The Lanes Less Traveled
Family trip: Peru, August, 2027
Cordillera Blanca, Ancash, Peru
Complete a bucket list trip with us!
Unique, authentic cultural experiences with a group of likeminded, faith filled families.
Hikes in the highest mountain range in the Americas.
Discovering villages around Huaraz and mineral hot springs.
Eating AMAZING fresh local foods.
Beginner and intermediate surfing lessons in Lima.
Exploring pre-Incan ruins.
Camping under the stars in the Andes.
Laguna 69 hike.
Geared towards families with at least one teen to build a teen community.
This Peru trip explores Lima for 2 nights, followed by 7 nights in the hidden gem of the Ancash region of Peru and has the option of including Cusco and Machu Picchu for another 3 nights!
MAIN TRIP PACKAGE 10 NIGHTS
TRIP DATES: JULY 18- 28, 2027
ONLY 7 AVAILABLE SPOTS.
Trip cost: $5200
(Family of 2 adults, 2 or 3 children. Additional adults 19+ $700; children $400)
Single-child families: $4800
SAVE $364
Payments made in full: 7% off!
Total: 4836.00
We use the Wise Banking app for the best international currency exchange and transfer rates.
Payment plans also available:
3 equal payments of 1733.00: Your first payment is your deposit.
Deposits are transferable but not refundable.
Swipe through to discover our photos of this beautiful corner of the world; it's a mystery why more people aren't talking about Ancash!!!
WANNA KNOCK IT OFF THE BUCKET LIST WHILE IN PERU??
CUSCO / MACHU PICCHU 3-NIGHT PACKAGE ADD-ON
TRIP DATES: JULY 27 - 31, 2027
$950 PER PERSON
(To be paid in full by October 15)
Includes:
2-night stay in Cusco
Airport transportation to hotel
Breakfasts
Sacsayhuaman and City tour
Train Tickets to Aguas Calientes
Bus transfers to Machu Picchu
1-night stay in Aguas Calientes
Machu Picchu permits
All logistical planning to keep your trip care-free and family-focused!
Hosted by the Culture Chalk family, for families.
We are SO excited to share this adventure with you!
Main Package
What is included:
10 Nights Accommodations
Meals: 9 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 2 Suppers
Delicious snacks, smoothies and refreshments
Gear for Laguna 69 Hike
Local guides
English-speaking host and leader who will be with group for the duration of the trip.
Airport transportation in Huaraz
First-class group night bus from Lima to Huaraz
Transportation throughout the department of Ancash
Activities:
Hiking tours:
Hidden waterfall hike
Laguna Paron
Laguna 69
1 night of camping under the stars in the Andes
(Camp will be set up for our group's arrival!)
Experiences like cooking with local families
Hot springs visit.
Special and authentic experiences too amazing to describe!
WhatsApp group chat leading up to the trip for continual support and questions answered.
What is not included:
Flights
Personal Travel Insurance (Required)
Gratuity for guides/hotel staff - please account for 5%
A-la-carte meals out while exploring Huaraz
Park passes that need to be paid in person by guests. (15-30 soles, or $5-8 per person when we visit national parks, not Machu Picchu)
DAY 1
July 18
Please send us your flight itineraries, and we will send detailed information on your transportation from the airport to the accommodations.
Arrival at the hotel in Lima
Settling into the accommodations
Orientation and itinerary overview
Dinner reservation
Night walk along the Miraflores malecon sea wall
Gelato at 2D restaurant Helarte.
DAY 2
July 19
Delicious buffet breakfast at our accommodations.
Walk through the city to the beach and SURF LESSONS for kids!
Lunch time
(Families will be given a restaurant list)
Explore the amazing Larcomar Mall, Kennedy Cat park and try Peruvian desserts and delicacies!
Free time to explore with your family or others.
Teens can head to the climbing gym to bond and practice bouldering.
DAY 3
July 20
Buffet Breakfast at our accommodations.
(Pack up and leave bags at reception.)
Morning
Visit to Lima's historic city centre, San Francisco catacombs (optional) and a petting zoo to feed llamas and goats.
