Overview
Be a part of the 2 Weeks Special Volunteer Program in Peru with Volunteering Solutions and experience the best that the country has in store for you! You'll get to volunteer for the underprivileged societies living in Cusco and contribute meaningfully towards improving their lives. During the weekends, you'll get to explore Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain, Humantay lagoon, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu as well as some of the historic and cultural sites in Cusco.
This program is perfect for those who want to make a difference but have limited time to volunteer abroad. Whether you're looking to gain hands-on experience in a meaningful role or simply want to immerse yourself in a new culture, this opportunity offers both! You’ll be working alongside like-minded people from around the globe while exploring breathtaking destinations. Join us for an unforgettable experience that combines personal growth, adventure, and the chance to make a real impact.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Day 1 – Sunday: Welcome to Cusco!
Arrive at Cusco, where you'll be warmly greeted at the airport or bus station and transferred to your volunteer residence or host family. Take some time to settle in, unpack, and relax. From 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., enjoy a fun orientation and walking tour of the city to get familiar with your new surroundings!
Day 2 – Monday: First Day at the Project
Start your volunteer journey!
Our local coordinator will pick you up around 8:00 a.m. and guide you to your project site, introducing you to the local staff and showing you the route. You'll travel by public bus, giving you an authentic experience of daily life in Cusco!
Days 3–13: Immersive Intercultural Volunteer Work
Dive into a meaningful experience by contributing to local projects focused on helping families in rural and marginalized urban areas. You’ll be working in rural nursery schools, providing much-needed support to teachers with classes of 20 young children aged 3-5 years old. These kindergartens are simple, with basic infrastructure, but your presence will bring warmth and care.
During the final weeks of December, January, and February, you’ll also lend a hand at rural day care centers, caring for babies as young as 6 months and children up to 4 years old.
For two weeks, you'll spend four hours each day, Monday to Friday, providing love, care, feeding assistance, helping children with hygiene, and offering support to the local staff. Your presence will have a lasting impact on these children's lives.
Day 14 – Saturday: Farewell to Cusco
On your final day, take the morning to say goodbye to Cusco, do some last-minute shopping, or prepare for the next leg of your journey around Peru. You’ll have this morning to savor your last moments at your homestay before heading off to new adventures!
Weekend Tours: Adventure & Discovery
Day 6 – Friday: Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain Adventure
Today, embark on a magical hike through the breathtaking landscapes of the Andes! You'll witness stunning views of alpacas and llamas grazing, red mountains, snow-capped peaks, and glistening lakes.
We'll pick you up at 4:30 a.m. from the Plaza de Armas in Cusco and journey through the scenic Andean countryside to Pitumarca, where a hearty breakfast awaits. From there, we continue to K’ayrawiri (4326 m / 14,192 ft), the starting point for your unforgettable 3-4 hour hike. As you ascend to the summit (5020 m / 16,469 ft), immerse yourself in the colorful culture of local communities, spot wild vicuñas, and capture awe-inspiring landscapes. After reaching the summit, explore the striking Red Valley on your way back, where the vibrant mountain hues will take your breath away. Return to Cusco by 6:30 p.m., with memories that will last a lifetime.
Day 7 – Saturday: Free Day in Cusco
Take a well-deserved break or explore Cusco’s vibrant markets, historical sites, and hidden gems on your own. This is your day to rest, recharge, or dive deeper into the rich history of this ancient city!
Day 8 – Sunday: Sacred Valley Tour + Train to Aguas Calientes
At 6:00 a.m., set off for a full-day tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Discover the majestic sites of Moray, Maras, Chinchero, and the Ollantaytambo ruins while learning about ancient Inca traditions and customs. Enjoy a delicious traditional lunch in the valley before boarding the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, where you'll stay overnight, preparing for your visit to Machu Picchu the following day.
Day 9 – Monday: Machu Picchu – The Lost City of the Incas
Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime! Early in the morning, a short 15-minute bus ride takes you to Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. A guided 2-hour tour of this breathtaking site will reveal the secrets of this ancient Inca citadel. Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore, hike to the Sun Gate, or simply soak in the majesty of this iconic site. You’ll return to Cusco around midnight, after a day you’ll never forget.
