Peru · From the Andes to the Amazon
Volunteer in Peru with a UK Charity
Help children or rescued dogs in Cusco alongside our own team, or care for rescued wildlife and protect the rainforest on projects in the Amazon. Stay from 1 to 12 weeks and explore Machu Picchu along the way.
Since 2006
Our own team in Cusco
4 projects
In the Andes and the Amazon
From US$735
1 to 12 weeks
4.9 ★
On Google and Facebook
Why Peru?
Why Volunteer in Peru? Real Need, Rich Culture, Remarkable Places
Peru has some of South America's most striking contrasts: Andean communities where many children still lack support at school, and an Amazon rainforest under pressure from deforestation and the wildlife trade. Volunteering here means meaningful work in two very different worlds, with Machu Picchu on your doorstep.
Landscape
From the Andes to the Amazon
Peru stretches from snow-capped Andean peaks to the Amazon rainforest. You can volunteer in the mountain city of Cusco, or in the jungle near Puerto Maldonado and in the Manu Biosphere, two of the most biodiverse places on Earth.
Culture
Inca History and Living Quechua Culture
Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire, and Quechua traditions are still part of daily life in the Andes. Festivals, markets and local food make every week feel different.
Wildlife
Wildlife You Won't See Anywhere Else
Sloths, monkeys, macaws and thousands of plant and insect species live in Peru's Amazon. Volunteers on the Amazon projects help care for rescued animals and protect the rainforest they depend on.
Adventure
Machu Picchu and Beyond
Weekends and the days around your placement are perfect for Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Rainbow Mountain, Lake Titicaca or a boat trip along an Amazon river.
Andes or Amazon?
Choose Your Region: the Andes or the Amazon
Peru's two volunteer regions offer very different experiences. Here's how to choose.
Cusco and the Andes
Best for working with people, culture and city life. Live in the old Inca capital at 3,400 m and volunteer with children or rescued dogs for half the day, with our own team close by. Salsa, Spanish and cooking classes and a weekly trip are included. Stay at the Volunteer House, with a host family or in a hotel. See all the ways to volunteer in Cusco, or read our guide to volunteering in Cusco.
The Amazon Rainforest
Best for wildlife, nature and a more remote experience. Live on site at a wildlife sanctuary near Puerto Maldonado or a conservation project in Manu. Spend full days working alongside the sanctuary or conservation staff, surrounded by the sounds of the jungle.
Combine Both, Back to Back
See both sides of Peru: two weeks in Cusco, then on to the Amazon, or the other way round. Projects run one after the other, and we'll help you plan your dates and travel.
Not Sure Which to Choose?
Tell us what you enjoy and how much time you have, and our team will help you find the right project. You can also compare all four projects below.
Peru Projects
Volunteer Projects in Peru: Children, Dogs, Wildlife and Rainforest
Four ways to volunteer in Peru, each from 1 to 12 weeks. In Cusco you'll work alongside our own team. In the Amazon you'll join the sanctuary or conservation staff on site, with our team in Cusco on hand throughout.
Children’s Project · Cusco
Children's Project at Picaflor House
Help local staff at our after-school centre in Cusco with English, homework, reading, arts and sport, and join our mobile library on visits to rural villages.
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Monday to Friday afternoons, 1pm to 5pm
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Start any Monday, 1 to 12 weeks
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Volunteer House, host family or hotel
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Spanish and salsa classes and a weekly trip included
From US$820 (£685) · no registration fees · family discounts
Animal Care · Cusco
Dog Rescue Project
Help shelter staff feed, walk, socialise and care for rescued dogs at shelters supported by PAWS, our animal welfare programme, with afternoons free to explore Cusco.
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Monday to Friday mornings, 8.30am to 12.30pm
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Start any Monday, 1 to 12 weeks
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Volunteer House, host family or hotel
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Spanish and salsa classes and a weekly trip included
From US$820 (£685) · no registration fees · family discounts
Wildlife Care · Amazon
Peru Wildlife Sanctuary
Live and work at a wildlife sanctuary in the southern Peruvian Amazon near Puerto Maldonado, helping care for and rehabilitate rescued sloths, howler monkeys, birds and other animals so that, where possible, they can be released back into the wild.
