Volunteer in the historically rich city of Cuzco nestled deep in the Andes mountains and get a feel for the local way of life surrounded by ancient Inca ruins. Work with children, teenagers and young adults to help them develop and strengthen skills during daily activities such as art, sports, music, science, reading, homework, learning English, theatre and games.
Participate in an invaluable cultural exchange and take away unexpected insights and lessons learned. Then end your trip with an unparalleled trek through the Andes mountains to reach the breathtaking Machu Picchu archaeological site.
A spectacularly rich experience in the Andean Mountains awaits you! Immerse yourself in the Inca culture as you hike 50 kilometers through the heart of the beautiful Andes. This 4-day trek is the only one to take you along the original stone staircases of the Inca Trail, arriving early at Machu Picchu.
A great alternative to the Inca Trail Trek is the Lares Trek. This high altitude trek will please hikers interested in interacting with the local Inca villages in the Andes and seeing their way of life in the countryside.
Work with children, teenagers and young adults helping them to develop and strengthen skills during daily activities such as art, sports, music, science, reading, homework, learning English, theatre and games.
Your presence with the children will help them learn about other cultures and see that everyone has different skills. You will participate in the activities based on your skill sets and experience. Everyone has something to contribute and the most important qualities required are patience, understanding, and flexibility to work in a new atmosphere with an open mind.
You will be working from 9:30am – 5:00pm approx. depending on the school’s need for volunteers and the activities you will be doing with the children.
Cuzco – Peru (Google Map)
– Pickup from the Cuzco airport to accommodation
– Free time to enjoy the city
– Afternoon briefing on your volunteer project
Note: Drinking cocoa tea is a good way to adjust to the altitude.
– Short introduction to Cuzco
– Begin volunteer project
– Free time after project
Note: This week, on days 3-5 (Tuesday – Thursday) you will volunteer on a daily basis and have free time in the evenings to relax, practice your Spanish and enjoy the city of Cuzco on your own.
– Volunteer project in the morning
– Afternoon city tour of Cuzco, pickup from accommodation included
Highlights of tour: Walking through cobblestone streets, searching out Inca architecture, seeing sites outside the city such as archaeological sites of Saqsayhuaman, Q’enqo amphitheater, Pucapucara Red Fortress and Tambomachay, and the Inca bath.
– Pickup from accommodation
– Safety briefing
– ATV tour to see Sacred Valley Sites, which will lead you to splash through mud puddles and pass villiages
– First stop at Moray to look over ancient Inca circular crop terraces
– Second stop at the Salineras, salt mines
– Return to Cruz Pata
– Transfer back to Cusco
– Pickup from Cuzco accommodation
– Half-hour drive to Oropesa, a tiny Andean town famous for its homemade bread
– Drive to rafting starting point
– Rafting on the Vilcanota River, one of Peru’s most important rivers for whitewater rafting.
– Reach camp to change into dry clothes.
– Lunch
– Zip-lining
– Return to Cusco either in the city center or accommodation.
Work with children at the volunteer center and then goodbye
On days 11-14, you will have the opportunity to participate in a trekking experience through the Andes mountains to reach Machu Picchu. The trek depends on preference and trekking permit availability (the traditional Inca Trail trek is limited to 400 people per day and often sells out up to 6 months in advance).
Last day of trek:
– Explore Machu Picchu before returning to Cuzco
– 2-hour tour by guide included
– Free time at Machu Picchu included
– Optional: climbing Huayna Picchu peak (2,720m / 2 hours). (Tickets for this trek must be purchased at least 2 weeks in advance, please contact us prior to your trip.)
– Make your own way to Aguas Calientes by bus
– Receive train tickets for return trip
– Optional: Hot springs (Entrance fee 10 soles)
– Train transfer in Ollantaytambo
– Arrive back to Cuzco around 10:30 p.m.
Note: Day 14 lunch and dinner are not included, please bring extra cash for these.
Tonight you will have an optional goodbye dinner with your new friends and have the chance to exchange contact information and photos before it’s time to leave. (This dinner is on your own at the restaurant of your choice.) Get a well-deserved rest on your last night in Cuzco.
