Intensive Quechua Course
Learn Runasimi, "the language of the people," and connect with the Andes and its people in a way few travelers ever do.
Learn Runasimi, "the language of the people," and connect with the Andes and its people in a way few travelers ever do.
Quechua, or Runasimi, is a living cultural heritage that connects you in a very special way with the Andes and its people. Millions still speak it across Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and beyond — and learning it opens doors that Spanish alone cannot.
Our Intensive Quechua Course is taught one-to-one by experienced native Peruvian teachers, with a partner-group option available if you're studying together with someone else. Basic Spanish knowledge is required, since classes are conducted using Spanish as the bridge language.
The course includes 20 hours of Quechua classes per week. Starting in your second week, you'll visit local markets and villages around Cusco where Quechua is still actively spoken — putting your new vocabulary to real use with real people.
Can't be in Cusco in person? Virtual lessons are available upon request. And for the full immersive experience, combine your course with a stay in a local host family and our Intensive or Standard Spanish courses.
As a private course, classes can begin on any preferred date, any weekday.
20 hours of 50-minute classes, Monday to Friday, scheduled with your teacher.
From week two, part of your classes take place outside the classroom, visiting markets and villages where Quechua is the everyday language.
| Class units | Partner group | One-to-one |
|---|---|---|
| Hours per week | 20 | 20 |
| Price per week | 180,00 USD | 280,00 USD |
More than lessons
In addition to the Quechua course, many other services are included in the price at our language school ACUPARI.
Learn the rhythms of Latin America while having fun, included with every course.
Free outings to explore Cusco and its surroundings with fellow students.
Practice your Spanish in a relaxed, real-life setting with a language exchange partner.
Book an optional Peruvian cooking class through us.
Combine with our Intensive or Standard Spanish courses to build your foundation.
With our language courses, ACUPARI supports our children's book project "Books for 70 Schools in the Andes."
Continue exploring
Round out your Intensive Quechua Course with these related programs.
Language
Build the Spanish foundation you need before or alongside your Quechua studies.
Beyond class
Discover our cultural offerings – city tours, salsa and cooking classes, and much more!
Stay
Are you looking for a host family or a hotel? We're happy to help you find the perfect place to stay.
Real voices
Over 500 verified reviews on TripAdvisor and Google
"Going to the market in the second week and actually greeting people in Quechua was unforgettable. My teacher was patient and clearly proud to share her language and culture with me."
"The Quechua course exceeded all my expectations. It's not just language — it's living history. Combining it with the Spanish course gave me the perfect foundation to keep up."
"I took the one-to-one option so classes could move at my pace. Twenty hours a week sounds like a lot, but between the village visits and the coffee breaks it never felt like a classroom grind."