This summer, following our 1567 celebrations, Rugby School students spent almost three weeks in Peru, combining community work, outdoor adventure and cultural exploration.

The expedition began in Cusco before students travelled to the Huilloc Community in the Sacred Valley, where they spent several days working alongside local people on community-led projects. Tasks included planting trees and crops, clearing waste and making bricks, with funds raised through the trip helping to support improvements to village infrastructure.

Living within the community gave students an insight into daily life in rural Peru. They visited a local kindergarten, learned about traditional farming and handicrafts and took part in sporting activities with locals.

After the community placement, the group experienced the first of several adventure activities with a day of white-water rafting on the Urubamba River. Students then explored more of the Sacred Valley by bicycle, visiting the agricultural terraces of Moray, the salt pans of Maras and the traditional market at Chinchero.

A major highlight of the expedition was the four-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. Covering mountain passes, high-altitude campsites and cloud forest trails, the trek challenged students physically while offering spectacular views of the surrounding Andean landscape. Along the route, the group visited Humantay Lake and the Inca site of Llactapata before arriving in Aguas Calientes.

The trek culminated with an early morning visit to Machu Picchu. Students explored the famous Inca citadel, learning more about its history and significance while taking in views of the surrounding mountains and terraces.

Back in the Sacred Valley, students spent time with the weaving community of Ccaccaccollo, where they learned about traditional textile techniques and natural dyes that have been used for generations.

The final stage of the expedition took the group to Lake Titicaca, where they visited the floating reed islands of the Uros people, before travelling to Lima. There, students explored both ancient and colonial landmarks, including Huaca Pucllana and the city's UNESCO-listed historic centre.

The expedition offered students the opportunity to experience some of Peru's most significant landscapes and communities.