Your weekdays belong to your volunteer work. But weekends? Those are yours. And in Peru, two days is enough time for adventures that would be once-in-a-lifetime trips anywhere else.
Our weekend escapes are built specifically for volunteers. We know your schedule. We know you want to maximize every free moment. And we know that after a week of meaningful work, you deserve experiences that feel just as meaningful.
These trips depart Friday afternoon or Saturday morning and return Sunday evening, giving you time to rest before Monday. Everything is organized: transportation, guides, entrance fees, meals, and accommodation when needed. You just show up ready to explore.
Machu Picchu Express
Leave Cusco Saturday morning. Travel by train through the Sacred Valley as mountains rise around you. Explore Machu Picchu with a professional guide who brings the ruins to life. Spend the night in Aguas Calientes, the small town at the base. Optional: return to Machu Picchu for sunrise Sunday before heading back to Cusco. The most iconic site in South America, fitted into your weekend.
Sacred Valley in a Day
A full Sunday exploring the heart of Inca civilization. Pisac ruins and market in the morning. Lunch in Urubamba with views of snow-capped peaks. Ollantaytambo’s fortress in the afternoon, walking the same stones Inca warriors defended against Spanish cavalry. Moray’s circular terraces and Maras salt mines before returning to Cusco as the sun sets. One day, four incredible sites.
Rainbow Mountain Challenge
An early Saturday departure for the high mountains. The trek to 5,200 meters is demanding but achievable for anyone in reasonable shape. Reach the viewpoint where the painted mountain spreads before you in colors that don’t seem real. Descend, enjoy a well-earned lunch, and return to Cusco by evening. For those wanting more, we offer a two-day version that includes the lesser-known Red Valley.
Humantay Lake Sunrise
Leave Cusco before dawn on Sunday. Arrive at the trailhead as the sun rises over the Andes. Hike to the turquoise lake surrounded by glaciers and have it nearly to yourself before the crowds arrive. Return to Cusco by mid-afternoon with time to rest before your volunteer week begins.
Waqrapukara: The Hidden Fortress
Most tourists have never heard of Waqrapukara, and that’s part of its magic. This pre-Inca fortress sits atop dramatic horn-shaped rock formations, its name meaning „horn fortress“ in Quechua. The hike takes you through remote Andean landscapes where you might be the only foreigner for miles. Llamas graze on hillsides. Local farmers wave from stone houses. And when you finally reach the ruins, perched impossibly on twin rocky peaks, you understand why some travelers call this their favorite site in all of Peru. No crowds. No tourist infrastructure. Just ancient stones, big sky, and the feeling of discovering something real.
Maras, Moray and Salineras by Bike
See the Sacred Valley the way it deserves to be seen: on two wheels, with wind in your face and mountains all around. This cycling adventure takes you downhill through stunning Andean landscapes, stopping at Moray’s mysterious circular terraces, believed to be an Inca agricultural laboratory. Then ride to the Maras salt mines, thousands of white pools cascading down the hillside, harvested the same way for over 500 years. The route is mostly downhill, suitable for anyone comfortable on a bike, and includes all equipment, safety gear, and a support vehicle. Finish with lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Cusco.
Peruvian Cooking Class in the Countryside
Step out of the city and into the real Peru. This experience takes you to a local family’s home in the Sacred Valley, surrounded by the fields and mountains that produce Peru’s incredible ingredients. Visit a traditional market with your host, learning to select the perfect potatoes, peppers, and herbs. Return to the family kitchen and cook a full Peruvian meal together: maybe ceviche, lomo saltado, or dishes you won’t find in any restaurant. Share lunch with the family, hear their stories, practice your Spanish, and leave with recipes and memories. This isn’t a cooking class in a tourist facility. It’s a window into how Peruvians actually live and eat.
Lake Titicaca Overnight
A longer escape for volunteers with a three-day weekend. Travel to Puno Friday evening. Saturday, visit the floating Uros islands and continue to Taquile or Amantani for a homestay with local families. Sunday, return across the lake and travel back to Cusco. A weekend that feels like entering another world.
Jungle Quick Escape
For volunteers craving something completely different. Fly from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado Saturday morning. Two days in an Amazon lodge: jungle walks, canoe trips, piranha fishing, night excursions to spot caimans. Fly back Sunday evening. Rainforest immersion without taking a full week.
Local Knowledge, Fair Prices, Seamless Experience
You could book your weekend trips with any of the dozens of tour agencies in Cusco. So why choose us?
We know you You’re not a random tourist walking in off the street. You’re part of our volunteer community. We know your schedule, your energy levels after a week of work, and what kind of experiences will complement your service.
We know Peru As part of My Peru Destinations, we have years of experience operating throughout the country. Our guides are professionals we’ve worked with for years. Our routes are tested. Our logistics are solid.
Seamless coordination Book your volunteer program and your tours together and everything connects perfectly. No awkward gaps. No conflicting schedules. No scrambling to arrange transportation between programs.
Fair pricing We’re not marking up tours to make extra profit from volunteers. We negotiate group rates and pass the savings to you. What you pay reflects the actual cost of quality experiences, not tourist markups.
Support when you need it If something goes wrong during a tour, you’re not dealing with a stranger. You’re calling the same team that supports your volunteer program. We’re here for you throughout your entire Peru experience.
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und die dazugehörigen Projekte.