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Care for rescued animals and prepare their food
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Live on site · 6 to 7 hours a day, 6 days a week
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Start any day, 1 to 12 weeks
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Families welcome, minimum age 12
From US$735 (£612) · no registration fees
Conservation · Amazon
Peru Amazon Conservation Project
Join the jungle team in Manu, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, working alongside Peruvian and international staff on rainforest conservation.
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Forest regeneration, animal monitoring, bio gardening and agroforestry
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Live on site · 6 to 8 hours a day, 1 free day a week
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Monthly start dates, orientation in Cusco · 2 to 12 weeks
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Families welcome, 10% off ages 6–16
From US$1,950 (£1,625) · no registration fees · family discount
Compare Projects
Compare Peru Projects
Everything you need to choose at a glance. Prices are per person – see each project page for exactly what's included.
| Project | Location | What you do | Hours | Start | Stay | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Children's Project | Cusco (Andes) | English, homework, reading, arts and sport at Picaflor House | Mon–Fri, 1pm–5pm | Any Monday | 1–12 weeks | US$820 (£685) |
| Dog Rescue | Cusco (Andes) | Feeding, walking and socialising dogs at shelters supported by PAWS | Mon–Fri, 8.30am–12.30pm | Any Monday | 1–12 weeks | US$820 (£685) |
| Wildlife Sanctuary | Near Puerto Maldonado (Amazon) | Caring for rescued animals and preparing their food | 6–7 hrs a day, 6 days a week | Any day | 1–12 weeks | US$735 (£612) |
| Amazon Conservation | Manu (Amazon) | Forest regeneration, animal monitoring, bio gardening and agroforestry | 6–8 hrs a day, 1 free day a week | One date each month | 2–12 weeks | US$1,950 (£1,625) |
Family discounts: Cusco projects US$200 off ages 13–17 and US$400 off ages 12 and under; Amazon Conservation 10% off ages 6–16. Combine projects back to back.
Videos
See Volunteering in Peru
Take a look at each project before you choose – from Picaflor House and the dog shelters in Cusco to wildlife care and rainforest conservation in the Amazon.
Why Globalteer
Why Volunteer With Globalteer in Peru
Globalteer is a UK registered charity (no. 1119706) that has worked in Peru since 2006. We match you with the right project, look after your booking and preparation, and your fee goes to the projects you volunteer with, not to shareholders.
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Book With a Charity, Not a CompanyWe're a registered charity, not a profit-making agency. One team handles your booking, preparation and questions, from your first enquiry to your last day.
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Projects With Real ImpactIn Cusco we've run Picaflor House since 2010, alongside PAWS, our animal welfare programme. In the Amazon, volunteers help a wildlife sanctuary and a rainforest conservation project that rely on volunteer support.
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Support When You Need ItPre-departure guidance for every project. Our own team looks after you on the Cusco projects. On the Amazon projects the project staff look after you, and our Cusco team is on hand throughout.
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Trusted by VolunteersRated 4.9★ in verified Google and Facebook reviews.
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Fair, Transparent FeesNo registration fees, clear prices for every project, and family discounts on selected projects.
20 years
Of making a difference in Peru
Who Can Volunteer
Who Can Volunteer in Peru?
Most people can volunteer with us. Here's what you'll need before you travel.
Age
18 and over to volunteer on your own, with no upper age limit. Families are welcome on all four projects – see family volunteering below.
Language
Good English or Spanish. You don't need to speak Spanish, and weekly Spanish classes are included on our Cusco projects. Get a head start with our useful Spanish phrases.
Background check
Only volunteers on the children's project in Cusco need a background check. We'll explain what's needed when you apply.
Health and Fitness
Good general health. Cusco is at 3,400 m, so take it easy at first. The Amazon projects mean long, active days in heat and humidity, so you'll need reasonable fitness. Ask your doctor or travel clinic about vaccinations.
Insurance
Travel insurance covering your whole stay is highly recommended.
Experience
No qualifications needed, just a love of children, animals or nature. You'll get training on arrival and work alongside the project staff.
