Spanish Language & Cultural Immersion — Peru

Overview

About this trip

This seven-day programme takes Spanish out of the classroom and into authentic settings across Peru. Students develop confidence in spoken and listening Spanish, apply studied vocabulary in meaningful contexts, explore culture and history, and reflect on the relationship between language, people and place. Guided conversations, observation tasks and daily reflection support speaking and listening, reading and writing, and intercultural understanding — including how contemporary Peru connects Spanish and Quechua-speaking histories, crafts, food heritage and Indigenous traditions.

The route covers Lima and the Pacific coast, the Ballestas Islands and the Huacachina oasis, Inca Cusco and its surrounding archaeological sites, the high-altitude landscape of Vinicunca, the Sacred Valley at Chinchero, Moray, Maras and Ollantaytambo, and Machu Picchu. Suggested assessment includes a pre-trip vocabulary booklet, paired question-and-answer tasks, a daily three-sentence journal and a final presentation comparing Lima, Cusco and the Sacred Valley.

The programme is based on a supplier's 7-day / 6-night "Peruvian Wonders Tour and Machu Picchu Sunrise" proposal; the Spanish-language tasks are Premium Choice School Trips educational enhancements and are not confirmed supplied services. Several elements require school-group adaptation: Rainbow Mountain reaches approximately 5,020 m and needs medical fitness, acclimatisation and alternative-programme decisions; the Ballestas boat trip and Huacachina dune-buggy and sandboarding activities require age suitability, qualified operators, insurance and risk assessments; the supplier's wine and pisco tasting must be replaced with an alcohol-free alternative. Machu Picchu circuit, timed entry, train times and any sunrise claim must be confirmed, meal plans agreed in full, and group ratios, room allocation, emergency support, security, insurance, permissions and visas addressed in the formal school proposal.

Day by day

The itinerary

Trip highlights

Machu Picchu Sunrise
Ballestas Islands Wildlife
Huacachina Desert Oasis
Rainbow Mountain Fieldwork
Qorikancha And Sacsayhuamán
Chinchero Weaving Workshop
Maras Salt Pans
San Pedro Market Spanish

