Why should my student group visit Peru?

An educational trip to Peru can be a fascinating educational and cultural experience for students.

First, determine the intended focus of your educational trip. This will help you decide which regions will best suit what your group is looking to experience.  Get insights below and download our full guide above to plan your perfect trip.

History –  Learn about the history and culture of Peru’s capital as we visit Plaza de Armas, La Catedral de Lima, and more.

Language – Practice Spanish language throughout the country and in the capital, Cusco.

Outdoor Adventure – Explore Machu Picchu and visit Lake Titicaca to stay overnight on a floating reed island built by the Uros people

Community Service –  Visit a rural village near Ollantaytambo where we will be spending the upcoming days on our service project and cultural interaction.

Mixed focus – Travel throughout Peru, honing your Spanish, Outdoor skills and awareness of the country’s social activism!

Luggage – Any seasoned traveler will tell you: the lighter – the better! A small or medium sized suitcase or duffel will be perfect for your trip to Peru. Prepared packers also bring a couple spare plastic bags for wet clothes or separated laundry. For day trips, bring a backpack and a safe document or money holder that sits close to the body under a shirt or a fanny pack.

• Small or medium suitcase or duffel bag
• Backpack and/or purse for day trips and overnights
• Safe money holder or fanny pack
• Extra plastic bags / ziplocks

Clothing – Diverse packing is critical in Peru, as the temperature throughout the day and night changes hourly. Use layers to peel when weather is warmer or you are more active, or to add when you are on cooler climates or during the night. Pack to be comfortable for all activities – whether you’re hiking in the Mountain Highlands, on the coast in Lima or in the Jungle.

Accessories and Toiletries – Below are items for keeping you charged, comfortable and prepared. Before your trip, make sure you have spoken to a travel doctor about medications you will need and pack all necessary prescriptions.

• Daily Use: sunglasses, watch, headlamp, compass, lock, pocket dictionary
• Entertainment: camera, phone, book, diary (wall plugs are Type A, B and C, so bring a transforming plug!)
• Waterbottle, sunscreen, hand sanitizer
• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Soap, shampoo & conditioner
• Medications
• Mosquito repellent (Galapagos, rain forest, warmer regions)

Packing for Cusco/ The Highlands – Mid April to October is the dry season, with hot, warm days of about 20°c/68°F and nights that are just above freezing. November to Mid April is the wet season, with the highest amount of rainfall in January and February. During the wet season, temperatures range from 20°c/68°F in the day to about 7°c/43°F at night.  Cloud clover and season greatly effect temperature. When night falls or the clouds roll in off the mountains, temperatures drop quickly and having a sweater or light jacket on hand is key. At a 3399m/11151.57ft altitude, Cusco and the attractions around it have high exposure to the sun and sunscreen is highly encouraged.

Below is your basic Packing List for Cusco and the Highlands. For those travelling in the dry season, see the amendments a just after:

• Socks, underwear, bras
• 1 pair of jeans & 1 pair of breathable pants
• 3 t-shirts
• 3 long sleeve shirt
• 2 light sweater or sweatshirt
• Waterproof jacket
• Scarf / bandanna
• Warm hat
• Shoes – Comfortable and supportive for hiking or for walking in the city.
• Waterproof shoes
• Sleepwear
For Dry Mid April – October Season add:
• 1 extra Warm fleece sweater
• Wool socks

Packing for the Coastal Region – Average temperatures at Peru’s Coast in cities like Lima are warmer from December to April, ranging from highs of 26°/78°F in the day and about 20°/68°F at night. From May to November, weather does cool a little, but is still comfortable at about 20°/68°F daily and 16°/61°F at night from January to November. Seasons are essentially divided in two: the Dry (Winter) Season from December – April and the and Wet (Summer) Season from May- November. In the Wet Season, expect a slightly cooler, yet more tropical climate, with greater amounts of mist from the ocean and some rain. The Dry Season is characterized by blue skies and tan lines.

Check this list out if you are travelling to Lima, or Peru’s Coastal Region:

• Socks, underwear, bras
• 1 pair of breathable pants
• 3 – 5 t-shirts
• 2 pairs of shorts
• 1 long light sleeve shirt
• Bathing suit
• Scarf / bandanna
• Hat
• Shoes – comfortable and supportive for hiking/daily use
• Flip flops / waterproof sandals
• Sleepwear
Wet Season Additions:
• Light rain jacket
• Light sweater

What to leave at Home – Carrying around extra pounds of luggage isn’t worth those extra shoes or that shirt you wear just one time. If you need help eliminating an item or two, check out the list below:
• Less practical and/or fancy clothing
• More shoes than needed
• Many heavy books
• BIG bottles of toiletries – swap for travel sized containers
• Heavy towels

Spanish lesson

Looking to get a jump start on your Spanish language skills? Here are some greetings and expressions for you to practice just for fun!

Good morning: buenos días
Good afternoon: buenas tardes
Good night: buenas noches
Hello: Hola or Buenos
Good bye: Adios
See you soon: Hasta pronto
Excuse me: Con permiso 
How are you?: Como está? Or Como le va?
Fine, thanks: bien, gracias
My name is: Me llamo…
What is your name?: Como se llama usted?
Pleased to meet you: Much gusto
Do you speak English?:  habla inglés?
I don’t speak Spanish: no hablo español
I don’t understand: no entiendo 
I am from…: Soy de (name your state or city)
Slower, please: más despacio, por favor
Where is: Donde esta
The bathroom: el baño or los servicios
The restaurant: el Restaurante
The bank: el banco
The beach: la playa
Pharmacy: farmacia
Hospital: hospital
How much does it cost?: Cuanto cuesta? Or Cuanto vale?
Please: por favor
Thank you: gracias
You’re welcome: con gusto or de nada

A Few Expressions Specific to Peru:

Bacán: Cool
Bróder: Friend, amigo
Jama: food (jamear — to eat)
Tonear: to party, to dance (tono — a party)

Peruvian Fun Facts: 

1. Lake Titicaca in Southern Peru is the world’s highest navigable lake, and South America largest lake.

2. There are some 90 different micro-climates in Peru, making it one of the most bio-diverse countries on the planet.

3.  Peru is the 6th largest producer of gold.

4. Peru grows more than 55 varieties of corn, and you can just about find it in any color  including yellow, purple, white and black.

5.  Peru has the second largest amount of Shamans in the world, second only to India.