Peru Volunteer Programs from $23/day | Most Affordable & Trusted

My experience in Cusco through IVHQ exceeded expectations. I was very hesitant as I was traveling alone for two weeks, but from the moment I got there I felt very safe. I was picked up safely from the airport which was a perfect way to start the trip feeling safe in a foreign city (and country!) alone. I was there for two weeks, over New Years where I did the Holiday Experience week which was a different project every day. I really loved this as it not only allowed me to see so many different areas of Cusco but also get to know various projects and the other people in the IVHQ program. The second week I was there I did the Construction and Renovation project which was a much smaller group and an awesome dynamic to have more of a routine every day with the same people. The volunteering lasted only half of the day so I was able to see so much of Cusco during the week as well. IVHQ recommended several activities and day trip programs that were very easy to sign up for and were already pre-approved through IVHQ which made them feel safe and each one was worth it. Highly highly recommend this program - Cusco is an incredible city and being able to give back while you are traveling is the most rewarding experience.

I've been volunteering in Cusco in November 2018. It was my first time in Latin America and I'm glad I choose Peru and particularly Cusco. Cusco is a beautiful city with so much to discover around it! You have many things to do in the city itself: the main square is amazing with a beautiful cathedral, you can go to the chocolate museum and make your own chocolate, you can go to the planetarium, you can go to Cristo Blanco and have a wonderful view on Cusco, you can go to many markets and so on! There are so much to discover and you can feel safe there. The food is amazing and quite cheap! The only thing is that I had some strugle to get used to altitude, so make sure you take medicines with you :)

Many activities can be done around Cusco during your weekends : you can go to lake titicaca, to machupichu, to rainbow mountain, to salt mines, to humantay lake. The "American Inka trail" office is really great to plan these trips. I did all my excursions with them and was never disappointed (there are in the same building than the IVHQ-Maximo nivel staff in Cusco).

The orientation on the first day was fine and clear. You can meet some people there. The IVHQ Staff in Cusco (which is "Maximo Nivel") is very nice and helpful. Don't hesitate to ask them if you have any question/problem with your program. They are checking on you at your volunteer placement and always ask if everything is fine.

My homestay was really great and people there were so nice. It was at 30min/40min from the city center on foot but there were many bus available to go to the city center in 15min. The house was very confortable and shared with 2 other volunteer girls. Our "house mother" was really nice and cooked many peruvian dishes for us.

I was voluterring in the animal care project and enjoyed it too. I first went to the dog shelter which is a bit far from Cusco but the dogs are really cute. They really need your attention and love! And then, I went to the small rescue center and was able to take care of turtles, parrots, deers, lamas, etc. It was a really great experience and you feel like you can really help them in their day-to-day tasks!

I think that speaking spanish, at least a bit, is very helpful to make the most of your experience in your homestay and in your volunteer placement. You have very good spanish classes available with Maximo Nivel.

So don't hesitate to go to Cusco with IVHQ you won't regret it! :)

I worked with IVHQ as a volunteer in Lima, Peru on the English Teaching programme. The organisation was great. It provided all the information I needed before making a decision about where and what voluntary work I wanted to do. I never had an issue or a problem during application or registration. All the necessary preparation steps were properly explained. Before arriving the communication was clear and sufficient. All information was provided. In Lima the accomodation was clean and had everything I could wish for. Everything was done to make me feel welcome and at ease. The local staff was friendly and helpful. The work itself was also nice and fullfilling. I really felt like I was making a contribution. With the work I got to know and help the local community. In short: I absolutely recommend working as a volunteer with IVHQ.

It was my first volunteering experience abroad and I was so excited about the trip. I was really happy with IVHQ support services. They handle everything perfectly; from the moment I arrive to the host country to the moment I leave. The host program picked me up at the airport and from then, they provide continuous support. I did the construction project, which was awesome and lot of fun. The materials for the work were provided and the coordinator of the project is skillful and kind. During the weekends, I had the opportunity to travel around the country and explore the area. I had the opportunity to travel to Cusco and to climb the Machu Picchu and the Rainbow Mountain. The accommodation and the food provided by the host program were really good. For me, the best part of the experience is meeting other volunteers from all around the world and sharing good memories. I would definitely come back anytime soon and I highly recommend to have your lifetime volunteering experience with IVHQ!

It was a great experience and I got to be involved in the culture and learn new things about Peruvians. I thought the local team in Peru did an amazing job and the in-house coordinator was really on top of the ball. I highly recommend this program to any one who wants a more affordable option. I do suggest bringing more money than you think you'll need just because I know I ended up spending more than I thought I would.

It was a great experience and I got to be involved in the culture and learn new things about Peruvians. I thought the local team in Peru did an amazing job and the in-house coordinator was really on top of the ball. I highly recommend this program to any one who wants a more affordable option. I do suggest bringing more money than you think you'll need just because I know I ended up spending more than I thought I would.

Having volunteered multiple times overseas, I tend to be flexible and expect very little. Having said this, the local staff in Cusco were AHmazing!! The orientation was clear and concise. Everyone was friendly and totally prepared to answer any questions you could possibly have. The office also had coffee/tea all day with resources for the teachers to comb through to help lesson planning. Communication was great- email announcements were occasionally sent out about local holidays and events. My homestay was awesome (although I heard that wasn't the case for everyone for varying reasons). My host was a young chef, so food was amazing and it was easy to text quick questions. Those going anywhere to volunteer need to be prepared to handle a lot of things on your own. Organization will not always be this awesome, homestays will not always be as comfortable, you may be thrown into your placement without much prep, but remember you are the one volunteering your time and effort. Ask questions, relax, and go with the flow. This will always help your experience be more pleasurable and ultimately rewarding. I can't rave enough about my time in Cusco. Do it!

I have spent 4 weeks in Cusco in a childcare program. I was hosted by a wonderful family just ten minutes away from the city center. Maximo Nivel (the local office) was located exact in the center of Cusco and its staff was really helpful to me. I enjoyed spending time in the cafeteria and all the activities they organized for the volunteers, such as Salsa Class, Cooking Class and the Market Tour. My program was held just 40 minutes away from the office and I used to work with children aged 4-16. I used to spend there 4 hours in the afternoon, giving them food, helping them with their homework and playing games. One of my favorite day there was when we organized a Fashion Show with the children: it was very hard to keep the kids quiet but many important people were there, such as a major's delegate. I also spent my weekends traveling around Cusco, I have been to Machupicchu, Rainbow Mountain, Salt Mines and few other places. I loved spending time there and enjoyed so much meeting new people. I would really recommend to spend few weeks in Cusco, it is hard to manage the cold but it is definitely worth it!