Location
  • Peru
    • Cusco
    • Machu Picchu
Length
1 to 52 weeks

Program Details

Language
Spanish
Age Min.
17
Age Max
90
Timeframe
Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Apartment Guesthouse Host Family Hostel Hotel
Groups
Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30) Large Group (31+)
Travel Type
Budget Family Older Travelers Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
665
Price Details
Maximo Nivel offers top-rated volunteer abroad programs. We strive to offer all-inclusive program fees that are affordable, transparent, and accessible to everyone. Along with Maximo’s professional program management, multi-lingual team, and 24/7 in-country support, your volunteer program includes:
Airport pick-up
Host family accommodations (shared room)
Breakfast and dinner, 7 days/week
3-4 hours/day practical work, Monday-Friday
Program and safety orientation
Walking tour
Official certificate of volunteer service
Letter of recommendation
Spanish language tutoring table
Tandem Conversation Program
Office-wide WiFi and computer lab
Salsa dance classes
Cooking classes
Institute is open 7 days/week
Emergency contact number 24/7
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Some Meals Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare Domestic Airfare Travel Insurance
Feb 15, 2022
Mar 04, 2024
88 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Peru is one of the world’s richest countries in terms of natural resources. However, its social development has not kept pace with its commercial development, and Peruvians still wrestle with illiteracy and basic social justice. Peru works hard at self-improvement, making it an ideal place for international volunteers to get involved, contribute to sustainable programs, and provide help to vulnerable populations. There is no shortage of things to get done in Peru and international volunteers can truly learn to serve here.

Maximo Nivel provides volunteer abroad projects at our institute in Cusco, Peru, both in and outside of the city center. Projects are also available off-site in the Sacred Valley (mountains), the Amazon region (rainforest), and Quillabamba (rainforest), some of which are rural areas and offer a more “off-the-grid” experience than the city of Cusco. Volunteers always have the opportunity to serve in both urban and rural communities.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion

LGBTQIA+ Support

At Maximo Nivel, we deeply value diversity in all its forms. We maintain an open-minded approach, recognizing the significance of varied perspectives, intelligent discourse, and the transformative power of a positive mindset. We warmly welcome and respect individuals from all backgrounds, irrespective of politics, gender, gender identity, age, race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. Whether it’s volunteering, Spanish immersion, TEFL certification, international internships, university courses, or GAP year experiences, members of the LGBTQIA+ community are wholeheartedly invited to participate in our programs.

Impact

Ethical Impact

At Maximo Nivel, we work in close partnership with our local communities in Latin America to ensure that volunteer projects align with genuine local needs, fostering meaningful and relevant impact. We emphasize sustainable initiatives designed for enduring change, rather than short-term interventions. By promoting cultural sensitivity, we facilitate enriching exchanges rooted in mutual respect, and our commitment to local employment further integrates and supports the communities we serve.

Program Highlights

  • New volunteer programs start every Monday year-round
  • All-inclusive—shared accommodations, meals, and many extras
  • 24/7 in-country support
  • Academic credit available
  • All-inclusive program fees from $665

Popular Programs

Working with Kids

Homelessness and poverty have left many children in Latin America without access to proper education and a loving environment. Maximo Nivel’s childcare projects aspire to change children’s lives by providing caring and nurturing volunteers to work, study, and play with them.

Teaching English

Speaking English is a life-changing skill for people in developing countries, because the language opens both academic and professional opportunities, and provides a path out of poverty.

Conservation projects in Peru

Your work may be focused on reforestation, organic gardening, wildlife and animal monitoring, trail maintenance, and educational workshops for local communities.

Construction Projects in Peru

Maximo Nivel’s construction programs focus on community development. Construction projects may include building or repairing homes, adding classrooms to schools, or making structural improvements to clinics.

Program Reviews

4.94 Rating
based on 135 reviews
  • 5 rating 94.07%
  • 4 rating 5.93%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.75
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 4.8
  • Value 4.75
  • Safety 4.85
  • Program Selection 5
  • Pre-departure Help 5
  • In-program Support 5
  • Impact on Student 5
  • Value 5
Showing 33 - 40 of 135 reviews
Default avatar
Maginnis
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Kusi Wasi with Maximo Nivel

I volunteered here for 9 weeks, and loved every day of it. The Maximo staff were super friendly and supportive, and gave me the opportunity to take responsibility for how I ran the volunteering shift. I felt trusted, valued and respected throughout. The local staff at Kusi Wasi were very kind and grateful, and the kids were cheery and playful, and really enjoyed my being there. Most importantly, I enjoyed the time I spent with them, and build some invaluable relationships that are very meaningful to me.

50 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Jinan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Kudos to Maximo Nivel-Peru

I LOVED my experience in Peru during this past winter break. From the moment Derek and Allison welcomed us to when we said our goodbyes, I truly felt cared for and appreciated by the staff at Máximo Nivel. I highly recommend going with this agency for your volunteering experience abroad. They not only helped us get to our clinics and show us around, they followed up with us throughout the week to make sure everything was going fine. Also, if you are looking to do some excursions while abroad, they have some great resources to point you to so that you have a fun and safe experience.

48 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ashley
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Cusco!

I loved volunteering in Cusco, Peru! Not only did I shadow many healthcare professionals, but I gained valuable experience and insight into a different healthcare system. Seeing another part of the world provide medical assistance was incredibly eye-opening and the relationships I formed with my fellow volunteers also made this opportunity worthwhile. Volunteering provided me with life-long friendships with wonderful people!

49 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ahna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching English

I´ve been volunteering with Maximo for the past two months teaching English to adults. At first when I arrived to Cusco and started teaching I was incredibly nervous but Allison and the office staff were always around to make sure that I was comfortable and answer any questions. At first I thought that I´d want to switch projects so that I could work with kids, but after a week of teaching at Qosko Maki I loved it. Even after the two months I´ve been teaching I haven´t grown tired of it at all. Getting to see the students progress with their English is amazing and their commitment to learning is inspiring. Teaching isn´t without it´s up and downs but I´ve had the best time here and I think Maximo is a great program.

47 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
marie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Thank you!

Hi,

My name is Marie Bedard and I am 25 years old. I volunteered in Cusco, Peru for 1 week and this was my second experience as a volunteer with IVHQ. During my time in Cusco, I volunteered at a house for moms that had kids when they were between the age of 13-18 that were typically abused by family members or victim of violence. Some of the moms either worked or went to school during the day so the volunteers (me!) and the other mothers spent our mornings feeding, cooking and playing with the babies while our afternoons were spent cleaning and selling Salchipapas (Peruvian poutine as I like to call it!) I seriously loved my time in Cusco and could go on and on about the program and volunteering opportunities but the best way to fully understand the extent of this program is to go ahead and jump! I can guarantee that you will not live anything similar anytime soon - hope you love it as much as I did!

50 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ellen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

What a time in Cusco

What a wonderful time I had in Cusco! The staff at Maximo was very helpful and supportive. My homestay was so comforting and welcoming. I cannot believe my time here is done thank you for everything Maximo! I would HIGHLY reccomend this program to anyone is new to traveling and would like the support of an incredibly caring group of individuals. You won't find a group of individuals like this at any other organization.

49 people found this review helpful.
Maddie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Maximo Peru

I've been in Peru for the past 9 weeks. My first 6 weeks were spent in Cusco volunteering in childcare and taking Spanish class with my amazing teacher Yenny. Then I spent two weeks working on a jungle conservation project at the Tierra Linda Reservation, which was an amazing experience that I highly recommend. For my final week, separate from volunteering, I went on the Inca Jungle trek and loved it! This program is wonderful because it allows to to feel at home in Cusco with great local home stay families(shoutout Yuri), and it is still flexible with typical tourist travel on weekends. I´ve met so many wonderful people, and gained experience and memories that will stay with me forever. Thank you Maximo!

What would you improve about this program?
More funding
49 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Alexis
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Maximo Peru

I could not have been placed in a better project. Chris, the physical therapist and I really hit it off. We actually plan to keep in contact with one another. I have grown more from this experience than I could have ever imagined. The only thing I would say is a Maximo member promised my project she would bring in books for the kids and as far as I know never did. If someone could make sure they receive that offering would be wonderful, the kids were very excited about that. Otherwise I have nothing but wonderful things to say about my experience here.

What would you improve about this program?
The kids have lots of toys, but no battery's for them to work. As well as all of the coloring books have been written on. So new supplies would be wonderful. Also from talking to Chris I have learned that volunteers have given maximo money specifically to fund Chris for physical therapy equipment for the children and Chris never received the money. I am not sure about all the technicalities but this concerned me. These kids have very very little, and their disabilities will only get worse if they continue to not have the equipment they need to improve their quality of life. So if we could make sure the donations go where they were intended would be wonderful, again I acknowledge I am unaware of how the process works. Just letting you know about my conversations with Chris.
49 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers