Volunteer Programs in Peru

Visit two of South America’s most iconic countries—Peru and Ecuador—and discover the lost lands of the Incas! Start your adventure in South America with intensive Spanish lessons, then step up the adventure with an epic trek across the Andes to Machu Picchu on the remote Salkantay route—over icy mountain passes and through mysterious cloud forests to the remains of a fallen civilization. Then, it's time to explore Ecuador's natural beauty. From surfing and whitewater rafting to hiking and exploring volcanoes, Ecuador has it all! For your second project, you will spend three weeks deep in the Ecuadorian rainforest and complete vital conservation work. Get face-to-face and hand-to-paw with rainforest inhabitants while volunteering at a rescue center for wild animals. And learn the secrets of life in the rainforest directly from an Indigenous community while staying at an eco-lodge. Finish your epic journey with a visit to one of the most famous national parks on Earth, the Galapagos Islands! Hike, sail, and snorkel your way around the islands made famous by Charles Darwin. You will then return to Quito for the final trek to the center of the world!

GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with award-winning and ethical programs selected by sustainable travel experts. Since 2006, tens of thousands of volunteers have taken part in projects and internships worldwide, focusing on wildlife and marine conservation, education, and medical initiatives. GoEco operates in over 50 countries, providing unique cultural immersive experiences that aim to make a positive impact on the environment and society. The organization also offers internships and academic programs for students. GoEco provides safe and meaningful experiences while promoting sustainable travel and reducing carbon emissions.

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally—from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 147,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back—it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.

IMA offers an opportunity to enhance your medical and healthcare knowledge with International Medical Aid's Pre-Med and Health Fellowships. Crafted for pre-med undergraduates, medical students, and high school students, these fellowships offer a unique chance to engage deeply with global health care in East Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. Shadow doctors in underserved communities, and immerse yourself in diverse healthcare systems through our extensive network of public and private hospitals. IMA, a nonprofit organization, is deeply invested in the communities we serve, focusing on sustainable health solutions and ethical care practices. You'll be involved in community medical clinics, public health education, and first responder training, addressing the root causes of disease and illness alongside local community leaders. Beyond clinical experience, explore the beauty of your host country through cultural excursions and adventure programs during your free time. Join IMA's fellowships developed at Johns Hopkins University and step into a role that transcends traditional healthcare learning, blending clinical excellence with meaningful community service.

Travel to the Peruvian Rainforest and build a broad skillset as you help to protect the rainforest and uplift the communities that call it home. This program places you with an organization that works to protect the Amazon Rainforest. They work in a holistic method that doesn’t just include reforestation and permaculture projects, but education and employment development too. They believe that by reducing poverty and improving employment prospects in the region they will reduce the need for harmful practices like logging and mining. Your role as an intern will involve you in a lot of different sides of the organization. You’ll gain strong experience in project management and monitoring impact as you work to maintain and develop their conservation projects like reforestation sites and permaculture gardens. You’ll also see more of the behind-the-scenes work that goes on as you contribute to finances, social media, and other administrative duties.

Peru is a fascinating and beautiful country with many volunteer projects and internships available. With an extensive Pacific coastline, a vast area of Amazon rainforest, and the magnificent Andes, Peru will allow you to experience much of what South America has to offer. Wildlife, beaches, historical sites, and the most beautiful mountains in the Andes range are abundant. There are also interesting cities full of colonial history, especially Cusco, an archaeological paradise. Our projects in Peru are available for anyone interested in volunteering in the developing world, including those on a college summer break, gap year, career break, or volunteer vacation. You may join one of our various volunteer projects, including care, teaching, medicine and healthcare, conservation and environment, sports, Inca culture & community, as well as learning to speak Spanish or Quechua.

Find out why more and more people are choosing to become a Love Volunteer! Love Volunteers is the most affordable way to volunteer and help local communities in developing countries! Why are we cheaper than other organisations? Firstly, we are just a handful of passionate people working hard to help volunteers and local communities around the world. We don't have huge overheads - no company cars, no downtown office - we're just volunteers who knew we could do a better job. Secondly, we work with local organisations wherever we can to keep administration costs to a minimum and also to feed as much money and skills into the local communities where we operate. All of Love Volunteers partner organisations have been fully vetted to ensure that, not only does a genuine need for assistance exist, but that the environments that we place our volunteers are safe and of high quality. Choose from one or more of our 200+ amazing community-based programs in 37 developing countries around the world. Every program has been personally visited by one of our dedicated staff members and is regularly audited to ensure it meets our high standards in terms of safety, sustainability, and local impact.

As a developing country, Peru has a great need for support in community development efforts. This includes gender issues related to the promotion of women’s rights in Peru. On our women’s empowerment program in Peru, volunteers are introduced to the background of gender roles in this country and will be trained to facilitate hands-on activities on a variety of topics related to improving the lives of women and girls in this community. This could include workshops or one-to-one sessions about women’s rights, healthcare, literacy and professional development.

Volunteer at a dog rescue center in the magnificent city of Cusco in Peru with Globalteer. Participants work directly with the dogs at the rescue center, preparing their food, walking them, socializing with them, and training them. Many of the dogs at the center previously lived on the streets and suffered serious injuries from being run over by cars, fighting among packs, or being beaten by market stall owners, as well as suffering from malnourishment and general mistrust of humans. The main objective of the dog rescue center is to nurture the dogs back to health through receiving veterinary treatment and loving care from veterinary students and volunteers. Whenever possible, the dogs are placed in caring adoptive homes. The Peru Dog Rescue Shelter works with dogs that have been abandoned, abused, or injured in and around the city of Cusco, the oldest continually inhabited city in South America. The shelter also works with local authorities and other organizations to sponsor sterilization and deworming campaigns, as well as raise awareness in Cusco about the importance of caring for dogs.