Family volunteering
Children can volunteer alongside a parent or guardian on every project in Peru.
| Project | Children | Family discount |
|---|---|---|
| Children's Project and Dog Rescue (Cusco) | Under-18s with a parent or guardian | US$200 off ages 13–17, US$400 off ages 12 and under |
| Amazon Conservation (Manu) | With a parent or guardian | 10% off ages 6–16 |
| Wildlife Sanctuary (Puerto Maldonado) | Minimum age 12, with a parent or guardian | No discount |
Travel Information
Planning Your Trip to Peru
The essentials to know before you book. Updated October 2026.
Getting There
Most international flights arrive in Lima, with connections to Cusco (CUZ) for the Cusco and Manu projects, or to Puerto Maldonado (PEM) for the Wildlife Sanctuary. Some international flights also go direct to Cusco.
Best Time to Volunteer
Projects run year-round. May to October is the dry season – great for hiking in the Andes. November to April is the rainy season, when the rainforest is at its greenest.
Climate and Altitude
Cusco sits at 3,400 m, with sunny days around 15°C and cold nights, so take it easy at first. The Amazon is hot and humid all year, so pack light, quick-drying clothes and insect repellent.
Cost of Living
Peru is affordable – a local set lunch costs just a few dollars. See each project page for what your programme fee includes.
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 and Support
Peru welcomes millions of visitors every year. Normal travel awareness applies. On the Cusco projects our own team looks after you; on the Amazon projects the sanctuary or conservation staff do, and our team in Cusco is on hand throughout.
Staying Connected
Pick up a local SIM or eSIM on arrival (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.
Health and Vaccinations
Speak to your doctor or travel clinic 6–8 weeks before you travel. Tell them whether you'll be in the Andes, the Amazon or both, and whether you'll work with children or animals.
Reviews
What Volunteers Say About Peru
Real Google and Facebook reviews from volunteers who've joined Globalteer in Peru.
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The staff working there dedicated but also good fun. What an amazing experience! We spent a week with this incredible sanctuary in August 2018. The passion for the animals in the care of this rescue sanctuary is genuine and heartfelt. The staff working there dedicated but also good fun. Loved the interactions with the monkeys, deer, and birds and building the monkey house for the howlers, I hope they enjoy it for many years to come. I strongly recommend anyone who is visiting Peru and wants to genuinely help wild animals to be returned back to their natural habitat to spend time here.read moreread less
Tony Moriarty×Tony MoriartyThe staff working there dedicated but also good fun. What an amazing experience! We spent a week with this incredible sanctuary in August 2018. The passion for the animals in the care of this rescue sanctuary is genuine and heartfelt. The staff working there dedicated but also good fun. Loved the interactions with the monkeys, deer, and birds and building the monkey house for the howlers, I hope they enjoy it for many years to come. I strongly recommend anyone who is visiting Peru and wants to genuinely help wild animals to be returned back to their natural habitat to spend time here.It was organised so well and I felt so comfortable throughout the whole process. Late last year I was able to spend a month in Peru to volunteer at two of the Globalteer programs- The Dog Shelter in Cusco and The Amazon Wildlife Sanctuary in Puerto Maldonado. It was organised so well and I felt so comfortable throughout the whole process. I was picked up from the airport and the staff made me feel so welcome and at home. Being a young girl in a country like Peru, my family and friends were quite worried at first, as was I, however, I felt safe the entire time. I didn't have to worry one bit about the organisation of both volunteer groups, even though they were on the opposite sides of the country, it was an easy process with the staff being so quick and prompt in replies and helpful when I arrived in Cusco. I genuinely had an incredible time with so many life lessons and learning experiences taught throughout the trip. Would definitely recommend even if this is your first time overseas alone - as it was mine.read moreread less Tiarne Biviano×Tiarne BivianoIt was organised so well and I felt so comfortable throughout the whole process. Late last year I was able to spend a month in Peru to volunteer at two of the Globalteer programs- The Dog Shelter in Cusco and The Amazon Wildlife Sanctuary in Puerto Maldonado. It was organised so well and I felt so comfortable throughout the whole process. I was picked up from the airport and the staff made me feel so welcome and at home. Being a young girl in a country like Peru, my family and friends were quite worried at first, as was I, however, I felt safe the entire time. I didn't have to worry one bit about the organisation of both volunteer groups, even though they were on the opposite sides of the