Traditional lunch recommendations given for families to split up into groups and enjoy together.
Afternoon
Free time to enjoy the city:
Ruins
Climbing gym
Dinner at the park
Transportation to the bus terminal to catch our "bed-bus" to Ancash as a group!
DAY 4
July 21
6:00 - 7:00 am
Arrival and settle into accommodations
Breakfast and group orientation reviewing the schedule, safety, and the city of Huaraz.
A morning to rest and take it slow,
(the altitude is no joke)
Shuttle to the Monterrey mineral hot springs for those that want to get out and enjoy their new surroundings.
Lunch spread at accommodations, games, guided walks.
DAY 5
July 22
Team building
Each group will use the link (above) to compete in our "Amazing Race - Huaraz edition!. See photos of places in Huaraz to replicate, along with a list of challenges to complete.
These challenges include local experiences like:
Catching a cab, taking public transit, purchasing specific items, and tasting certain foods. Each group will have a culture chalk staff member who will be present ONLY for support if the team gets lost! Fun prizes; bring your A-game.
1:00-2:00
Lunch
Free time to explore/shop
DAY 6
July 23
Laguna Paron
(Paramount Pictures mountain)
6:30
Coca tea and fruit
Shuttle to Huaraz National Park
A stop for breakfast on the way.
A 45-minute hike to adjust to the altitude and train for Laguna 69
Those of you who would like to kayak on the turquoise lake, bring 20 soles for your kayak rental. (Paid in person)
Snacks provided at the end of the hike.
Late lunch on the way back to Huaraz
Free time in the evening upon our return to the accommodations.
DAY 8
JULY 25
Slow morning to sleep in and rest.
6:30 am
Breakfast
Day trip to Pastoruri Glacier
The shuttle will arrive after breakfast, whisking the group to Huascaran National Park. At 16400 ft above sea level, this one is a heartpouder and another great prep-hike before our overnighter to Laguna 69.
For those who want to enjoy a horseback ride instead of the hike, it is 30 soles round-trip or 15 soles one-way. (Horses will get you to about 20 minutes from the glacier)
Evening
Charcuterie night in each townhouse unit. Guests will be encouraged to "make rounds to each unit to mingle."
DAY 7
JULY 24
Slow morning to sleep in and rest.
9:00 am
Breakfast
10:15
Day trip to Honcopampa
The shuttle will arrive after breakfast and take the group to a local gem... a hike up to a waterfall, with a meal prepared by an Andean family upon returning to the trailhead. A pristine landscape, definitely off the beaten path!
Learning about sheep and spinning wool with local shepherds.
Evening
Pizza night at the hotel and an opportunity to share highlights.
DAY 9
July 26
Breakfast at accommodations
Morning to explore the market, museums and rest before the big hike!
Picnic lunch of empanadas and fruit served.
After lunch, we will take the shuttle to Cebolla Pampa to camp: dinner served and tents ready for a night under the stars! This is a strategic move to acclimate overnight before "the big hike," allowing us to get an early start for the Laguna 69 hike the following day.
Stargazing, hot chocolate and panettone sweetbread.
DAY 10
JULY 27
THE BIG HIKE
Wake up in tents and have breakfast
Hike to Laguna 69
Picnic lunch, group photos
Complete the hike route, then shuttle back to Huaraz for a final dinner together, rest, and sharing!
For any families needing to stay back: Morning trip to visit a local family or hot springs after breakfast.
DAY 11
JULY 28
Early breakfast
Goodbyes, or continuing to Cusco!
Flights leaving from Huaraz to Lima at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm; for those going to Cusco, the 9:00 am flight is recommended.
Meeting in Cusco for dinner and a walk up to the San Cristobal lookout point.
Sleep in and REST!!!
CUSCO
Day 12
JULY 29
Buffet Breakfast at the hotel
A special tour of Saqsayhuaman, led by a local family with an authentic meal cooked for our group in a clay oven built specially for our arrival. See Huatia Earth Oven here.