Day 1 of 7Lima
¡Bienvenidos a Perú!
First contact with Peruvian Spanish on the street: greetings exchanged with locals, signs and prices decoded, impressions captured in a journal before an evening reflection.
- Accompanied neighbourhood orientationStreets, shopfronts and cafés explored with guided language practiceDepending on flight timings and group energy
- "First impressions" journal and evening reflectionSharing discoveries and practising travel phrases
- Lima city tour (historic centre, Parque del Amor, Huaca Pucllana)Optional tour of the capital's landmarksExtra cost, if timing permits
Learning focus: Spanish Language · Greetings · Directions · Cultural Awareness
- No meals included.
- Lima city tour is available at extra cost and subject to timing.
¡Bienvenidos a Perú! — Arrival in Lima
Arrival in Lima, meeting the local representative and transfer to the hotel. Depending on flight timings and group energy, an accompanied neighbourhood orientation introduces busy streets, shopfronts and local cafés, with students greeting people, recognising signs, prices and place names. Teachers can introduce a "first impressions" journal, followed by a short evening reflection to share discoveries and practise travel phrases. A separate Lima city tour (historic centre, Parque del Amor, Huaca Pucllana) is available at extra cost if timing permits. Overnight Lima; no meals included. Spanish focus: greetings, introductions, signs, directions, describing a city.
Day 2 of 7Paracas
Wildlife, Desert & Discovery
Sea lions and seabirds crowd the Ballestas Islands before the desert takes over: towering dunes, a palm-ringed oasis and Spanish practised with local guides.
- Ballestas Islands boat excursionSea lions, seabirds, possibly Humboldt penguins or dolphinsPenguins or dolphins possible, not guaranteed
- Candelabro geoglyphVast hillside figure seen from the boat
- Huacachina oasis and dunesDesert oasis ringed by towering sand dunes
- Supervised dune-buggy ride and introductory sandboardingGuided desert adventure across the dunesSubject to school approval and safety arrangements
- Alcohol-free student tasting alternativeReplaces the supplier's wine and pisco tasting
Learning focus: Spanish Vocabulary · Ecology · Geography · Speaking Skills
Meals included: Breakfast · Lunch
- Dune-buggy ride and sandboarding are subject to school approval and safety arrangements.
- The supplier's wine and pisco tasting is replaced with an alcohol-free, student-appropriate alternative.
Wildlife, Desert & Discovery — Paracas and Huacachina
An early departure south to Paracas for a boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands, seeing sea lions, seabirds and possibly Humboldt penguins or dolphins, and passing the Candelabro geoglyph. Continuing inland to Ica and the dunes surrounding the Huacachina oasis, where a supervised dune-buggy ride and introductory sandboarding may be arranged subject to school approval and safety arrangements. The supplier's wine and pisco tasting is replaced with an alcohol-free, student-appropriate alternative. Return to Lima in the evening. Meals: breakfast and lunch. Spanish focus: animals, habitats, landscape adjectives, questions to guides.
Day 3 of 7Cusco
The Heart of the Inca World
Qorikancha's golden temple and the great stone terraces above Cusco frame a day of Inca engineering, ritual and Quechua-Spanish vocabulary, paced gently for altitude.
- Qorikancha, the Temple of the SunGuided exploration of the principal Inca temple
- SacsayhuamánMonumental Inca stonework and defensive terraces
- Qenqo, Puka Pukara and TambomachayRitual, defence and water sites around Cusco
- Evening vocabulary challengeComparing modern Spanish names with Quechua heritage
- Domestic flight from Lima to CuscoAndean flight to the former Inca capital
Learning focus: Spanish Language · Listening Skills · Cultural Heritage · History · Engineering
- Hotel breakfast may apply.
- The day is paced gently for altitude.
The Heart of the Inca World — Cusco City & Heritage
Domestic flight from Lima to Cusco and transfer to the hotel, followed by a guided exploration of Qorikancha, the Temple of the Sun, and visits to Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay, with discussion of engineering, ritual, defence and water in Andean life. Students practise listening for key facts in Spanish and asking prepared questions of the guide. The day is paced gently for altitude. An evening vocabulary challenge compares modern Spanish names with Quechua heritage. Meals: hotel breakfast may apply. Spanish focus: historical narration, asking questions, cultural vocabulary.
Day 4 of 7Vinicunca
Colours of the Andes
Mineral-striped ridges above 5,000 m give students a vivid vocabulary lesson in colour, landscape and comparison, alongside Andean geology and highland life.
- Vinicunca Rainbow MountainHigh-altitude walk to viewpoints over mineral-banded slopesRequires altitude, medical and fitness assessment
- Breakfast near CusipataEarly meal en route through highland communities
- Spanish descriptive fieldworkDescribing and comparing the landscape in Spanish
- Geology and traditional life talksExplanations of mineral bands and Andean customs
- Less demanding alternative activityOption for students who should not hikeFor those unable to hike
Learning focus: Spanish Language · Descriptive Writing · Oral Presentation · Geology · Cultural Studies
Meals included: Breakfast · Lunch
- At roughly 5,020 m this is a demanding excursion requiring full altitude, medical, safeguarding and fitness assessment.
- A less demanding alternative is available for those who should not hike.
Colours of the Andes — Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain
A pre-dawn departure through high-altitude valleys and mountain communities, with breakfast near Cusipata, before the walk up to the viewpoints at Vinicunca, where mineral-rich bands create striking reds, ochres, greens and purples. Students describe the landscape in Spanish, compare it with their own environment and hear explanations of geology and traditional life; photographs and field notes support later descriptive writing or oral presentations. At roughly 5,020 m this is a demanding excursion requiring full altitude, medical, safeguarding and fitness assessment, with a less demanding alternative for those who should not hike. Return to Cusco after lunch. Meals: breakfast and lunch. Spanish focus: colours, landscapes, comparisons, expressing opinions.
Day 5 of 7Aguas Calientes
Living Traditions & Andean Railway
Weaving workshops at Chinchero, the circular terraces of Moray and the salt pans of Maras anchor Spanish practice in markets, crafts and Inca agriculture.
- ChincheroInca foundations, colonial architecture and living weaving traditions
- MorayConcentric terraces illustrating Inca agricultural experimentation
- Salt pans at MarasTerraced evaporation pools worked since pre-Inca times
- OllantaytamboTerraces and planned Inca streets still inhabited today
- Scenic train to Aguas CalientesAndean railway through the Urubamba gorge
Learning focus: Spanish Language · Cultural Heritage · Agriculture · Numeracy
Meals included: Lunch
Living Traditions — The Sacred Valley & Andean Railway
Travel from Cusco to Chinchero to see Inca foundations, colonial architecture and weaving traditions, with vocabulary for colours, materials and handicrafts. At Moray, the concentric terraces prompt discussion of agriculture, climate and Inca innovation, followed by the salt pans at Maras. After a buffet lunch in Urubamba, the group explores Ollantaytambo and its terraces and planned streets. Students practise numbers, prices and simple questions with guides and craftspeople. The day ends with the scenic train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) and hotel check-in. Meals: lunch. Spanish focus: markets, handicrafts, food, numbers, past and present.
Day 6 of 7Machu Picchu
The Lost City in the Clouds
Guided exploration of Machu Picchu's terraces, temples and plazas, with heritage and conservation debated in Spanish before a scenic train back towards Cusco.
- Guided visit to Machu PicchuTerraces, temples, plazas and Inca stonework explainedAllocated entry time; site rules apply
- Sunrise experience at the citadelEarly viewing described by the supplierDepends on entry slot and weather; not guaranteed
- Heritage and responsible tourism discussionConservation debated and summarised in spoken Spanish
- Scenic train towards CuscoValley railway journey from Aguas Calientes
- Evening reflection sessionReviewing the day's learning back at the hotel
Learning focus: Spanish Language · Heritage Conservation · Architecture · Sustainable Tourism · History
- Sunrise viewing depends on the confirmed entry slot, weather and site rules and is not guaranteed.
- Lunch is mentioned by the supplier but remains to be reconfirmed.
The Lost City in the Clouds — Machu Picchu
Shuttle bus into the mountains for the allocated entry time at Machu Picchu, with a guided visit explaining terraces, temples, plazas and stonework, and discussion of heritage, conservation and responsible tourism. Students listen for information, identify buildings and summarise learning in short spoken or written Spanish. The supplier describes this as a sunrise experience, but viewing depends on the confirmed entry slot, weather and site rules and is not guaranteed. Return to Aguas Calientes for lunch, then the scenic train back towards Cusco and transfer to the hotel for an evening reflection. Meals: lunch mentioned by the supplier, to reconfirm. Spanish focus: giving opinions, describing architecture, past-tense storytelling.
Day 7 of 7Cusco
Everyday Cusco & Farewell
Market haggling in Spanish, craft-lined San Blas streets and a closing challenge asking each group to name three new expressions and one shifted perspective.
- "Behind the Scenes" activityComplimentary morning or afternoon local culture optionIf flight timings allow
- Plaza de Armas and San Pedro MarketMorning option practising food names, numbers and pricesMorning option, flight timings permitting
- San Blas neighbourhood and local cuisineAfternoon option exploring shops, crafts and public spacesAfternoon option, flight timings permitting
- Teacher-led closing challengeGroups share new expressions, discoveries and shifted perspectives
Learning focus: Spanish Language · Cultural Awareness · Oral Presentation · Reflection
Meals included: Breakfast
- The complimentary "Behind the Scenes" activity runs only if flight timings allow; morning and afternoon options differ.
- Departure transfer is to either Cusco airport or the bus terminal.
Everyday Cusco — Local Culture & Departure
If flight timings allow, a complimentary "Behind the Scenes" activity: a morning option around Plaza de Armas and San Pedro Market, or an afternoon option introducing local cuisine and the San Blas neighbourhood. Markets offer practice with food names, numbers and prices and simple questions, while San Blas highlights language used in shops, crafts and public spaces. A closing teacher-led challenge asks groups to share three new expressions, three cultural discoveries and one change in perspective. Transfer to Cusco airport or bus terminal. Meals: breakfast at the hotel. Spanish focus: market interactions, reflections, presentations, useful phrases.

