About Peru

The land of gold and of the sun worshipping Incas, Peru was 16th century Europe’s major source of treasure and once the home of the largest empire in the Americas. Since then, the riches of the Incas have evoked the world’s imagination, although much of the country’s appeal lies in the sheer beauty of its landscapes, the abundance of wildlife and the strong, colourful character of the people. Ancient ruins only hint at the first chapter of the story. Although the bloody Spanish Conquest shattered the traditional Inca world in the 16th century, the legacy of this ancient culture is still very much alive. Roughly half of Peru’s 23 million people are of pure Incan origin, often living in remote mountain villages. They still speak Quechua or Aymara of their ancestors and many of their beliefs and customs are a mixture of traditional Andean ways and the culture brought by the Spanish. Peru remains one of the world’s great travel destinations.

Programs Available

• Volunteer Program