Cultural Immersion & Sustainable Development

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.

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.

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!