This is an amazing opportunity for you to see one of the most famous of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This is a wonderful family trip, too!

Situated at 3,400 m (11,150 ft), Cusco is a beautiful city of whitewashed walls, red-tiled roofs, and soaring churches nestled in a fertile mountain basin. If you'd like to explore a bit, you can head to the Plaza de Armas to experience the social heart of this bustling city. As you walk through town, stop in for a visit to Koricancha Temple, the Main Square, Sacsayhuaman Fortress, Puca-Pucara and finally, a visit to the Inka’s Expression Art Workshop where you will see local Andean Artists at work.

Machu Picchu is an Incan citadel set high in the Andes Mountains in Peru, above the Urubamba River valley. Built in the 15th century and later abandoned, it’s renowned for its sophisticated dry-stone walls that fuse huge blocks without the use of mortar, intriguing buildings that play on astronomical alignments and panoramic views. Its exact former use remains a mystery.

Your IMR team will provide medical care to various communities, many of whom are flood victims who have lost everything. This is an area where traditional medicine dominates and we will have an opportunity to learn about the botanicals used by local healers. You will also have an opportunity to learn about the rich culture of this beautiful and unique area, where the people are passionate about their religion, their crafts, and their beer.

Your clinics will be varied both by location and the people you will serve! You will work in the Cusco area and then travel - by bus and train to Machu Picchu where you will have a day of sightseeing.

The World Bank and the World Health Organization stated in a 2009 study that the indigenous people of Peru are viewed as needing full assistance to solve their multiple health problems . IMR is working in collaboration with local partners in the high country of the Andes to help the indigenous people by providing medical and dental care and health education. Illness in these communities is made much worse from a lack of knowledge about how to manage their healthcare, resulting in needless deaths among this already diminishing population.

The top 10 illnesses in a study done in 2017 found that the most common diagnosis were parasites, headaches, osteoarthritis (20% of the population is > than 60y), gastritis, GERD, UTI, and vaginitis. Dental caries are particularly troublesome. Interestingly, hypertension and diabetes are not.prevalent in this area of the country, regardless of the aging population. What does this mean for you? You will be able to make a significant difference in the health of the people you care for!  

You will be working in the area around Cusco on this trip and will stay in a lovely 3 star hotel close to the center of Cusco.  Transportation to clinic will be by bus and the rides will be beautiful! At the end of the trip, the train to Machu Picchu will be a wonderful reward for your hard work!

You will love the regional food! If you are adventuresome, you might want to cuy (guinea pig) but lamb, chicken,pork, sausages, and chalona (a dried meat) are easily found if you are not in the mood for cuy. Sweet potatoes, scrumptious stews of assorted vegetables with or without meat are amazing, Corn and cheeses in many varieties will be on all the menus -try the corn fritters! If you are a soup lover, Cusco is famous for Chiaro, a soup made with beef or lamb and vegetables. and for Lawa Soup, a cream soup made with ground corn, cheese, eggs, and potatoes. Did we mention the ice cream? Save room for the regional desserts!  

On this trip you will also be able to spend a day at Machu Picchu! You will travel by bus and train from Cusco to Machu Picchu City where you will overnight after a day of sightseeing and then return to Cusco to catch your flight home.

Have some time before your flight home?  Take a taxi to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, just a short 12 mile ride away.  Visit the Pisac Market, Inca ruins, Ollantaytambo ruins and town, the Maras and Morey salt pans, and get some Inca cola - you are just a sip away from gastronomical soda delight!!  

You’re journeying halfway across the globe, have you considered extending your stay to visit some of Peru’s top spots? Join International Medical Relief on an exclusive trip extension provided by our partner, Worldwide Navigators!

  • Experience the wonder of a sunrise on Machu Picchu
  • Enjoy a train ride through the Peruvian jungle
  • Journey to the vibrant & colorful Rainbow Mountain