from 369€

Good 4.2rating (20)

Cultural Immersion & Sustainable Development

location
1 - 4 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Good 4.2  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • live and work alongside a traditional Andean family
  • Your time and talents will be greatly appreciated
  • Share your experience with your host family
  • Make new friends at yoru project and host family
  • Learn a new language

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+

About the program

Volunteers will be placed in very small villages of approximately 60 people in the Andes Mountains outside of Cusco.

Volunteers are placed in an indigenous, Quechua-speaking community high in the Andes mountains, approximately 1 hour from Cusco. They live and work alongside a traditional Andean family.  Volunteers should consider this project an intense, cultural encounter and be able to live with only basic ...

About the program

Volunteers are placed in an indigenous, Quechua-speaking community high in the Andes mountains, approximately 1 hour from Cusco. They live and work alongside a traditional Andean family.  Volunteers should consider this project an intense, cultural encounter and be able to live with only basic necessities. It will be very rewarding but also very challenging.

Volunteers help families with the following activities:

Agriculture — most common crops are potatoes and quinoa. Volunteers assist with planting, harvesting, storing, and transporting crops.

Livestock — feeding and taking care of the animals and sometimes milking the cows owned by the host family.

Textiles — learning about traditional weaving skills and natural dyes by working with the women who create traditional textile products to sell at local markets.

This project provides an income source for small communities and promotes cross cultural understanding. Volunteers will be able to take part in local festivities and gatherings both within their host family and the community. Volunteers should consider this project an intense, cultural encounter and be able to live with only basic necessities. It will be very rewarding but also very challenging.

Please note that the accommodations and meals will be very basic due to the extremely remote setting of these communities. Hot showers will not be available and running water is not guaranteed. Locals bath in a mix of boiled and cold water that they put in a bucket. 

Another important point is that no English is spoken in these communities. Quechua is the local language. Most locals also speak Spanish as a second language. It is still possible to have a rewarding and full experience even though there will be a language barrier. Furthermore, the community is very warm and welcoming to all volunteers.



Typical day

Upon arrival in Cusco, we will be waiting for you at Cusco’s airport, from where we will go to our host family in Cusco. We will give you a health & safety and program orientation, and you will have time to rest.

Work usually starts on Monday; we will meet at our office in Cusco from where we will ...

Typical day

Upon arrival in Cusco, we will be waiting for you at Cusco’s airport, from where we will go to our host family in Cusco. We will give you a health & safety and program orientation, and you will have time to rest.

Work usually starts on Monday; we will meet at our office in Cusco from where we will take you to the bus station where we will go and take the public bus to the project at the Sacred Valley, about 1.40hours from Cusco. Upon arrival we will introduce you to your host family and you will have time to get to know the surroundings.

Monday to Friday:

7:30 AM Breakfast with the host family

8:00 AM/12:00 PM Volunteer will work with the family at their house or go to the field.

12:00 PM- Lunch with the family

1:00 PM volunteer at this point is free to relax or explore the local area.

6:30 PM Dinner with the host family.

**The agriculture work will depend on the time of year and the type of duties available. Work hours are generally four hours in the morning or afternoon.


Free-time activities

The project is located around the mountain in the Sacred Valley of the Inca in Cusco, where it can give you the opportunity to take great hikes and get to know Incan paths!

On the weekend, volunteers have spare time and usually relax or take the opportunity to explore other parts of their local town ...

Free-time activities

The project is located around the mountain in the Sacred Valley of the Inca in Cusco, where it can give you the opportunity to take great hikes and get to know Incan paths!

On the weekend, volunteers have spare time and usually relax or take the opportunity to explore other parts of their local town and Peru. Long weekends can be taken to travel further afield such as Machu Picchu, Colca Canyon or Lake Titicaca, to travel to other cities, volunteer must come back to Cusco. At PV Travel we organize fun and interesting tours for our volunteers, so just let us know where you would like to go!


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak Spanish (intermediate level)

Criminal Background Check

required

Required Documents

Application Form and copy of passport

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

Volunteer must have intermediate level of Spanish in order to have a full experience at the program. Spanish classes are available at our office in Cusco if needed before your program starts

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:00 - 12:30

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Peru Volunteer and Travel

  • Volunteer placement
  • Volunteer project management and administration for your selected program length
  • Program and Safety orientation
  • Pre-departure support
  • 2 nights accommodation in Cusco ( upon arrival and departure)
  •  Accommodations - Sundays through Saturdays at Host family
  • 3 meals per day
  • Airport pick-up
  •  Volunteer certificate 
  • Transport to volunteer project the first day
  • 24/7 support from our staff in Peru
  • **Your fee also contributes to the purchase of needed supplies for improvements at your project.

    Option:. Add tours throughout Peru to your program and make the best of your time!

Airport Pickup at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport

We pick volunteers up from Cusco airport and transfer them to their accommodations. Flight information needs to be sent to us prior arrival in Perú.

Accommodation

Volunteers will stay in a homestay where they will live with a local family. Volunteers may expect to share a room with other volunteers. When staying with your family you will be able to learn the Peruvian way of life, meet local people, eat typical food, speak the language (Spanish or Quechua) and engage in local customs and traditions.

