Volunteer in Peru

In Peru, many indigenous descendants live in poverty. Thus, by volunteering in Peru, you’ll be helping some of South America’s poorest people. Volunteer in Peru and work within communities by joining an Inca jewellery-making cooperative, or support young mothers to be independent in the city of Cusco. For those with a particular interest in health provision and well-being, you can volunteer in Peru on a Global health and nutrition project that helps maintain balanced diets for Andean locals that lack crop variety due to their high altitude location.

Alongside Machu Picchu, Peru boasts incredible natural landscapes, such as the Manu Biosphere Nature Reserve, where you can participate in our Conservation project in the heart of the rainforest. This is one of the largest natural, protected areas in the world boasting more than a 1,000 species of birds. When you volunteer in Peru you can spend your weekends exploring the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Why not add extra time to your trip and travel to Trujillo, near the coast, where you can visit the archaeological site of Chan Chan and get an idea of what life was like in the Chimú culture. For the really adventurous, have a go at sandboarding in Huacachina, one of the best spots in the world for this activity.

While volunteering in Peru you may be based in Cusco, once the capital of the Inca empire. Here you can visit the 16th-century cathedral and get caught up in the many local fiestas. Get a taste of local cuisine and try the delicacy of roasted cuy (guinea pig). Though Cusco is a tourist hub, you will get the chance to practice Spanish and hear a range of dialects spoken by local people while volunteering in Peru. If you are not a Spanish speaker, don’t worry, you can take an intensive Spanish language course before you start your project or alongside your volunteer work.

Join Kaya on an internship or volunteer in Peru Project and contribute to vital, ongoing projects that make a real difference to communities and the environment.