Latin America » Peru & Galapagos: Land of Discovery

Peru & Galapagos: Land of Discovery ™
These programs range from four to six weeks and represent the pinnacle of the GLA experience. These in-depth programs give students the opportunity to experience two different countries. Staff in each country engage students in discussion to link common themes woven throughout the program. Through these comparisons, students can contextualize the issues and attributes of a particular region versus simply visiting one country.

Journey to the land of two of history’s greatest discoveries.

Highlights

Retrace the steps of Charles Darwin
Hike to the lost city of Machu Picchu – Check out this video!
Help preserve endangered tortoises
Zip-line through forests and whitewater raft down mountain rivers – Check out this video!
Volunteer in indigenous Quechua communities
Snorkel with sea lions

Overview

When Charles Darwin and Hiram Bingham made their discoveries in South America, they changed the world forever. Today, the Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu are two of the unique places on earth that continue to attract explorers fascinated by the pristine natural setting of the islands and the breathtaking scale of a lost Incan city. Combining our programs in Peru and Ecuador is the perfect way to discover these same wonders for yourself, and to make important discoveries of your own.

Watch video: Overview of the Peru part of the program

Read student blog : GLA Alum Hannah Gilbert how biology comes to life in The Galapagos.

Community Service

While in the Galapagos, spend five days working to preserve the natural habitat of the endangered giant tortoises. We’ll work to clear out invasive plants, litter and foreign species. In Peru, we’ll spend the entire time helping to build clean-burning stoves and green houses to grow vegetables, while also engaging the local children in sports and teaching them conversational English.

Hands-On Learning

Both countries are among the most intellectually stimulating places in the world. In the Galapagos, you’ll witness the incredible biodiversity which helped Darwin formulate his thinking on natural selection. Peru is an anthropological marvel where Quechua communities maintain the language and traditions that have existed since the Inca Empire. We’ll meet with non-profit leaders, shamans and historians to shed light on this fascinating region.

Adventure

This journey through South America promises to be the experience of a lifetime. The Galapagos archipelago is one of the last places on Earth where humans and wild animals peacefully co-exist. You can respectfully approach the animals while they remain blissfully indifferent to your presence. The Peruvian Andes hold an array of outdoor adventures – from whitewater rafting, cycling to hiking the fabled Inca trail – you’ll truly explore this land of discovery.

Lodging

In the Galapagos Islands, our Home Base is a small, family-run hotel. Students share a room with roommates. In Peru, our Home Base is a small hotel in the town of Cusco where staff and students live together in gender-segregated rooms.