Enjoy your last morning in Cuzco today and take a transfer to the airport where your trip will come to an end with unforgettable memories of your unique experience working as a volunteer for the community in Cuzco and trekking in the Andes to reach Machu Picchu.
DESCRIPTION OF MACHU PICCHU GUIDED SITE VISIT: Your guide will take you on a 2-hour tour of Machu Picchu walking you through the most important sites and covering the history of the place (if you haven’t already heard it all during the Salkantay Trek). Then you will have free time to explore on your own and take pictures at your leisure. When you decide to head back down to Aguas Calientes, there are buses departing every 15 minutes from the entrance. Alternatively, you can take the 1 hour walking trail, which requires walking down stairs, to Aguas Calientes town.
Take an OPTIONAL hike up the steep peak named Huayna Picchu, which is located inside the Machu Picchu archaeological site. This sometimes muddy peak takes about 45 – 60 minutes to hike up and awards you with unforgettable views of Machu Picchu from a coveted perspective. Keep in mind that if you want to take this optional hike, you must now purchase your ticket at least 2 weeks in advance for an additional cost in order to get one of the 400 passes (200 people are allowed up at 7:00am and 200 more at 10:00am). Please send us an email directly to request this extra ticket.
*If desired, an extra night in Aguas Calientes town can be arranged. (Please let us know whether you would like to stay an extra night when booking your tour.)
Day 1: Dorm, Single Room, Double Room Hostel Accommodation available.
Days 2-4: Single travelers will share a tent with another traveler & couples will have a tent to themselves.
Day 5: Single travelers will share a room with another traveler & couples will have a private room.
On all of our Inca Trail Treks and Alternative Treks to Machu Picchu we search for the best cooks to provide you with the best tasting meals on the mountain.
All of our cooks pride themselves on their delicious specialty menus with the freshest local ingredients available. Every meal is prepared fresh with plenty of variety and an abundant quantity of food including a vegetarian option for every meal (please advise prior to departure). Here is an idea of what you will be eating during your trek.
Vegetarian Option Available Upon Request (please advise at least 2 days in advance).
BREAKFASTS:
Hot porridge, quinoa or oats, fried eggs, egg omelet or pancakes with fresh bread, fried bananas and boiled water for hot tea, coca, coffee, chocolate and milk.
LUNCH & DINNER:
First Course: Quinoa, corn, noodle, asparagus, mushroom or vegetable soup, stuffed avocado or potatoes
Second Course: Chicken breast, beef stew, quinoa, fried rice, hamburgers, fried chicken, spaghetti bolognese, typical dishes: aji de gallina (chilli pepper chicken), escabeche de pollo (marinated chicken) or ajiaco de olluco (spicy potato stew).
Deserts: Fried plantains, chocolate pudding, chocolate or vanilla cake and boiled water for hot tea, coca, coffee, chocolate and milk.
SNACKS:
Boiled water for hot tea, coca, coffee, chocolate and milk with popcorn, cookies, crackers.
Physical Requirements:
This hike is demanding; it is important to be in good physical condition. There are important temperature changes associated with altitude changes (from 4000 meters to 2000 meters).
Suggested Packing List:
Bring or Rent in Cuzco: hiking poles, rain pants, rain poncho, trekking boots, sandals, warm socks, sweater, thermals, hat, gloves, sun hat, sun block, sun glasses, flashlight/torch, camera, extra batteries and memory card (there is limited to no electricity available during the trek), waterproof bags for your camera, hand sanitizer, personal first aid kit, water bottle. Bring extra cash for snacks, water, and Gatorade, (prices double or triple along the trail. Bathing suit for hot springs in Aguas Calientes town (this activity is available at an additional price).
Passport and Visa Requirements
All tourists need a valid passport and an entry form-tourist card which is provided by your air carrier. This will be available at either the ticket counter when checking in for your flight to Ecuador or once on-board.
Citizens of Canada, UK and USA do not need to obtain a visa for stays up to 90 days. If you are of a different nationality, please check with Lead Adventures staff and your local Ecuadorian Embassy. For stays longer than 90 days, you must obtain a 6-month Tourist visa (12-IX) at your local Ecuadorian Embassy. Lead Adventures will provide you with more information about visas and immigration if needed.
