Tours
- Andes/Incas/Amazon
- Family Adventure
- Machu Picchu
- Nazca Lines
- Colca Canyon
- Lake Titicaca
- Amazon Rainforest
- Lima Day Tours
- Cusco Day Tours
- Huaraz Day Tours
- Volunteer
- Groups to Join
Preparation
Volunteer Community Service
On this page: Overview | Itinerary | Pricing
Overview
If you want to see the incredible Peru icons (Cusco, Machu Picchu, and the Amazon rainforest, for example) but also seek an opportunity to give volunteer service to the local community, here is the chance of a life-time! You will visit quintessential Peruvian sites and participate in three volunteer opportunities, while meeting the most wonderful children and families along the way!
Itinerary in brief:
- Day 1 Lima
- Day 2-5 Lima / Puerto Maldonado / Boca Amigo / Puerto Maldonado
- Day 6 Puerto Maldonado / Cusco
- Day 7 Cusco
- Day 8 Sacred Valley / Willoq / Ollantaytambo
- Day 9 Ollantaytambo / Rumira / Ollantaytambo
- Day 10 Ollantaytambo / Inca Trail Express to Machu Picchu OR
- Day 10 Ollantaytambo / Rumira / Ollantaytambo / Machu Picchu
- Day 11 Machu Picchu / Cusco
- Day 12 Cusco / Lima / Out
Price: Starting at $2015/person for group of 4-6 people (single occupancy $240/person)
See also: Volunteer Service Projects in Cusco
Itinerary
Day 1 Lima
Arrive Lima and transfer to your hotel. On early arrival, optional tours are available to visit modern and colonial Lima. There are also many museums and private collections. Lunch and dinner on your own. Overnight at hotel in Lima (3-star).
Day 2 Lima/Puerto Maldonado/Boca Amigo
Transfer to airport to board your flight to Puerto Maldonado in the rainforest of south eastern Peru. Meet and greet at airport and transfer to the Laberinto harbor (which will take approximately 50 minutes). From there, we will take a motor boat to the community of Boca Amigo; we will navigate the waters of the Madre de Dios River for about 8 hours. During the journey, we will be able to observe the local mining works and the fluvial activity of the area, and a beautifully natural landscape. Oftentimes, caimans, capybara families (water hogs) and different types of birds can be seen. Catering and drinks will be provided on board. On arrival to Boca Amigo, and after a cheerful welcome from the children, we will settle into a multipurpose guest house that has been specially conditioned to host visitors. After dinner, we will have time to talk with the parents and the children of the community (BLD).
Day 3 Boca Amigo
After having breakfast, we will take a 40 minute walk towards the nearby mining concession. There, we will be able to observe and learn about gold extraction in the Amazon. We will return to the community for lunch and then the children will show us the different areas that have been established as part of their Children's Land. In the afternoon, you can take part of activities such as making handcrafts with seeds, helping in the organic garden, playing with the children or swimming in the river. After dinner, we will be able to sing, play and/or do some story-telling with the children. Overnight at guest house (BLD).
Day 4 Boca Amigo
We will have an early start as we will take a 1 hour walk through the forest until we reach the lake. Then, we will take a ride in a canoe and start our search for caimans and giant otters; we might also have the opportunity to watch numerous bird species and several groups of monkeys; Fishing will also be possible. We will come back to the community for lunch and in the afternoon; the boys and girls will guide us in a hike through the Children's Forest, recognizing the different species of palms and other trees, besides many other natural attractions. On the way, we might be able to see the footprints of different mammals. After this, we will have dinner. There will be the option of taking a night hike through the forest. Overnight at guest house (BLD).
Day 5 Boca Amigo/Puerto Maldonado
Very early in the morning, we will take the boat back to the Laberinto harbor. We will navigate the Madre de Dios river waters for approximately 5 hours. Our transport will be waiting for us in order to take us to the Children's Land Promotion Center (CPTiNi). There, we will learn about the different environmental interpretation areas that are being visited by the local schools. This visit will last 90 minutes approximately, after which we will go back to the city of Puerto Maldonado where passengers will be taken to their hotel (3-star) (BLD).
Day 6 Puerto Maldonado/Cusco
Transfer to airport for flight to Cusco (at 11,000 ft). On arrival, we will be transferred to our hotel, rest of the morning free to acclimatize, lunch on your own. Afternoon tour of the city and nearby ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay and visit the main sites in the city-Inca temples and colonial churches. Overnight at hotel in Cusco (3-star), dinner at your own (B).
Day 7 Cusco
Morning for leisure. In the afternoon the group will be transferred to Aldea Yanapay, for a community service experience at this alternative school for local children. At night the group will have dinner at Yanapay Cafe. (This place finances Aldea Yanapay). Overnight in Cusco (3-star hotel) (BD)
Day 8 Sacred Valley/Willoq/Ollantaytambo
Today we drive to the living Inca village of Ollantaytambo, from where a narrow dirt road takes us to the village of Willoc. Here we will visit family homes and see the Quechua way of life. We'll admire their weavings and observe their methods of agricultural production as we continue on a hike along a ridge overlooking the valley (elevation is approximately 12,500 ft/3,810 m).
As we head into some remote areas, we may see isolated herds of llamas and alpacas roaming amid a patchwork of cultivated fields. Picnic lunch en route. In the afternoon, we will return to the ruins of Ollantaytambo, one of the few places where the Spanish were defeated in battle during their conquest. Here we can see Inca canchas, enclosures of multi-family living quarters that share just one exit to the street, ingenious stonework, cobbled streets, and an extensive communal water system that survives to this day. Check in at the hotel (3-star) for dinner and overnight in Ollantaytambo, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas (BLD).
Day 9 Ollantaytambo/Rumira/Ollantaytambo
Morning transfer to Rumira public school, in order to deliver a great breakfast for children at this school. It is a wonderful opportunity to interact with and help children. Afternoon for leisure. Overnight in Ollantaytambo (3-star hotel) (B).
Day 10 - Option A
Day 10 - Option B
Day 11
Day 12
Pricing
2008 Prices: (Per person in U.S. dollars land only)
| # Group | 2 | 3 | 4-6 | 7-9 | Single Supplement |
| Option A | $2840 | $2230 | $2015 | $1945 | $240 |
| Option B | $3085 | $2370 | $2105 | $1985 | $240 |
2009 Prices: Available upon request
NOTE: Customize this trip by adding extra nights in Cusco, Machu Picchu, or Lima. Optional side trips to Lake Titicaca, Arequipa and Nazca are available.
SERVICES INCLUDED:All airport transfers; Transportation by vehicle, canoes and train; Bilingual guides; All meals indicated in itinerary; Lodging on double basis in comfortable guest houses or 3-star hotels; Entry fees to museums or archaeological sites during journey, Inca Trail permits for Option A; (includes $48 Cusco tourist ticket).
SERVICES NOT INCLUDED:Tips for your guides, drivers, transfer agents; Alcoholic beverages; Extras (alcoholic beverages, taxes, laundry service, insurance); Additional tours, not included in itinerary; International and domestic airline tickets; Personal gear.
Not included are any donations to the projects that group is visiting:
o supplies or financial donation to Boca Amigo community, and financial donation to the Children’s Land Promotion Center.
o supplies or financial donation and price of dinner at Aldea Yanapay,
o donation for breakfast at Rumira School (suggested $50 per groups 1-5 persons, $100 per group of 6+ persons).
Airline tickets can be booked for about $150/person per one way flight, based on actual cost at the time of booking.