Andean Immersion in Cusco

Andean Immersion in Cusco, Peru: Dive into Authentic Peruvian Culture 🌄🌾

Are you ready for an authentic cultural adventure?

Our Andean Immersion Program in Cusco, Peru, offers you the unique opportunity to live and work with a Quechua-speaking community high in the majestic Peruvian Andes. As a volunteer, you’ll gain a deep understanding of traditional Andean life while making a tangible difference in the daily lives of a local family.

Why Choose Andean Immersion?

This program is perfect for enthusiastic volunteers eager to experience the heart of Peruvian culture. You’ll live with a local family, eat traditional food, and participate in their daily activities. The experience will offer you a genuine cultural immersion, where you’ll learn about ancient traditions, help in various tasks, and develop meaningful connections within the community.

Live like a local: Immerse yourself in the customs, food, and way of life of an Andean community.
Learn Quechua: Gain insight into the local indigenous language and culture.
Contribute meaningfully: Your support will make a direct impact on the family’s daily activities and help preserve their way of life.

What You’ll Do:

Andean Immersion Cusco — Planting Potatoes at the Andean Community

As an Andean Immersion volunteer, your tasks will be diverse and hands-on. You’ll play an important role in helping your host family with essential daily chores, all while participating in the vibrant community activities that define life in the Andes. Your volunteer duties may include:

Farming and agriculture: Assist with animal husbandry, crop cultivation, and agricultural work.
Construction: Help with building and maintenance projects around the family’s home (activity varies according to the season).
Domestic chores: Participate in household tasks, including cooking, cleaning, and organizing.
Learn traditional weaving: Discover ancient methods of weaving and using natural dyes to create textiles.
Market production: Assist in making textiles and handicrafts for sale at local markets.
Teaching English: Offer basic English lessons to community members eager to expand their skills.
Educational activities: Support the local children’s learning through various educational activities.
Local festivals and gatherings: Get involved in exciting cultural events, festivals, and community celebrations.

What You’ll Experience:

Authentic Rural Life: Live in a picturesque Andean village where life moves at a slower pace, and the standard of living is simple but rewarding.
Cultural Exchange: Share your knowledge and skills while learning about traditional Andean practices, such as farming, weaving, and local festivals.
Breathtaking Views: Spend your free time exploring the stunning mountains, valleys, and landscapes of Cusco, Peru.
Language and Communication: While a basic level of Spanish is helpful, your time in the community will provide ample opportunities to practice and learn both Quechua and Spanish.
Cultural Immersion at its Finest: Live and work closely with a local family and get to know the real, everyday life in the Andean region.
Personal and Professional Development: Build invaluable communication skills, learn about indigenous traditions, and gain insights into the daily challenges faced by rural communities.
Unique Cultural Exchange: Experience local festivals, markets, and community gatherings that offer you a true taste of Peruvian life.

Volunteer Requirements:

Volunteers aged 16 or 17: Parental consent and additional documentation may be required.
Volunteers aged 18+: Must provide a criminal background check.
All participants: Must have adequate volunteer travel insurance.
Intermediate Spanish: Recommended but not required; a passion for learning and adapting to new cultures is essential.

Ready for the Adventure of a Lifetime?

Step into the Andean Immersion Program and explore a world unlike any other. If you’re excited to help a local family, learn about ancient traditions, and make a lasting impact while enjoying the breathtaking beauty of the Peruvian Andes, then this program is for you!

Apply now and become part of an unforgettable cultural journey. 🌟

Start Dates & Arrival

Projects in Peru start on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month. Participants on our volunteer in Peru programs should arrive on Sundays. You can choose to volunteer from 1 to 12 weeks

Location

📍 Cusco – The heart of the Inca Empire and the archaeological capital of the Americas. A vibrant mix of history and culture, Cusco is the gateway to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

🚨 Important Note: Cusco is high-altitude location, so be prepared for altitude sickness—it may take a few days to acclimate.

Fees

The program fee is paid directly to the host organization.
All of the projects incur a registration fee of U$ 149.00 on top of the program fee.

What is included in the program fee?

Airport Pickup in the volunteer location
Orientation
Accommodation for all projects (shared rooms in home-stays or volunteer residence)
2 meals per day from Monday to Saturday (breakfast & dinner)
Support from local staff & Program supervision
In-country 24/7 support throughout your stay
In-country administration costs
Donation to support the local project

There are no hidden costs. These programs are the most affordable to volunteer in Peru.

Iko Poran is an NGO based in a developing country. We are dedicated to helping you help others, at the lowest possible price. We are interested in making volunteering abroad more accessible so that more people can help do really important work.

Participants in our Peru programs normally find US$ 70 to be sufficient for weekly expenses in the country.

*Refundable up to 60 days before the program start date according to our Terms & Conditions

Accommodation & Meals

🏠 Volunteers stay with host families or in a volunteer residence, depending on the project.
🍽️ Three meals per day (Monday–Friday) – breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

Note: Dinner is pretty light in the Andes.

Requirements

You must be at least 18 years old at the start of your placement. Exceptions can be made for under 18’s accompanied by a guardian or with a parental consent.

All volunteers must have adequate volunteer travel insurance.

Language Requirements

To enroll in our volunteer in Peru programs it is important that you have a grasp of the basics of the Spanish language; in order to be able to communicate with the local people, the other staff/ patients/ children. We offer a week of Spanish lessons on arrival, it is highly recommended that you take at least these 20 hours before you start with the volunteering. Once you speak enough Spanish to communicate with the people, you will start work in your program for at least one more week. If you already know Spanish, or would like to take more than one week of classes, that can be easily arranged with your program coordinator.

Safety

You will have a competent support and advices from the local team and project leaders. Someone will always be available in the case of any emergency. Please keep in mind that you are in a different country and should take some precautions to avoid exposing yourself to certain risks.

The local coordinators will give you all the information to have a safe and unforgettable experience.

Reviews of our Volunteers in Peru

More Volunteer Opportunities in Peru

Choose from some more volunteer opportunities in Peru!

If you love children, you can choose from educational work at a kindergarten, or teach English at school.

Furthermore we offer two different stages for medical students: you can work as a medical volunteer at a healthcare center in Cusco, or gain some practical experience with a dental internship.

If you are passionate about learning about local culture in Peru, you may immerse in an Andean Community, or experience the life of a village in the Peruvian Amazon.

More opportunities for construction volunteers

Visit our page with all the construction volunteer programs.