Day 13 – Friday: Humantay Lake Hike
End your journey with an epic hike to the crystal-clear Humantay Lake, located near the towering Salkantay Mountain (6271 m). Known for its stunning turquoise waters, this lake is a sacred site for locals. We'll pick you up early from the Plaza de Armas and travel to the charming town of Mollepata for breakfast. Then, enjoy a 2-hour scenic hike surrounded by majestic mountain views. After savoring the beauty and tranquility of the lake, descend back to Soraypampa for lunch and return to Cusco in the late afternoon, refreshed by nature’s splendor.
Important information
The dates indicated in this itinerary may be subject to change due to the daily visitor limits set by the Peruvian government for Machu Picchu. For this reason, we kindly ask our participants to remain flexible regarding potential date adjustments. However, we assure you that the four mentioned tours, including the hike to Vinicunca Mountain, Humantay Lagoon, the Sacred Valley, and the visit to Machu Picchu, will all be fulfilled.
The specific details regarding the tours to the four mentioned destinations will be provided at the travel agency 24 hours before each departure. This will include important information such as the departure time, meeting point with the guide, guide’s name, return time, and more. The information is given 24 hours in advance to ensure it remains fresh in your memory, helping to ensure that the entire group is well-prepared for the experience. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Project Requirement
Project Requirement
Volunteers must be 17 years or older at the time of joining the project. Participants should have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. Volunteers need to be flexible, open-minded and have a passion for working with children. You should also be proactive and have the ability to take initiative All volunteers must provide a clean criminal background check report prior to joining the program. A parental consent form shall be required for Under 18 participants joining the program. A beginner-intermediate level of Spanish would be an added advantage for the participants in the program.
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Living
Living
Airport Transfer
As soon as you land at Cusco Airport, our friendly local coordinator or representative will be there to greet you. If you’re travelling overland or are already in Peru, we’ll arrange a convenient pickup at a designated meeting point or bus station. You´ll see the VolSol logo and your name at the airport door.
Orientation
Get ready for an exciting journey with our orientation! Our local staff will introduce you to key aspects of life in Peru, covering topics like culture, greetings, transportation, safety, and your volunteer placements. This session will help you feel right at home!
Accommodation
Experience authentic Peruvian culture by staying with a local host family! You’ll share a cozy room with fellow volunteers, giving you the chance to bond and make new friends. Most host families have two bathrooms equipped with hot showers, and the accommodations are clean and comfortable. Many homes also offer Wi-Fi and cable TV for your convenience.
Meals
Enjoy delicious home-cooked meals with your host family, served three times a day from Monday to Friday. The menu varies daily and typically includes mouth-watering soups, fresh salads, rice, potatoes, refreshing juices, and delightful desserts.
During your Free Time
During your free time, feel free to explore, shop, or relax! Most weekends, volunteers seize the opportunity to visit the breathtaking Sacred Valley or the world-renowned Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas. In Cusco, take a leisurely stroll around the Plaza de Armas, discovering local restaurants and vibrant shopping areas along the way.
Dates
Dates
November
17
December
01
15
January
05
19
February
02
16
March
02
16
April
06
20
May
04
18
June
01
15
July
06
20
August
03
17
September
07
21
October
05
19
November
02
16
30
December
07
14
Available
Filling Fast
Booked Out
Costs
Duration |
Program Fee
|
Choose your currency
|
---|---|---|
2 Weeks | $1050 |
Please Note: An application fee of is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.
What are you Paying For?
- Pre departure guidebook
- Assistance from support staff and in-country program coordinator
- Airport pick up from Cusco airport
- Program orientation
- Accommodation in a host family or volunteer residence
- Project placement
- Breakfast & Lunch the 1st Sunday on arrival
- 3 meals a day from Monday to Friday
- Hiking Vinicunca Rainbown mountain
- Transportation from Cusco until vinicunca town round & trip
- Breakfast and lunch at vinicunca and Humantay
- Hiking to Humantay Lagoon
- Trip to Sacred Valley and Connection to Machu Pichu
- Tour in Machu Pichu Sanctuary
- Entrance ticket to visit Machu Pichu Sanctuary
- 2 hours tour guided in Machu Pichu
- Train tickets from Ollantaytambo to Aguas calientes (round trip)
- Round trip bus ticket to Aguas Calientes to Machu Pichu Sanctuary
- Double room (shared room) in a hotel in Machu Pichu pueblo
- Lunch in Sacred Valley
- Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)
What's NOT Included?
