Summer 2026 applications are now closed.
Enrolled Students Page
Welcome to your Enrolled Student Information page. This page contains essential information about your upcoming program. Please review all details carefully. For any questions not covered here, please contact our team at admissions@shouldertoshoulder.com
If you are trying to access your Parent Portal to submit required paperwork, please use the link below.
Everyone has their preferred style of packing for travel, so please use the download below as a helpful guide and be mindful of your own needs.
As you pack, please remember that the Sacred Valley of Peru experiences sunshine with minimal rain this time of year. Please be prepared for extreme differences in daytime and nighttime temperatures. Daytime highs are around 70°F, and nighttime lows are around 30°F.
Note: This program contains multiple days above 12,000 feet. Please speak with your doctor specifically about this aspect of the trip. There are prescription medications (such as Acetazolamide/Diamox) that can be prescribed by your doctor to be taken before ascent, which can help prevent Acute Mountain Sickness. We highly recommend training before this trip and getting specific medical advice related to altitude.
SStS strongly encourages each student to visit a local “travelers clinic” or international health care practitioner who can advise you personally on your specific needs and questions. We can not give specific recommendations other than following the CDC’s recommendations, which are linked below.
All students are booked on a group flight from the gateway city of Miami (MIA) to Cusco, Peru (CUZ). Each family is responsible for getting their child to Miami at the start of the program and home from Miami at the end of the program within the time frames given below.
Important Travel Notes
| Arrival in Miami, FL (MIA) | Thursday, June 18, 2026 | Arrive by 6 PM |
| Departure from Miami, FL (MIA) | Wednesday, July 1, 2026 | Depart after 11 AM |
| Date | Departure City | Departure Time | Arrival City | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 18 | Miami, FL (MIA) | 11:30 PM | Lima, Peru (LIM) | 4:10 AM (June 19) |
| Date | Departure City | Departure Time | Arrival City | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 19 | Lima, Peru (LIM) | 9:20 AM | Cuzco, Peru (CUZ) | 10:45 AM |
| Date | Departure City | Departure Time | Arrival City | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30 | Cuzco, Peru (CUZ) | 5:30 PM | Lima, Peru (LIM) | 7:10 PM |
| Date | Departure City | Departure Time | Arrival City | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30 | Lima, Peru (LIM) | 11:45 PM | Miami, FL (MIA) | 6:41 AM (July 1) |
While in Urubamba, the group will stay in dorm-style accommodations at a local hostel.
While on the llama trek, the group will be camping in tents at 12,000 feet.
Day 1: Travel
Depart Miami for Cusco, Peru
Day 2: Urubamaba
Arrive in Cusco, then take a shuttle to Urubamba (Elevation 9,400 Feet). After arrival, there will be an orientation and an evening at the Ccatan eco-lodge in Urubamba.
Day 3: Urubamba
The morning is a wonderful opportunity to adjust to the altitude and embrace the surroundings. In the afternoon, the group will gather for a presentation on the Llama Pack project and the exciting challenges ahead.
Day 4: Urubamba
Full-day tour of Machu Picchu.
Day 5: Cuncani
After breakfast, we will embark on a journey to the vibrant community of Cuncani, a scenic 3-hour drive away. A van will transport us, accompanied by our knowledgeable interpreter and a welcoming host from the community. Along the way, we will pause to explore the archaeological site of Ancasmarca and soak in the breathtaking views of the majestic Andes Mountains.
Upon our arrival in Cuncani, we will embark on a 40-minute walk to our base camp, where we will spend the next two days in the welcoming home of a llama herder family, situated at an elevation of 12,800 feet. Here, we will set up our camp, complete with a dining room, kitchen, and bathroom.
Day 6: Cuncani
Today, we will shoulder to shoulder with the llama herders of the Cuncani community to gain a deeper understanding of the realities of rural life in the Peruvian Andes.
Day 7: Trek to Huacahuasi
Today, we will complete a trek alongside the llama herders to the next town of Huacahuasi. The trek is 5 hours long and traverses a mountain pass of 13451 feet before descending to 12,800 feet. Once in Huacahuasi, we will set up camp and relax for the evening.
Day 8: Huacahuasi
This is a day to connect with the community and rest from the trek. We will wander through the community, visit the school, and speak with local families.
Day 9: Huacahuasi
Today, we will shoulder to shoulder with the llama herders of the Huacahuasi community to gain a deeper understanding of the realities of rural life in the Peruvian Andes.
Day 10: Huacahuasi
Today, we will shoulder to shoulder with the llama herders of the Huacahuasi community to gain a deeper understanding of the realities of rural life in the Peruvian Andes.
Day 11: Trek to Patacancha
Today, we will complete a trek with the llama herders to the next town, Patacancha. The trek is 5 hours long and traverses a mountain pass of 13800 feet before descending to 12,800 feet. Once in Patacancha, we will set up camp and relax for the evening.
Day 12: Shuttle Patacancha to Urubamba
After breakfast, a van will arrive to transport us to Urubamba. The journey will take around 2 hours driving. We will reach the Ccatan Ecolodge in time for lunch, followed by a leisurely afternoon to enjoy at our own pace.
Day 13: Urubamba to Cusco Airport
After enjoying breakfast, we set off for Cusco airport, embarking on our journey home. The drive from Urubamba to Cusco is around two hours.
Day 14: Arrival in Miami