DAY 1

VISIONS students arrive at the Lima airport, where VISIONS leaders meet participants and fly with them to Cuzco. Everyone makes a quick call home, are greeted by our professional driver and project coordinator, Nico Jara, and we make the gorgeous hour-long drive into the Sacred Valley and our homebase in Urubamba. We settle in and begin our program orientation, including our first Circle meeting to start getting to know each other.

We then come together for a Cena de Bienvenida with community members and an Andean folklorico band! Our dinner cook, Neyda, prepares a delicious Peruvian meal.

DAY 2

We’ll dive into a hands-on orientation and skill-building workshops designed to prepare you for the meaningful work ahead. You’ll team up with experienced local maestros to learn essential techniques like mixing cement, working with adobe, laying bricks, and using tools safely and effectively. These foundational skills will come in handy throughout your time here—and maybe even beyond!

Our community projects take us to the beautiful rural village of Yanahuara, where we’ll help build an irrigation canal system. The work is physical, but the impact is lasting. We’ll also assist with improvements to a local preschool and spend time connecting with the children there.

One of the most special moments of the day is the Pachamama ceremony at the canal site. This traditional blessing, led by a local spiritual guide, honors Mother Earth and brings everyone together in gratitude for the land. It’s a powerful way to start our journey and ground ourselves in the shared purpose of our work.

DAYS 3 & 4

We settle into the rhythm of program life and jump into our community projects. Students can choose from a variety of worksites based on interest and energy. We also begin our rotating “homebase crew” schedule—small groups take on the fun and responsibility of preparing breakfast and lunch, keeping our shared space clean, delivering laundry, and shopping for fresh produce at local markets.

This is also when our hands-on workshops (talleres) begin! You’ll get to explore pottery, chocolate-making, jewelry-making, and carpentry, with sessions continuing throughout the program.

Afternoons offer time to stretch your legs on a short hike, explore Urubamba during “Bamba time,” play pickup soccer, or just hang out with local friends.
One of the highlights: an evening trip out to the wide-open fields near the Moray ruins for stargazing—an unforgettable moment under one of the most dazzling skies you’ve likely ever seen.

Want to know more about daily life on VISIONS programs?

DAY 5

A standout cultural experience of the program is spending a day with a local host family. Partnered with another participant, you’ll get a meaningful glimpse into daily life in an indigenous Quechua household, where you’ll be welcomed like a longtime friend. You’ll spend the day—from just after breakfast until dinner—sharing meals, helping with daily activities, and building genuine connections.

“I truly loved the homestay because I feel like I was able to go back to a time period when people journey around the world for education.”

DAY 6 

After a relaxed morning to sleep in and enjoy a big breakfast, we hop on the bus with our trusted partner Nico and head out for an incredible day. First stop: the Moray archaeological site, where massive concentric terraces descend into the earth like a natural amphitheater. Thought to be an Inca agricultural lab, each terrace level created its own microclimate, allowing ancient farmers to experiment with different crops.

From there, we set off on a stunning downhill hike from the village of Maras to the breathtaking Salineras de Maras. Over 3,000 natural salt ponds—used since Incan times—dot the hillside and shimmer in the sunlight. We’ll tour the surface salt mines, explore local shops, and maybe pick up a few unique varieties of salt to bring home as gifts.

DAYS 7 – 10  (Projects) 

With each passing day, our projects gain momentum and meaning, fueled by a growing sense of purpose and connection. Local community members work alongside us, and special moments—like small ceremonies held at the canales site when two canals are joined—bring extra heart to the process. The worksites are full of shared energy, laughter, teamwork, and a real sense of accomplishment you can see and feel.

They’re also where lasting friendships take root. As you work side-by-side with local friends, your Spanish skills grow naturally, encouraged by patient conversation and genuine connection.

DAYS 7 – 10 (Activities) 

We continue our rotation of artisan talleres, along with recreational and cultural activities that are deeply connected to the Urubamba community. One afternoon takes us to the stunning ruins of Ollantaytambo, where intricate stonework and terraced hillsides offer a deeper look into the ingenuity of the Inca civilization.

You’ll also have plenty of “Bamba time” to explore the unique corners of Urubamba—from hidden gems and local shops to the vibrant Plaza Central. And for a fun twist on all we’ve learned about ancient history, we’ll spend one evening out on the town enjoying a lively round of karaoke!

DAY 11

Another exciting adventure is in store as we head an hour south to the mountainside village of Pisac. We’ll start at the breathtaking Pisac archaeological ruins before making our way downhill on foot, passing by more ancient sites and farmland along the trail. Once we reach the town, we’ll enjoy a tasty lunch and have time to wander through the vibrant artisan market, where you’ll find beautiful Peruvian textiles, handcrafted goods, and locally made jewelry.

DAYS 12 & 13 

These final project days are filled with purpose and pride as we wrap up our service work alongside community partners who have become close friends. By now, you’ve learned how to mix cement like a pro, pass baldes down the line at the irrigation site with ease, lay bricks with precision, and connect with new friends across language barriers. Together, we finish our projects and celebrate what we’ve accomplished as a team.

Afternoons and evenings are packed with some of our favorite experiences—salsa dancing practice, a visit to the workshop and gallery of a renowned ceramic artist, and our always-entertaining Talent Show. We also carve out time to reconnect with our day stay families, helping out on their farms and soaking in the joy of shared stories and accomplishments.

To top it off, we make a trip to the famed artisan market in Chinchero—one of the most traditional in all of South America. You’ll find colorful textiles, handmade treasures, and Quechua locals in stunning traditional dress, making for a memorable way to wind down our time in the Sacred Valley.

DAYS 14 & 15

Get ready for our Machu Picchu excursion! After putting in a few hours of work in the morning, we head to the archeological site to hop on board the train to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu. 

After a two-hour train ride through the stunning valley and along the Urubamba River, we settle into our hotel and have dinner, hitting the sack early to prepare for a big day! We wake early the next morning for a sunrise hike to the world-famous ruins. We then learn the history of the Incas with a guide before having time to walk around on our own in these world-famous ruins. 

After an exhilarating day, we return on an afternoon train and head to a local stone fired pizza place for dinner back in Urubamba.

DAYS 16 & 17 

Pack up, clean our living space, and head to Cuzco for late afternoon flights to Lima, where departures begin late-night and continue through the next morning. Two leaders accompany the group in order to see everyone off safely from Lima. As embraces are exchanged and stories shared, we acknowledge that our paths have now converged and parted.

Day 17: Arrival home (if you’re in the U.S.), regardless of late-night flight or departure the following morning. 

We wish you well, our VISIONS participants, and hope that you take your new-found ability to serve with skill and passion into every community you encounter, a bringer of brighter days and deeper connection.

Hasta la próxima!