Voluntourism is an excellent way to approach a more ‘responsible’ relationship with our planet while traveling and enjoying a fantastic experience, as it involves tourism with a touch of social activism. This program involves sightseeing, volunteering and trekking in and around Cuzco, one of the premier destinations in the world and the gateway to ‘must-see’ Machu Picchu, an Inca religious center and citadel built in the most inaccessible, wildest of countrysides on the side of a mountain.
Cuzco is considered the most impressive pre-conquest city in the Americas: once the center of the Inca empire (which included present day Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina and Bolivia), the city boasts stunning architecture, both Inca and Spanish, that reflects the power of both Empires. And less than an hour away is The Sacred Valley that holds a mysticism well worth experiencing.
This trip will be combined with a unique chance to give something back to the community of Cuzco. Therefore, the trip includes half and full-day activities of sharing and giving to the community as a volunteer; and a donation to the communities and social centers you will visit.
The climax of the holiday comes in the form of the Inca Trail, considered one of the world’s classic treks, and undoubtedly the most rewarding way to arrive at Machu Picchu.
Cuzco, Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail and the Sacred Valley are awe-inspiring and anyone who visits Latin America without seeing them has had a wasted journey! We strongly encourage you to spend as long as possible in this magical place and fully enjoy one of the world's best destinations.
Speak to our team of professionals with any questions you may have live at
CHAT ONLINE or write us at travel@peruforless.com.
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Itinerary and Prices |
| Day 1: Arrive in Lima |
- After arriving at the airport, you will be transferred to your hotel, where you will get the chance to rest and relax after your flight.
- In the afternoon, you'll receive a brief orientation giving you a brief taste of Peruvian history and culture and information about the volunteer activities which you will undertake during your trip.
- Later, you will get the opportunity to visit the city, try some of the culinary wonders of the country, or just relax at the hotel and prepare for the journey ahead.
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| Day 2: Arrive Cuzco/ Afternoon City
Tour |
- You will be picked up at the airport and taken to your
comfortable hotel where you are advised to rest for a while to
acclimatize to the high altitude.
- In the afternoon you will take a Cuzco city tour and get to
know the beautiful Cathedral, and the colossal ruins of
Sacsayhuaman.
- In the evening you will have the opportunity to visit one of Cuzco's many restaurants and bars, and enjoy the lively spirit of its nightlife, or simply relax in your hotel, preparing for the next day's journey.
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| Day 3: Volunteer Activity: Urcos |
- After breakfast, you will travel 40mins from Cuzco to visit Urcos, a school and shelter for children with disabilities.
- You will spend time with the children and learn from their stories in what will surely be a life-changing experience. As part of a group, you will participate in putting together a puppet show for the children, and later have lunch with them at which you will have the opportunity to chat and get to know them better.
- In the late afternoon, a round of storytelling, book-painting and hot chocolate with the children closes the day.
- In the evening, you will return to the hotel to rest, or explore the city some more.
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| Day 4: Sacred Valley Tour |
- After an early breakfast and an early start, you will take a tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where the local people maintain lifestyles that incorporate many traditional activities such as raising cuyes (guinea pigs), making chicha (a fermented corn drink), weaving, and agriculture.
- You will have the opportunity to visit the local market in Pisac where you can examine and buy the beautiful handicrafts that the locals make, while also observing the array of ethnic dress worn as part of the local heritage.
- You will also visit the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, one of the few places where the Incas were able to defeat the Spanish in battle.
- You will spend the night at a local lodge, in the tranquil countryside, away from the racket of the city.
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| Day 5: Volunteer Activity:
Ollantaytambo |
- This day you will get the chance to spend some time with disadvantaged children of a school in Ollantaytambo. You will gather in one of the local schools where you will join the children in a number of entertaining activities: including the usual puppet show and out-door games that will brighten up the day for the children and bring you more than a few smiles.
- Later, and after a brief talk about the environment sponsored by Eco Valle (an environmental NGO), you will participate with the children in an exploratory walk of the Checo Forrest, a beautiful natural reserve in the Sacred Valley. In this way you will support Eco Valle in its efforts to preserve the Sacred Valley and its timeless beauty.
