Cusco, 3,400 meters above sea level is the most important pre-Columbian metropolis in the American continent and is heir to a cultural tradition developed all over the Peruvian territory since 18 thousand years B.C.

It is a living museum where it is still possible to perceive the grandeur of remote epochs. A total description or interpretation of Qosqo would be a gigantic work requiring thousands of books. This "Navel of the World" has developed one of the most advanced old civilizations in the earth.

One of the most interesting and spectacular treks which is short and accessible, is the one leading to the enigmatic Inca City of Machu Picchu. The best time to do the Inca Trail is during the dry season between May to September. Its route passes through a 13,000-foot Andean pass beyond which lie some of the most astounding artifacts of the Inca civilization. Most of these attractions, unlike the majority of large pre-Colombian structures, have laid completely undisturbed for hundreds of years, and much of the trek's fascination is imparted by the sensation of trekking into a region sealed off from time.

The trail ends at the astonishingly well preserved sacred city of Machu Picchu, having retraced the route by which the Incas themselves ascended to this ceremonial center. It was once filled with priests, artisans, and the mamacunas, a group of select virgins who dedicated their lives to the sun god.

The Spanish have no records of the city, and when it was rediscovered in 1911, its walls overrun by the nearby jungle, only 173 skeletons were found on the site. You can join an organized trek, with one of the many operators. Plan to take 2-4 days for the strenuous hike.

Please note: It is important to note that most students that visit Cusco will probably experience some kind of altitude sickness (Cusco is 3,400 meters above sea level) for the first 1 or 2 days, until your body adjusts. This is normal and tablets can be taken to help control your sickness.

It is the participant's responsibility to have a valid passport and any necessary visas and permits to study abroad. Visit G3Visas for comprehensive information on visa, passport, permit and general country entry requirements.

Most students arrive into Lima (Jorge Chavez International Airport) which is located 16 km Northwest of Lima. Students usually need to stay overnight in Lima to catch an internal flight to Cusco as these flights take place in the morning.

We offer for an additional cost, a package which includes a one-way flight to Cusco, one night gusest-house stay, and transfers to/from the Lima airport. Price for this package is $180 USD. Please arrive in Lima on Saturday. Book this package at time of enrollment.
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Trekking in the mountains
Dance lessons and cooking lessons
The Andes and Inca trail
Machu Picchu,Sacred Valley and other ruins
Cathedral
Handicrafts
Many international students
Out door activities and hiking
Academic credit available
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Our school is situated in one of many small plazas called the Limaqpampa Grande and is very close to a very important site from pre-Colomibian Cusco called the Qorikancha (The Temple of the Sun), this place is a great place to people watch.

The school is housed in a beautiful and historical colonial home from the 19th century. The school building has two floors with 17 classrooms, a bright indoor patio, a video room, auditorium, an entertainment room, a cafeteria and an interior plaza. The school provides free wireless internet for students.

The students come mostly from North America, the Netherlands, and other parts of Europe. The majority are university students, independent travelers, professionals and some senior students as well.

The school is conveniently located next to the main post office, internet cafes, banks, money exchanges, etc. It is about four blocks from the main square, the Plaza de Armas, the central meeting area of Cusco. There are many restaurants, cafes, cathedrals and museums nearby. Classes are held in rooms decorated with typical Peruvian artisan. There are also a few sport gyms in Cusco that allow short-term memberships.

Learning Spanish in Cusco - under the glistening sun of the Andes, will be a new experience every day, an enrichment for anyone who not only wants to learn about the "foreign aspects" of a language, but also to experience a city's historic and present-day culture.
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Standard: 4 Lessons daily (20 lessons per week) Max. 6 students per class.
Intensive: 4 Lessons daily (20 lessons per week) private teacher - one to one instruction.

Our programs cater for all language levels from absolute beginners to the more advanced, include the use of course materials and provide a variety of options to enhance your program. For more information please see Prices and Start Dates.

