Volunteer in Cusco, Peru

Cusco, Peru · UNESCO World Heritage City

3,400 m

Cusco, Peru

Every Monday

Year-round start dates

180+

Children supported

4.9 ★

Volunteer rating

Why Cusco?

Volunteer standing by a glacial lake beneath snow-capped Andes peaks near Cusco

Landscape

Dancers in traditional costume performing at a festival near Cusco

Culture

Globalteer volunteer on a balcony overlooking the Plaza de Armas and cathedral in Cusco

Community

Visiting Machu Picchu on a weekend trip from Cusco

Adventure

Why volunteer

  • Volunteer DirectlyOur own team lives in Cusco year-round. No agency in the middle, and no fee shared with a third party.
  • Long-Term ProjectsWe've run Picaflor House since 2010 and our PAWS animal welfare programme, which also provides vet care for the shelters our volunteers support. Your work builds on years of progress.
  • Real SupportAirport pickup, orientation and a local coordinator on call 24/7, not just a welcome pack.
  • Trusted by VolunteersRated 4.9★ in verified Google and Facebook reviews.
  • Fair, Transparent FeesNo registration fees, and every booking includes a donation to the project.
A Globalteer volunteer working with children at a classroom table at Picaflor House, Cusco

20 years

Of making a difference in Cusco

Volunteer requirements

Age

18 and over, with no upper age limit. Under-18s are welcome when volunteering with a parent or guardian, with family discounts on both programmes.

Language

Good English or Spanish. You don't need to speak Spanish, and weekly classes start from your second week.

Background check

Volunteers on the children's project need a background check. We'll explain what's needed when you apply.

Health

Good general health. Take it easy for your first day or two while you adjust to the altitude.

Insurance

Travel insurance covering your whole stay is highly recommended.

Experience

No qualifications needed, just a love of children or animals. You'll get full training and work alongside our team.

Our Cusco Programmes

Volunteering in Peru

Children’s Project

  • Monday to Friday afternoons at Picaflor House
  • Help teach basic English and support homework
  • Help with games, arts, crafts and sport
  • Join the mobile library on visits to rural villages
  • Accommodation, food and cultural activities included (salsa, cooking, Spanish classes & more)

From US$820 (£685) · no registration fees · family discounts

Watch: a day at Picaflor House (2 min)

Volunteer with a rescued dog in Cusco, Peru

Animal Care

  • Monday to Friday mornings at dog shelters in Cusco
  • Feeding, walking, socialising and basic care
  • Work alongside shelter staff, supported by our PAWS vet team
  • Chance to join PAWS field visits to rural villages
  • Accommodation, food and cultural activities included (salsa, cooking, Spanish classes & more)

From US$820 (£685) · no registration fees · family discounts

Watch: how our PAWS team cares for roaming dogs and cats around Cusco (3 min)

Life in Cusco

Cultural Immersion

Salsa, cooking and Spanish classes, a Pachamama ceremony and a guided orientation walk, plus trips to the Sacred Valley and Rainbow Mountain – all built into your programme, not optional extras.

Social Connection

Meet volunteers from around the world at the Volunteer House, with farewell dinners, shared adventures and friendships that last long after you leave.

Weekend Adventures, Made Easy

Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, the Amazon Rainforest and beyond. Our local team helps you plan trips with trusted operators.

Free Time & Flexibility

Outside your volunteer hours – mornings or afternoons, depending on your project – and every weekend, your time is your own to explore markets, cafés, ruins and viewpoints.

Arrival & Orientation

1

Airport pickup

A member of our team meets you at Cusco airport and takes you to your accommodation, so you can relax from the moment you land.

2

Settle in & acclimatise

Your first day is kept light, giving you time to rest, unpack and adjust to the altitude before orientation begins.

3

Orientation day

A full briefing on safety, culture and your placement, plus a guided walk through your neighbourhood, the historic centre and San Blas.

4

Meet your team

Introductions with your local coordinator, placement staff and fellow volunteers.

5

First day on placement

Our team takes you to Picaflor House or the dog shelter and introduces you to the staff you’ll be working with throughout your stay.

What’s Included

Airport Pickup

Fly into Cusco (CUZ) and a member of our team meets you at arrivals – no taxi negotiations on day one, just a friendly face and a smooth transfer to your accommodation. Daily transport to your project is included too.

Accommodation

Stay at our Volunteer House in a safe neighbourhood next to the city's main mall, with shared rooms, a shared kitchen and Wi-Fi. Host family and hotel upgrades are available at an extra cost.

