ARCC Gap | South America: Peru & Patagonia

Adventure and education collide during our journey through the deep valleys, snow-capped peaks, and enchanting sites of Peru and Patagonia.

Our South America gap year program takes advantage of our over 20-year history of exploration in the region and opens doors unimagined by the casual traveler. Treading in the footsteps of the Inca, we gain insight into an ancient culture as we explore the famous ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru. Setting up camp in a remote community in the Sacred Valley of Peru, we get hands on experience understanding the important role that llamas play in environmental conservation and sustainability in the region. Embarking on a rafting trip down the famed Futaleufu River, we experience some of Patagonia’s most exhilarating rapids. Immersing ourselves into a permaculture farm nestled just off the Carretera Austral, we learn more about organic farming and sustainable living practices. Exploring the effects of climate change on the melting glaciers in Patagonia and researching the contentious debate surrounding proposed hydroelectric dams of the region’s waterways, we understand the complex conservation issues facing Patagonia. Embarking on a five-day trek amidst the towering peaks and glacial lakes of the famous Torres del Paine National Park, we are awed by the beauty of Patagonia’s natural landscape. The abundance of life around us underscores the rich and unforgettable experiences of this South America semester.

Dates:

Fall: September 1 - November 9

Spring: February 15 - April 24

Duration: 70 days