South America Explorer with Gapforce

South America Explorer with Gapforce

Location
Multiple Locations +2
  • Peru
    • Cusco
  • Ecuador
    • Quito
Length
4 - 12 weeks
Payment plans
Health & Safety

Program Details

Activities
Animal Viewing Backpacking City Exploring Hiking Rafting Sightseeing Surfing Trekking
Timeframe
Year Round
Housing
Guesthouse Host Family Hostel Tent
Primary Language
English
Age Min.
18

Pricing

$4,300
Price Details
4 weeks: $4300
7 weeks: $6300.00
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Meals Tour Guide Transportation Wifi
What's Included (Extra)

Pre-departure briefing and support
Airport pick-up
Gapforce Leader
Local guides and support staff
Welcome and orientation briefing
All accommodation
Spanish lessons
All tours on itinerary
Project donation
Meals listed in itinerary
Social activities
24/7 UK emergency back-up

What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance Visa
Apr 20, 2026
Nov 06, 2025
52 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Your 7-week South American adventure begins in the cultural heart of Peru: Cusco. Here, you’ll ease into the altitude and lifestyle with Spanish lessons, local homestays, and visits to iconic sites like the Sacred Valley. You'll then move onto the breathtaking trek along the Salkantay route to Machu Picchu—an off-the-beaten-path experience through snowy passes and cloud forests to one of the world’s most iconic archaeological wonders. Unwind with surf lessons and beach time in Punta Negra before heading into Ecuador for the scenic, culturally rich Quilotoa Loop trek.

The adventure continues in Baños, followed by hands-on volunteering at an animal rescue sanctuary in the Amazon and a rare immersion into indigenous life in Tamandua. Experience jungle hikes, chocolate-making, and night walks. Finally, cap off your journey with a week of ziplining, river tubing, and exploring Ecuador’s highlands.

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

This program offers a rich mix of trekking, volunteering, and cultural experiences across Peru and Ecuador, with supportive leaders and a friendly group atmosphere.

Program Highlights

  • Stunning 5 day Andean trek to Machu Picchu, one of the seven modern wonders of the world
  • Surf the pacific waves off the coast of Mancora, Peru's best known beach town
  • Navigate your way through the rapids with some white water rafting near Baños, Ecuador's adventure sports capital
  • Get up close and personal with a vast range of animals whilst volunteering at an Amazon Wildlife Rescue Sanctuary
  • Trek the Quilotoa Loop, arguably one of the best multi-day trekking routes in South America and one of Ecuador's most popular treks!

South America Explorer: September 18th

Video and Photos

Impact 🌎

We are committed to exert a positive impact on the regions, countries and communities which we visit. For us it is paramount that the local organisations and communities benefit from our cooperation by working with trusted local businesses and project partners who align with our sustainability objectives.
We are passionate about travel and the positive impact it has on young people’s outlook and future prospects. Our mission is to help people become global citizens through authentic, socially and environmentally responsible travel experiences which aid self-discovery and personal development.

As a small team, we are committed to providing a highly personalised service from your initial contact right through to your chosen adventure. We achieve this through our dedicated team of program leaders and support staff, all of whom are passionate travellers united by a common purpose to help young people explore the world.

Current Jobs

View the latest job postings by Gapforce.

Program Reviews

4.82 Rating
based on 60 reviews
  • 5 rating 83.33%
  • 4 rating 15%
  • 3 rating 1.67%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Housing 4.55
  • Support 4.65
  • Fun 4.7
  • Value 4.75
  • Safety 4.7
Showing 9 - 16 of 60 reviews
Ashton
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

100% recommend: best 7 weeks in South America

It has been an amazing trip. I have had the best time, and enjoyed all of it. There have been such a wide range of activities, so I've not gotten bored at all, and the timings of staying at each place have been really good. Everything is organised really well, it seems really smooth, and the leader was above my expectation: a really nice, friendly man, who was also very experienced with what he does. Volunteering at the animal sanctuary was my favourite part of the trip, it was an insane experience, doing things you won't do again, such as being so close to all the animals. The trip exceeded my expectations so much, and those who came on the trip as well were so nice and friendly. The trip included so many things I wouldn't think to do if I booked my own trip, making it really good. I have had such a good time, and 100% recommend people to go on it. I will remember this forever.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I had an alpaca burger as alpaca is very common in Peru: very glad I tried it!
23 people found this review helpful.
Paige
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Review

Overall a great trip, really good experiences and amazing people. Really enjoyed the variety of activities and the overall pacing of the trip. I was at first worried about the length of the trip- whether it would be too short to experience everything I wanted, or too long to be with a group I didn't know and away from home. Looking back I now think it's a very good length, the number of places visited gave a wide view of environments within both Peru and Ecuador, and the pacing between multi-day treks and city breaks meant I never got bored of one place, or needed more down time. If I could change what I brought, i would recommend more normal day clothes as I mostly only brought trekking clothes. I would also bring a other book, as I only brought two, and had more down time than I anticipated - especially during the quilotoa loop trek. Would really recommend the trip.