Food Included

We stock the kitchen with food for three meals a day, and you cook with your fellow volunteers. Host family stays include home-cooked meals, and the hotel includes breakfast only.

Orientation & City Tour

A full induction plus a guided walking tour of your neighbourhood, the historic centre and San Blas, so you know where you are, what to expect and who to call if you need anything.

support

Local Coordinator & 24/7 Support

Your Cusco coordinator is on hand throughout your stay, backed by Globalteer's own team, based in Cusco since 2006.

Pre-Departure Guides & Certificate

Helpful guides before you travel, and a certificate of completion for your CV or university applications. Reference letters available on request.

Not included: flights, visas, travel insurance (highly recommended), background check (children's project only), optional tours and accommodation upgrades.

Included Cultural Experiences

Two volunteers exploring the streets of Cusco
Orientation Walk

Your neighbourhood, the historic centre and the hidden streets of San Blas, with our local team.

Traditional Andean dancers in Cusco
Pachamama Ceremony

Join a local Andean Shaman for a traditional offering of thanks to Mother Earth, a living tradition older than the Incas.

View over Cusco from Cristo Blanco
Cristo Blanco at Sunset

Watch the city turn golden from above, a moment you'll remember long after you leave.

Globalteer volunteers dancing at a salsa class in Cusco
Salsa Classes

Learn to move like a local in fun, social classes that are perfect for complete beginners.

Volunteers sharing food they cooked together in Cusco
Cooking Classes

Discover the flavours of Peru as you learn to prepare classic dishes, then sit down together to enjoy what you've made.

Volunteers in a Spanish class
Spanish Classes

Build your confidence with weekly lessons that make it easier to chat with locals, find your way and feel at home.

Included in your programme
One trip or activity every week, plus regular classes and social events. Every trip is accompanied by a Globalteer team member.
One included trip each week
  • Week 1: Pachamama Ceremony
    A traditional Andean offering to Mother Earth, led by a pampa paqo (Andean priest), to welcome you and give thanks for your time in Peru.
  • Week 2: Peruvian Cooking Class
    Learn to cook classic Peruvian dishes with a professional chef, then sit down and enjoy what you've made.
  • Week 3: Rainbow Mountain
    A full-day trip to Vinicunca's famous striped peaks at over 5,000 m – one of Peru's most spectacular hikes.
  • Week 4: City Tour by Car
    Discover Inca Cusco with a local guide: the Qorikancha sun temple, Sacsayhuamán, Q'enqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay.
  • Week 5: Sacred Valley
    A full day in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting Chinchero, the circular terraces of Moray, the Maras salt mines, Ollantaytambo and Pisac.
Every week
  • Salsa Classes
    Social, inclusive and fun – no experience needed.
  • Spanish Classes
    Weekly lessons from week 2, so you can chat with locals and get around the city with confidence.
Also included
  • Cristo Blanco Walk
    Sweeping views over Cusco from the white Christ statue above the city.
  • Pisco Cocktail Class
    Learn to mix a pisco sour, Peru’s national cocktail, in a fun evening class in your third week.
  • Farewell Dinner
    Celebrate together with the team and fellow volunteers before you leave.

Build Your Adventure

The ancient ruins of Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu mountain behind

Machu Picchu

One of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Visit on a day trip by train or a multi-day trek.

Volunteers on a wooden raft in the Peruvian Amazon. Click to watch the video

Amazon Rainforest

Swap the mountains for the jungle, or add an Amazon wildlife or rainforest project – see all the ways to volunteer in Peru. Watch the video

Four Globalteer volunteers smiling on a rocky viewpoint above Lake Titicaca at sunset

Lake Titicaca

Floating reed islands & the world's highest navigable lake. Ideal for a long weekend.

How Long to Stay

Perfect start

1
Week

A powerful introduction. You'll complete your orientation, begin the project, and experience Cusco's highlights.

Best balance

3
Weeks

Go deeper. Time to explore Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and Rainbow Mountain on your weekends, alongside your project work.

Deep immersion

4
Weeks

Full immersion. You'll feel like a local, make lifelong friends and leave knowing you've made a real difference.

Travel Information

Getting There

Fly into Cusco (CUZ), usually via Lima with a short domestic flight. Full arrival details are sent after you book.

Airport: CUZ — Alejandro Velasco AsteteTransfer: Included — our team meets you

Best Time to Visit

Programmes run year-round. The dry season (May–October) is great for hiking; the rainy season (November–March) is greener and quieter, with rain usually lasting just a couple of hours a day.

