Location
  • Peru
    • Cusco
Length
1 to 24 weeks

Program Details

Language
Spanish
Age Min.
17
Timeframe
Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Host Family

Pricing

Starting Price
375
Price Details
The costs include:
- 24 hrs Assistance and support from VS Staff
- Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
- Airport Pickup
- Orientation
- Accommodation
- Meals
What's Included
Accommodation Airport Transfers Meals Travel Insurance
What's Not Included
Airfare Visa
Jan 19, 2022
Nov 02, 2022
75 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Volunteering Solutions, in association with the local organizations and NGOs, offers some interesting and affordable volunteering projects in the city of Cusco. Despite the popularity of Peru as a tourist destination, much of the population still lives in poverty, especially in rural areas. You can be a volunteer and meaningfully contribute towards the lives of these people. You can choose to volunteer for Teaching Project, Kindergarten Program, Disabled Care Project and others, depending on your areas of interest!

Students who wish to become dentists in future can also choose the Dental Elective Program and gain first-hand work experience by shadowing the professionals. Also, being such a culturally rich country, volunteering in Peru will help you to broaden your horizon and learn more about the country's history, heritage and lifestyle!

Consider your impact: Volunteering abroad can be a rewarding experience for both volunteers and local communities, and at Go Overseas, we believe all volunteers should have the resources to make informed decisions about the type of volunteer project they want to partake in. However, despite best intentions, some organizations offering placements in orphanages may unknowingly place children in danger. You can read about the potential dangers of orphanage volunteering here. Learn more about how Volunteering Solutions is promoting ethical volunteering.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Choose from a range of 8 different programs available in Cusco, for a minimum duration of 1 week to a maximum of 24 weeks.
  • Get a chance to do some meaningful work and gain incredible experience.
  • Go and explore the Inca Trails - hike up to Machu Picchu, and walk down the trails of Sacred Valley.
  • Go for the Rainbow Mountains trek and be amazed by nature's beauty.
  • Learn more about Peruvian culture & heritage.

Program Reviews

4.80 Rating
based on 102 reviews
  • 5 rating 82.35%
  • 4 rating 15.69%
  • 3 rating 1.96%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.45
  • Support 4.8
  • Fun 4.8
  • Value 4.6
  • Safety 4.9
Showing 1 - 8 of 102 reviews
Default avatar
Joy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching English in San Jerónimo

I had an amazing time in Cusco volunteering in the Escuela Católica del Pacifico. I had a wonderful relationship with the English teacher and it was such a rewarding experience. The students were so sweet and we had such a good time using our English.

In addition to having a wonderful time teaching, I had an amazing family who treated me like one of their own. My mother was an amazing cook! I will always have a second family in Cusco.

I also had time to visit many of the historic areas, two fun zoos/animal sanctuaries, Machu Picchu and more. It was amazing!

Pros
  • my family placement
  • a wonderful teaching experience
  • beautiful, safe, inexpensive country with so much to offer
Cons
  • communication ahead of time was lacking, once in country was good
  • add-on travel was made for wrong dates which took away time from my students
19 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Isadora
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Medical Program in Cusco

Fiquei 1 mês e 3 semanas viajando. Desse tempo, 6 semanas foram no Peru, e 4 pelo programa. Então posso dizer que pude conhecer a fundo a cultura e a cidade. Também posso dizer que do tempo que estive viajando por conta e de quando iniciou o programa, mudou muito minha experiência. Com o programa tive a oportunidade de conhecer muitas pessoas, amigos e a querida host family. Conhecer culturas e pessoas diferentes de todo mundo foi mágico. Temos tempo de sobra para turistar. Com relação ao programa médico, posso dizer que depende muito da si mesmo, sua força de vontade, interesse, conhecer o idioma e o serviço/médico com quem trabalha. No início me senti um pouco perdida, mas aos poucos fui conversando e procurando pessoas do serviço que estivessem disponíveis e interessados para eu acompanhá-los.
No geral, posso dizer que foi memorável conhecer outra cultura tão próxima e ao mesmo tempo tão diferente da minha.

Pros
  • Conhecer outra cultura
  • Segurança da cidade
  • Turismo
Cons
  • Trânsito
  • Bebidas sem gelo
  • Clima seco
29 people found this review helpful.
Response from Volunteering Solutions

Hi Isadora,
Thanks for participating in the volunteer program in Peru. We are glad to know that you had a memorable time in the program in Cusco, Peru. We look forward to having you again in the program.
Thanks
Team Volunteering Solutions

Giovanna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Programa Médico em Cusco

Foram 4 semanas muito proveitosas, conhecer uma nova cultura e praticar o espanhol foram os pontos fortes da viagem.
As pessoas aqui são muito amáveis e gentis. A host family foi incrível, sempre muito atenciosos e dispostos a ajudar, também sempre nos receberam com comidas deliciosas, sentirei falta.
Outro ponto positivo foi fazer amizade com outros voluntários de todo o mundo, os quais manterei o contato.
O programa médico em si foi um pouco bagunçado no início, pois não havia uma escala de trabalho a qual deveríamos seguir, então ficávamos perdidos. Depois de um tempo, quando descobrimos os médicos que gostariam de serem acompanhados, a experiência foi melhor...
Temos muito tempo livre para explorar a cidade e os arredores nos finais de semana.
Recomendo a experiência! Com certeza levarei para a vida (:

Pros
  • Experienciar uma nova cultura
  • Host family perfeita
  • Há tempo para turistar
Cons
  • Transporte público caótico
  • Água não é potável
  • Os carros não respeitam os pedestres
30 people found this review helpful.
Response from Volunteering Solutions

Hi Giovanna,
Thanks for leaving a review for the volunteer experience in Peru. We look forward to having you again in our programs soon as well. Glad to know that you made friends with other volunteers from around the world and enjoyed the experience at the project as well as stay with the host family.
Thanks
Team Volunteering Solutions

Default avatar
Evan
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Cusco!

Overall, I had a great time in Cusco. There certainly were highs and lows during the trip (which I expected) but I made some great memories and met some fantastic people from all over the world. The staff for Volunteering Solutions are very communicative and trustworthy. My host family was amazing and made some fantastic food. The excursions we did were so fun and had some breathtaking views! The health center I worked at had some really friendly nurses and doctors who really wanted to help me learn and gain medical experience. However, there was some slight disorganization and some doctors preferred to not work with the volunteers

Pros
  • Awesome host family
  • Great excursions
  • A ton of free time to explore the city
Cons
  • Wallet stolen on bus (be careful!)
29 people found this review helpful.
Response from Volunteering Solutions

Hi Evan,
Thanks for leaving us a review. We are happy to know that you enjoyed your experience in Peru and had a great experience overall. We hope to have you back in our programs again soon.
Thanks
Team Volunteering Solutions

Default avatar
Madi
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Really cool experience

I really liked this experience. Towards the end of my stay I started to become more comfortable with our work and I felt like I was trusted by the nurses more. For the first two weeks though, I didn’t feel very helpful and mostly watched the nurses work. There could have been a little more organization when it came to where/with who we should be working with, because occasionally I would invite myself into a certain room and they wouldn’t have work for me to do. I think this is very valuable and a great experience despite all this.

28 people found this review helpful.
Response from Volunteering Solutions

Hi Madi,
Thanks for leaving us a review. We are happy to know that you enjoyed your experience in Peru and had a great experience overall. We hope to have you back in our programs again soon.
Thanks
Team Volunteering Solutions

Default avatar
Diana
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Medical Experience in Peru

Excellent program in an amazing city. Everything was so much fun, definitely must know Spanish to come or you will not get to do much. Everything was well organized and the managers were always available if you had questions. I will be very sad leaving. The tours were wonderful, Cusco is such a pretty place. The city also feels relatively safe compared to other places and the locals are all very kind. We made so many friends that we met. You are also given a lot of freedom to explore and encouraged to go out and about.

Pros
  • Being in cusco
  • helping others
  • The tours
Cons
  • The altitude (if you get sick)
  • It’s a bit cold
29 people found this review helpful.
Response from Volunteering Solutions

Hi Diana,
Thanks for leaving us a review. We are happy to know that you enjoyed your experience in Peru and had a great experience overall. We hope to have you back in our programs again soon.
Thanks
Team Volunteering Solutions

Default avatar
Oscar
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing time in Cusco

I had a great experience volunteering in Cusco. I have met incredible people and the local staff in Peru (Jeny, Frida & Keli) have been amazing. The host family has been also perfect.

The project itself was also great. I chose a teaching project in a high school. My days at the school were busy and very well appreciated. Most of the students are eager to learn English and I'm proud to have been a part of the impact these experiences will have on the students. Everyone was very helpful and eager to share experiences, which made every moment worthwhile.

I spent the long holiday by visiting Machu Pichu, Titicaca Lake, and Arequipa. During the holiday I also trekked montaña de siete colores with other volunteers.

I highly recommend Volunteering Solutions to anyone who is looking to volunteer in Peru.

Pros
  • Host family
  • Culture & excursions
  • Coordinators
Cons
  • There is no heating in the house
29 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Amalia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The best time in Peru!

I have never been so happy with kids who were so thankful and appreciated me being there. The project was wonderful and is making a difference in the lives of the children. The coordinator and the host family was both nice and it really helped to be in touch with Jenny on WhatsApp group along with other participants. The host family made sure there was enough good food and we all had a comfortable stay. I have a lovely time going to Machu Picchu with other volunteers. Thanks Volunteering Solutions for such a great experience!

Pros
  • Makes a difference in the lives of children
  • Nice to meet so many other volunteers
Cons
  • A bit more time at the project, but then it is something which is unto us I guess.
28 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers

The site says "Pre-med, nursing, and medical students" and biomedical science is like a pre-med degree, so we assume the answer is yes. Contacting the program for their answer is also never a bad idea :)

Yes they can do that.