VISIONS Service Adventures: Peru

My Visions trip was a genuinely life-changing experience that never wanders far from my mind. My school afforded me the incredible privilege of multiple service trips over my four years, and although each were significant, Visions impacted me in a way that is difficult to put into words. I cannot recommend this program highly enough.

My time with VISIONS in Peru was unforgettable! From the moment I arrived, I felt immersed in the culture, surrounded by breathtaking mountains and a welcoming local community. The service projects were both challenging and rewarding—I worked on projects that directly benefited the community, and it was amazing to see the impact of our efforts firsthand. Beyond the service work, I formed deep friendships with other participants and leaders. We shared laughs, conversations, and adventures—whether it was hiking, exploring local markets, or learning traditional customs. The experience pushed me outside my comfort zone and helped me grow in ways I never expected. I left Peru with a new perspective on the world, a stronger sense of purpose, and memories that will stay with me forever.

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Everything was great from the home exchange day working on a local farm to playing soccer at the park with local kids we’ve never met before. Everyone was great and visions truly gave us a taste of perspective. We were able to dissconect from life back home and unlock a new normal. I’d say everyone should do visions, it was a challenging rewarding experience that has given me a knee perspective on travel and the world we live.

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Visions is an amazing company that everyone should do. I did the Peru trip and it was amazing. They throw you right into a traditional Peruvian way of life that does not have any of the simplicities we have in the US. They challenge you yet every day was a fun experience. I say everyone should go to Peru and learn a new way of life. Some highlight were playing with local kids at the school. And playing some soccer with local kids at the public park. Those are the things that stuck out the most.

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I spent 17 days in Peru with VISIONS. It was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever experienced. I loved working in the canals and I loved helping to build a building for school. But mostly I loved working with the locals and getting to know them. I could definitely see that we were second family to them. I love how VISIONS built a strong connection with these people we worked with. I made the trip feel more safe and more fun. I’ll never forget my experience with VISIONS in Peru.

My summer at Peru was incredible! The trip was life changing such that it exposed me to meaningful service and introduced me to new ways of life. Visions is a great balance between working, exploring, socializing, and stepping outside of one's comfort zone. I could not have asked for a better experience. I strongly recommend Visions to anyone who loves the outdoors and is looking for a down-to-earth experience. Peru in particular was very special because I got to practice my Spanish and dig deep into the culture. Also... the food was amazing!!

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Visions was an absolutely amazing experience for me! I met the most wonderful people. The immersion into the Peruvian culture was incredible, my world has been opened in so many ways because of it. I think about my 2 week trip every day. The connections Visions has with the community are so deep. I finally felt like my true authentic self.

I got to see some of the most beautiful places in the world with people I will never forget. The country was beautiful and the leaders made us feel safe because they knew what they were doing and where we were going, they were very open and friendly. It was almost like being with a friend.

I am so glad that I had the chance to do a program through Visions. The connections they have with the community made the experience all the more fantastic. I would give anything to do it again!!! I made friends that I never could anywhere else. And the culture really opened up my world!

I don't even know where to begin. My time with Visions in Peru was absolutely incredible. I met the most amazing people and learned so much. I always thought it was cheesy when people said that one small experience changed their life, but just the 2 weeks I was there gave me a whole new perspective and really opened up my world.

I went to Peru with Visions two summers ago, and Dominican Republic last summer. My Peru trip was hands down one of the best experiences of my life. I made so many new friends, saw amazing sights, perfected my Spanish-speaking, and got the chance to immerse in Peruvian culture. The staff on the trip was amazing and our daily activities were very enriching and fun. I am still in touch with everyone in the group and we all text on a regular basis. A girl I met on the trip became my best friend and we still visit each other pretty regularly, even though we are 600 miles apart. I would highly recommend going to Peru with Visions! -Eliza Trainer

This past summer I had the amazing opportunity to spend a month in Urubamba Peru. This month not only let me learn the skills to help those around me, but it also shaped me into the person who I am today. The Visions program could not of been better planned and I could not recommend it more for anyone looking to go outside their comfort zone while making an impact on another community.