Pros
  • Gorgeous views during treks
  • Really good group of people
  • Good cities
Cons
  • Not enough cats
  • Breakfasts occasionally repetitive
115 people found this review helpful.
Eva
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best 7 weeks of my life!!! 100% recommend

Cusco was a beautiful city that I will absolutely return to, we felt very safe and looked after. A little basic Spanish before the trip was super helpful, despite having Spanish school (which was amazing for recapping and learning more!). We were split into 3 groups based on ability, which made it easier to have tasks tailored to your abilities.

The Salkantay and Quilotoa treks were tough but our leader Colin was so supportive, knowledgeable and a general legend. He made the treks incredible experiences and we all had a great time!

Tamandua and YanaCocha were insane! We had the best time, the jungle views were epic and the wildlife we saw on the night walks were lovely! Sleeping in hammocks in the jungle was an experience…but would definitely do again!! The volunteering was so rewarding and interesting - I will absolutely do something similar again in the future.

The market towns at the end of the trip were lovely and perfect for present/souvenir buying.

The people are all amazing I’ve made some (hopefully!) lifelong friends! I brought a 50L and 20L day back and I thought that was perfect. I brought a mix of trekking clothes, casual day wear, beach wear and one or two cute going out tops which were really useful for nights out!

Pros
  • Views and experiences
  • People
  • Colin
Cons
  • Breakfasts are often very repetitive
  • Loo roll is surprisingly less accessible than you’d believe
  • Some people had some epic home stays - some were more basic
115 people found this review helpful.
Emily
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing trip!

A truly amazing adventure, what you put in is definitely what you get out of the 2months. My highlights were definitely the Salkantay Trek and Animal Volunteering. I think practicing Spanish before you leave definitely makes the Spanish school in Cusco a lot easier! I found bringing my own sleeping bag to be super helpful compared to renting, I brought a 60L and 25L backpack which was perfect for the duration of the trip. Would recommend to anyone who asked! Don't be nervous and just enjoy the experience!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
We tried Guinea pig and Alpaca burgers!
122 people found this review helpful.
Jake
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My great trip

My gap year trip to Peru and Ecuador was absolutely unforgettable. I had such an amazing time exploring two of the most beautiful and culturally rich countries in South America.
Not only was it great to visit and explore these countries, the gap force leaders were very friendly and helpful therefore making the trip feel relaxed and stress free. Another reason why I had a great experience was the food, I felt that we were fed well at every meal alongside the food being healthy. Overall, I loved my experience on the trip and would strongly recommend.

What was your funniest moment?
The first dinner in the tent on salkantay.
Pros
  • Good people
  • Fun leaders
  • Good balance in activity
Cons
  • Charles
  • Not enough gravel
  • More chifa
114 people found this review helpful.
Sahar
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Top Tips

Peru can be very cold, hence I would highly recommend bringing many layers and even a puffer coat. Remember to bring a raincoat since it rained most days.

Mozzie spray is imperative.

Bring extra water bottles - you never know if or when you’ll lose a bottle. Remember to pack waterproof bag covers for both your day bag and your big bag.

Don’t make the mistake that I made- actually buy a hiking backpack that has good back and hip support. If you don’t, you make your hiking a lot more challenging and uncomfortable.

What was your funniest moment?
The funniest moment of this trip would be difficult to pin point to an exact moment since there has been so many. I have genuinely giggles and hacked every single day- even the long and tiring days on the Salkantay Hike. This trip has given me friendships and memories that I will cherish forever
Pros
  • Friendships
  • Activities
  • Views
Cons
  • Soup (salkantay)
  • Camping
  • Room accommodation with 8 people
110 people found this review helpful.
Michael
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Had an amazing time!

As someone who hasn’t really travelled extensively outside of my home country, I was fairly excited to try something new. Before this trip I had never been to South America but always wanted to see places like Machu Picchu. On this trip I ended up meeting so many awesome people, eating lots of great food, and engaging in activities that I honestly would have never expected to do. Paragliding, volunteering with rainforest animals, and even walking around the local cities gave me some amazing memories.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I ate cuy, which is guinea pig. During my week in the homestay I was recommended to try it because it’s high in protein. I really liked it mainly because it was something different and I could also say that I’d eaten guinea pig.
Pros
  • Fun people in my group
  • Thrilling activities
  • I saw Machu Picchu and the Amazon Rainforest
Cons
  • More gravel carrying
  • Trip slowed at one point; made it difficult after having been so busy
  • Some places we stayed had bad mold
119 people found this review helpful.
James
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Gapforce Review

This trip was an absolutely unforgettable experience, with memories I will cherish forever. The itinerary has a good mix of hiking in nature and getting to see cities. Do expect to be camping in proper tents without wifi and to be trekking for several days straight. The hiking was pretty hard but doable, even though I wasn't in the best of fitness, and the group will never leave you behind. Other than the hiking and planned activities you have a good amount of time to explore on your own. Sunscreen and bug spray ESSENTIAL.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would probably prepare for the treks better.
Pros
  • Beautiful views
  • Yana Cocha was amazing
  • Social group bonding
Cons
  • Some travel days can be long
  • Preparing for the hike made packing strange
  • Plans can be variable and different from what you expect
112 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers