The program was very well organised, with strong communication that made me feel cared about. I had confidence during the whole trip.
Andean Immersion Volunteer Project in Peru - Cusco
Purpose
Improve quality of life for traditional communities
Start dates
Programs start every Monday
Duration
Choose from 1-24 weeks
Volunteer hours
Up to 5 hours a day
Age
Volunteers aged 16+ and families
Accommodation
Homestay
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
This program is ideal for:
Enthusiastic volunteers who want an immersive cultural experience. Often the host families on this project speak little or no English so volunteers should come with at least a basic level of Spanish language ability, though this is not a requirement. You’ll also need to be comfortable staying in basic accommodation with few modern conveniences and willing to help with a variety of activities.
Project details
Excited to live with an ancient community as an Andean Immersion volunteer in Peru - Cusco? International Volunteer HQ’s Andean Immersion project is an exciting opportunity for volunteers to live with a Peruvian family in a Quechua-speaking community and help them with a wide range of tasks. Volunteers will eat traditional food and live day-to-day life the way the locals do while learning about their unique culture and lifestyle.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
High in the Peruvian Andes people live in small rural villages where the pace of life is slower and the standard of living is basic. These people often speak the local indigenous Quechua language and some Spanish, but little English.
As an Andean Immersion volunteer you’ll live with a local family and help them as they go about their daily tasks. Your help will make the family more efficient, both economically and around the house, while at the same time providing you with an immersive cultural experience. Volunteer duties can vary greatly but often include:
- Farming and agricultural work, including animal husbandry
- Construction
- Domestic chores
- Learning about traditional weaving and natural dyes
- Helping make textiles for sale at a local market
- Teaching English classes
- Helping with educational activities
- Taking part in local festivals and gatherings
Why do Andean Immersion volunteering in Cusco with IVHQ?
When you volunteer with an Andean community in Peru - Cusco you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Getting an authentic experience of life in the rural Andes
- Helping a local family with a wide range of tasks
- Developing your communication skills
- Learning about the Quechuan language
- Practicing your Spanish
- Immersing yourself in Peruvian culture
- Exploring the stunning mountains of Peru
Volunteer requirements
- Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
- Volunteers aged 16 or 17 on their program start date are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional document to the local team.
- All volunteers aged 18+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 16 and 17 will need to provide 2 character reference letters to participate
- All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
- All volunteers must speak fluent English.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Not sure which program to join?
Get personalized recommendations >
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
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IVHQ Andean Immersion project
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IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Archaeology project
IVHQ Holiday Experience project
IVHQ Andean Immersion project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Medical and Healthcare project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Andean Immersion project
IVHQ Dentistry project
IVHQ Archaeology project
IVHQ Medical Campaign project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Holiday Experience project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Andean Immersion project
IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
IVHQ Medical and Healthcare project
IVHQ Amazon Jungle Conservation project
IVHQ Andean Immersion project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Holiday Experience project
IVHQ Medical Campaign project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Andean Immersion project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Dentistry project
IVHQ Medical Campaign project
IVHQ Holiday Experience project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Andean Immersion project
IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
IVHQ Medical Campaign project
IVHQ Holiday Experience project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Andean Immersion project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Medical Campaign project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Dentistry project
IVHQ Andean Immersion project
IVHQ Holiday Experience project
IVHQ Medical Campaign project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Amazon Jungle Conservation project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Medical Campaign project
IVHQ Andean Immersion project
IVHQ Holiday Experience project
Exploring Cusco during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Cusco during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Cusco during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Machu Picchu during an IVHQ weekend
Train to Machu Picchu during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Cusco during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Cusco during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Cusco markets during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Machu Picchu iduring an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Machu Picchu during an IVHQ weekend
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
NV
Nuria Vilar
25 Sep 2024
...
RM
Rebecca Martin
19 Jul 2024
My whole family was able to experience a completely new way of living in the world. The surroundings were incredible and unspoiled by technology. My children gained even more insight than I did. We frequently discussed the things we take for granted and other ways we could help people on the project and at home. Our language lessons were impeccable and overall, we gained a greater appreciation for life as we know it.