Experience Peru in this combination of volunteering, cultural immersion, and travel! Our volunteer programs are based in historic Cusco, located in the Peruvian Andes and the former Incan capital. Now, the city is famous for its archaeological sites, natural surroundings, and unique gastronomy. Volunteering Journeys offers the following: - Teaching programs at local schools - Medical and nursing electives at leading clinics and hospitals - Veterinary programs that work with sick animals - Animal care placement at a dog and cat shelter - Family volunteering program that combines community work, adventure, and travel A big percentage of Peru’s population lacks proper education, access to quality healthcare services, and sustainable development. Your participation in our volunteer program is critical in shaping the country’s modern society. Placements are mostly in the rural communities, where you can help in teaching skills to the locals.

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller grassroots NGOs and local specialists in more than 80 countries. All these with just one click! Find projects in wildlife, teaching, community development, and several other areas. Simply choose your desired destination and desired travel date, and our search engine will compare the best volunteer abroad programs on your behalf. Whether you wish to gain experience at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa or teach English at a monastery in Nepal, we've got you covered. Volunteer World guarantees a quick and easy application. We will guide you through this process, as well as help plan your next meaningful trip. We provide free access to quality-checked projects and flexible options. And if anything goes wrong, we've got your back with our qualified support team and our refund guarantee.

This program goes beyond ordinary high school travel programs and build cross-cultural community service summer trips perfectly geared to your interests and curiosities. Whether you’re looking to contribute to authentic service projects, experience exhilarating adventure, or develop your language skills, GoBeyond will immerse you in a new culture where you can make a meaningful difference while on the journey of a lifetime. Our high school community service summer programs proudly serve in many under-resourced communities and environments throughout the world. Explore our journeys in the British Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Galapagos & Ecuador, Peru, Iceland, Spain, China, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, and Australia. Beyond experiencing the adventure of a lifetime and creating lasting memories, we believe our community service summer trips enable lasting positive change in the world. For over forty years, we’ve been transforming communities, environments, and students’ lives through meaningful, collaborative adventures and service that develop skills and a more sophisticated worldly outlook—ultimately shaping the person you become.

Peru Service is one of our most spectacular trips for teens finishing grades 9, 10, 11, and 12. It offers the opportunity to perform meaningful service helping the local communities of Misminay and Urubamba while exploring the most iconic sites of this South American gem! Your rewarding days of service will be spent on projects ranging from aiding in construction projects and farming to teaching English as a second language. The rest of your time will be nothing short of transformative as you experience the unique atmosphere of the Sacred Valley. Drink in the mountain culture of Cusco as you see the mix of Inca and Colonial architecture around the Plaza de Armas and the temple of Coricancha. You will also peruse vibrant handicraft markets and marvel at the mesmerizing Inca city of Machu Picchu. Service, culture, incredible sights, and adventure. What more could you ask for in a Peruvian summer?

Lima, the capital of Peru, is located on the west coast of the Pacific along the Rímac River. This large, international city balances both modern and traditional influences, which evolved from Peru's history as the home of the Inca and numerous other civilized cultures dating back as far as 2000 BC. Opportunities vary from rehabilitating marine life to working with disabled or at-risk youth to creating environmental protection campaigns. By partnering with community-based organizations and following a structured, reflection-based curriculum, you will learn how local experts address these issues with available resources while developing intercultural and leadership skills in a real-world context. Each of our community-based organizations is unique, so visit our website to learn more about your options. Although all our programs are great, we especially recommend Lima for students who are interested in marine biology or human rights.

Stand in the shadows of the majestic Andes mountains, connect with warm-hearted indigenous peoples and their culture, and take a selfie with a llama! Peru offers the opportunity to trek majestic trails, explore ancient ruins, visit rural villages, and engage in meaningful community service and genuine connection with the locals. Sacred Valley Service – Step into the past and marvel at the breathtaking landscapes and architectural wonders of Machu Picchu. Plus, engage in service projects that contribute to the well-being of local communities in the Sacred Valley. The Andes to Amazon – From Machu Picchu to the Amazon Rainforest, discover ancient civilizations, connect with the locals in small mountain communities, and give a helping hand to service projects that will benefit rural areas long-term. Andes to Amazon College Program – This is the college version of Andes to Amazon, open to students ages 88-22.

Immerse yourself in daily life in Peru’s Sacred Valley while working alongside community partners in the Andes. Support ongoing construction and agricultural projects that strengthen local infrastructure and deepen your understanding of Andean traditions. Explore vibrant markets, learn Quechua phrases, and share fútbol matches with Peruvian peers. Journey through the heart of the Inca Empire on excursions to Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and the agricultural terraces of Moray, then cap your experience with a breathtaking hike on the Inca Trail and a full exploration of Machu Picchu.

Experience the road less traveled on a Peru adventure! Get to know the Peruvian culture in an authentic way through a homestay in Calca. Here, you work alongside community members on sustainable service projects; get ready to apply your Spanish skills in a real-life context! Beyond an unforgettable and authentic community collaboration, you discover all the wonders of Peru on this teen travel program. Get your camera ready for breathtaking views of Machu Picchu and explore the small city of Cusco through markets, sights, and more!