Planning to volunteer in Peru? This guide takes you through everything to sort out before you fly: choosing your project, picking your dates, visas, vaccinations, insurance, flights, packing and money. It covers both of Peru's volunteer regions – the Andes around Cusco and the Amazon rainforest – because what you need is quite different for each.
Still choosing a project? Start with our page on how to volunteer in Peru, then come back here to plan your trip.
Quick checklist
- Choose your project and region (Andes or Amazon).
- Pick your dates – Cusco projects start any Monday, the Wildlife Sanctuary any day, Amazon Conservation once a month.
- Check your visa and passport – many nationalities can visit Peru visa-free as tourists.
- See a travel clinic 6–8 weeks before you go, and tell them whether you'll be in the Andes, the Amazon or both.
- Buy travel insurance that covers your whole stay.
- Book flights to Cusco (CUZ) or Puerto Maldonado (PEM).
- Pack layers for the Andes and light, quick-drying clothes for the Amazon.
1. Choose your project and region
Globalteer has four volunteer projects in Peru, from 1 to 12 weeks. Where you volunteer decides almost everything else in this guide – your flights, your packing list and which vaccinations to ask about.
| Project | Region | Fly into | Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children's Project | Cusco, Andes (3,400 m) | Cusco (CUZ) | 1–12 weeks |
| Dog Rescue | Cusco, Andes (3,400 m) | Cusco (CUZ) | 1–12 weeks |
| Wildlife Sanctuary | Near Puerto Maldonado, Amazon | Puerto Maldonado (PEM) | 1–12 weeks |
| Amazon Conservation | Manu, Amazon | Cusco (CUZ) | 2–12 weeks |
You can also do two projects back to back – for example two weeks in Cusco, then two weeks in the Amazon. Projects run one after the other, not at the same time.
2. Pick the best time to go
All four projects run all year, so there's no wrong time to volunteer. The seasons do change what your free time looks like:
- May to October (dry season): sunny days and cold nights in Cusco, and the best weather for hiking, Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain. June to August is the busiest time for tourism.
- November to April (rainy season): greener and quieter, with rain usually coming in short bursts. In the Amazon, rivers are higher and the forest is at its lushest.
Start dates depend on the project. The Cusco projects start any Monday, the Wildlife Sanctuary any day, and Amazon Conservation has one start date each month. For more detail, read our guide to the best time to volunteer in Peru.
3. Check your visa and passport
Many nationalities, including the UK, EU, US, Canada and Australia, can visit Peru visa-free as tourists. The immigration officer decides how many days you're given when you arrive, so make sure it covers your whole stay. Rules depend on your nationality and can change, so always check before you book.
Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from the day you arrive – many airlines expect this. See our visa information page for more.
4. Health, vaccinations and insurance
Vaccinations
Book an appointment with your doctor or a travel clinic 6–8 weeks before you travel. Tell them exactly where you'll be, because advice for the Andes and the Amazon is different:
- Everyone: make sure your routine vaccinations, such as tetanus, are up to date.
- Amazon projects: yellow fever vaccination is generally recommended for the Amazon lowlands, including the areas around Puerto Maldonado and Manu. Ask about malaria prevention too.
- Cusco projects: yellow fever vaccination is not usually recommended if you're only visiting Cusco and Machu Picchu. Mention that you'll be working with children or animals.
Useful sources: NHS fitfortravel, CDC Travelers' Health and our travel health and safety tips.
Altitude in Cusco
Cusco sits at about 3,400 m (11,200 ft), and most people feel the altitude for the first day or two – usually a headache, tiredness or shortness of breath. Take it easy when you arrive, drink plenty of water, go light on alcohol and save big hikes for later in your stay. Rainbow Mountain, a popular trip, reaches over 5,000 m. If you have a heart or lung condition, talk to your doctor before you book.
Heat and fitness in the Amazon
The Amazon projects mean long, active days in heat and humidity. You don't need to be an athlete, but you'll need reasonable fitness and to be comfortable with insects, early starts and simple living.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance covering your whole stay is highly recommended. Check that it covers medical treatment and repatriation, volunteering, any trips at high altitude and the activities you plan to do in your free time.
Background check
Only volunteers on the Children's Project in Cusco need a background check. We'll explain what's needed when you apply.