...
LL
Lailane Laguitao
21 May 2024
Volunteering allows you to learn more about yourself, while at the same time feeling very safe as a solo traveler. IVHQ and the local team were great in helping to guide me prior to and on my trip. It felt good to volunteer and I'm sure I will do it again in the future.
...
NS
Novica-Jozo Sesjak
20 Apr 2023
My favourite part of the program was spending time with such a wonderful family and experiencing their way of life, culture and tradition. Our children enjoyed playing with their little boy and helping him with homework, as well playing soccer together.
...
SS
Sandro Sesjak
19 Apr 2023
I really enjoyed feeding the cuys, taking the sheep out to the pasture, and playing soccer with the young son and the other kids in the community. It was a good experience to learn about a different county and its people.
...
JS
Jadran Sesjak
19 Apr 2023
This was a great opportunity to experience life in a different part of the world and grow as a person with a greater appreciation of the traditions and cultures of another country.
...
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Academic course credit
Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course creditLocation
Location
As an Andean Immersion volunteer you’ll live with a local family in a remote village nestled in the valleys of the Andes mountains in Peru. You’ll be about a 90-minute drive away from the city of Cusco and even closer to the ancient Incan site of Machu Picchu.
Arrival and orientation
Volunteers need to arrive in Cusco on the Sunday before their start date.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at the Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) in Cusco. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee. We recommend that volunteers under the age of 18 travel internationally with a notarized letter from their parents to support their documentation.
When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the local team’s main office and then to your homestay. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are traveling in Peru prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up in Cusco on the day before your program orientation.
The local team will aim to complete your general program orientation shortly after you arrive, no matter what day you arrive, in order to acclimatize you to your surroundings in Cusco as quickly as possible. Orientation lasts around 2 hours and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program – introduction to Peru, Peruvian customs, language lesson details, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities in Cusco, introduction to your project and placement. This is also followed by a walking tour. Orientation sessions are scheduled throughout the day, with the last being around 4:00 PM. If you arrive after this time, don’t worry; the local team will ensure this is completed first thing the following morning.
Volunteer schedule example
Weekdays
Due to the varied nature of this project, volunteer days may not follow a reliable schedule. Work times and daily routines will depend on the individual placement and host family. A typical schedule might be as follows:
| 7:00 AM | Breakfast at your accommodation. This might be served earlier depending on the activities planned for the day. |
| 8:00 AM | Volunteer work begins. Depending on the season you may be helping with the potato harvest, cutting alfalfa, sorting harvested plants, helping with planting, preparing food or tending the sheep. |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch and break time. |
| 2:00 PM | Volunteer work continues. This may include: learning how to weave and dye traditional textiles, teaching English or feeding farm animals. |
| 6:00 PM | Dinner at your accommodation with other volunteers. |
Weekends
Volunteers have spare time to relax in the village or venture back into Cusco at their own cost via bus to explore other parts of Cusco and Peru.
Sunday is a religious day of rest. But if you wish, you can accompany your host family to their local church, as a Latin American church service is a unique and special experience for many volunteers.
Accommodation and WiFi
Volunteers stay onsite at the Andean Immersion farm with a local host family. Volunteers can expect to share a room with others of the same gender. Living is rustic but comfortable. There is cold running water, limited electricity and no internet.
Please note, homes in Peru are not typically heated but your hosts can provide you with additional blankets upon request. We also advise wearing layered clothing as the temperature tends to drop at night, due to the altitude.
Meals
While in Cusco (Sunday and Monday when you first arrive), volunteers receive breakfast and dinner, and are required to purchase their own lunch. Once you’ve transferred to the project location you will receive breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day.
Volunteers are provided breakfast, lunch and dinner at their homestay. You’ll eat traditional food and live day to day life the way locals do.
A typical Peruvian breakfast consists of bread, spreads and fruit or bread and eggs accompanied by tea or coffee. Dinner commonly consists of potatoes and rice, with some vegetables or protein (commonly chicken). You should not expect to have meat everyday.
