Upon arrival in Cusco, your group will be greeted by a private driver who will transport you to our guesthouse, conveniently located near the city center. After settling in, a local guide will lead us on a walking tour of Cusco, introducing the city’s rich history as the former capital of the Inca Empire. The tour will explore key landmarks, including the Plaza de Armas and the San Pedro Market, giving students a deeper appreciation for the cultural and historical significance of the region. The evening will conclude with a welcome dinner, where the group will discuss the week ahead.

We’ll begin the day with workshops focused on documentary storytelling, specifically tailored to exploring themes of regenerative tourism and cultural preservation. These sessions will equip your students with the skills needed to document the stories of the local organizations we’ll be collaborating with. In the afternoon, we’ll visit one of Cusco’s bustling markets to explore local produce and ingredients, followed by a hands-on cooking class where students will learn to make traditional Peruvian dishes like ceviche and lomo saltado. This culinary experience will provide a delicious and immersive introduction to Peruvian culture.

Today, we’ll engage directly with a local regenerative tourism initiative that is working to protect Cusco’s natural and cultural heritage. The morning will be spent learning about their mission and the impact of their work on both the environment and local communities. In the afternoon, we’ll return to the guesthouse for a group discussion and production meeting to plan the documentary approach, ensuring everyone is aligned and ready to move forward with the project.

We’ll return to the organization to conduct in-depth interviews with key individuals, including community leaders and local residents who are involved in the regenerative tourism efforts. These interviews will help students understand the personal and environmental impact of the initiative. The afternoon will be dedicated to reviewing the day’s material and refining our storytelling techniques.

We’ll spend the day documenting visual elements that bring our stories to life, capturing the essence of the organization’s daily activities and its impact on the surrounding community. This could include documenting workshops, community-led conservation efforts, or tourism-related activities. After returning to the guesthouse, the group will review the material and plan the next steps in the post-production process to ensure the narrative is cohesive and impactful.

Today, we’ll take a full-day excursion to the world-renowned Machu Picchu, one of the most iconic landmarks of Peru. Students will have the opportunity to explore the ancient Inca citadel, learning about its historical significance and the environmental efforts to preserve it. The day will include a guided tour of the ruins, offering insight into Incan architecture, culture, and their connection to the natural world. In the evening, we’ll return to Cusco for a relaxing night at the guesthouse.

The morning will begin with a workshop led by the Actuality team to review the rough cut of our documentary. The group will provide feedback, and the team will incorporate the final edits before the evening screening. The day will conclude with a screening of the completed documentary, followed by a wrap party to celebrate the success of the project.

After a final breakfast at the guesthouse, the group will gather for reflections and farewells, sharing key takeaways from the trip. Following this, pre-arranged transport will be ready to take everyone to the airport for the journey home.