Speak to our team

Every itinerary can be tailored to your dates, group size, budget and learning objectives. We come back to you within 24 hours.

Call +971 4 420 6965

Email info@premiumchoicetravel.com

What's included

Everything in the price

✓Accommodation: 2 nights Lima, 3 nights Cusco, 1 night Aguas Calientes (subject to final hotel confirmation)
✓Lima–Cusco domestic flight with 10 kg carry-on baggage
✓Airport and hotel transfers with local representative on arrival
✓Boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands
✓Guided visits to Qorikancha, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay
✓Excursion to Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain)
✓Sacred Valley tour: Chinchero, Moray, Maras and Ollantaytambo
✓Train Ollantaytambo–Aguas Calientes and return towards Cusco
✓Shuttle bus and guided visit to Machu Picchu
✓Complimentary "Behind the Scenes" Cusco activity on Day 7, subject to flight timing
✓Selected meals as listed by the supplier (breakfasts and several lunches)

Booking terms & conditions

Upon confirmation of the booking, a 25% deposit is non-refundable.
Passport copies of all passengers are required within 10 days of confirming the booking.
Cancellation 90–61 days before departure: 50% of the total cost is charged.
Cancellation 60–31 days before departure: 75% of the total cost is charged.
Cancellation 30–1 day before departure: no refund is given.
Visa refusal or no appointment available: 25% non-refundable from the date of confirmation; 90–61 days 50%, 60–31 days 75%, 30–1 day 100% non-refundable.
If passenger numbers are reduced, rates are subject to revision.

Languages

Also worth considering

Barcelona Uncovered, Language, Culture & DiscoverySpain · 6 days

Barcelona's Celebration of Spanish Culture, Language & AdventureSpain · 6 days

Language trip to ParisFrance · 5 days

Spanish Language & Cultural Immersion — Peru

About this trip

The itinerary

¡Bienvenidos a Perú! — Arrival in Lima

Wildlife, Desert & Discovery — Paracas and Huacachina

The Heart of the Inca World — Cusco City & Heritage

Colours of the Andes — Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain

Living Traditions — The Sacred Valley & Andean Railway

The Lost City in the Clouds — Machu Picchu

Everyday Cusco — Local Culture & Departure

Speak to our team

Everything in the price

Also worth considering