Food & Beverages

All 3 meals are included ( breakfast, lunch and dinner) Volunteers can expect to experience a variety of flavors and meals during their homestay experience as Peruvian food is diverse. We will be glad to let the family know if you have special eating needs. Please let us know ahead of time so that we can make arrangements for you. However, we need to stress the point that you should not expect to eat as you normally do at home. You will be well taken care of, but as a volunteer, there is a need to be flexible towards the new culture and traditions.


What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Internet Access

Sorry, no access at the project site

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) in Cuzco. We assist you to find cheap flights to Peru. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Peru provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Peru you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Peru. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

Once you arrive in Cusco, please pick up your bags and then step out of the airport. Our PEVolunteer representative will be waiting for you there with a sign that has your name written on it. The first day of volunteer’s program (normally Sunday) is upon arrival in Cusco, Volunteer will be pickup from the airport and then transfer to our volunteer apartment. Here volunteers will have the day to rest and acclimatize.First day! Your Introduction

Work usually starts on Monday; we will meet at our office in Cusco at 9am. Our orientation will begin and will be conducted by our staff. It will cover everything you need to know for your volunteer placement in the city including an introduction to Peru, Peruvian customs, language training information (Spanish), rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities in Peru. Once our orientation is complete, we will take you to the bus station where we will go and take the public bus to the project at the Sacred Valley, about 1.40hours from Cusco. Upon arrival we will introduce you to your host family and you will have time to get to know the surroundings.

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

1 week (min. stay) 369€
2 weeks 603€
3 weeks 870€
4 weeks (max. stay) 1,059€
Average fees 316€/week

Program fees

316€ per week 1 - 4 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

1 - 4 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Peru Volunteer and Travel during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Peru Volunteer and Travel

Good 4.2 rating (20 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2011

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Jimmy

Spoken languages: English

About the project

Peru Volunteer and Travel is a Peruvian based organization, who really want to make a change. That is why we have created the most affordable, and life-changing programs.

Meet your organization

Peru Volunteer and Travel was founded in 2011, and is a leading organization in volunteer and internship abroad. We have a dedicated, multilingual team available 24/7 to support and care for our volunteers, we strive to set ourselves apart by providing a top-notch client service and great home base facilities.
As a Peruvian based organization, we personally know the reality from all of our projects and we know which volunteer projects really need help from volunteers and we place our volunteers in these places so that you feel needed and satisfied.
During your volunteer placement you will always have support close at hand by our Coordinators.

Whether you will be working in childcare or a medical placement, teaching English, or any other program with us, you will be making a difference in the poor Peruvian reality. You will interact with poor, disabled, and sad children whose faces light up when they see you come to help them. The adults will make you feel welcome and will be extremely thankful for your help. It will be a once in a lifetime experience that you will never forget.

Our principal goal is to be one of the organizations that works with the neediest people in Peru in order to try to change their lives for the better. But, of course, we need the help of our volunteers. That is why we make sure to offer quality, safe, and affordable programs for our volunteers and travelers.
We can maintain low prices and high quality programs because we are the creators of our volunteer programs in Peru. We are the in-country coordinators for many other organizations, our main office is in Peru, and our programs are considered the best ones there are!

20 reviews · rating4.2

Francesca Scarafia rating4.8

2024 at Cultural Immersion & Sustainable Development

We spent one week in the hosting family and it was an amazing time! We experienced their culture in different aspects and were able to have a real immersion in their way of life! The family is very welcoming, friendly and helpful. They were always making sure that we were feeling comfortable with ...
Miriam Decurtins rating3.4

2021 at Cultural Immersion & Sustainable Development

Super liebe und sehr sympathische Familie. Wurde sehr gut aufgenommen und integriert. Habe viel gelernt und erfahren. In der Nacht ist es sehr kalt. Unterkunft ist einfach aber gemütlich und es hat alles was man bracht. Ich vermisse die Familie ...
Julianne Blanchard rating3.2

2023 at Assistant at Animal Rescue Center

First, about where we were lodged and everything. It was really nice. We were placed in a house with three other volunteers. There was great internet, a clean bathroom, the food served for breakfast and supper was nice, our room was clean ... For the zoo, we started around 8:00 a.m. We had quite an ...
Oliver de Jesus rating5

2023 at Dental Care Assistant

It's been a few weeks since I've just got back from Cusco and the experience of working in public health made me, for sure, a better person and professional! I thank the entire team for their support and help during our stay at Cusco. Peru Volunteer and Travel definitely has changed my ...
Lucrezia Piomboni rating5

2023 at Medical & Nursing Care Assistant

With this program you can immerse in the Peruvian culture and expand your knowledge thanks to the nurse and doctor's experience and truly help people in need. In Cusco I had a lot of free times too, and making friends, visiting the city and doing tours were the best part. I would recommend this ...
Elise Tournemeule rating5

2023 at Assistant at Animal Rescue Center

Nous avons passé 5 semaines incroyables avec Peru Volunteer ! Les personnes gérant l’association sont formidables et bienveillantes. Nous nous sommes sentis en sécurité, et accompagnés tout au long de notre séjour. L'équipe propose également diverses activités pour découvrir Cusco et le ...

Location


You might also be interested in

Contact Jimmy
  Excellent response rate
English

Most volunteers ask about


Do you have any more questions? Send a message to Jimmy
Please do not share personal contact details for your privacy