High school service Location
Peru
Programs
Work with Indigenous Quechua communities on irrigation and water conservation in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You’ll also explore Machu Picchu and other ancient ruins, shop at centuries-old artisan markets, and go deep into a culture that has called the Andes home for thousands of years. This is not a tour. It is the real thing.
- Indigenous Culture, Local Friendships & Language Practice
- Machu Picchu, Artisan Markets & Andes Exploration
- Irrigation Canals, Adobe Construction & School Projects
Program dates
Peru 1
Dates
June 15 - June 22
Length
8 Days
Service hours
20 - 25
Tuition
$3,190
Peru 2
Dates
June 27 - July 15
Length
19 Days
Service hours
60 - 70
Tuition
$6,190
Peru 3
Dates
July 20 - August 1
Length
13 Days
Service hours
40 - 50
Tuition
$4,790
Peru 1
Dates
June 15 - June 22
Length
8 Days
Service hours
20 - 25
Tuition
$3,190
PERU 2
Dates
June 27 - July 15
Length
19 Days
Service hours
60 - 70
Tuition
$6,190
PEru 3
Dates
July 20 - August 1
Length
13 Days
Service hours
40 - 50
Tuition
$4,790
Going to Peru and becoming part of the community was eye opening and fulfilling. We didn’t just build irrigation canals, we built a family. I took home with me an experience and inspiration that will forever push me to do greater things.
Connect deeply
You are living among direct descendants of the Incan Empire, in a valley their ancestors built and farmed for centuries. The people you work alongside every day are its living history.
friends become family
For more than 25 years, VISIONS has been part of the Urubamba community. You’ll arrive to local friends who are genuinely glad to see you. Shared meals, project work, and outings that make the time go by too fast.
EXPLORE ADVENTUROUSLY
Andean peaks, indigenous cultures and vast ruins. Peru offers endless opportunities for exploration.
Going beyond
Ancient culture is not a backdrop here. It is the whole point. You’ll explore Machu Picchu and visit other Incan ruins, tour Salinas de Maras where salt is still harvested in cascading mountain ponds, spend time in the old capital of Cuzco, shop at artisan markets, and wander highland villages where life continues much as it has for generations.
Activities & excursions
- Learn Pottery, Weaving & Chocolate-Making
- Explore Moray, Chinchero & Machu Picchu Ruins
- Walk Through Ancient Salt Flats
- Shop at Vibrant Artisan Markets
- Play Soccer with Locals & Explore Town
- Immerse in Rural Life During a Family Day Stay
- Stargaze Under Remarkably Dark Skies
I had a great time with the afternoon and weekend excursions. The adventures kept my mind and body occupied and I thoroughly enjoyed learning and seeing new things. There was beauty in every aspect of the trip.
Andrew Zhen
WORK HARD
Service matters
We work on projects with real impact. Miles of irrigation canals stand as proof of what VISIONS teens and local communities have built together to keep farming families’ livelihoods intact. You’ll also learn adobe construction—the most common historic building method in the Andes—while working on school projects alongside community members.
I loved how while helping build the canals I got to know the people who would benefit from what we were doing. It made the work personal and gave me even more incentive to do a great job.
Reviews
“I gained a perspective about what is important, it is not landscape or architecture that make life and journeys special, it is the people you form bonds with and help. This trip will always be memorable not because of the places I saw but the people I met.”
Katelyn W.
“I made great friendships on my trip. I remember how our group bonded so quickly and I want to commend the counselors and teens for working so well together and creating relationships that will hopefully last a long time.”
Maria R.
“This summer was absolutely the best summer of my life. I made amazing friends and learned so much about myself and others. This trip was much more than just community service.”
Jesi L.
Local spotlight
where you’ll live in peru
The Urubamba Valley was settled in the 14th century by the Inca, who made it the breadbasket for their people. Today it bustles with activity and indigenous traditions.
You’ll be surprised how quickly the cobblestone streets of Urubamba feel like home. Our long-standing community relationships create a foundation of trust that lets you connect through everyday experiences—shopping at the farmers market, working with maestros on service projects, cooking traditional meals with Neyda, learning Incan history from our project manager Nico, and playing soccer with local kids. We live in town in a rented home with bunk rooms, bathrooms, a kitchen and common area. Read more about your Peruvian home away from home.
Local spotlight
where you’ll live in peru
Local team spotlight
Nico Jara, Peru Project Coordinator
When VISIONS began working in Peru in 1999, one of our first connections was with Nico Jara. He started as our driver and quickly became project coordinator, bringing deep knowledge of the Sacred Valley.
Nico is with us every day, digging in at worksites, sharing laughs, and leading spirited soccer games. Of Quechua descent, he speaks fluent Quechua and Spanish but little English, giving teen volunteers plenty of chances to practice Spanish as they become his friends.
His favorite part of summer is helping rural communities in Yanahuara, where VISIONS supports irrigation and water conservation projects that sustain local farmers. Nico is passionate about this work, knowing its direct impact on crops and livelihoods.
His energy is tireless and his optimism is contagious.. Generations of VISIONS students and leaders have left Urubamba carrying Nico’s optimism with them.
Related blog posts
Spotlight: Stella Viegas, VISIONS Alumni
Stella Viegas joined VISIONS Montana Blackfeet in 2025 and loved it so much she’s heading back — this time to Peru. Hear why she’s returning and what makes VISIONS an experience worth doing twice.
Spotlight: Amelia Fox, VISIONS Alumni
Amelia Fox spent her first VISIONS summer on Montana’s Blackfeet Reservation—and is heading to Peru next. Here’s what brought her back for a second summer of service.
Spotlight: Davidson Miner, VISIONS Alumni
Davidson Miner loved his first summer with VISIONS on the Blackfeet reservation so much, he’s coming back. Here’s what brought him back — and what he discovered about himself along the way.
Spotlight: Dylan Kinsella, VISIONS Alumni
Dylan Kinsella came to VISIONS Montana for leadership and left with something deeper. Now Peru-bound, he reflects on connection, challenge, and why he couldn’t stay away.