- International/Domestic Airfare
- Vaccinations
- Visa fees
- Meals on Saturday & Sundays
- Meals at Aguas Calientes
- Visitors entrance tickets for the Sacred Valley tour (130 PEN)
- Visitors entrance tickets for Vinicunca mountain (25 PEN)
- Visitors entrance tickets for Humantay lagoon (20 PEN)
- Maras (salt mine) entrance ticket (10 PEN)
- Rental of horse (100 PEN)
- Personal items (rain jacket, gloves, canes, candies, or snacks)
- Taxi from home stay to Plaza de armas to go the tours (to Vinicunca, to Humantay lagoon, to Sacred Valley tour)
- Drop off to Cusco airport
- Local transportation to and from program location
- Entrance to Huayna Pichu Mountain
- Taxi from Cusco downtown to home stay when returning from tours
- Dinner on the 1st Sunday
- Personal toiletries
- Private bedroom in Aguas calientes town
FAQ's
Accommodation and Living
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Where can I change my money in Peru? Are there ATMs in Cusco and other Peruvian cities?
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You can change your money at any bank or at the airport by showing your passport. There are ATMs located all around the city. The market areas around the project location also have ample ATMs and money exchange counters.
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Would I have free time during my program ? Can I do sightseeing during my program?
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Depending on your project placement, you may get free evenings and weekends. You can utilize this time to visit local markets and other places around your project location.
Places like Barrio de San Blas, Hatton Rumiyuq, Convent and Church of La Merced and Cathedral of Peru have been declared as a World Heritage Sites by UNESCO and must be visited by volunteers during free time and weekends. Of course, we also arrange for tours to Macchu Picchu.
Volunteers are also free to plan quick getaways and explore Peru. We also arrange programs for groups in Tambopata Rainforest areas and the country coordinator can be contacted for the same. -
How do I get to the program location?
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Your country coordinator will take you to your placement location and introduce you to everyone after giving you a basic orientation about the program, city, culture etc. You will also be narrated about the directions to the project location from your accommodation and the modes of transport which you can use.
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Are there more expenses once I arrive in Peru?
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Your program fee covers mostly all the major expenses when you arrive in Peru except your personal expenses. You will need to cover your personal expenses, such as bottled water, local transport, telephone, the internet, shopping, sightseeing etc. However, you should carry around $70-80 per week for your basic personal expenses. However, this amount can vary and you would need a higher amount if you go on different weekend trips out of town.
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Can I know more about accommodation and food arrangements?
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Volunteering Solutions arranges accommodation for volunteers in homestays or with host families in Peru. The accommodations are simple and have basic amenities.
Three meals are provided in a day of which the lunch is the specialty of Peruvian families. The food is tasty, hygienic and nutritious, suited to all volunteers. The volunteers should note that the food is provided from Monday to Saturday of each week. On Sundays, volunteers can eat at nearby eateries or find out good restaurants as per choice. -
Can vegetarians be accommodated?
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Yes – please do ensure that you inform the local team about your food preference and they can make sure to provide you with the best food! Also, please do mention your specific food preference in the application form as well.
Application and Program Details
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Can I volunteer as part of a group?
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We encourage our participants to volunteer in a group. We take special care for providing you a placement and also customize your itinerary to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Also, we can design special group programs for groups of 5 or more. Our programs are designed to be safe, affordable and offer a great group volunteering experience to the volunteers.
In our experience of more than 12+ years we have enabled and facilitated volunteer program placements for college groups, university groups, high school groups, group of families, group of couples as well as groups of colleagues. -
When do I need to arrive in Peru for my program? What will happen once I arrive in the country?
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All volunteers need to arrive in Cusco, Peru, for the Peru programs on the starting date of their project.
Volunteers are picked from the Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco by the in-country coordinator or representative. Accommodation is provided in a homestay or with the host family.
A short orientation is given after arrival about the city, placement, safety precautions. The volunteers are also taken for a short tour of the city before the commencement of the program. However, the tour is dependent upon the arrival time of your flight. -
Does VolSol provides with a reference or a certificate after program completion?
