Working Without Borders is delighted to announce its 2nd annual program in the Andes mountains of South America, exploring Peruvian culture and the astonishing legacy of the Inca people. World-renowned for the wondrous archaeological ruins of Machu Picchu, you and your family will have the opportunity to immerse yourselves in a region where the landscape surrounds you with soaring mountains and rushing rivers. All of your senses will be awakened by lively villages bustling with friendly people wrapped in the bright, vivid colors of their traditional textiles, with their distinctive music, their unique cuisine. Visiting parents, kids and teens will have an unforgettable experience as a family, making new friends and discovering one of the planet’s most remarkable regions.
Kids and teens ages 7 to 16 will have the unique opportunity to spend their days with local, similarly aged Peruvian youth for learning projects and cultural excursions. Their time together will provide a language immersion for visiting youth and opportunities to explore abundant nature while participating in field trips and workshops in various aspects of Peruvian culture such as pottery, cooking and outdoor adventure.
Parents can spend their weekdays working remotely, exploring nearby villages, choosing an outdoor adventure activity, or participating in a workshop to learn about fascinating aspects of Peruvian culture.
Evenings and weekends will bring families together to connect, spend time with newfound friends in the program as well as local families.
On Mondays through Thursdays, visiting kids and teens in two groups (ages 7-11 & 12-16) will join similarly-aged local students in nearby schools from approximately 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. Visiting and local youth will team up on uniquely curated learning projects related to exploration of the Peruvian Andes, its distinctive culture and local natural resources. They will embark on guided excursions to ancient archaeological sites, museums, and natural attractions in the Andean mountains and valleys.
All age groups will have the unique opportunity to immerse in another language and culture in stimulating and supportive guided learning environments.
Parents have plenty of options to fill their weekdays. They can:
*A list of cultural workshops and outdoor activities will be provided, bookable at each family’s option for an additional fee.
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Each Friday, kids and teens will enjoy a “Pizza and Movie Night” (supervised by the Local Hosts in the 'Community Bungalow') while parents enjoy an evening of cocktails, Peruvian culinary treats and expert speakers sharing their knowledge of local culture and customs. Likely topics include:
A screening of "Opening the Earth: The Potato King" documenting the life of Julio Hancco, local guardian of Andean biodiversity.
Andean views of the cosmos and spirituality under vistas of the clear night sky.
Food and drink in ancient Peru and their evolution to modern cuisine.
On the weekends, participating families will have the chance to explore their surroundings with other trip participants and local families!
Join other participating families in a Welcome Picnic at a fascinating archaeological site in nearby Pisac, a riverside town renowned for its Incan ruins and vibrant marketplace.
In an unforgettable day of cultural exchange, get to know local families (whose kids have been spending their days with yours) in a beautiful outdoor setting on the shore of Piuray Lake, complete with breathtaking views of the mountains. Families will connect through group sports such as football/soccer and volleyball as well as the opportunity to try a variety of outdoor activities such as mountain biking, kayaking/canoeing, and bow & arrows (available for an additional fee).
Learn about traditional Andean culture that has survived for thousands of years. Spend the day with the humble and hospitable people of a local Quechua community. Proud indigenous families will invite you to join them in their daily activities, such as traditional farming, animal breeding and weaving. Everyone will share a delicious local lunch together.
Explore the archaeological park of Machu Picchu, one of the great wonders of the ancient world, a marvel of engineering ingenuity. Enjoy a privately guided tour of the ancient Incan ruins, learning about farming terraces, worship areas, temples, and dwellings of the tribes who inhabited the area. The panoramic train that brings visitors to the Machu Picchu gateway village of Aguas Calientes is an incredible journey through dramatically contrasting landscapes, from the Andean Valley surrounded by snow-capped mountains to the mist-shrouded wooded wonderland of the Peruvian Cloud Forest.
Families will delight in their overnight stay in Aguas Calientes at the beautiful InkaTerra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, a fantastic property amid spectacular gardens, immersing guests in the famed cloud forest. A variety of guided excursions within the hotel property are included in the overnight stay, including birdwatching and nature walks highlighting the local flora and fauna.
Visiting families will enjoy a guided tour of the city of Cusco as well as the opportunity to have lunch together and buy souvenirs and crafts from local artisans.
Later that day, all visiting families, local families and teachers from the schools will enjoy a beautiful late afternoon & evening celebrating cross-cultural connections, friendship, and practicing languages. Everyone will gather at a local cafe with an expansive courtyard and outdoor activities for kids as well as live music and a bonfire.
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Families will spend the month on the outskirts of the quaint and typical Andean village of Calca, about 30 miles from Cusco. Here, nestled in the foothills of the Andes Mountains and alongside the Urubamba River, discover a delightful collection of spacious modern bungalows and cabins designed in rustic chic style, providing an idyllic home-away-from-home for visiting families. With two to four bedrooms, the bungalows and cabins offer conveniently designed accommodation to suit a range of family sizes.
Each villa has:
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The Sacred Valley of Peru, at an altitude of over 9,000 feet, has pleasantly cool daytime temperatures averaging in the high 60s during June and July. Early mornings and evenings can get chilly, so bring extra layers of clothing.
The small village of Calca can be reached via a 5 minute drive or 15 minute walk (on a path along the river, directly accessible from the bungalows and cabins). Calca has preserved features of what an indigenous Andean town looked like before Spanish colonization and often is a highlight for visitors seeking to avoid tourist-packed destinations. The Sunday market attracts local farmers and artisans from traditional mountain communities who offer an array of mouth-watering food as well as distinctive textiles, and eye-catching crafts. Delight in the proximity of shops, grocery stores, cafes, and restaurants that fill this picturesque town.
A 25-minute drive past Calca leads to the slightly larger community of Pisac, known for its ancient Incan ruins on the surrounding canyon walls and a large, lively weekend market that fills the plaza to overflowing with the breathtaking colors of textiles from local weavers as well as the fruits and vegetables of regional farmers.
Families benefit from being part of a congenial and supportive community. Prior to departure, video calls will be organized and a private Facebook Group will be set up so participants can get to know each other before the trip. Participants will also be connected via WhatsApp so they can easily coordinate meet-ups and stay in touch. A sense of camaraderie will arise through shared experiences like potluck dinners, impromptu get-togethers, and playdates.
We are delighted to partner with Nicolas Ramirez and the extraordinary team at Tanit Trails for this immersive adventure in the Sacred Valley. The company specializes in providing authentic cultural learning experiences and exploration of nature and history for visitors to their beloved Peru. Nico and his team bring an incredible depth and breadth of knowledge about Andean and Peruvian culture as well a huge range of expertise in outdoor adventure sports and activities. Their passion for their work will become apparent to all who interact with them.
A core value guiding our program is Contribution. We aim to contribute directly to the community members who graciously host and guide our families, sharing their lives and cultural traditions with us. Often this leads naturally to lifelong friendships that you and your children will cherish. To this end, a donation to the two local schools has been built into each family’s program fees. By your participation, you are contributing to unforgettable cross-cultural experiences for all the kids.
Pricing is based on the number of family members and the type of villa (of which there are five). The base price is for a family of one parent and one child aged 7 to 11 or one parent and one teen aged 12 - 16. Pricing includes accommodations, youth programming, weekend excursions, and more. You can see a detailed list of What's Included under the Invoice tab.
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Applications are being reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis. The program is highly selective and participation is strictly limited, accepting a maximum of eight families. The application process consists of submitting an online form describing your family, which typically takes about ten minutes. Just 'Express Interest' and you will immediately gain access to the application form.
CST 2148820-50
Calca, Peru 
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