- At night, you will return to your hotel to spend the night.
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| Day 6: Beginning of Inca Trail |
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Begin the Inca Trail: bus to Chillca, hike to Llulluchapampa.
- The first day the trail leads along the Urubamba River, offering you spectacular views of snow-capped mountains and stunning vegetation.
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| Day 7: Inca Trail (Continued) |
- From Llulluchapampa you hike to Sayamarca. The second day is more challenging as you climb a 4.200-meter high pass, often covered in mist.
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| Day 8: Inca Trail (Continued) |
- From Sayamarca you walk to Wiña Wayna. A stone path guides you through a dense cloud forest to Wiña Wayna, passing many Inca ruins along the way.
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| Day 9: Inca Trail (Continued) |
- You arrive at the Inca “Sun Gate” just before sunrise, the fog lifts and you are looking down onto Machu Picchu just as the Incas did centuries before you. The sight is awe inspiring - a sprawling temple bathed in sunlight.
- You are now able to visit the site right before any other tourists arrive and see the carved 'Hitching-Post of the Sun', the contoured walls fitting into every curve of the natural rock, the amazing jigsaw puzzle of individual building blocks fitted together without mortar and which have withstood centuries of earthquakes, the steep thousand meter high mountain - up which these blocks were raised - high above the valleys, the intricate irrigation system and terraced fields. This structured, intricate citadel is in complete contrast to the wild environs of mountain tops and gorges.
- Although you surely will not yet be ready to, in the afternoon
you will descend into the town of Aguas Calientes to rest and spend
the night, or go out and explore some more!
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| Day 10: Free Morning/ Train to Cuzco |
- This morning you will have free time either to take a look around the town of Aguas Calientes or return to Machu Picchu for another look at the spectacular ruins.
- In the afternoon you will take the train back to Cuzco, where you will be transferred to your hotel to spend the night, or to enjoy the nightlife of the city some more.
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| Day 11: Transfer to Airport |
- You will be transferred to Cuzco airport for your return
flight.
| Occupancy |
3 Star |
4 Star |
5 Star |
| Double/Triple |
$ 1,529
€ 1,071
£ 773 |
$ 1,809
€ 1,267
£ 914 |
$ 2,359
€ 1,652
£ 1,192 |
| Single |
$ 1,999
€ 1,400
£ 1,010
|
$ 2,459
€ 1,722
£ 1,242 |
$ 3,249
€ 2,401
£ 1,732 |
Contribution to Volunteer Projects
| Occupancy |
3 Star |
4 Star |
5 Star |
| Double/Triple |
$ 459
€ 322
£ 232 |
$ 509
€ 357
£ 258 |
$ 559
€ 392
£ 282 |
| Single |
$ 529
€ 371
£ 268
|
$ 589
€ 413
£ 298 |
$ 649
€ 455
£ 328 |
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| Included: |
- Transportation:
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- private transport to km 82
- Transfer from the train station to the hotel
- Camping equipment:
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- high quality spacious igloo tents
- foam mattresses
- cooking tent
- Team:
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- one cook and assistant
- professional bilingual guide
- porters for equipment
- Food:
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- 3 x breakfast, 3 x lunch, 3 x diner, coffee and thee. Mineral
water is not included.
- Lunch in Urcos and Ollantaytambo (during your volunteering-activities)
- All transfers and entrance fees.
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| Please Bring: |
- A hat to protect you from the sun
- Sunglasses and sun block
- Insect repellant
- Warm sweater and warm socks for sleeping
- Small flashlight for using the toilet during the night. Also the last part of the trek will begin before the sun rises so that you reach Machu Picchu at sunrise.
- Chocolates and candy. Sugar boosts are great for keeping you going
- Your camera with extra memory and batteries!
- Disposable plastic water bottles are not allowed on the trail so you should bring a canteen or similar for the trek.
- For more information, please check our FAQ section at FAQs- Cuzco and Inca Trail
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Diego,