5. Book your flights and plan your travel
Most international flights arrive in Lima, with a short connection to Cusco or Puerto Maldonado. Some international flights also go direct to Cusco. Airport pickup is included on all four projects.
| Project | Fly into | What happens next |
|---|---|---|
| Children's Project and Dog Rescue | Cusco (CUZ) | Our team meets you at the airport and takes you to your accommodation. |
| Wildlife Sanctuary | Puerto Maldonado (PEM) | Project staff meet you at the airport and take you to the sanctuary. |
| Amazon Conservation | Cusco (CUZ) | Project staff meet you at Cusco airport. After orientation in Cusco, the journey to Manu takes about 8 hours by vehicle and boat over two days. |
Combining Cusco and the Amazon? Cusco to Puerto Maldonado takes under an hour by plane or about 10 hours by bus. We'll help you plan your dates and travel between projects.
6. Pack for the Andes and the Amazon
You'll get a full packing list after you book. As a guide:
For Cusco and the Andes
- Layers: days are often sunny and around 15°C, but nights can drop to about 5°C.
- A warm jacket, a fleece or jumper, and a hat for evenings.
- Sun cream, sunglasses and a sun hat – the sun is strong at altitude.
- A light waterproof jacket, especially from November to April.
- Comfortable walking shoes or boots for weekend hikes.
For the Amazon
- Light, quick-drying clothes, including long sleeves and long trousers for insects.
- Strong insect repellent.
- A head torch.
- A waterproof jacket and a dry bag for your phone and documents.
- Clothes you don't mind getting muddy – check your project's packing list for boots and work gear.
For every project
- Copies of your passport, insurance and flight details.
- A reusable water bottle.
- A plug adaptor – Peru uses 220 V and type A and C sockets.
- Any medicines you take, in their original packaging.
7. Money and staying connected
Peru's currency is the sol (PEN). Cards are widely accepted in Cusco, but carry some cash for markets, taxis and small shops, and take enough with you to the Amazon, where cash machines are few and far between. Peru is affordable – a local set lunch costs just a few dollars.
For phone and data, pick up a local SIM or an eSIM (Holafly and Airalo work well in Peru). Signal can be patchy in remote parts of the Amazon, so let family know before you head into the jungle.
Wondering what the whole trip will cost? Read our guide: How much does it cost to volunteer in Peru?
8. Before you fly
- Pay your balance (due 10 weeks before your start date).
- Send us your flight details so we can arrange your airport pickup.
- Read your pre-departure guide.
- Learn a few words of Spanish – try our useful Spanish phrases.
- Save our emergency contact details on your phone.
Planning FAQs
Do I need a visa to volunteer in Peru?
Many nationalities, including the UK, EU, US, Canada and Australia, can visit Peru visa-free as tourists. The immigration officer decides how many days you're given on arrival, so make sure it covers your stay. Rules depend on your nationality, so check before you book.
Which vaccinations do I need for Peru?
See your doctor or a travel clinic 6–8 weeks before you travel. Make sure your routine vaccinations are up to date. Yellow fever vaccination is generally recommended for the Amazon lowlands, including Puerto Maldonado and Manu, but not usually for Cusco and Machu Picchu only. Ask about malaria prevention if you're going to the Amazon.
How do I cope with the altitude in Cusco?
Cusco is at about 3,400 m. Take it easy for your first day or two, drink plenty of water, go light on alcohol and save big hikes for later. Most people feel fine within a few days. If you have a heart or lung condition, speak to your doctor before you book.
What's the best time of year to volunteer in Peru?
All four projects run year-round. May to October is the dry season and best for hiking and Machu Picchu. November to April is the rainy season, when it's greener and quieter and the rainforest is at its lushest.
Can I volunteer in Cusco and the Amazon on the same trip?
Yes. You can do two projects back to back, for example two weeks with children or rescued dogs in Cusco and then two weeks at the Wildlife Sanctuary or Amazon Conservation project. Cusco to Puerto Maldonado is under an hour by plane.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
No. You need good English or Spanish. Weekly Spanish classes are included on the Cusco projects, and learning a few phrases before you go makes a big difference.
See all volunteer projects in Peru · Ask our team a question