Peru expedition

Find out about our Gap Year Expedition in Peru

One of the classic South American gap year experiences is to travel on a Peru expedition. A Peru expedition pretty much has it all - the remains of lost ancient civilisations, fantastic wildlife, breath-taking Andean mountain treks, fascinating cities, deserts, unique culture and an incredibly diverse range of beautiful landscapes. Travelling on a Peru expedition, as opposed to a standard overland sightseeing tour, enables you to see the ‘real' Peru by also travelling more off the beaten track and visiting many places most other travellers never get to.

Real Gap has carefully put together a Peru expedition incorporating all of Peru's ‘must see' sights together with intrepid travel to lesser known areas of the country and the opportunity to get involved with some superb volunteer projects - the ‘Gap Year Expedition - Peru' programme. Volunteering on a Peru expedition is an ideal way to fully experience the lifestyle and culture of Peru whilst, at the same time, also getting involved with a highly rewarding project. Real Gap's Peru expedition is also extremely flexible. Travellers can choose to go on a Peru expedition lasting either 4, 6, 8 or 12 weeks long. Once the Peru expedition has finished travellers then volunteer on the project of their choice (and there are some excellent ones to choose from) for as little or as long as they like.

Another important feature of the Peru expedition is the fact that - throughout the Peru expedition - travellers receive Spanish tuition. It is possible to get away with not speaking Spanish on a Peru expedition but the experience is far easier and generally more rewarding and enjoyable if you can learn some conversational Spanish. If you make the effort to speak Spanish on a Peru expedition local people greatly appreciate your efforts and most people find they're speaking the lingo in no time.

For full details on Real Gap's Peru expedition click on the above link or, alternatively, you can also discuss the programme with one of Real Gap's team of expert travel advisers. If, however, you are still in two minds about the idea of going on a Peru expedition here are some of the programme's highlights to entice you!

Peru expedition - Inca Trail   

For most people the highlight of a Peru expedition is the opportunity to trek the Inca Trail to the ‘lost' city of Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is a remarkably well-preserved abandoned Inca city set high up in the Andean mountains. It was never found and destroyed by the Spanish Conquistadors (the fate of most other Inca cities) and remained undiscovered until as recently as 1911. The Peru expedition includes a four-day trek to Machu Picchu using many paths the Incas themselves would have used and is an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Peru expedition - Sand surfing!

One of the many off-the-beaten-track places the Peru expedition visits is Huacachina, an oasis in the desert surrounded by towering sand dunes on which you can learn to surf Peruvian desert style!

Peru expedition - Indian home stay

Travellers on the Peru expedition enjoy a unique and privileged opportunity to experience a home stay with a Quechua Indian family.

Peru expedition - Lake Titicaca

The Peru expedition visits Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake, where travellers on the programme venture out to the amazing floating reed islands inhabited by local Indians.

Peru expedition - Ballestas Islands

The Ballestas Islands off Peru's Pacific coast have been compared to the Galapagos Islands and travellers on the Peru expedition enjoy a boat tour to check out the area's superb marine wildlife.

Peru expedition - Amazon rainforest

If exploring life in the Amazon rainforest is high up on your list of things to do on a Peru expedition a great way to do so on this programme is by opting for Real Gap's amazing ‘Peru Rainforest River - Turtle Conservation Programme' as your volunteer project.

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