Description

Program Schedule
One day before the Program start Date: Cusco airport pick up and transfer to volunteer residence or host families to unpack and rest.

Day 1: Orientation and Cusco city tour
You will receive the orientation at the VS Office early in the morning. Then you will do a city tour which includes Qoricancha (The temple of the sun), Cathedral, and then we go by bus to visit the four ruins at less than 8 km from Cusco, including Sacsayhuamán, famous for its enormous carved rocks and Quenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay.

Practical information for the city tour
Transport: Tourist bus
Length: approximately 5 hrs

What to bring?

* Light Clothing and comfortable shoes
* A hat or cap
* An umbrella, raincoat or poncho
* Video camera or photo camera
* Cusco Visitors Ticket (included in the summer program)
* Sun-block Cream

Weekdays: Intercultural projects (mentioned above)
Our Social projects seeks to contribute to the development of the poorest families in our population, principally in poor rural areas and marginalized urban areas in order for them to attain integral human development, which translates into better living conditions in harmony with nature. Volunteers will be working in rural nursery schools where there are just 1 teacher for 30 little kids aged between 3 and 5 years old. Volunteers who will apply for med school also are invited to receive training in small medical centers located in rural areas (for health volunteers must speak Spanish). During those two weeks you will be helping fours daily from Monday to Friday. You will provide care, love and attention for these children as well as assisting the Peruvian staff at the projects. Volunteers will be subdivided into small groups of 2 per project. All volunteers must bring kindergarten supplies, teaching materials, kits for handicraft activities, white medical jacket (health), stethoscope (health), digital thermometer(health), cholesterol kit equipment (health) as per the project you choose.

Weekend Excursions

Free day to explore Cusco by yourself: This day you will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful city of Cusco by yourself, you will get the Cusco Visitors Ticket to visit museums, cultural centers, small ruins, and Cusco festivities (festivals are moveable)

Tour of Sacred Valley of the Incas
The Sacred Valley of the Incas was undoubtedly a key area of settlement to the Incas. Its agreeable climate and fertile plains make a rare and fruitful combination for the high Andes. It was also the route to the jungle and therefore an area with access to the fruits and plants of the tropical lowlands. The Sacred Valley served as a buffer zone, protecting Cusco from incursions of the Antis, the fierce jungle tribes who from time to time raided the highlands. Today the Sacred Valley remains a lush agricultural region supplying the city of Cusco with much of its produce such as maize, fruit and vegetables.

The tour includes a visit to the market at Pisac, a stop for lunch in Urubamba, a visit to the beautiful Inca village and fortress of Ollantaytambo and a quick stop at the Quechua village of Chinchero on the way back to Cusco.
Practical information for the sacred valley tour

Exploration of Macchu Picchu (2 days)
Machu Picchu is a trip to the serenity of the soul, to the eternal fusion with the cosmos; where we feel our fragility. It is one of the greatest marvels of South America. A resting place of butterflies in the epicentre of the great circle of life
The well preserved ruins of Machu Picchu seem to almost cling to the steep hillside, surrounded by towering green mountains overlooking the Vilcanota River Valley. Machu Picchu becomes more and more of a popular destination it is important to try and make your arrangements as far in advance as you can.

Day 14: Farewell
You can spend your last day saying good bye to Cusco and shopping. At night you will have a traditional Peruvian Cuisine- guinea pig.

Day 15: Day of departure or continue traveling in Peru

Very important:
* Dates subject to change, this itinerary will be finalized in Cusco during orientation.
* There is no devolution of any fee is some volunteers do not join the summer program.
* After planned the whole project a volunteer cannot change a tour or postpone it.

Highlights

Arrival and Departure: Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima, then a domestic flight to Cusco
Intercultural Projects: Rural nursery schools, day care centers , kindergarten, teaching or medical project
Language requirement: Basic
Skill requirement: None
Special need: Good health
Accommodations: Volunteer Residence, Host family
Meals: local meals 3 times a day from Monday to Saturday
Arrival to Peru: One Day before the Program Start Date
Dates: 14th May 2012, 11th June 2012 and 9th July 2012

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

925

Cost Includes:

• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

* Airport pick-up in Cusco and transfer to accommodations.
* Accommodations in volunteer residence (dorms) and host family
* Local food three times a day
* Orientation, project visit and ongoing in-country support
* Entry fees
* Tourist bus for City tour and sacred valley
* Transportation to Macchu Picchu (bus and train)
* Hostel in Macchu Picchu pueblo

Program Fee Does Not Cover:
* Any room/food before Day 1 and after Day 14
* Airfare
* Daily transport to project
* Water, soft drinks during project
* A guide tour to Huayna Picchu
* Personal expenses
* Hot springs entrance
* Drop off to Cusco airport

Very important:
Dates subject to change, this itinerary will be finalized in Cusco during orientation.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Volunteering

Age Range

17+

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Other
• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

2-8 weeks

Volunteering Solutions's Mission Statement

Our Mission is to provide Meaningful and fully researched volunteer programs abroad. Benefit local communities by providing volunteer support. To strengthen the travel experience by providing cross cultural experiences to our volunteers. Use the funds and develop the communities and people we work with.

Year Founded

2006