Christmas and New Year Volunteering in Peru

If you don’t mind giving up your winter (or summer, depending on where you’re coming from!) holiday and would like to spread the festive cheer, then yes! This is a varied program, where each day you will do something different. It focuses on different community groups such as kids, the elderly and special needs, so great if you want a bit of a ‘all-round’ project and to help in lots of different areas.   

• Airport pick-up
• Host family accommodations
• Breakfast and dinner, 7 days/week
• 1 day orientation
• 24/7 in-country support
• Walking tour
• Official certificate of volunteer service
• Letter of recommendation
• Spanish language tutoring table
• Tandem Conversation Program
• WiFi and computer lab
• Salsa dance classes
• Cooking classes
• Free coffee and tea and on-site snack bar
• Volunteer centre open 7 days/week

• Airfares
• Travel Insurance
• Tours, Souvenirs & spending money

An in-depth orientation is included for all volunteers.

This orientation is designed as a 1 day overview to help ensure you are equipped with the necessary info to effectively work with the local people and community.   This may include but is not limited to;

• Peru culture / history overview
• Spanish language lesson
• Customs / law’s / do’s & don’ts
• Volunteer expectations
• Home stay guidelines
• Travel opportunities during free time
• Overview of your placement
• Notes from previous placements to help maximize impact

Our local team will pick you up from Cusco airport, on the Sunday before your project. Sunday night accommodation is included in the fees.

If you arrive outside the pickup times, you can book a private transfer for an extra fee.

If you want to book any extra nights before or after your program, you can do this for an extra fee. 

Christmas Program

Sunday, December 22 2024 – Arrival & Orientation
TBD – Arrival, pick-up, transportation to housing
PM – Orientation 
Monday, December 23 – Children’s Holiday Party
AM or PM – Working with Kids Project
Show the kids a great time for the holiday! Celebrate by
bringing gifts and food to the project. Take part in games,
songs, dancing and more!
Tuesday, December 24 – Alpaca & Llama Day
AM or PM – Animal Care Project
Spend the day grooming, feeding, playing with Alpacas,
Llamas, and other cute, fluffy animals. Work in a
community that depends on and cares for these animals.
Wednesday, December 25 – Christmas Day
 Closed
Lots of local holiday festivities to enjoy independently.
Thursday, December 26 – Holiday Party for the Elderly
AM or PM – Local Nursing Home
Spread the Holiday Spirit at an elderly home by playing
games, preparing a special holiday snack, dancing, and
providing much needed company and conversation.
Friday, December 27 – Eco-Environment
AM or PM – Planting Trees & Beautification Project
Work to rehabilitate a part of Cusco with native foliage!
Transplant, relocate, and plant organic and local vegetation
in previously green areas.
Saturday, December 28 – Departure
TBD – Departure
You can arrange airport drop-off for an additional charge at
the client service desk.

New Year Program

Sunday, December 29 – Arrival & Orientation
TBD – Arrival, pick-up, transportation to housing
PM – Orientation 
Monday, December 30 – Children’s Holiday Party
AM or PM – Working with Kids Project
Celebrate the holidays with underprivileged kids by bringing
them food and gifts!
Tuesday, December 31 – Andean Immersion
AM or PM – Cultural Day
Work in a rural Andean community and learn about their daily
lives–help with weaving, farming, cooking, or other tasks.
Wednesday, January 1 – New Year’s Day
Closed
Lots of local holiday festivities to enjoy independently.
Thursday, January 2 – Community Animal Campaign
AM or PM – Animal Care Project
Assist at a local dog shelter with general care, including
bathing, grooming, exercise, and more.
Friday, January 3 – Community Development
AM or PM – Construction Project
Paint, garden, work on light repairs or construction work.
Work varies depending on community needs.
Saturday, January 4 – Departure
TBD – Departure
You can arrange airport drop-off for an additional charge
at the client service desk

* Transportation to/from the institute to the project is included.
** Itineraries are subject to change based on field conditions.

Weekends are always free for volunteers to relax and do as you please exploring the incredible sights in/around Cuzco.  Most volunteers will organize to meet up at the volunteer center and head out from there.   It’s worth noting that in this region, most families are religious with Sunday the day of rest this also means many stores and restaurants are closed on Sundays.   

Volunteers must:

• Be at least 16 years of age
• Those under 16 are welcome when there is a faculty leader, parent, or guardian present
• Have a valid CRB check working with children 

Bordered by the Pacific Ocean, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador and Colombia this South American country of 33 million is an incredible destination.Peru has a fascinating 5000 year old history and unique cultural heritage that exists to this day!  

With world renowned historical sites like Machu Pichu, incredible natural wonders like the Amazon rain forest, the Andes mountain range and loads of adventures such as rafting, zip-lining, paragliding and mountain biking, Peru is seriously an amazing place to visit!Don’t forget the Peruvian coastline which accounts for 10% of the whole surface of the country…Although the Incas are the most famous, there are other pre-Columbian cultures and unexplored archaeological sites which can be located in the North of Peru.   

A country of contrasts, crazy traffic, 6700 meter high cities, amazing beaches and sunsets, tropical rain forests and lamas!While the Amazon represents 60% of the Peruvian surface, it is the least densely populated region of the country. Therefore, it holds a lot of  uninhabited parts, untouched by humans and beautiful unseen areas.  With all the madness of the cities, the countryside is never far and in our opinion, here is the place where you can experience something very unique and special.   Here is where you will make a difference.

Peru has over 10,000 years of history!   It’s no surprise that Peru has an incredible wealth of culture and tradition that is one of the most varied countries in the world. 

As the 3rd largest country in South America Peru is divided into 25 regions and 11 eco-regions.  With an enormous range of landscapes, biodiversity and natural resources, you can boil this down to 3 main regions being 1) Coast, 2) Mountains 3) Jungle. 

Spanish is the official language and spoken by 85% of the population with 47 other native languages present among the various regions.  Music and dance play a vital role in Peruvian society.   Hispanic influences combine with Spanish and ancient styles to create a flair that is unique to Peru.  

Peruvian’s are proud people and very aware of the natural world and the value of the Andes, Amazon and historic civilizations in this region.  The country has overcome difficult political and economic issues.  

The people are welcoming and attentive to visitors with food and music being the central point for celebrations and of course colorful dress which is unmistakable.    Peruvian’s love football (soccer) which is the national sport and you can often see families playing together.   Most of Peru is quite religious with Catholicism very prominent.  

In Peru, personal hygiene and style are very important and people tend to dress neatly and professionally.  Be prepared to cover your shoulders and knees, and wear clothing that is not revealing or extravagant

The climate varies depending on altitude and region, but for the most part the dry season is from May to November, and the ‘green’ season from December to April.

As Cusco is 3000 meters above sea level, the average temperatures in Cusco rarely reach above 25 degrees celcius.   During the dry season expect sunny, warm days and cool nights.   It’s generally warmer during the ‘green’ season with intermittent rain and sun during the day and mild rainy nights.

30 Years Non Profit Experience

IVI is an Australian charity & non profit organisation founded in 1989 and is one of the pioneers of overseas volunteering successfully placing over 20,000 volunteers globally.

Affordable Volunteer Travel