There comes a moment when regular travel stops feeling like enough. You’ve seen the landmarks. You’ve taken the photos. But somewhere along the way, you started wanting something deeper. A trip that changes you, not just your Instagram feed. A journey where you give as much as you receive.
That’s what volunteering abroad is about. And Peru is one of the best places in the world to do it.
Because the world needs people who show up
Right now, in communities outside Cusco, children are learning in overcrowded classrooms. Families are walking hours to see a doctor. Street dogs are surviving on scraps and kindness. Young mothers are raising babies alone, without support. These aren’t abstract problems. They’re daily realities for real people.
You can’t fix everything. Nobody can. But you can show up. You can spend two weeks, two months, or longer working alongside local people who are already fighting these battles every day. Your hands, your time, your energy, your skills: they matter more than you think.
Because it will change how you see everything
Volunteering abroad doesn’t just help communities. It rewires something inside you. The things you thought were problems back home start looking different. The things you took for granted suddenly feel like gifts. The people you meet, the families who welcome you, the children who remember your name: they stay with you long after you return.
We’ve seen it hundreds of times. Volunteers arrive nervous, unsure if they’ll make a difference. They leave with new perspectives, unexpected friendships, and a clarity about what matters that no vacation could ever provide.
Because you’re ready for something real
Tourist travel keeps you comfortable. Volunteer travel pushes you. You’ll have hard days. You’ll feel out of your depth. You’ll struggle with the language, the altitude, the unfamiliar food, the emotions of working with people facing real challenges.
And you’ll grow. Not in a motivational poster way. In a real, tangible, “I’m not the same person I was before” way.
Ancient culture, urgent needs, unforgettable beauty
Peru is one of the most extraordinary countries on Earth. The legacy of the Inca empire. The mystery of Machu Picchu. The colors of traditional textiles. The flavors of one of the world’s great cuisines. The warmth of people who welcome strangers like family.
But Peru also faces real challenges. Rural communities lack resources that urban areas take for granted. Educational opportunities are unequal. Healthcare access depends on geography. Poverty persists despite economic growth.
This combination makes Peru ideal for meaningful volunteer work. You contribute to communities that genuinely need support. And you do it in a place so beautiful, so culturally rich, so alive that every day off feels like an adventure.
The heart of it all
Cusco isn’t just a city. It’s the ancient capital of the Inca empire, a living museum where colonial churches sit on Inca foundations and traditional culture thrives alongside modern life. UNESCO recognized it as a World Heritage Site, but that label barely captures what it feels like to walk these streets.
For volunteers, Cusco offers something unique: meaningful work and world-class exploration in the same place. Spend your weekdays teaching English or supporting medical campaigns. Spend your weekends hiking to Rainbow Mountain, exploring the Sacred Valley, or visiting Machu Picchu. No other volunteer destination combines service and adventure quite like this.
And Cusco’s communities genuinely need support. The city attracts tourism, but wealth doesn’t reach everyone. Just outside the historic center, families struggle. In the surrounding villages and Sacred Valley towns, needs are even greater. Your volunteer work here isn’t symbolic. It addresses real gaps.
Programs that match your skills and passions
We offer nine different volunteer programs, each addressing genuine community needs:
Teaching English Help children and adults learn a language that opens doors to education and employment. No teaching degree required, just patience, creativity, and fluent English.
Social Work with Children Support kids in after-school programs with homework help, educational games, sports, art, and the simple gift of attention and encouragement.
Medical Volunteering For healthcare students and professionals. Shadow local doctors, assist in clinics, support health campaigns in rural communities, and gain clinical experience in a resource-limited setting.
Psychology Support For psychology students and mental health professionals. Provide emotional support, lead workshops, and assist local psychologists working with vulnerable populations.
Street Dog Rescue Work at local shelters caring for abandoned dogs. Feed, walk, socialize, assist with veterinary care, and help find forever homes for animals that would otherwise suffer.