Each student will be expected to take a short placement test on the first Monday morning of the course (unless a complete beginner), to determine the students language level and ensure placement in the correct class. Lessons are usually held in the mornings, starting at 8.30 am, which leave the afternoons free for social or cultural activities, trips, workshops, short excursions or free time to relax or explore on your own. Note: Classes are normally held between (Low season): 8:30-10:30am, break from 10:30-11am, 11-1pm. (High season): also afternoon session 3-5pm, break from 5-5:30pm, 5:30-7:30pm. School is closed for siesta from 1-3pm.

Teachers are native speakers and many are University educated with years of teaching experience. The school offers seven levels of language skill, and the teaching method is based on the 4 language skills: listening, grammar, oral and written comprehension. No English should be used in class. After classes are over for the day, our program allows you plenty of time to discover your new country, culture, traditions, customs and everyday life. Our optional cultural and social activities allow you to make new friends among your new international classmates, experience cultural and social activities together, and also practice your new language skills in real life situations. In some cases, a small additional fee will be charged to cover local transport and entrance costs.

A "must do" for all students is the opportunity to climb the Inca trail to the ruins of Machu Picchu. This is an incredible experience and can be done in several ways, so when booking you may want to plan ahead and leave some extra time to do this. The best way to do this, is by booking a tour/trek with one of the many tour operators in Cusco, they will also provide all the walking, camping equipment you will need for the climb, including sleeping bags which are important as the weather can change very quickly. The bus ride to the bottom of the trail takes about 2 - 3 hours by bus and you have several tour options to choose from, which vary from 1 to 5 days:

1) If you would like to climb the entire trail from the beginning of the trail to the ruins and back, please allow about 4 days and add an extra night if you would like to stop off at the hot springs.
2) If you have less time, you can arrange to be dropped off by bus, half way up the trail and climb the remaining trail to the ruins and back, please allow 2 days for this option.
3) For those students who do not wish to climb the trail, you can arrange to visit the ruins and back to Cusco in a day trip.

Organized trips or activities are offered and included in the program cost 2 or 3 times a week. Activities could include a city tour, cooking class, dance class, parties, videos, lectures, trips to museums. Student just pays for own transportation, entrance fee, etc. The school can help students who want to travel independently at the weekend and sometimes the school organizes weekend trips, usually 2 teachers guide these trips.

NOTES: School is closed on all public holidays, private lessons and options can be added to any program, lessons normally last 50 minutes, you will be studying with students from around the world, lessons run from Monday - Friday , you will be expected to arrive early on the first Monday morning to take the placement test, a language proficiency certificate is available at the end of the program. Please see the program info and resource links, for additional information or please contact us.
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Host Family: (private room) 3 meals daily.

Living with a host family is probably the best and most effective way to become fully immersed into the language and culture of your chosen country. All families are chosen after a careful selection procedure and are visited regularly by the school to ensure that high living standards are maintained. As many of our host families live in the surrounding neighborhoods, the trip to school, is usually not more than 10 to 20 minutes away.

Several students could stay with the family, if students would like to be alone in the host family we will make every effort to arrange this for them. A laundry service is provided once a week. The host family normally takes the student to school the first day of the program. Students have access to all living areas in the house and in most cases, will be expected to share the bathroom. All bed linens and pillows will be provided, however we suggest you bring your own towels.

Staying in a family is a truly wonderful experience and many students make lifetime friends with their host family. However, you should also have realistic expectations and recognize that an element of flexibility is required to adjust to the local customs and way of life. Your host family may not have the same comforts as your own home but you will always be treated as a guest and free to come and go as you wish.

NOTES: Airport transfers to the accommodation may be included or available (at an additional cost, please check price page), the Sunday night accommodation before your course begins on Monday, is included. All meals will be local custom and meal times may be different to what you are used to, however you are not obligated to eat all your meals with the family, just notify them when you will not be returning to eat at home. Our families are diverse with young couples without children, couples with children (of all age groups) and older couples with grown children who are no longer at home. Extra nights are available at extra cost. Please see the Accommodation link for additional information.
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