Peru Medical Mission & Andean Adventure

Amazon Medical Mission • Lares Trek • Machu Picchu

Join Ed-Ventures in Missions for an unforgettable two-week journey through Peru that combines meaningful service, cultural connection, adventure, and personal renewal.

Our journey begins deep in the Peruvian Amazon, where EVM volunteers will partner with Amazon Promise to provide medical outreach to remote river communities. After completing our mission in the jungle, we will travel into the Andes, acclimate in historic Cusco, and embark on a four-day Lares Trek experience culminating at Machu Picchu.

This is more than a trip to Peru. It is an opportunity to serve, explore, connect with others, challenge yourself, and return home with a renewed perspective.

Tentative Itinerary

Day 1 | Depart St. Louis

Our adventure begins! The EVM team departs St. Louis, Missouri, for Lima, Peru.

Overnight: In transit

Day 2 | Welcome to Peru: Lima → Iquitos

We arrive in Lima early in the morning. Team members will have an opportunity to store luggage and equipment that will not be needed during the Amazon portion of the trip.

We then fly north to Iquitos, the gateway to the Peruvian Amazon.

After arriving in Iquitos, we will check into our accommodations and have the remainder of the day to unpack, organize equipment, eat, explore nearby areas if time permits, and rest after our international travel.

Overnight: Iquitos

Day 3 | Journey Into the Amazon

In the morning, the EVM team meets our partners at Amazon Promise. Together, we begin our journey by road and river toward our jungle base camp in the Pacaya-Samiria region.

After arriving at camp, volunteers will settle in, become familiar with the surroundings, organize medical supplies and equipment, and prepare for the upcoming clinic days.

This is where the medical mission truly begins.

Overnight: Amazon jungle base camp

Day 4 | Amazon Medical Clinic Day 1

Our first full day of medical outreach.

The EVM and Amazon Promise teams will travel to a remote river community and establish a temporary medical clinic. Volunteers will work together to provide care and support based on the needs of the community and the capabilities of our team.

Overnight: Amazon jungle base camp

Day 5 | Amazon Medical Clinic Day 2

We continue deeper into our medical mission with another day of community-based outreach.

Each clinic may look different depending on the size and needs of the community, the number of volunteers and healthcare providers participating, and local logistical conditions.

Overnight: Amazon jungle base camp

Day 6 | Amazon Medical Clinic Day 3

Our third clinic day continues the partnership between EVM, Amazon Promise, and the communities we are privileged to serve.

Travel between communities may include journeys by boat through the rivers and waterways of the Amazon.

Overnight: Amazon jungle base camp

Day 7 | Amazon Medical Clinic Day 4

Our final scheduled clinic day.

Following the day's outreach, the team will return to camp, organize remaining supplies and equipment, and prepare for our departure from the jungle.

Overnight: Amazon jungle base camp

Day 8 | Return to Iquitos

We say goodbye to our jungle base camp and make the journey back to Iquitos.

Once in the city, the remainder of the day is intentionally left open for recovery. Volunteers can shower, do laundry, enjoy local food, explore Iquitos, reconnect with civilization, and rest.

After several demanding days in the Amazon, this is our opportunity to recharge before beginning the second chapter of the adventure.

Overnight: Iquitos

Day 9 | Amazon → Andes: Iquitos → Lima → Cusco

We leave the Amazon behind and begin our journey into the Andes.

The team flies from Iquitos to Lima, retrieves luggage stored for the Andean portion of the trip, and continues to Cusco.

Because Cusco sits at high altitude, the evening will remain intentionally relaxed. Our priorities are hydration, food, rest, and beginning the acclimatization process.

Overnight: Cusco

Day 10 | Cusco Acclimatization & Preparation Day

Today is dedicated to adjusting to the altitude and preparing for our trek.

Participants will have time for easy exploration of Cusco, local food, rest, hydration, gear preparation, and final organization.

We will also complete our trek briefing and prepare our daypacks and duffel bags for the Lares adventure.

Overnight: Cusco

The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

Day 11 | Lares Trek Day 1

Cusco → Lares Region → Hot Springs → Andean Trail

We leave Cusco early and travel into the spectacular Lares region of the Andes.

Our first day introduces us to the landscapes, communities, and culture of the Sacred Valley and Lares region. The experience may include time at the Lares thermal baths before beginning our trek into the mountains.

We hike through beautiful Andean scenery toward our first campsite and settle in for our first night under the mountain sky.

Overnight: Lares Trek camp

Day 12 | Lares Trek Day 2

High Andes & Mountain Pass

This is expected to be our most challenging and rewarding trekking day.

We climb through dramatic high-altitude terrain toward the highest point of our route, potentially reaching elevations above 15,000 feet depending on the final itinerary.

Along the way, we encounter alpine lakes, sweeping mountain landscapes, llamas and alpacas, and traditional Andean communities.

After reaching the high pass, we descend toward the Cancha Cancha region for our second night on the trail.

Overnight: Lares Trek camp

Day 13 | Lares Trek Day 3

Cancha Cancha → Sacred Valley → Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes

Our final trekking day takes us down from the high Andes toward the Sacred Valley.

The day's journey may include cultural experiences and a visit to the famous Maras salt mines before continuing toward historic Ollantaytambo.

From Ollantaytambo, we board the train for one of the most anticipated destinations of the journey: Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu.

After two nights of camping, we enjoy a hotel, shower, dinner, and a well-earned night's rest.

Overnight: Aguas Calientes

Day 14 | Machu Picchu

Today we experience one of the world's most extraordinary archaeological and cultural treasures: Machu Picchu.

We travel from Aguas Calientes to the ancient Inca citadel for a guided visit and time to experience the history, architecture, mountains, and remarkable setting of Machu Picchu.

After our visit, we return to Aguas Calientes and begin our journey by train and ground transportation back to Cusco.

Tonight marks the completion of an incredible journey from the rivers of the Amazon to the peaks of the Andes.

Overnight: Cusco

Day 15 | Begin the Journey Home

After breakfast and final preparations, we begin our return journey.

The team flies from Cusco to Lima and connects with our international flight back to the United States.

Depending on flight schedules, participants may arrive in St. Louis on Day 16.

One Journey. Two Worlds. A Greater Purpose.

In approximately two weeks, participants will experience two dramatically different regions of Peru.

We will travel by boat into remote Amazon communities to serve alongside local partners. We will experience the people, rivers, wildlife, and culture of the Peruvian Amazon. Then we will climb into the Andes, walk through traditional mountain communities, cross high-altitude landscapes, and ultimately arrive at Machu Picchu.

The medical mission and the adventure are intentionally connected.

We serve. We connect. We explore. We challenge ourselves. And we return home carrying a different perspective on the world and our place within it.

Important Note

This itinerary is tentative and subject to change. Specific clinic communities, transportation schedules, accommodations, trekking routes, activities, and flight schedules may be adjusted based on team size, provider availability, community needs, weather, river conditions, permits, local conditions, and other logistical considerations.

The Lares Trek portion is modeled after a four-day Lares-to-Machu-Picchu experience. Final trekking details will be determined in coordination with our selected local trekking partner.