Orphanage and Children’s Home Support children living in care facilities with educational activities, emotional support, and daily care. Minimum age 21 for this program.
Young Mothers Shelter Help teenage mothers and their babies through educational support, childcare assistance, and life skills workshops. Minimum age 21 for this program.
Construction and Community Building Get your hands dirty building classrooms, community centers, and infrastructure that communities have identified as priorities.
Wildlife Conservation For nature lovers. Support conservation efforts protecting Peru’s incredible biodiversity in partnership with local organizations.
Everything you need, nothing you don’t
When you volunteer with us, we take care of the logistics so you can focus on the experience:
Accommodation Choose between a homestay with a Peruvian family for full cultural immersion, or a volunteer house with other international volunteers for more independence. Both options are safe, clean, and located in good Cusco neighborhoods.
Meals Homestay volunteers receive breakfast and dinner with their host family. Volunteer house residents have access to a shared kitchen. Either way, you’ll eat well.
Airport pickup Land in Cusco and we’re there waiting for you. No navigating taxis or figuring out directions after a long flight.
Orientation Your second day includes a complete introduction: city tour, safety briefing, cultural tips, transportation basics, and a visit to your volunteer placement to meet your supervisor.
Program coordination We match you with the right project, prepare the community for your arrival, and make sure your skills are actually useful.
24/7 support Our team lives in Cusco. When you have a question, a problem, or an emergency, you reach real people who can actually help, not a call center in another country.
Certificate Upon completion, you receive documentation of your volunteer service, useful for university applications, resumes, or simply remembering what you accomplished.
Your schedule, your duration
Unlike organizations with fixed group departure dates, our programs start when you arrive. Come when it works for your calendar. Stay as long as you can.
Short term: 2 to 4 weeks Perfect for students on break, professionals using vacation time, or anyone testing whether volunteer travel is right for them. Short stays still make real impact, especially in programs like teaching and childcare where consistency matters less than enthusiasm.
Medium term: 1 to 3 months The sweet spot for many volunteers. Long enough to truly integrate into your project, build relationships with community members, and see the results of your work. Long enough to feel like a local, not a tourist.
Long term: 3 to 12 months For those ready to commit deeply. Long-term volunteers become essential parts of their projects. You take on more responsibility, develop real expertise, and leave knowing you made a lasting difference. Gap year students and career-breakers often choose this path.
Spanish classes Add morning Spanish lessons to your program. Learn in the classroom, practice all afternoon at your volunteer placement, then keep practicing with your host family at dinner. Total immersion.
Weekend adventures Your weekends are free to explore. Machu Picchu. Rainbow Mountain. Lake Titicaca. The Amazon jungle. We can help arrange trips or point you to trusted local operators.
Extended travel Many volunteers add extra weeks before or after their program to travel Peru independently. We’re happy to share recommendations and help with planning.
People exactly like you
There’s no single type of person who volunteers abroad. We’ve welcomed:
Gap year students figuring out what comes next. University students earning credit or building resumes. Recent graduates delaying the “real world” for something meaningful. Medical students seeking international clinical experience. Teachers sharing their skills during summer break. Professionals on sabbatical questioning their career paths. Retirees with time, wisdom, and desire to contribute. Friends traveling together who wanted more than sightseeing. Solo travelers seeking connection and purpose.
What they share isn’t a demographic. It’s a feeling. The sense that travel should mean something. That there’s more to see than tourist sites. That giving your time to others might be the best gift you give yourself.
It starts with a decision
Every volunteer we’ve ever hosted made the same choice you’re considering right now. They saw the possibility. They felt the pull. And at some point, they stopped thinking about it and started doing it.
The application takes fifteen minutes. We respond within 48 hours. From there, we guide you through every step: preparation, packing, flights, arrival, and beyond.
Your volunteer abroad experience is waiting. Peru is waiting. The communities that need your help are waiting.
The only question is whether you’re ready to show up.
Find all the destinations you can travel to
and their associated projects.
