PERU 2023

Peru: July 23-30, 2023

8 Days, 7 Nights

In July of 2023, join Taína Benitez and a small group of teachers in an authentic cultural immersion trip to Peru. Our program trip to Peru highlights the diverse culture, history, geography, biodiversity, and gastronomy. From the coastal lands of the capital, Lima, to the Andes Mountain Range and the Peruvian Amazon, you’ll experience the vast natural beauty of Peru.

Peru is a colorful land known for textiles, ancient ruins, and incredible culture. We have been invited to visit an Andes mountain community, rich in history and tradition, where we will learn firsthand about the traditional textile process. The women teachers will show us how they dye fabrics, their weaving process, and how they make their clothing as well. During our visit, we have been invited to their homes to learn about and celebrate the traditional foods of Peru. We will have a barbeque—Peru style!

On one of the days of our visit, we will journey to Machu Picchu, a UNESCO world heritage site. Machu Picchu stands 2,430 m above sea level, in the middle of a tropical mountain forest. You will be surrounded by incredible mountain vistas and be able to explore the Inca ruins, feeling like you’re on top of the world. This is one of the most well-preserved archeological sites of its time where you’ll see their advanced stonework techniques known as ‘ashlar’—where rocks are carved precisely to fit together without the use of mortar or clay. During our travels, we will journey through the nearby Rainbow Mountain region, originally known as Vinicunca, in the Andes mountains. The mountain is famed for its natural, multi-colored beauty. The rainbow-like appearance is created by the sediment minerals and radiate turquoise, lavender, gold, and other colors. We will take a step back and explore a lesser traveled area and enjoy the incredible beauty.

Your leader, Taína Benitez, is a Spanglish-speaking advocate, speaker, and educator. A true lover of helping people, she has been an advocate for inclusivity, social justice, and bringing opportunities to underprivileged teachers and students, for over two decades. The Teach With Love culturally informed principles will be woven into our entire approach for the trip. Our vibe will be to “seek patience and passion” (Maya Angelou), and being present in each experience where you will expand your cultural knowledge, and gain personal and professional breakthroughs while establishing meaningful relationships with other teachers and forever friends!

(The daily itinerary will be provided closer to the dates of the program trip, and will be dependent on weather)

100% of proceeds go to support our Teach With Love™️ programs!

Limited to: 10 educators
Program Trip Length: 8 Days, 7 Nights
Activity Level: High
Physical Level: Challenging
✈Arrive Into: LIM

What's included:

Itinerary

Day 1: July 23 - Overnight in Lima

• Welcome to Lima the capital of Peru Stay one night at a beautiful, locally owned, Lima Hotel.

• Walking tour of Lima (for early arrivals)

• Welcome Orientation (day is subject to change) 

Day 2: July 24 - Overnight in Cusco

• Short flight to Cusco in the Peruvian Andes. Check in to our hotel.

• Easy day so as to acclimate to altitude levels.

• Evening historical walking tour of Cusco with a local. Optional: Cacao Museum.

Day 3: July 25 - Overnight in Sacred Valley

• Head down to Sacred Valley. Surrounded by nature and only a few minutes from the town of Urubamba, the ideal home base to start exploring the wonders of the Sacred Valley and Cusco.

• Visit a local Sacred Valley historical monument and enjoy meeting your new local Peruvian friends!

Day 4: July 26 - Overnight in Sacred Valley

• Visit the Historic Santuary, Machu Picchu, all day

• Return to a beautiful bonfire and have beautiful conversations with your new global friends

Day 5: July 27 - Overnight in Cusco

• Visit a magical quechua village, far from noise in the Andes mountains. The women teachers will show us how they dye fabrics, their weaving process, and how they make their clothing as well. During our visit, we have been invited to their homes to learn about and celebrate the traditional foods of Peru. We will have a barbeque—Peru style!

Day 6: July 28 - Overnight in Cusco

• Visit Rainbow Mountain (we are going with our local Peruvian friends who have an even better non-touristy spot for us to go!)

Day 7: July 29 - Overnight in Lima

• Free morning

• Surprise goodbye gift/surprise from our Peruvian friends

• Short flight back to Lima for next day departures

Day 8: July 30 - Departure Day

• Departures throughout the day

• Lima Walking tour for late day departures