volunteering

Read our blogs about volunteering

The Cost of Volunteering in Peru in 2026

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Volunteer in Cusco, Peru plays with dogs

Volunteering abroad is often presented as a life-changing experience, and it definitely can be. Peru is one of the most popular destinations in South America for many volunteering-minded travelers, students, and gap-year adventurers. Its premier destination, Cusco, offers a unique combination of rich culture, fascinating history, welcoming communities, and easy access to some of the … Read more

Do I need to Speak Spanish to Volunteer in Cusco?

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Cathedral in Cusco

Why Volunteer In Peru? Cusco, Peru is one of the most popular volunteer destinations in the world. It is a city incredibly rich with opportunities for both cultural and personal exploration. There are dozens of major museums, archaelogical sites and monuments just in the city itself and hundreds of sites in surrounding areas. It is … Read more

How to be a responsible volunteer and contribute the most!

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Medical Intern helping locals

Volunteering is a great experience for both local projects and volunteers. Sometimes however, it can be challenging to discover how you can best contribute and actually make a lasting difference. The goal of Proyecto Peru is to support volunteers so they can fully employee their skills and passion to help local projects.  Responsible volunteering focuses … Read more

Experience volunteering in Cusco to the fullest

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volunteering in cusco

Are you excited to volunteer at a project in Cusco? There are so many ways you can make this an unforgettable experience. There are numerous benefits to volunteering, whether you are abroad or at home, it is a unique experience. Cusco is one of the best places to volunteer in Peru and Latin America. With various projects in the region, we can always find something that fits your wishes.

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Hannah and Linda’s Experience in Cusco

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Let’s get to know two of our volunteers a little more. Meet Linda(18) and Hannah(18) from Germany. They arrived in Cusco 3 months ago after doing some volunteering work in Zanzibar.

Currently, they are volunteering at a local school in Cusco through their partnership with. Proyecto Peru. They are working in Childcare as teachers and helping with activities for the kids.

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Tahuantinsuyo, the Inca Empire

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Tahuantinsuyo

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!

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The best bars in Cusco

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The best bars in Cusco

“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.

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10 Tips for Volunteering Abroad Responsibly

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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.

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Grace’s story as a medical volunteer in Cusco, Peru

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Medical intern with a doctor

Grace shares her experience of medical volunteering in Peru.

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.

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A weekend in Pacchanta: A remote town in Cusco

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Sometimes, when you’re doing volunteer work or and internship, especially in a place like Cusco, you think you might not have time for everything, but you do!

There are a lot of popular places you can visit while in Cusco, such as the Salt Mines of Maras, the Sacred Valley, Rainbown Mountain, and many more. But if you’re a volunteer that’s looking for a more authentic experience in a remote Andean community, then this is the place.

Pacchanta, the last town you see before you head for the Ausangate trek but it is worth visiting for those who don’t have time for the the full trek. It is a very small community located near the base of the Ausangate glacier. If you cannot take a week from your volunteer project, then you can spend a weekend there, hike throug the seven lakes that the area is famous for and even enjoy some hot springs.

Do you want to know how to get there? Keep reading!

Note: This article was published in 2019, travel methods and costs may have changed since then. If you want to visit Pacchanta we recommend speaking with a member of the Proyecto Peru team for up to date travel advice.

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