Alyra’s team is developing an amazing expedition,which will explore the heart of the Peruvian Amazon in San Martin. This area is known for its high jungle plateau, also called the cloud forest, and features a warm equatorial climate with a tropical rainforest climate type. Additionally, they will explore a unique Andean ecosystem at the Colca Valley and Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world, reaching a depth of 4,160 meters. This canyon’s dramatic geography was formed more than 150 million years ago and supports a great variety of flora and fauna, including the Andean condor, the largest flying bird in the world. The most important objective of this expedition is to accomplish a development project aimed at improving the quality of life in a host village in the province of San Martin.

PART 1 – Day 1-3: ID project in the region of San Martin, community of Maray

• Development Project Maray
• Participate in cultural workshops

1. Development work project 

Alyra defines its social purpose as providing moral, ethical, and financial support for the development of sustainable projects in communities in need, where the challenges mainly involve technological development and governance. Our main objective is to improve the quality of life in the communities we visit and to collaborate in finding ways to make projects happen. The Alyra team will decide which projects to undertake based on the number of participants and the community’s priorities for 2026.
• Construct artisanal sinks with an elevated base for rainwater collection, allowing it to drain through gutters into a pipe directed to the sink. This way, families will have a place to wash their utensils and/or food. The families have no place to wash their food and/or utensils. Families have to go to the river to wash their items and/or carry river water back to their homes.
• Reforestation. Reforestation involves planting a number of trees to restore the ecosystem and promote biodiversity. The reforestation process includes clearing the area, preparing the soil, and selecting appropriate species such as heliconias, miconias, verbenaceae, flowers, and shrubs that will provide food for birds and hummingbirds. Overall, reforesting this area can have a positive environmental impact by creating wildlife habitats, improving air quality, and sequestering carbon dioxide. It is a valuable conservation practice that contributes to the health and resilience of ecosystems.
• Finish the plastering on the wall of the community center.
• Creation of cultural murals at the community center, highlighting cultural icons related to the community. The theme of the mural will focus on the beauty and importance of the ecosystem.
• Construction of Furniture for Local School Library Implementation: The project entails building furniture to help set up a library at the local school. This initiative aims to enhance the educational environment by providing necessary amenities and encouraging reading and learning among students. The furniture will include items such as bookshelves, reading tables, and chairs, all designed to optimize the space and meet the community's needs.

2. Participative Workshops and cultural exchange activities

Some days, students will be divided into groups that will follow a coordinated rotation between work and leisure time, with the goal of creating a balance between productivity and fun workshops. The objective is to give students the opportunity to discover the cultural life of Cabo Blanco while participating in activities with local villagers. While one group is working on the volunteer project, the second group will participate in cultural workshops.
• Visit of Urku rescue center: Centro Urku is a non-profit program focused on Amazonian Studies. Its mission is to conserve the environment, promote environmental education, rehabilitate and manage threatened species, conduct research, and revitalize ancestral Amazonian knowledge.
• Textile Workshop: Discover traditional weaving techniques with local artisans.
• Ceramic Workshop: Artisans exclusively use natural materials and shape each piece by hand, without models or molds.
• Soccer Match: A daily sports activity practiced by the villagers.
• Participation in the preparation of a Traditional Local Dish: Discover a specific cooking method and share a meal with the community.
• Excursion to Huaja Waterfalls: Opportunity to swim in an exceptional natural setting.
• Traditional Dance Lesson: Learn local dances for an immersive experience in Maray's culture.

Day 1: International flight from Montreal to Lima.
Day 2: Domestic flight from Lima to Tarapoto (1h30).
Private transport from Tarapoto airport to Maray (1h30).
11 nights in homestay accommodations in Maray.
Day 13: Return flight to Lima (1h30) and flight to Arequipa (1h30).

PART 2 – Day 14-19: Arequipa and the Colca Canyon

• Visit the city of Arequipa, Peru’s second-largest city, set against the breathtaking backdrop of three towering volcanoes: Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu. Known as the “White City” for its many structures built from sillar, a white volcanic stone, Arequipa offers a fascinating blend of natural beauty and historical landmarks. This city boasts impressive colonial architecture, renowned gastronomy, and a location that serves as a gateway to the Andes and the Colca Canyon.

• Trek in the Colca Canyon and Condor Observation: Situated in the Colca Valley in the Andes Mountains, the Colca Canyon was formed by a seismic fault between the volcanoes of Coropuna and Ampato. A 3-day Colca Canyon trek offers better acclimatization and more time to enjoy the scenery and local culture. The trek involves a descent into the canyon, spending two nights in two different villages, and then ascending out of the canyon on the third day. We will be at altitudes ranging from 3,400 to 1,900 meters above sea level, with a moderate level of difficulty.

 3 nights in a hostel in Arequipa.
2 nights in the Colca Canyon.
Day 18: Domestic flight from Arequipa to Lima(1h30).
1 night in a hostel in Lima.
Day 19: Direct international flight from Lima to Montreal.

• Payment Terms

  June 17,2025: 500$ including FICAV non-refundable
  September 12, 2025 : 1600$
  November 13, 2025: 1600$
  January 3rd, 2025: To be determined based on the number of travelers

  Payment method

  1.INTERAC  EMAIL TRANSFERS  –

  Proceed to do the interact email transfer after signing up online. Please write in the wire message the name of the student.
  Email to send the transfer: finance@alyraexpeditions.com
  Question: which destination?
  Answer: peru

  Cancellation / Modifications By The Traveler

  In case of cancellation, the Traveller, even in cases of events outside of their control. The minimum cancellation fees are as follows:

  • a) 121 days or more prior to departure: 1st deposit 
  • b) 91 to 120 days prior to departure: 50% of trip package
  • c) 46 to 90 days prior to departure:75% of trip package
  • d) 45 days or fewer prior to departure: 100% of package

  Travel documents

  A valid passport that expires at least 6 months after the date of your return flight back home.

  Luggage

  The least amount of luggage possible. We recommend bags that are practical and easy to carry. One large bag and a small day back-pack is ideal.

  Health

  We recommend you consult your local medical travel clinic (or doctor) a few months before leaving in order to ensure you have the necessary vaccines. Your medical insurance card might not cover costs incurred due to injuries or health costs when you are abroad. If you need to travel with medication of some kind, please bring a doctor’s prescription.

  Safety

  We recommend you bring a concealed belt that can hold your important documents, credit cards and currencies. It is illegal to take any objects found in archeological sites or any natural resources from any of the national parks, ecological reserves, protectorates or any other sites visited.

• These prices include

  • International flights from Montreal and back;
  • Alyra’s CO (Creative Organizer) accompanying the group 24/7;
  • Local transportation;
  • Lodging (in the community): in host families, 2 or 3 per family for students;
  • Lodging (outside the community): multiple occupancy for students;
  • Food: 3 meals a day (Local authentic food will be served);
  • Snacks and potable water at all times;
  • Organization of the community projects and coordination with the local community leader and members;
  • Activities/visits mentioned with local guides (when mentioned);
  • Entrance tickets for museums, parks, sites, etc mentioned in the itinerary;
  • Tips to local guides, drivers, restaurants, etc.;                                                                  •  Insurance Package with Manulife: Medical, Interruption and Cancelation coverage;
  • 0.1% for the OPC (Consumer Protection Office).

• These prices do not include

  • Visa expenses (for non-canadian passports)
  • Souvenirs/gifts you decide to buy;
  • Transportation from the school to the airport and back;
  • Laundry and any other personal expenses.