Places
Explore key regions, cities, sites, and routes in Peru.
Why Peru
Peru offers Andean peaks, Sacred Valley villages, Amazon rainforests, and vibrant communities—ideal for service teams, alumni immersion, and retreat-friendly journeys. Lima anchors partner collaborations and culinary storytelling; Cusco and the Sacred Valley connect to Inca heritage; Machu Picchu delivers awe-filled moments; and Amazon or Titicaca extensions deepen creation care. With experienced partners and carefully managed altitude, leaders can focus on people and generosity—supported by our travel commissions guide.
Top Highlights by Theme
- Lima & Coast: Plaza Mayor, Cathedral of Lima, Larco Museum, Barranco arts district, and partners addressing education, trafficking prevention, and nutrition.
- Cusco & Sacred Valley: Plaza de Armas, Qorikancha, Pisaq market, Ollantaytambo fortress, and village programs in the Urubamba valley.
- Machu Picchu: sunrise at Inti Punku (Sun Gate) or guard house, guided storytelling, and donor appreciation dinner in Aguas Calientes.
- Amazon or Lake Titicaca: Puerto Maldonado eco-lodges, Iquitos river evenings, Puno floating islands, and indigenous partnerships.
Sub-Regions & Routes
Lima & Central Coast
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Arrive in Lima for orientation, partner briefings, and community projects.
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Visit historical and cultural sites, enjoy world-class cuisine with donors, and serve with coastal partners.
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Cusco & Sacred Valley
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Fly to Cusco; acclimate with light activity at San Blas viewpoints.
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Serve in Sacred Valley communities (education, water, agriculture), visiting Pisaq and Ollantaytambo.
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Overnight train or bus to Aguas Calientes for Machu Picchu visit.
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Amazon Basin or Lake Titicaca (Optional)
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Travel to Puerto Maldonado (Amazon) for canopy walks, boat programs, and creation care; or to Puno for Lake Titicaca floating islands.
Trip Length & Pacing
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8 Days
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Lima partner days (two) and cultural immersion.
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Fly to Cusco; acclimation day, Sacred Valley service, Machu Picchu visit; return to Cusco; depart.
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10 Days
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Adds extended Sacred Valley outreach and donor appreciation dinner with Andean music.
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Includes optional Amazon or Titicaca extension for creation care retreat.
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13 Days
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Full circuit: Lima, Cusco/Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Amazon/Titicaca, and coastal rest in Paracas or Miraflores.
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Adds multiple donor storytelling events, market tours, and leadership workshops.
Best Time to Go
- Dry season (May–September) offers sunny days, crisp evenings, and optimal trekking.
- Shoulder months (April, October) deliver fewer crowds but occasional showers.
- Rainy season (November–March) brings lush landscapes but bigger storms; Machu Picchu remains open with flexible planning.
- Altitude requires acclimation; we schedule rest, hydration, and gradual ascent.
Group Logistics
- Airports: Lima (LIM), Cusco (CUZ), Puerto Maldonado (PEM), Juliaca (JUL) for Titicaca, Iquitos (IQT) for Amazon.
- Transport: domestic flights, private coaches, trains to Machu Picchu (PeruRail/Inca Rail), boats for Amazon or Titicaca.
- Lodging: guesthouses, city hotels, Sacred Valley inns, Amazon eco-lodges, and coastal resorts.
- Meals: Peruvian cuisine—ceviche, lomo saltado, quinoa, tropical fruit; we manage safe food/water and dietary needs.
- Mobility: moderate—temple stairs, high altitude, uneven paths; we provide rest breaks, oxygen support (if needed), and accessible alternatives.
Fundraising & Storytelling
- Sunset at Huaca Pucllana, Andean musician dinners, Machu Picchu overlooks, Amazon river evenings, and coastal rest create natural storytelling and donor touchpoints.
Extensions & Combos
- Pair with Ecuador and the Galápagos or Bolivia for extended Andean circuits.
- Add Chile or Argentina for broader South America partnerships.
Safety & Stewardship Notes
We coordinate altitude acclimation, water filtration, and secure transportation. Partners provide context-sensitive programs, ensuring teams respect local culture while staying healthy and safe.
FAQs
- Q: Do we need visas? A: U.S. travelers enter visa-free up to 183 days; we guide other nationalities through requirements.
- Q: How do we handle altitude? A: We schedule acclimation, hydration, light activity on first days in Cusco, and optional oxygen support.
- Q: Can donors join? A: Yes—Peru offers powerful community engagement plus Machu Picchu and Amazon retreats perfect for donor engagement.
- Q: How far ahead should we plan? A: Reserve 9–12 months for peak dry season, Machu Picchu permits, and Amazon lodges.
- Q: Are vaccinations required? A: None mandatory; yellow fever recommended for Amazon, plus standard travel immunizations—we provide guidance.
Review fundraising ideas in our travel commissions guide, or add Peru to your request via the lead form when you’re ready to plan.
Highlights
- Lima: heritage sites, culinary culture, and coastal programming
- Cusco & Sacred Valley: Inca heritage, village programs, and altitude-friendly pacing
- Machu Picchu: pilgrimage, storytelling, and donor appreciation
- Amazon Basin or Lake Titicaca: creation care retreats, indigenous partnerships, and rest
Fundraising for Churches
How Churches Use Peru
- Lima worship and service with churches tackling education, healthcare, and trafficking prevention
- Sacred Valley outreach supporting rural congregations, water projects, and discipleship amid Andean villages
- Machu Picchu pilgrimage coupling history, prayer, and donor appreciation atop the ruins
- Amazon Basin or Lake Titicaca retreats for creation care, indigenous partnerships, and sabbath reflection
What Works Well
- 8–10 day itineraries linking Lima ministry with Sacred Valley outreach and one retreat block (Amazon, Titicaca, or coastal Paracas)
- Morning worship/teaching windows in churches, mission compounds, or mountain lodges before projects and cultural experiences
- Altitude-aware pacing with acclimation days, hydration, and evening debrief to process transformation
- Fundraising moments: rooftop worship in Lima, Andean music dinners, Machu Picchu devotion, and riverboat sabbath in the Amazon
We coordinate logistics, acclimation, and partner alignment so pastors can shepherd teams, honor donors, and steward cross-cultural relationships.
Sample Ministry Focus
- Lima orientation with partner church, coastal prayer walk, and evening worship with local musicians
- Sacred Valley service days (construction, clinics, microenterprise) followed by storytelling around campfires or hot springs
- Machu Picchu pilgrimage at sunrise with devotion, donor appreciation dinner in Aguas Calientes, and reflection back in Cusco
- Amazon or Lake Titicaca retreat featuring boat worship, indigenous cultural exchange, and sabbath before returning to Lima
What ETS Tours Provides Here
- Custom routing across Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Amazon/Titicaca, and optional Paracas or coastal extensions with licensed guides
- Worship logistics: church permissions, translation, portable sound, communion supplies, and contextualized liturgy planning
- Transportation: international/domestic flights, trains to Machu Picchu, private coaches, boats, and luggage handling
- Ministry partner vetting: churches, NGOs, schools, clinics, water projects, and social enterprises across Peru
- Hospitality touches: mission guesthouses, Sacred Valley inns, jungle eco-lodges, coastal retreats, and Peruvian culinary experiences
- Fundraising support: donor gifting (textiles, coffee, chocolate), storytelling templates, generosity prompts, and post-trip follow-up kits
- Safety planning: altitude acclimation, medical readiness, hydration protocol, weather monitoring, and flexible scheduling if conditions shift
Talk with us to map your Peru ministry itinerary, or add Peru to your request at the lead form.