PERU

Arrival In Cusco

Our summer program in Peru begins in Miami, where we meet our trip leaders and travel together as a group through Lima to the Spanish colonial city of Cusco. Once there, we settle into our accommodations and meet our guide to begin exploring the city’s intricate array of cobblestone streets on a walking tour. We visit colorful markets, visit iconic locations in the city,  and navigate stalls packed with a huge variety of foods and crafts sold by local merchants and artists.

Sacred Valley & Cultural Immersion

The Sacred Valley of Peru stretches from the quiet terraced city of Písac to the bustling gateway of Machu Picchu at Aguas Caliente. Over the course of our program, we work our way through ancient ruins and breathtaking sites, retracing the footsteps of the Incas. Traveling to Lamay, we explore the city’s stunning landscape as we learn about the daily life of community members. Here we visit a traditional Quechuan Village and try our hand working in the fields of various high-altitude crops. We take the opportunity to study the local dialect while in Spanish classes to enhance our cultural exchange with the communities with whom we will interact. Ending our days, we listen to our hosts share local stories and folklore.

Local Cuisine & Mountain Biking

The town of Ollantaytambo sits in the shadow of the famously well-preserved Incan temple and namesake of the town. As a group, we explore the meandering cobblestone and sundrenched streets, practicing our Spanish through conversations with our local hosts. Our taste buds guide us to experience Peru through a dive into local gastronomy. Studying under professionally trained chefs, we learn the flavors, spices, and methods that set Peruvian cuisine apart. Full of knowledge and sustenance, we head to a trail beside the shores of the Urubamba River for an adventure-filled afternoon. Once outfitted with all the necessary equipment, we mountain bike along the gentle bends of the river valley. While on the trail, we are treated to spectacular views of the dramatic granite cliffs cradling the heart of the Sacred Valley.

Discover Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas

With eager anticipation we board a scenic train that winds its way through the Andes mountain range along the Urubamba River. After our ride, we arrive at Aguas Caliente, the gateway city to Machu Picchu, and settle into our hotel to rest up for our early morning start. Waking before sunrise, we take a bus up the steep, winding road that deposits us among some of the most spectacular archaeological sites on the planet! Known as the Lost City of the Incas and one of the “Seven Wonders of the World”, Machu Picchu is a labyrinth of mysterious stone palaces, towers, and temples. We wander alongside llamas, some of Machu Picchu’s famous residents, as we explore this incredible wonder, learning how its various structures were constructed in accordance with the cosmos and used to enact rituals believed to bring prosperity to the Incan civilization. After taking in the breathtaking panoramic views, we hike down through the jungle to Aguas Caliente and board the historic railway back to Ollantaytambo.

Andean Community Stay and Rainbow Mountain 

The lesser-known South Valley of the Cusco Region is where we explore the harmonization of cultures in the Andes. During our community stay with an Andean Village, we have the opportunity to learn firsthand how to make artisanal ceramics. The master potters share their specialized craft that has been passed down through generations. A visit to the South Valley is not complete without hiking Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain). This gorgeous and colorful geologic wonder is surrounded by a 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains and glaciers.

Leaving the South Valley we make our way back to Cusco, taking in the scenic vistas of the countryside. We relish in the experiences we’ve shared together over the past two weeks as we enjoy a festive final feast of traditional Peruvian dinner before we begin our special closing ceremonies.

Our final night is spent celebrating our accomplishments and recounting the friendships we have made during our time in Peru. We share a farewell feast recounting stories from our experience and say goodbye to our Peruvian guides and friends before taking our flight home to Miami the following day, which brings our summer program in Peru to an end.

Below you will find several Group Journal excerpts, written by ARCC students during their summer program with ARCC: