Machu Picchu to Meaningful Projects – Volunteer in Cusco

I chose IVHQ after a lot of research because they offered the type of volunteer placement I wanted (teaching) in a country I had longed to visit (Peru) - at a reasonable cost. Communication was excellent from the outset; my coordinator (based in New Zealand) was always prompt to answer queries and to keep me informed. Everyone in the local team in Cusco was extremely welcoming and helpful throughout my three weeks there. They offer many opportunities for staff, teachers, volunteers, interns and students to interact, for example in weekly cooking and salsa classes (hint: book onto these really quickly as they soon fill up!) Also beyond the classroom, regular cultural activities are organised to enhance everyone’s experience of the language, history and traditions. Furthermore, the local team has strong links with a tour operator in Cusco who can advise on and book local trips (even a taxi to the airport!) and those further afield. I used this operator to visit Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain and both excursions were very well organised with engaging and knowledgeable guides (be prepared for very early starts and bring warm clothing, particularly for Rainbow Mountain). Staff and students at my volunteer placement were wonderfully welcoming and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with them. My homestay was also arranged through the local team and was comfortable, clean and provided a good, varied breakfast and evening meal each day (out of courtesy, please remember to tell your host if you will be absent for a meal). As is common in many homes in Peru, hot water is limited but cool, refreshing showers soon become the norm!

I can honestly say that Volunteering with IVHQ Bali. Was one of the best travel experiences in my life (and I have travelled extensively...) From the start, everything was so straightforward. Registration was quick and easy. and I felt that the organisation was legit and trustworthy despite being the the cheapest. There was plenty of friendly and efficient support from the admin team and on site. Most importantly, I felt the volunteering really was genuinely of benefit to the local community where the project was situated. I made a whole lot of new friends... local families as well as other international volunteers of all ages, learnt a great deal about the country that I would never have known from just visiting and, most of all, had so much FUN! I am just about to book my next IVHQ volunteering experience in Vietnam!!

I've been volunteering in Cusco in November 2018 for one month with IVHQ. It was my first time in Latin America and I'm glad I choose Peru and particularly Cusco. Cusco is a beautiful city with so much to discover around it! You have many things to do in the city itself: the main square is amazing with a beautiful cathedral, you can go to the chocolate museum and make your own chocolate, you can go to the planetarium, you can go to Cristo Blanco and have a wonderful view on Cusco, you can go to many markets and so on! There are so much to discover and you can feel safe there. The food is amazing and quite cheap! The only thing is that I had some struggle to get used to altitude, so make sure you take medicines with you :) Many activities can be done around Cusco during your weekends : you can go to Lake Titicaca, to Machu Picchu, to rainbow mountain, to salt mines, to Humantay Lake. The "American Inka trail" office is really great to plan these trips. I did all my excursions with them and was never disappointed (there are in the same building than the IVHQ-Maximo Nivel staff in Cusco). The orientation on the first day was fine and clear. You can meet some people there. The IVHQ Staff in Cusco (which is "Maximo Nivel") is very nice and helpful. Don't hesitate to ask them if you have any question/problem with your program. They are checking on you at your volunteer placement and always ask if everything is fine. My homestay was really great and people there were so nice. It was at 30min/40min from the city center on foot but there were many bus available to go to the city center in 15min. The house was very comfortable and shared with 2 other volunteer girls. Our "house mother" was really nice and cooked many Peruvian dishes for us. I was volunteering in the animal care project and enjoyed it too. I first went to the dog shelter which is a bit far from Cusco but the dogs are really cute. They really need your attention and love! And then, I went to the small rescue center and was able to take care of turtles, parrots, deers, lamas, etc. It was a really great experience and you feel like you can really help them in their day-to-day tasks! I think that speaking Spanish, at least a bit, is very helpful to make the most of your experience in your homestay and in your volunteer placement. You have very good Spanish classes available with Maximo Nivel. So don't hesitate to go to Cusco with IVHQ you won't regret it! :)