Peru is filled with friendly people and is one of our most popular volunteer destinations. Ancient ruins and breathtaking landscapes pepper the region, and the society is as complex as the woven tapestries that abound at the market. While volunteering in Peru and staying with host families in Cusco, you will get a firsthand look at the political and economic issues that impact locals on a daily basis. Whether this will be your first out-of-country volunteer experience or your hundredth, the warmth and kindness of Peru’s people will make you feel at home.
As a volunteer in Peru, you will help alleviate poverty by working at a wide range of community centers in Cusco. Partnerships with after school programs, child care centers, women’s shelters, and youth organizations allow you to build relationships and leave a lasting impression on the lives of those you meet.
While you do your part to make this world a better place, you also take in the fascinating culture of Cusco!
United Planet also offers long-term (6 month and one year) volunteer programs in Peru. Learn more about all of our volunteer programs in Latin and South America.
See what the newest batch of United Planet Volunteers are thinking and feeling in Peru!
The culture in Peru is absolutely amazing! The people are extremely friendly, the food is delicious, and the architecture is beyond scenic. The colors and the designs are breathtaking. I volunteered at a local orphanage, one of the United Planet’s Working with Children projects, and I miss it so much.Estrella R. - Volunteer
As a United Planet healthcare volunteer in Peru, you will work closely with several clinics in the beautiful city of Cusco. Health placements also exist at centers for the elderly. Healthcare professionals will assist with various medical tasks based on experience and certification. The primary task for students is observation.
Volunteers care for children in daycares, after-school centers, and child care centers. Other volunteer opportunities include assisting teachers in state schools and providing support at women’s shelters and schools for children with physical and developmental disabilities. Volunteer work is available for all ages and skill levels.
Volunteers have the opportunity to work at an animal sanctuary that provides shelter for animals that have endured trauma during their lives or at a local dog rescue center.
Volunteers in Peru participate in a cultural activity every other week for the first six weeks of their stay. Examples include a salsa dancing class, a Peruvian cooking lesson, a weaving workshop, a Peruvian flute lesson, or a Quechua lesson.
While in Peru, you’ll receive a Boleto Turistico (Touristic Pass), which grants you free entry to major museums and sites in Cusco for ten days. If you stay for two weeks or less, you’ll receive a limited pass; three week stays or longer will receive the full pass.
Volunteers in Peru staying three weeks or longer will take excursions every other weekend through week nine, depending on weather and availability. Examples include a tour of the Sacred Valley, a rafting trip, or a mountain biking trek. Excursions may be done individually or in groups.
Volunteers staying in Peru for two weeks or more will participate in a Cusco City tour with a Spanish or English speaking guide. This is a great way to learn more about Peru’s rich history and immerse in your new surroundings.
Most Peru volunteers live with host families in Cusco during their Quest. Many volunteers stay in touch with their families long after they return home!
Take an excursion to Machu Picchu, the beautiful ancient seat of the Incan empire. This majestic landmark will stick with you long after you return. You’ll visit the town of Aguas Calientes at the foot of Machu Picchu, participate in a guided tour of the ruin, and have plenty of time to explore on your own.
Please note that the cost of optional excursions is not tax deductible. The price showcased above is the best estimate and subject to change based on the circumstances of your travel.
Experience a 3 day, 2 night boat tour across South America’s largest lake, Lake Titicaca. On this tour, you’ll visit islands whose inhabitants have lived there since before the Incan civilization flourished. The islands were artificially made using floating reed, which could easily be moved for defensive purposes. While visiting the islands, you’ll be able to see ancient ruins and observe how textiles and ceramics are made.
Please note that the cost of optional excursions is not tax deductible. The price showcased above is the best estimate and subject to change based on the circumstances of your travel.
The Inca Trail leading to Machu Picchu is one of the most popular hikes in all of South America. You’ll discover the ancient ruins of Incan settlements and stunning scenery during your two-day or four-day hike along the Inca Trail. After completing your hike, make sure to visit the closest access point to Machu Picchu, the town of Aguas Calientes.
Please note that the cost of optional excursions is not tax-deductible. The prices showcased above are the best estimates and subject to change based on the circumstances of your travel.
The Salkantay Trek is an ancient footpath that takes you through beautiful and varied landscapes. On this trek, you’ll pass by the incredible snow-capped Salkantay Mountain as well as waterfalls and rainforests, with a good chance of seeing toucans and other wildlife along the way. At the end of the trek, you will visit Machu Picchu, a World Heritage Site regarded to be the most impressive creation of the Incan Empire.
Please note that the cost of optional excursions is not tax deductible. The price showcased above is the best estimate and subject to change based on the circumstances of your travel.
Add a one or two week intensive Spanish Language course to the beginning of your Quest. This is a great way to build the conversational skills that you’ll use to communicate with your host family and at your project. Instead of starting your assigned volunteer project right away, you will spend the first one or two weeks of your Quest studying Spanish in a language school in Cusco. Volunteers receive 20 hours of group lessons or 12 hours of individual lessons (depending on Spanish level) per week.
My experience in the clinic helped mold my passion for healthcare and dentistry. I experienced firsthand how Dra. Frallondiz was able to use her skills as a dentist to assist people who needed it most. She was able to work with me to teach me the different materials that she used. While I was with Dra. Frallondiz, I came to the realization that if I became a dentist, I would have the opportunity to help both my local community, and the global community. Read more on United Planet volunteer’s experience at a dental clinic in Peru.
The age requirement for most of the projects in Peru is 18. However, we do offer several projects with a minimum age requirement of 15. Volunteers under 15 are eligible to participate in Peru Quest if they are traveling with a parent, guardian, or friends over the age of 21.
United Planet Quests are designed to be immersive, authentic, comprehensive and provide you everything you’ll need to succeed. The program elements allow you to engage fully with a new culture, forge strong relationships, and challenge yourself. Most importantly, we partner with the community to ensure your experience will be important, relevant and helpful to the community you serve.
United Planet provides emergency travel and medical insurance for all volunteers. All Peru staff members participate in extensive health and safety training, and are available at all times by 24-hour phone line. Upon enrollment, you will receive a full emergency contact list. In addition, we register all of our volunteers with US Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). We recommend booking a doctor’s appointment or visiting a travel health clinic a few months out to update your vaccinations. Also, we have been monitoring the situation with Zika virus in Peru. The mosquitoes that spread Zika do not survive at elevations above 6,500 feet due to environmental conditions. Because all United Planet programs in Cusco are at high enough altitudes, Zika does not pose a threat for United Planet Peru volunteers. Read more about health and safety.
Due to varying airline prices, United Planet does not arrange or cover the cost of flights to and from Peru. However, we arrange all ground transportation to and from the airport in Peru and will ensure that you arrive safely at your host house in Cusco. Public transportation to and from your project is cheap and easy with Cusco’s public transportation system or by taxi. Daily commuting costs are covered by volunteers.
1 Week | 10 Days | 2 Weeks | 3 Weeks | 4 Weeks | 5 Weeks | 6 Weeks | 7 Weeks | 8 Weeks | 9 Weeks | 10 Weeks | 11 Weeks | 12 Weeks |
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$1995 | $2165 | $2285 | $2595 | $2915 | $3215 | $3525 | $3845 | $4165 | $4465 | $4775 | $5025 | $5275 |
We want you to succeed. That means having in place the support our volunteers need. We don’t just drop you in country and hope for the best. We provide training before you leave … language exposure … 24/7 in-country support … support for your host family … accommodations, meals and airport transportation … activities and excursions. The whole idea is to make the experience successful and productive for you and the host community, and we have found that these things are crucial. Remember that we are a non-profit, mission-driven organization – we wouldn’t spend money on something that wasn’t important.
*Payment Plan Details: A $300 deposit is due at the time of your enrollment to lock in your spot in our program. After your confirmation in a program, you can choose to pay the Quest Fee all at once or in installments. The total Quest Fee is due 4 weeks before your departure date.
United Planet is an international non-profit organization with a mission to create a global community, one relationship at a time. We connect people who want to make a difference in communities across the world through overseas volunteer travel programs, global virtual internships & volunteering, and project-based virtual exchange programs. With opportunities in more than 40 countries, you will learn, teach, work, engage and immerse yourself in a culture outside your comfort zone. For many, volunteering abroad is the most fulfilling experience of their lives!
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