Volunteer in Peru

How to Volunteer in Peru

Volunteering abroad is a unique and special experience where you can be far more than just a tourist and give back to help communities, the environment and animals.

Spending time in Peru will be the time of your life and an experience which will stay with you forever. It doesn’t really matter which program you choose to join, just apply that is the main time. Local people will be very friendly and welcoming to you especially in rural areas.

Tourism is booming with thousands of international travellers visiting every year. But Peru is still a developing nation where around 30% of the population live in poverty. By applying for a short or long term program you will be able to get to do something challenging and rewarding helping people, communities, wildlife and conversation.

You will get to adapt to a new culture which is probably unlike anywhere you have ever visited before will be a facsinating experience whilst you will also form strong bonds with other participants who will become friends for life. You will really get to know the local Peruvian people and see how they live their daily lives - this is a get way to be more than your average tourist. 

So whether you fancy a meaningful holiday or gap year in Peru, find your ideal placement today.

Popular Ways to Help

There are a range of different projects you can join, these are the main areas you can work.

Wildlife Conservation

Peru has diverse wildlife and you can apply to help rescue, rehabilitate and release exotic animals. Wildlife conservation placements can be joined in the jungle or at wildlife centres.

There are specific placements for skilled workers e.g. vets or you can just in a general assistant capacity. Tasks include If you have these skills would be especially helpful. However whatever your experience, it's most important that you simply want to give vital help to this particularly rewarding project.

Llamas, Alpaca vicunas and Huanacos are the four animals that make up the family of auquenidos - the South American camels, don`t worry we didn’t know that either, which are native to the Andes Mountains. The ancient Andean textile industry is dependent on wool from these animals, mainly the Alpaca, and it is with your help that this ancient tradition can carry on as you help look after the cameloids high in rural areas. 

You will be looking after all four types of camels as you work on this project, not only that but you will be learning how to weave the wool of the Alpaca as well as being located in the stunning town of Cusco high up on the Andes. 

Project have been set up to work with rural communities in preserving both the animals and the ancient tradition of weaving and also by spreading the word about the crafts that are made. The rural communities rely on the wool from these animals to make their crafts that they can then sell to make a living.

You will be helping the project look after these animals as you prepare food and feed the animals, dying, spinning, weaving the wool to make textiles and crafts, learning more about these Andean animals, helping the local community with their English which will help with their communication with foreign tourists and having a chance to learn some Quecha – the local language! 

Community Development Projects 

There are a range of community placements available in Peru where you can help people and infrastructure. On educational programs you could teach, tasks can include creating and leading daily activities like English lessons, or instruct music or sports lessons.

You will be able to see the difference you make to their lives and everyday will be a new exciting experience. There are also outreach, building and construction trips which are popular during summer and really help improve local villages like Limatambo. As a volunteer in Peru you will be able to make a difference and feel a sense of achievement.

Female Empowerment Programs 

Women is Peru face many difficulties in life, Peru like many countries in Latin America have very sexist attitudes, domestic abuse and also difficulties in gaining a good career can be an issue.

Gender inequality is strife in Peru and unemployment is a real problem in society especially with females but there are projects which are helping women with training and assistance in improving home / career life. You can join programs working to empower women and providing them with a better future.

Archaeology Projects

Uncover a piece of history on a real archaeological site! Dating back to the 5th century the ceremonial site of Huaca Pucllana, is one of Peru’s ancient and cultural wonders and is bursting with new finds! Constructed between the years of 200AD and 700AD, Huaca Pucllana is a real life ancient marvel. Archaeologists have been working since 1981 to uncover its secrets and the work still goes on.

You will be working between the hours of 8am and 2pm, Monday to Friday, getting stuck in with excavation, cleaning, registering and cataloguing archaeological material as well as teaching English to guides on an informal basis. Activities such as sieving, classifying collections, making bricks, cleaning archaeological artefacts occur year round, while digs are not possible between February and mid May due to the summer heat.