July 1: Departure Day, Miami to Lima
Group Meeting:
At 3:00 PM, meet your group leader and fellow students at the LAN Airlines check-in counter (outside of security) at Miami International Airport (MIA). This is the official start of your Putney summer!
Group Flight:
The group will fly on LAN Airlines flight #2515 departing Miami (MIA) at 6:00 PM, arriving in Lima, Peru (LIM), at 10:40 PM local time (5 hours, 45 minutes en route). The group will spend two days in Lima before continuing to Cusco on July 3rd.
July 1 & 2: Lima
In Lima, get oriented to the history, culture, and people of Peru. Explore the city’s famed archaeological museum, Museo Larco, and begin learning about Peru’s unique Inca legacy as you prepare for your arrival to your community service village in the Sacred Valley.
July 3: Ollantaytambo
Upon landing in Cusco, transfer via chartered bus to Ollantaytambo, approximately two hours from the Cusco airport. Get settled in at your residence and take it easy the first day as you acclimate to the altitude. Visit this quaint, cobble-stoned village and make final preparations for your stay in your host village. We’ll be back to Ollantaytambo on a weekend excursion to fully explore this beautiful town which remains much the same as it did during the time of the Inca.
July 4–20: Sihuay
From Ollantatambo, head deeper into the valley to the picturesque village of Sihuay, our home for the next 2.5 weeks. Work together with the host community to complete a series of construction, education, and agricultural projects. Evenings are spent immersing ourselves in the local culture through activities and events such as learning to cook a traditional Andean meal, playing fútbol with our local friends or hiking remnants of ancient Incan footpaths in the surrounding mountains. Go on short excursions on the weekend to explore some of the incredible sites the Sacred Valley has to offer. Throughout your time in the village, engage in an independent project of your choosing to learn more about a particular aspect of local culture and life.
July 8 & 9: Cusco
Take a weekend excursion to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. Cusco is still a vibrant Andean city, where campesinos from neighboring mountain villages converge to sell their goods at the city’s extensive markets. Marvel at the confluence of ancient and modern as you take in the colonial architecture and nearby ruins, such as the golden temple of Qoricancha or the colossal fortress of Sacsayhuaman. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even try eating “cuy,” a traditional Peruvian delicacy more commonly known in English as guinea pig.
July 15 & 16: Ollantaytambo
With its cobblestoned roads and massive Inca ruins, the quaint village of Ollantaytambo is the best remaining example of Inca city-planning. Visit indigenous markets and meet with Andean artisans in their workshops. Explore the nearby ruins at the Temple of Ollantaytambo and relax in the town’s central plaza as you practice your Spanish with local kids. Spend a half-day on a rafting adventure with local guides just outside town on the Urubamba river.
July 21 & 22: Aguas Calientes
Bid farewell to your host village and head to Ollantaytambo for the start of our final weekend excursion to Machu Picchu. Take a scenic train to Machu Picchu through the spectacular Sacred Valley. Learn about the lifestyle of the Inca people as you visit the fascinating ruins. Spend time exploring this ancient citadel and discover its maze of temples and dwellings. Hike the surrounding slopes for different perspectives on the site.
July 23 & 24: Travel Days, Cusco to Miami
Group Flight:
The group will fly on LAN Airlines flight #2066 departing Cusco (CUZ) at 7:15 PM local time on July 23, arriving in Lima (LIM) at 8:40 PM local time. The group will continue on from Lima (LIM) on LAN Airlines flight #2514 departing at 1:05 AM local time on July 24, returning to the International Arrivals Area of Miami International Airport (MIA) at 7:45 AM on July 24 (8 hours, 45 minutes en route).