Health and Vaccinations
When traveling abroad it is important to seek advice on the potential hazards, understand how best to protect your health, and minimize the risk of harm and disease. Planning ahead and taking preventive measures will reduce the risk of accident and of acquiring disease. We are not qualified to assess individuals health, therefore we highly recommend that you seek the attention of a medical professional regarding specific vaccinations and medications.
You can visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/ for additional helpful information.
Lead Adventure Support
Ensuring our volunteer´s safety is of the utmost importance. Prior to your departure, our program coordinators will work with you to plan and prepare for your trip with us. Upon your arrival to Quito, you will receive a detailed orientation and last minute questions will be addressed. Additionally, you will be given a 24 hours emergency contact number for our on-call Ecuadorian based coordinators.
Weather
Ecuador’s and Peru´s climates varies with its regions. This area has an altitude of about 7550 ft (2300 m) above sea level and because of this, the temperature is comfortable, and does not get too hot. The climate is mild, often warm and dry, with an 18°C average temperature during day and 11°C at night.
Ecuador – Peru Time Zone
Standard time zone: UTC/GMT -5 hours
Electrical Standards
Ecuador’s electrical current is 120/60 (volts/hz) Type A and Type B Electrical Outlet (same as North America)
Currency
The currency of Ecuador is the United States dollar, accepted as the national currency of Ecuador in January 2000. The money that is circulated includes notes and coins. Notes are of the denominations of US 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 while the coins are in denominations of US$1 and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cent. Please note that most shops and restaurants will not accept bills over $20, so it is worth having small currency denominations on you.
ATMs are also available in almost all parts of the country. Credit cards, mainly Visa and MasterCard, are also accepted in Ecuador. Additionally, you may use traveler’s checks; in Quito there are traveler check exchange bureaus that are easily accessible.
Passport and Visa Requirements
All tourists need a valid passport and an entry form-tourist card which is provided by your air carrier. This will be available at either the ticket counter when checking in for your flight to Ecuador or once on-board.
Citizens of Canada, UK and USA do not need to obtain a visa for stays up to 90 days. If you are of a different nationality, please check with Lead Adventures staff and your local Ecuadorian Embassy. For stays longer than 90 days, you must obtain a 6-month Tourist visa (12-IX) at your local Ecuadorian Embassy. Lead Adventures will provide you with more information about visas and immigration if needed.
Health and Vaccinations
When traveling abroad it is important to seek advice on the potential hazards, understand how best to protect your health, and minimize the risk of harm and disease. Planning ahead and taking preventive measures will reduce the risk of accident and of acquiring disease. We are not qualified to assess individuals health, therefore we highly recommend that you seek the attention of a medical professional regarding specific vaccinations and medications.
You can visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/ for additional helpful information.
Lead Adventure Support
Ensuring our volunteer´s safety is of the utmost importance. Prior to your departure, our program coordinators will work with you to plan and prepare for your trip with us. Upon your arrival to Quito, you will receive a detailed orientation and last minute questions will be addressed. Additionally, you will be given a 24 hours emergency contact number for our on-call Ecuadorian based coordinators.
Weather
Ecuador’s climate varies with its regions. This area has an altitude of about 7550 ft (2300 m) above sea level and because of this, the temperature is comfortable, and does not get too hot. The climate is mild, often warm and dry, with an 18°C average temperature during day and 11°C at night.
Ecuador Time Zone
Standard time zone: UTC/GMT -5 hours
Electrical Standards
Ecuador’s electrical current is 120/60 (volts/hz) Type A and Type B Electrical Outlet (same as North America)
FAQs
The program accepts departures from 2 passengers and on.
Yes, we have received participants since 2004
There are not any special requirements.
It is recommended to bring and/or purchase the following items:
-Long sleeved clothing for cool nights
– Repellent in the Amazon region
-Good flashlight or headlamp with spare batteries (if you are staying at the center it might be helpful but not necessary)
-Reading material, playing cards, travel games, or other forms of entertainment as you will have some down time.
– Internet cafes are available in Quito.
Transportation
All our tours are privates with personal bilingual guides and transportation.
Public buses during the trips to the Amazon region.