Best weather: May–SeptemberStart days: Every Monday

Climate & Altitude

Cusco sits high in the Andes, so take it easy for your first couple of days while you acclimatise. Days are sunny and around 15°C; nights can drop to about 5°C, so pack layers.

Altitude: 3,400 metresPacking guide: Sent on booking

Cost of Living

Cusco is affordable – a local set lunch costs just a few dollars, and your accommodation, food, transport to and from your project and cultural experiences are already included.

Currency: Peruvian sol (PEN)

Visas

Many nationalities, including the UK, EU, US, Canada and Australia, can visit Peru visa-free as tourists. Requirements depend on your nationality, so always check before you travel.

Safety & Support

Cusco has a low crime rate and welcomes thousands of visitors every year. Normal city awareness applies, and our local team is on call 24/7.

Support: Local coordinator + Globalteer teamInsurance: Highly recommended

Staying Connected

Pick up a local SIM or eSIM on arrival (Holafly and Airalo work well in Peru). Wi-Fi is available at the Volunteer House.

Wi-Fi: Included at the Volunteer HouseeSIM: Holafly / Airalo recommended

Health & Vaccinations

Speak to your doctor or travel clinic 6–8 weeks before you travel and mention you'll be working with children or animals.

Reviews

FAQs

Volunteering in Cusco: Your Questions Answered

How much does it cost to volunteer in Cusco?
One week at our Volunteer House costs US$820 (£685), for either the Community Experience or the Dog Rescue project. That includes your airport pickup, accommodation, all your food (we stock the kitchen and you cook your own meals), transport to your project, weekly cultural activities and trips (accompanied by a Globalteer team member), your coordinator's support and a donation to the project. There are no registration or bank fees. Flights, insurance and optional tours are extra.
What's the difference between the two programmes?
The Community Experience is based at Picaflor House, our after-school centre for local children, where you help with homework, English, games and creative activities in the afternoons. On the Dog Rescue project you spend Monday to Friday mornings caring for rescued and abandoned dogs at shelters around Cusco – feeding, cleaning, walking and socialising them. Both include the same accommodation, food and cultural programme.
Can I do both projects?
Yes, but you'll need to stay for at least two weeks, as there isn't enough time to do one project in the morning and the other in the afternoon alongside all your organised activities. Just let us know when you apply.
Why volunteer directly with a charity rather than a volunteer agency?
Agencies usually pass your placement to a local partner organisation and share your fee with them. Globalteer is the charity behind both projects: we've worked in Cusco since 2006, run Picaflor House and our PAWS animal welfare programme, and support the dog shelters with veterinary care. The team who answer your first email are the team who welcome you in Cusco.
Can families or under-18s volunteer?
Yes. Volunteers aged 18 and over can join on their own, and under-18s can volunteer alongside a parent or guardian. We also welcome friends and groups such as schools, universities and companies, and can tailor dates and activities to suit you.
Do I need to speak Spanish or have experience?
No. English is the common language for our staff and volunteers, and you'll have weekly Spanish classes. You don't need teaching or animal-care experience either – you'll get an orientation and training, and you'll always work alongside our local staff.
Is Cusco safe for volunteers?
Cusco has a low crime rate, and thousands of visitors enjoy trouble-free trips every year. As anywhere, petty theft can happen, so keep valuables out of sight in markets and bus stations. Our local team will give you advice on arrival and support you throughout your stay. See our travel advice for more.
What about altitude and vaccinations?
Cusco sits at 3,400 metres, so take it easy for your first day or two while you adjust. See your doctor or a travel clinic 6–8 weeks before you travel, and mention that you'll be working with children or animals. Dog Rescue volunteers should ask about the rabies vaccine. Our travel advice page has more information.
When can I start, and how long can I stay?
You can start any Monday, all year round, and stay from 1 to 12 weeks. The dry season (April to October) brings sunny days and cold nights; the rainy season (November to March) usually means a couple of hours of rain a day.

More questions? Talk to our team

UN Sustainable Development Goals

1No Poverty
2Zero Hunger
3Good Health & Well-being
4Quality Education
5Gender Equality
10Reduced Inequalities
11Sustainable Cities & Communities
15Life on Land

Ask Us

Not Sure Which Project? Ask Our Team

Children or rescue dogs – or both? Tell us what interests you and ask us anything about dates, costs, accommodation or volunteering as a family. A member of our team in Cusco will get back to you.

Ready to experience Cusco?