Peru: Sacred Valley to Sacred Stories
Faith in Action
Cusco, Peru
Vacation Bible School & Andean Discovery
Did You Know?
Cusco was once the capital of the Inca Empire and its name means “navel of the world” in Quechua — the Incas believed the city was the literal center of the universe. Quechua is still spoken by millions of Peruvians today, and many of the children your team will serve grow up bilingual in Quechua and Spanish.
From the Sacred Valley to Sacred Stories
Vacation Bible School is not a performance your team puts on for a community; it's a bridge your team builds with one. Every song taught, every craft made, every game played becomes a doorway into a Bible story, and every Bible story becomes a seed planted in soil your team may never see grow. Students who serve in VBS come home changed — not because they gave a week away, but because they discovered what it feels like to be Christ's hands in a place that has been waiting for them.
The Worldwide Faith in Action Difference
Cross-Cultural Ministry • Daily Devotions • Local Church Partnership • Servant Leadership • Andean Culture & History • 1 Week of Hands-On Service
The Worldwide Navigators Difference
Sojourn – Gain a better understanding of the community you’re visiting. Learn about different religions or spiritual practices. How do these impact the communities? How does religion or spirituality influence local traditions?
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Savor – Will you choose sweet or savory? Take the time to visit local markets and discover unique local ingredients. Learn how to prepare traditional meals & local favorites.
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Tip of the Tongue – Each morning, take the time to learn a few basic greetings and phrases in the local language. Learn how to write greetings & your name in the local script.
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A Wrinkle in Time – History influences our present. Discover the history of the country you visit. Hear the stories of your guides & their family history. Where do they come from?
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Journal Journeys – Take some time to reflect on the day’s events and document your journey. Spend a moment journaling about the day had & day ahead. These are memories for a lifetime!
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Culture – From local dances, festivals, or simple gestures to communicate – all of these make up a country’s culture. Learn and practice cultural norms & how to show respect in the culture you visit.
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Welcome to Peru! After arriving into Cusco (11,152 ft.), we’ll take it easy to acclimate to the altitude. Settle into our accommodations, meet the team, and gather for a welcome dinner featuring local Andean dishes. Opening devotional and orientation: what does it mean to serve as the hands and feet of Christ in a new culture?
This morning we’ll explore the historic heart of Cusco — the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, and the Inca stonework of Sacsayhuamán, an ancient fortress overlooking the city. In the afternoon, travel into the Sacred Valley to learn about Quechua weaving traditions and the region’s agricultural terraces. Evening devotional on cultivating a servant’s heart.
Travel to the community where we’ll be serving all week and meet our long-term missionary partners and local church leaders. Tour the school or church facility where VBS will take place. Team training on games, crafts, and Bible lesson delivery, plus cultural orientation led by our local partners. Devotional: praying for the week ahead.
Our week of service begins! Mornings will be spent leading Vacation Bible School — Bible stories, worship songs, crafts, and games — for local children. Afternoons include team debrief and reflection on the day’s ministry, plus free time to build relationships with community members.
Continue VBS programming with the children. Team members rotate through teaching stations: storytelling, arts and crafts, music, and recreation. Afternoon: home or community visits alongside our local church partners.
VBS continues, with today’s Bible lesson focused on community and belonging. In the afternoon, join a service project alongside the local congregation — this may include light facility improvements, a meal distribution, or a neighborhood outreach event.
VBS programming continues. Today’s theme centers on identity and being known by God. Evening: shared meal and time of worship with the local church family.
Our final day of VBS wraps with a closing celebration — performances, certificates, and a farewell fiesta with the children and their families. Time for the team to say goodbye and reflect on the relationships built this week.
A full-day excursion to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Travel by train through the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes, then up to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu, 7,970 ft. above sea level. Time for guided exploration, reflection, and team photos before returning to Cusco.
Final group devotional and debrief: what did God teach us this week? Time for last-minute souvenir shopping in Cusco before heading to the airport for your international flight home.
Choose Your Impact
Every Faith in Action trip pairs a full week of hands-on service with a tour component that immerses students in local history, culture, and faith. This Cusco itinerary can be shortened, extended, or modified to fit your school’s calendar and budget.
- Value — 7–8 Day Group Trips
Airfare • Ground Transportation • 2.5–3 Star Accommodations • Daily Devotions & Debriefs • 2 Meals Per Day • Tour Entrance Fees • Daytime Tour Director • 1 Week of Service (VBS)
- Classic — 9–10 Day Group Trips
Airfare • Ground Transportation • 2.5–3 Star Accommodations • Daily Devotions & Debriefs • 2 Meals Per Day • Tours & Entrance Fees (incl. Machu Picchu) • Daytime Guided Tour Director • 1 Week of Service (VBS) + Cultural Excursions
- Epic — 10–12 Day Group Trips
Airfare • Ground Transportation • 3.5–4 Star Accommodations • Daily Devotions & Debriefs • 2 Meals Per Day • Tours & Entrance Fees (incl. Machu Picchu) • 24/7 Guided Tour Director • 1 Week of Service (VBS) + Extended Cultural Immersion • Final Night Celebration Dinner & Commissioning Service
Interested in adding or modifying activities? All Faith in Action itineraries can be customized — extend the service week, add a second conservation partner, or swap in additional cultural excursions.
About Worldwide Navigators
Worldwide Navigators is a full-service travel agency that fosters an environment where curiosity can flourish, lead to learning, and expand the breadth of a traveler’s global understanding. With 20 years of experience planning medical missions through International Medical Relief, we provide groups with a unique, safe, and culturally-engaging adventure. Through comprehensive tour consulting, itinerary customization and purpose at the heart of each tour, every traveler is sure to have a unique and powerful experience.