Wi-Fi access throughout the building keeps everyone feeling connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.
Pension Alemana
Situated in the hills of the San Blas neighborhood, Pension Alemana is a beautiful bed and breakfast overlooking the historic center of Cusco. Representative of the city’s history and culture, this hotel blends Quechua and Spanish colonial styles to provide a stunning setting to relax at 11,000 feet. Free Wi-Fi access throughout the building keeps everyone feeling connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.
Corto Maltes Amazonia Lodge
The rustic lodge at Corto Maltes is a collection of beautifully finished wood bungalows, common spaces, kitchen cabin, pool and garden areas. This low-impact, eco-friendly lodge provides an important balance of comfort and style while enjoying the wild of the Amazon. Free Wi-Fi access is available in the common areas during certain times of day. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.
Safety and Support
EASY FUNDRAISING & PAYMENT
24/7 GLOBAL EMERGENCY LINE
HIGHLY VETTED PARTNERS
EXPERT LEADERSHIP
PRIVATE GROUP GUARANTEE
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM SUPPORT
DEDICATION TO CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING
Communication was excellent! We had absolutely all the info we needed from the moment we signed up. LOVED the blog with photos. The prep and follow up activities on culture shock, re-entry, etc. were fantastic!!! Thank you!!!
Erika
Parent of John, traveler on Peru Service Adventure
Your Adventure Includes
Estimated Airfare
In order to give our travelers the best possible price, we break out airfare from the Program Tuition. We will still handle all booking and ticketing via our flight partner who has access to special fares not available to the general public. Once confirmed, you will be invoiced for the flight roughly 75 days prior to travel.
Program Tuition Excludes: Travel insurance, baggage fees, passport/visa fees, laundry, souvenirs, and activities not listed on itinerary.
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Resource Center
Why should high school students travel abroad? What happens if a participant gets sick? How quickly do we need to enroll? We’re sure you have plenty of questions and we’ve got you covered! Visit our Resource Center to discover the answers to your most pressing questions and contact us anytime with additional questions.