Please note any dietary requirements you have so we can make special arrangements for you. However, you’ll need to be somewhat flexible due to the limited resources in this location.
Andean Immersion project volunteer house
Andean Immersion project volunteer kitchen
Andean Immersion project volunteer bedroom
Andean Immersion project volunteer dining room
Andean Immersion project volunteer living room
IVHQ volunteer orientation
IVHQ volunteer orientation
IVHQ volunteer Spanish lesson
Pricing
Secure your place for just US$299 (approximately CA$441), pay your Program Fee later.
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately CA$441) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 1 week | $548 Equivalent to $78/day |
| 2 weeks | $905 Equivalent to $65/day |
| 3 weeks | $1,210 Equivalent to $58/day |
| 4 weeks | $1,510 Equivalent to $54/day |
| 5 weeks | $1,810 Equivalent to $52/day |
| 6 weeks | $2,110 Equivalent to $50/day |
| 8 weeks | $2,710 Equivalent to $48/day |
| 10 weeks | $3,310 Equivalent to $47/day |
| 12 weeks | $3,910 Equivalent to $47/day |
| 16 weeks | $5,110 Equivalent to $46/day |
| 20 weeks | $6,310 Equivalent to $45/day |
| 24 weeks | $7,510 Equivalent to $45/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately CA$441) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Cusco generally find US$100 - $150 per week to be sufficient for expenses, such lunches, public transportation, personal spending money, etc..
- Breakfast and dinner while in Cusco when you first arrive
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner while at your project site
- Airport pick-up
- Round-trip transfer from Cusco to project site
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Discounts on language lessons
- Discounts on travel and tour add-ons
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- Return to the airport when your program finishes
- Flights
- Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
- Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.
Popular add-ons & experiences in Cusco
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Cusco program.
Lake Titicaca Tour (2 nights/1 day)
Prepare to be in awe of this unique landscape and surroundings on this overnight tour!
CA$209
Machu Picchu Overnight Tour - Upgrade (2 days, 1 night)
Explore Machu Picchu on an exhilarating 2-day & 1-night tour.
CA$726
Machu Picchu Tour (Full Day)
Experience the awe-inspiring wonders of Machu Picchu in just one day without stretching your budget!
CA$554
Affordable Spanish language lessons
Fluency in Spanish is not a prerequisite for the IVHQ Peru - Cusco program, however on certain projects volunteer work will be restricted with limited language ability. We recommend that volunteers take advantage of the very affordable language lessons offered exclusively to IVHQ volunteers by our local team in Cusco. Past volunteers feel that taking these lessons help immensely with day-to-day volunteer work and communicating with local people. The language lessons are tailored to each volunteer’s current level of Spanish and classes run from Monday through to Friday. The cost is very affordable and offered exclusively to IVHQ volunteers.
- Group Class: 2 hours a day - starting at CA$131 per week
- Private Class: 1 hour a day - starting at CA$140 per week
- Private Class: 2 hours a day - starting at CA$280 per week
How to book IVHQ’s language lessons: Once you’ve paid your registration fee, you will be able to select language lessons as an “Add-on” via your MyIVHQ profile.
Spanish language lessons are not available on the Andean Immersion, Eco-Agriculture or Amazon Jungle Conservation projects due to their remote nature. However volunteers will have plenty of opportunity to practice with locals.
Check what's required to visit Peru
Safety and support
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
Essential country information
| Capital | Lima |
| Population | 32 million |
| Languages | Spanish |
| Currency | Peruvian Nuevo Sol (PEN) |
| Time zone | UTC-05:00 |
Weather and climate: Peru, unlike other equatorial countries, does not have an exclusively tropical climate; the influence of the Andes and the Humboldt Current causes great climatic diversity within the country. In the mountains, rain is frequent during summer and temperatures and humidity diminish with altitude up to the frozen peaks of the Andes. The jungle has heavy rainfall and high temperatures, with the exception of its southernmost part, which has cold winters and seasonal rainfall.
Apply to check if you're eligible!
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