Evening free for families to shop Cusco and enjoy some downtime.
Day 13
JULY 30
Early wake-up and breakfast to be at the train station by 6:15.
(The good news: the train station is half a block away)
Catch the Expo-Dome train to Aguas Calientes. Pack light and leave bags at the reception of our accommodations in Cusco to avoid luggage charges on the train.
Embark on an amazing adventure to Aguas Calientes, the portal town to Machu Picchu. Once we arrive, we'll enjoy time to rest, have lunch, run around and play soccer at the field, enjoy the butterfly sanctuary or the Aguas Calientes hot springs and waterfall.
Light evening to stroll through this magical town,
Day 14
JULY 31
Up early to enjoy a 5:30 breakfast and off to... (drumroll)
Machu Picchu!
We'll hike, enjoy the amazing citadel and learn about its history for the morning.
Afternoon train ride back to Cusco
Goodbyes
Trip officially ends
Book evening flights back to Lima or extend one night to leave the morning of August 1st.
Giving Back
There's no two ways about it, when you go somewhere, you leave footprints. We believe in responsible tourism and want our guests to leave a positive mark wherever we visit together. We engage with the local community and humanitarian organizations to ensure we are giving as much as we take during our visits.
Where you'll be staying while in Huaraz, Peru:
Each one of the townhouses offered in this package boast two to three bedrooms in a beautiful boutique hotel complex in the heart of Huaraz. We are dedicated to the comfort of our families during each adventure we take on!
Beautiful location, local decor.
HIKING PACK LIST!
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Head lamp
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Portable charger
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Medications if needed (acetaminophen is recommended to have on hand)
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Electrolyte tabs
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Dry bag (for passports and wallets)
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Walking stick or poles (optional)
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Daypack (10-20 litre capacity)
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Water bottles, 4 litre capacity recommended
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Extra snacks: granola bars, chocolate, nuts.
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Layers of Clothing: Huascaran hikes get gradually colder and colder.
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Mitts and beanie
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Hiking shoes
CLOTHES PACK LIST
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7-8 Pairs socks and underwear
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Rain Jacket
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4 Pants
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Comfortable hiking pants
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3 pairs of shorts
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8 shirts/tops
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Toiletries, brush, hair ellastics
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Swimwear
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Sandals -hiking type recommended for versatility
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Sport Bras
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Base layer of thermo-wear
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Jacket AND sweater
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Walking shoes
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Earplugs and headphones
GENERAL INFORMATION
Respecting Our Hosts
Huaraz is a deeply traditional and conservative community. As guests, we ask that you dress modestly and conduct yourself with respect for the people who are welcoming us into their homes and communities.
Bringing a small gift is optional but appreciated, especially for some of the families we will be supporting during our time in the community. Thoughtful gift ideas include quality socks, non-language-dependent games (such as UNO, a quality deck of cards, or Blokus), children's toys, or a high-quality kitchen utensil or gadget.
A Cultural Experience
As our name, Culture Chalk, suggests, we specialize in cultural education. As your guide—and someone who was raised in Peru—I (Owen) genuinely want you to experience the very best of Peruvian culture while representing your own culture with respect, sensitivity, and an open mind.
Experiencing a new culture can be both exciting and challenging. Even when new experiences are positive, they are still different, and different can sometimes feel uncomfortable. We encourage everyone to approach this journey with curiosity, humility, and a willingness to appreciate Peru for what it is, rather than comparing it to what it is not.
Embrace the Experience
Peru is vibrant, lively, and full of energy. Roosters crow, dogs bark, music fills the streets, and fireworks may be set off at any hour of the day. This is simply part of everyday life here.
Come ready to laugh, dance, sing, connect with people, and perhaps even discover a new perspective on yourself.
And one practical tip: if you're a light sleeper, don't forget to pack earplugs! 😉
Our goal as your hosts is simple: we hope you leave having grown, learned, and experienced something that makes you better in countless ways.
Accommodation photos will be uploaded once the final number of participants has been confirmed.
Cultural Immersion Retreats