CUSCO CITY

Standing at more than 11,000 feet (3,400 meters) in elevation, Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, exudes history. At every turn, you may find a 500-year-old Inca wall or a park in which Inca kings fought Spanish conquistadors, stone battle axes facing off against swords and lances. Modern-day Cusco exudes a different kind of history, one that celebrates Spanish-inspired architecture and cuisine. And at the intersection, Quechua people, descendants of the Incas, wander the cobblestone streets of Cusco with alpaca in tow, displaying colorful, traditional textiles and headdresses. In the countryside, flanked by 20,000 foot snowy peaks, Inca terraces continue the story of a gold-plated empire and its complicated end.

PROGRAM CHOICES

Deliberate Detour has run more than a dozen Immersions in Cusco since 2024, and we rely on a deep bench of local experts and passionate facilitators. Experience Peru through:

Signature Immersions, our classic drop-off programs for ages 7 to 16 (along with the mature 6-year-old.)

Custom Immersions, are everything a Signature Immersion is — the real people, the sensory richness, the genuine connection — built specifically around your group.

Family Immersions, our whole-family experiences. Just as transformative. Just as culturally-rich, only this time, together.

WHY OUR PROGRAM

When you select Deliberate Detour’s program in Cusco, you’re joining an experience deeply rooted in place. Since our inception in 2023, local Cusqueños have thoughtfully crafted and continually refined our programming.

Meli originally developed the program by drawing on her connections throughout the city—asking friends for recommendations, meeting with workshop hosts, and visiting potential spaces.

Camila then built upon Meli’s foundation. With her strong ties in the Sacred Valley, she refined our Family Field Trips, Parent-Only Activities, and Weekend Excursions. A bilingual Peruvian educated in Europe, Camila bridges cultures in much the same way worldschooling families do.

Mariana and Enzo, who directly support hub participants, bring their own local expertise to the children: Enzo shares his knowledge of local music, while Mariana brings her experience with indigenous plants.

Authentic engagement with modern-day Peru, Quechua culture, and the indigenous past must be created by local people; in fact, it’s the only way.

FAREWELL EXPO

We close each hub, in every country, with a Farewell Expo on the final afternoon—a moment of celebration, reflection, and pride. During this special gathering, children share something they learned and feel genuinely passionate about during their time with us.

Rather than resembling a stressful school assignment, the Expo is designed as an open invitation to express learning in a way that feels natural and joyful. Children may choose to draw, bake, build, organize a slideshow, perform, or tell a story. There is no single “right” format—only authentic curiosity and self-expression.

In the weeks leading up to the Expo, our hub team supports each child in identifying what excites them most and in organizing their thoughts and ideas. This gentle guidance helps children reflect on their experiences, recognize their own growth, and gain confidence in sharing their voice.

The significance of the Farewell Expo lies not in the final presentation, but in the process itself. Children practice synthesizing new knowledge, expressing personal meaning, and standing proudly in what they’ve discovered. It’s a powerful moment of closure—one that honors learning as something lived, felt, and shared, rather than measured.

EDUCATION STYLE

What Are We Not? We are not a school. Our hubs do not replace traditional school. We do not incorporate reading, writing, or math, nor do we provide formal lessons in academic content.

What Are We?

• We provide opportunities to learn through experience, to make real what might only be available in books. We focus on history and culture in all of its forms: art, craft, textile, cuisine, social structures, and indigenous beliefs. We use all five senses to learn.
• We behave like summer camp. We play, explore, create, and laugh together, and sometimes, an expert teaches us something fascinating. Our explorations focus on Cusco, its people, history, and culture.
• We support personal growth by challenging children to notice and embrace difference, collaborate, develop grit, communicate and listen attentively, practice patience, and build global perspectives that include curiosity, creativity, and respect.
• We offer some structure and some space for play. We believe that freedom to play and explore should be a part of every child’s day, and we also believe that adult-curated activities can have meaning and impact.