Visions Service Adventures is truly a once in a lifetime experience. I was able to make new friends, be culturally immersed and learn new things- all while doing community service! My trip was indescribable, to say the least. I have never experienced something so incredible before. Coming back to America, i now feel so much more aware about what is happening in the world around me. I am forever grateful to Visions for giving me such an unforgettable journey.

Over the summer, I spent 4 weeks in Urubamba, Peru to help build canals and construct a dining hall for a local elementary school. We overall had I think around 12-13 work days where we would choose to either go to the canals or the school. We would work from 9 to around 1:30 with a thirty minute lunch break. At the worksites, we would be directly involved with Urubamba's loving and appreciative community and they would be right by us helping and guiding us. Although they were much more skilled at the work, they were very appreciative and they showed it on their faces. After the long work days, we would come back to the house and debrief by showering or doing "talleres" or workshops. These workshops were either carpentry, jewelry making, pottery, or bee keeping. These workshops were one of a kind, and nothing like what you would expect in the US. In Peru, we also got to visit salt mines and ancient Incan ruins. These ruins have been in Peru since the Incas were there and the pictures you can take are breath taking. On special occasions, we would also have salsa classes where we would learn how to salsa with each other; it was special in they us participants also got to show our instructor some of our dance moves as well! The true highlight of the excursion, however, was going to Machu Picchu. Our process of going there was incredible. We spent one day going to Aguas Calientes-- the town where Machu Picchu is located. There, we went to local hot springs that had temperatures in the high 90s. The morning of the hike we woke up at around 4-4:30 AM to begin the hike. The rationality behind this is that as we hike, you can actually see the sun rise over a mountain in the distance-- the pictures were incredible. Machu Picchu itself was more incredible; the rock formation, the "temples", the alpacas. It's insane. At Machu Picchu, there are also optional hikes to where you can see Machu Picchu from a distance and see either above it or from a side view where you can see the hike up. One thing I haven't brought up, however, is "ayllu". Ayllu occurs every other day at night after dinner. During ayllu, we got to express our feelings about he last 2 days and say anything that's on our mind. Normally, heavy topics got brought up. And while this may sound bad, it was actually a good thing because it allowed for us participants to move on from our conflicts and overall live more harmoniously and peacefully. My experience in Peru was life chznging and has allowed myself to live more care free and aware.

My third summer program with Visions and I'm looking forward to my fourth! I love the projects and the cultural immersion where we live right in the neighbourhood and interact every day. I've been to Montana Blackfeet, Ecuador and Peru. Next summer probably the D.R.

Visions is an excellent program! It is carefully designed and thoughtfully run. Visions provides teens an opportunity to do REAL community service while also offering a chance to explore the culture of the regions where they operate and have fun. There is a high group leader to participant ratio and the leaders are well selected individuals with a passion for travel and for working with young people. I recommend this program highly!

VISIONS is very clear about its goal. Community service. This is what I had really wanted to do, so I really enjoyed it. If you are not looking for intense work though, I would say VISIONS is probably not for you. That's not to say that the days were long, hard, and I wanted to go home. The work sites were fun. We got to know many community members and I could often see the difference we were making. After the workdays and on the weekends we would do lots of other fun things including touristy things, workshops with community members, and just enjoying being in another country. By the end of the trips I had made lots of good friends and amazing memories. Also my Spanish improved a lot!

Being a part of Visions Peru II has influenced me tremendously. The impact our Visions community made on the people of Urubamba was truly remarkable, and I miss it every day. Working alongside the Quechuan community members was the most rewarding part. Although I initially had reservations about the community-building activities we had to do, like Allyu, once I got into them they really allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and learn a lot. I definitely recommend doing a Visions trip, especially to Urubamba. The people you will meet, both from home and abroad, will change the way you see the world and play an integral part in your future perspective.