Peru is still a very religious country, especially in the highlands. In Cusco, the heart of the Inca Empire, Qoyllur Riti has a special place in the locals’ hearts. A mix of Andean mysticism and Western religion. This festival attracts more than 10,000 people every year.
It is celebrate in May or June. So if you are here in those months discover all the wonders the Qoyllur Riti has to offer!
One of the first things visitors to Cusco comment on is the flags. From the giant flag in the city centre to those on buidlings all over the city. Maybe the first thought you had when seeing this was Wow, Cusco is very LGTB friendly! I’m afraid the Cusco flag is not the same as the LGTB one. It has a different meaning . If you want to know more, then keep reading!
As a responsible volunteer looking for opportunities in Peru, it is important to know some of the country’s history. So, when you look up information about Peruvian history on the internet, you might have seen the word Tahuantinsuyo or Tawantinsuyo. Likely a term you might have never heard before. What exactly is Tahuantinsuyo? How did it start? How big was it?
The first thing you need to know is that Tahuantinsuyo is another term for the Inca Empire. If you want to know more about this vast empire, keep reading!
In this article, Laura Graichen shares her experience learning Spanish with Proyecto Peru.
Five years ago, I came to South America with zero knowledge of the Spanish language. I thought that I would be able to get by with just some hand signals and a few rords, but nothing could have been further from the truth. Some basic knowledge of Spanish is actually indispensable as it makes traveling a lot easier. In addition, it is a much nicer travelling experience if you can chat a little with the locals. You immediately get a lot of respect if they only see that you are trying!
This article was published in October 2019. Some information may be out of date
Chances are that the Inca capital, Cusco, is on the programme during your tour through Peru. From here you can make trips to the famous surrounding Inca ruins in the Sacred Valley and of course the once in a lifetime excursion to the not-so-hidden Inca city of Machu Picchu.
Cusco is a lively, welcoming and friendly city where you will find many remnants of the resourceful Inca. For this reason many travellers choose to stay in the city for a little longer. And even if you’ve just booked an expensive excursion to Machu Picchu or are travelling on a limited budget, these eight tips for free activities in Cusco prove that a few extra days don’t have to cost much at all and are also great for those volunteering or interning for a few weeks.
Volunteering abroad can be a meaningful experience. It can broaden your perspective, strengthen your skills, and allow you to contribute to a community in a practical way. However, good intentions are not enough. Poorly designed volunteer programs can unintentionally cause harm, create dependency, or prioritise profit over impact.
If you are considering volunteering in Peru or elsewhere, here are four principles to help you approach the experience responsibly.
“You can’t buy happiness, but you can prepare a cocktail. And that’s kind of the same thing.”
This article was published in 2019 so some information may be out of date
When googling Cusco while researching volunteerin in Peru, I’m sure you are bombarded with cute photos of llamas and alpacas (and, of course, you’re not able to tell which one is which). And you’re also bombarded with beautiful photos of Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, the Sacred Valley, Lake Humantay, and the list goes on.
There are many decisions to make when it comes to volunteering abroad. The most important decisions you will have to make are where to volunteer and for how long. No matter the country, you have to find a place and project that suits your interests, goals and skills, this way you will be making an genuine impact both in the project and on your self.
Peru is one of the most popular, and in our opinion best, places to volunteer abroad. You can help educate children in one of its cities, work in a local hospital in the Andes or even help with Amazon protection efforts. Peru is a very diverse and multicultural country that offers a variety of unique experiences to visitors and volunteers.
Update for 2026
Volunteering abroad can be a meaningful and life changing experience, both for volunteers and for the communities they support. However, not all volunteer programmes are created equal. Poorly run or unethical organisations can do more harm than good, even when intentions are positive.
Every year, thousands of students, gap year travellers, and career changers look for opportunities to volunteer abroad. Before committing your time, money, and energy, it is essential to choose a responsible organisation that genuinely benefits the local community.
Below are ten practical tips to help you find an ethical and well run volunteer organisation, based on real issues volunteers often face and common mistakes we have seen over the years.
I have always considered myself lucky for the different places I have lived and the different people I have met along the way. I was born in the hustling bustling city of Seoul, South Korea, lived among the endless green pastures of Wisconsin for a year, lived in an apartment in Toronto, Canada for three years, and finally settled with the cows and trees in a small Connecticut town called Mansfield by the grand age of nine.