country, it was an easy process with the staff being so quick and prompt in replies and helpful when I arrived in Cusco. I genuinely had an incredible time with so many life lessons and learning experiences taught throughout the trip. Would definitely recommend even if this is your first time overseas alone - as it was mine.Accommodation was perfectly chosen and I made friends for life during my month working there. Perfect mix of authenticity and safety. Stayed with the best children and teachers and always felt so welcome. EVeryone also so patiently taught me Spanishread moreread less Crystal Moniz×Crystal MonizAccommodation was perfectly chosen and I made friends for life during my month working there. Perfect mix of authenticity and safety. Stayed with the best children and teachers and always felt so welcome. EVeryone also so patiently taught me Spanish -
Globalteer were there every step of the way to help facilitate everything. Such a rewarding experience. Candice and Globalteer were there every step of the way to help facilitate everything. Spent 2 weeks at a dog rescue in Cusco, Peru. I highly recommend them!read moreread less Peter DiFrancesca×Peter DiFrancescaGlobalteer were there every step of the way to help facilitate everything. Such a rewarding experience. Candice and Globalteer were there every step of the way to help facilitate everything. Spent 2 weeks at a dog rescue in Cusco, Peru. I highly recommend them!Anyone wanting to volunteer I would 100 percent recommend Globalteer!!!! I had the pleasure of volunteering with Globalteer at Picaflor House. From the Moment I arrived I was collected by staff and shown around Cusco. I also got to enjoy the weekly quiz nights with staff from globalteer. The staff went out of there way to make me feel welcome. I had an amazing time at picaflor house. The children were beautiful. Anyone wanting to volunteer I would 100 percent recommend globalteer!!!!read moreread less Katrina Baxter×Katrina BaxterAnyone wanting to volunteer I would 100 percent recommend Globalteer!!!! I had the pleasure of volunteering with Globalteer at Picaflor House. From the Moment I arrived I was collected by staff and shown around Cusco. I also got to enjoy the weekly quiz nights with staff from globalteer. The staff went out of there way to make me feel welcome. I had an amazing time at picaflor house. The children were beautiful. Anyone wanting to volunteer I would 100 percent recommend globalteer!!!!Everything was well organised from day one and any special requirements were met with ease. Volunteering with Globalteer at Picaflor House was an incredible experience - everything was well organised from day one and any special requirements were met with ease. I can fully recommend volunteering with them to anyone who wishes to spend their time and energy on a worthwhile charity project!read moreread less Hannah Verity Stone×Hannah Verity StoneEverything was well organised from day one and any special requirements were met with ease. Volunteering with Globalteer at Picaflor House was an incredible experience - everything was well organised from day one and any special requirements were met with ease. I can fully recommend volunteering with them to anyone who wishes to spend their time and energy on a worthwhile charity project!
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I had an amazing time and look forward to volunteering with Globalteer again in the future! I volunteered with the Peru Community Project out of Cuzco for 5 weeks. I was so impressed with the amazing work they are doing at Picaflor and how well the kids and the community responded to the project. Furthermore, I was grateful for how helpful and welcoming the staff was. I had an amazing time and look forward to volunteering with Globalteer again in the future!read moreread less Lauren Franklin×Lauren FranklinI had an amazing time and look forward to volunteering with Globalteer again in the future! I volunteered with the Peru Community Project out of Cuzco for 5 weeks. I was so impressed with the amazing work they are doing at Picaflor and how well the kids and the community responded to the project. Furthermore, I was grateful for how helpful and welcoming the staff was. I had an amazing time and look forward to volunteering with Globalteer again in the future!
FAQs
Volunteering in Peru: Your Questions Answered
How much does it cost to volunteer in Peru?
Which project in Peru is right for me?
Can I combine projects in Peru?
Can families volunteer in Peru?
Do I need a visa to volunteer in Peru?
Is Peru safe for volunteers?
What about altitude and health?
When is the best time to volunteer in Peru?
Do I need to speak Spanish or have experience?
More questions? Talk to our team
Ask Us
Not Sure Yet? Ask Our Team
Tell us which project interests you and ask us anything – about dates, costs, families or combining projects. A member of our team will get back to you.
Ready to experience Peru?
Andes or Amazon? Start your Peru story.
Choose your project and your dates – from 1 to 12 weeks – and our team will help with the rest. We've been placing volunteers in Peru since 2006.