Sample Itinerary 1
Community Service in the Sacred Valley of the Incas
Day 1 : Arrive to Cusco and the Sacred Valley
Arrive to Cusco, the historical capital of the Inca empire high in the Andes Mountains. After a light lunch and introduction to the Sacred Valley Service program, you will descend in attitude to a comfortable hotel in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This first day will be spent getting to know your experienced local guides and getting acclimated to high Andes.
Overnight: Hotel, Sacred Valley
Day 2 : Market and Sacred Valley Tour
Explore the market, the central source of trade for villagers and local artisans and a key component in understanding the local way of life. Reconvene to discuss your hopes and expectations before heading to the host village. Visit a museum of pre-Inca cultures and tour the famous Sacred Valley en route to your homestays.
Overnight: Homestay, Sacred Valley
Day 3-4 : Service and Quechua Culture
Today you begin your three days of service work on a community-based project. Previous students groups have worked on a variety of projects including building bathrooms, improving kitchens, building and improving school facilities, teaching at the local community school, and our two most recent projects. While we have a history that spans many projects, these are the two that are closest to our hearts: the Pachar Valley Potable Water Project and the Sacred Valley Project.
Pachar Valley Potable Water project: For the past five years we have partnered with the local government organization JASS Pachar to reconstruct the water network in the Andean zone of Pachar. We began by building a fence around the natural spring at the top of the valley, and have been working on rebuilding the entire pipeline with help from the local community for the past three years. When completed, this project will provide safe, clean drinking water to over 1,000 people who live in the valley, including your homestay families in Pachar.
Sacred Valley Project: The Sacred Valley Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving access to education for young women from low-income families in remote, mountain communities of the Sacred Valley. SVP provides safe and nurturing accommodation, educational resources, and nutritious meals for these young women so that they may continue their secondary education and become knowledgeable and empowered women. Clients of Inbound Travel Group can support The Sacred Valley Project through projects including the construction of bathroom facilities, building new dormitories, and supplementary education for Sacred Valley Project students.
Your days helping and learning in the rural Quechua communities of Ollantaytambo are sure to provide you a unique and memorable cultural immersion experience.
In the evenings, spend time with your warm and welcoming homestay families in the community of Pachar. The group will also get a taste of local Andean beliefs by joining a local ceremony celebrating the Pachamama (Mother Earth).
Overnight: Homestay, Sacred Valley
Day 5: The living Incan Town
Ollantaytambo is known as the living Incan town because it’s residents have consistently inhabited the same historic homes since the age of the Incan Empire. Today we will have time to explore a town with a rich and unique cultural and archaeological history. In the morning we will visit some local projects and enjoy a guided tour of the historic streets and homes. After a delicious lunch the group will take a short hike to some ruins overlooking the town.
Overnight: Hotel, Ollantaytambo
Day 6: Experience Machu Picchu
Start your day with a picturesque train ride to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of the Machu Picchu ruins. Explore the town and shop, and gear up for the adventure ahead. Upon arrival, start the hike up to the ruins and then take a guided tour of the site’s history before marveling at the intricate stonework or stealing a moment of relaxation with the breathtaking views from the perched terraces. At the end of an epic day, take the train back to Ollantaytambo.
Overnight: Hotel, Ollantaytambo
Day 7: Explore the ancient Inca capital of Cusco
Enjoy this mix of the past and present as we explore Cusco’s 16th-century cathedrals, ancient Inca temples, and colonial streets--a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Chocolate Museum and make your own handmade chocolates from Peruvian cacao.
Overnight: Hotel, Cusco
Day 8: Return home
Visit the local San Pedro market, taste the local fruits and vegetables, and bargain for any last-minute gifts for family and friends during your final morning in Peru. Share a final lunch before heading to the airport for the flight to Lima and your connecting flight home.