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Peru Adventure & Community Development
General Information
Volunteer in Peru in your gap year, year out or career break
Venture into a land of lost cities, rising through the mountain mists like ghosts. Feel the spinetingling and magical atmosphere that pervades the very air in Machu Picchu, one of the seven wonders of the world that was the stronghold of the venerable Inca rulers. This project entails two key phases; initially you will spend three weeks making a vital contribution to the running of an underesourced and underfunded community centre that provides a lifeline for women and children struggling to live and cope with extreme poverty. Following this you will travel to the cloud shrouded ruins of Machu Picchu and explore the lore and legend of its past; shamanic legends say that if you touch your head to the stone walls, the 'Intihuatana' opens your vision to the spirit world. Embrace the challenge of trekking amongst the peaks that surround the edifice, make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged women and children in this beautiful country, and partake of a culture that has captivated visitors for centuries!
Project Dates & Contribution:
- Departs Monthly
- Duration from 4 weeks
- Costs £1295 for 4 weeks, £195 per extra week
Before you go: Extensive pre-departure support, travel & medical advice and documentation, equipment advice, discounted medical kit, Frontier T-shirt.
In-country: Airport pickup, accommodation, food, internal ground transfers and in-transit accommodation, local orientation and comprehensive project training, project equipment and materials, in-country emergency support and 24 hour international HQ backup.
or 
Minimum age 18+.
Project Details
Transportation
You will be collected form the airport in Cusco, and escorted by taxi to your homestay. Each day you can walk the short journey to your project or take a local taxi which is very inexpensive.
Accommodation
Whilst volunteering on this project, you will enjoy the experience of living with a local host in their home, and enjoying the chance to catch a glimpse of the day to day life here with its customs and traditional practices. Alternatively, you can opt for the slightly more luxurious choice, which entails staying in a local hotel (subject to availability and a small additional cost). When you are on the Inca Trail you will be accommodated in various hostels en route.
Food
If you are staying with a local family, you will be provided with three homecooked meals a day, which will give you the chance to get a taste of the tempting Peruvian cuisine. Vegetarians are welcome and special diets can be catered for. When you arrive you will be asked to pay £150.00 directly to your homestay family. Should you wish to prepare your own meals, there are markets and shops nearby. Cusco has a variety of bakeries, coffee shops and restaurants for those who wish to head out into town and experience the nightlife of this world famous town.
Work
Whilst participating on this project, you will be engaged for the first 18 days in a range of activities, helping children who have suffered through a lack of any positive attention in their lives, and who need the stability and committment of dedicated volunteers to enable them to progress. You will help the children with their homework, create activities and events focusing on constructive arts and crafts programmes, introduce them to drama and sports, and prepare and serve a nutritious evening meal. There is also the chance to help the English teacher, and work towards a TEFL certificate for a small extra charge of £200. What is most important is that throughout your time with the children you are showing them the support and positive direction that they crave and deserve. For these underprivileged youngsters you will be filling the role of mentor, parent, friend and so much more- an incredibly rewarding and life changing experience for both parties. Daily activities begin around 3pm, leaving you the morning free to take language lessons or explore Cusco and all it has to offer. Your working day will end at around 7pm, and you will head home to a delicious meal.
At the end of the 23 days community development phase, you will travel to Machu Picchu and spend 5 days trekking where you will enjoy the challenge of tackling the Andes, visiting magnificent snow-capped mountains, traditional Andean communities, majestic waterfalls, as well as pushing yourself with the challenging physical aspect of trekking in Peru.
 | This is a Frontier Supported Project |
Extras
There are so many activities to try here that you certainly wont be short of things to enjoy in your spare time. Try swimming in forest waterfalls, hangliding, kite surfing, sailing, canoeing and many more! Explore the town and gain an insight into Peruvian culture- try local foods, buy beautiful handwoven fabrics in the markets. Of course you will experience trekking in the mountains during the second phase of your project.
Project aims
Peru's Street Children
The reality for most children living on the streets of Peru's towns and cities is a life of constant terrifying struggle, a lack of love and affection, and an uncertain future. Over 3,500 children live on the streets of Cusco, many abandoned by families who cannot afford to feed them. But the loneliness and fear experienced by these children, forced to live on the street alone are the most painful affliction.The community development that you will be working in provides a vital lifeline for those who seek a way out of their precarious existence on the streets. You can help give them the chance of an education, and provide them with the confidence boost and attention that they so desperately crave. Meanwhile, you are sure to enjoy a gap year or year out that will be absolutely unforgettable.
Alternatives
We have other projects in Peru or why not take a look at our community development programmes in Argentina and Ecuador and our South American Ethical AdventureTrail!
What next?
If you like the sound of the Adventure & Community Development project in Peru, then request a callback from one of our travel advisers or use our online booking form to apply now and secure your adventure of a lifetime!
Frontier supported projects and Frontier group projects are run in partnership with in-country NGOs, small community based organisations, local research institutes, academic organisations and conservation agencies. Project descriptions and information are supplied directly by our partners or field staff and are accurate at time of publishing.
We aim to keep information up to date and accurate, however, the nature of our projects and in particular the fact that they are constantly evolving and developing in response to changing needs means that project activities, travel schedules, tour itineraries and daily timetables can change overnight and without notice.