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Yes, we will provide you with the Certificate after successful completion of your program. The certificate is provided on request.
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How long does it take to process my application? Will my application be accepted?
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As we have limited spots available in our programs and we follow the first come first serve rule, it is recommended that potential volunteers book their programs well in advance to get confirmed placements. You can book your slot by filling the application form online and pay the application fee of $225. You can pay your program fee later and also by installments. However, the complete payment should be made 45 days prior to the starting of the program. If you are volunteering in a group, you can also fill a group application form.
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How many hours will I volunteer every day?
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Volunteers usually work for 5 to 6 hours a day, for 5 days a week, depending on their program. You will have the weekends to explore Peru. However, volunteers need to be flexible, open minded and understand that work requirements can alter any time.
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Does VolSol provides discount if I choose more than one program or if I am a returning volunteer?
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If you are planning to come for multiple programs during your trip, you will have to pay the application fees just once. Your application fee is valid for a year's time (from the date of applying). You will not have to pay the application fees again if you come within the mentioned time frame.
For our returning volunteers, $50 discount is provided for the application fee for their next Vol Sol program. -
How long does it take to process my application? Will my application be accepted?
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After you complete your application, your personalized ‘My Account’ will be activated.You will need to upload your CV/Resume along with your photo in the same. Our backend team and the placement site takes around 10-12 working days to review your application. After we review your CV and documents, your booking will be confirmed and booking confirmation will be updated in your ‘My Account’. Some projects need a mandatory criminal background check and the same is mentioned in the project info of your program. Approval of your application depends on your qualification and eligibility criteria for each project.
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Are there any particular requirements to join the programs in Peru?
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The minimum age requirement for the programs in Peru is 17 years. For the Medical program, volunteers must be 18 years and above.
He/she should have the flexibility to adjust to a new environment and culture.
Volunteers should have a basic/ intermediate knowledge of Spanish Language.
For Medical Program – Pre-Medical , Medical and Nursing students as well as Medical Professionals are welcome to join. Participants with other qualifications in the medical field such as CAN, EMT can also join the program.
The participant should be in good health.
Health and Safety
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What immunizations/vaccinations will I need?
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We recommend you to consult your physician or travel doctor before traveling to Peru. However, we recommend you take general vaccinations like
Hepatitis A and B
Typhoid
Yellow Fever
Diarrhoea -
Do I need to buy a health insurance?
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Yes, for all volunteers it is mandatory to have a travel medical insurance. To provide the best option to our participants, we offer comprehensive insurance coverage in collaboration with a leading insurance provider.
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How safe is Peru in general?
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Peru attracts travelers from different parts of the world and is generally safe. However, we recommend all volunteers to take necessary precautions against thefts and robberies. Also, seek permission from your coordinator before venturing out alone in the evenings.
Volunteers can also look up resourceful sites like Lonely Planet to gather more information about Peru and its general atmosphere. You are also recommended to follow the safety guidelines provided by the in-country coordinator during Orientation Session.
Flights and Visa
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Does Volunteering Solutions help with Visa?
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All participants joining the volunteer projects in Peru need to apply for Visa at the nearest Peruvian High Commission in their city. Along with the Visa application, you need to attach the required supporting documents. We provide volunteers with the necessary supporting documents for their Peruvian Visa application. More information shall be provided after you become a Volunteering Solutions enrolled participant.
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What are the recommended airlines to fly to Peru?
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The Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) in Cusco is well connected with all major airports across the globe and flights are easily available. American Airlines, US Airways, Delta Air Lines, Japan Airlines, Emirates Flights are some of the popular airlines.
Connect with Past Volunteers
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How can I connect with past Volunteering Solutions Peruvian alumni as well as other former and current volunteers?
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We encourage volunteers to get in touch with former Volunteering Solutions participants and also other program participants joining our projects. You are recommended to join the Volunteering">https://www.facebook.com/VolunteeringSolutions/">Volunteering Solutions Facebook Page or Facebook">https://www.facebook.com/groups/volunteeringsolutions/">Facebook Group to connect with other participants and our team.
To read alumni interviews from past participants, visit the Meet">https://www.volunteeringsolutions.com/meet-a-volunteer">Meet a Volunteer section on our website.