Peru is a very religious country, especially if you visit the highlands. In Cusco, the heart of the Inca Empire, the Qoyllur Riti has a special place in the locals’ hearts. A mix of Andean mysticism and Western religiosity. This festival gathers more than 10 000 people every year in May or June.
This is a festival you can witness if you travel to Cusco during these months. So discover all the wonders the Qoyllur Riti has to offer!
The first thing people visiting Cusco will see is the big rainbow flag at the main square and on all buildings of the city centre. 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 story. 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, a lot of time you see the word Tahuantinsuyo or Tawantinsuyo, a term you might have never heard. What exactly is Tahuantinsuyo? How did it start? How big was it?
The first thing you need to know is that when saying Tahuantinsuyo, we are talking about 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 get far with hands and footwork, but nothing could be further from the truth. Well, in the end you will get there, but some basic knowledge of Spanish is actually indispensable as it makes traveling a lot easier. In addition, it is nice if you can chat a little with the locals. You immediately get a lot of respect if they only see that you are trying!
Chances are that the Inca capital, Cusco, is on the programme during your tour through Peru. From here you can make trips to the surrounding Inca ruins in the Sacred Valley and of course your excursion to the not-so-hidden Inca city of Machu Picchu.
Cusco is well-organised, friendly and you will find many remnants of the resourceful Incas here. It means that many travellers like 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
Many companies brag about being socially responsible. They take volunteering very seriously and look for that in all their employees. Even some people are looking to volunteer abroad to get to know these responsible and ethical companies.
Many people decide to take a sabbatical year after finishing high school or university in order to find themselves or have a life-changing experience and opt to volunteer abroad.
How about spending your next holidays in Peru, hiking through the Andes and visiting archaeological ruins while helping the community? Sounds cool, right?
“You can’t buy happiness, but you can prepare a cocktail. And that’s kind of the same thing.”
When googling Cusco to do your volunteer work, 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 and many places to choose from when it comes to volunteer abroad. One of the most important decisions you will have to make is where to volunteer and for how you will be doing it. No matter the country, you have to find a place and project that suits your skills, this way you will be making an impact in the project.
Peru is, indeed, one of the best places to volunteer abroad. You can help educate children in one of its cities, work in a local hospital in the Andes or help reforesting the Amazon. Peru is a very multicultural country that offers a unique experience 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.