Andean Cultural Immersion

These villagers are direct descendents of the Incas and represent this enduring culture, one of the most ancient of the world. They have preserved their traditions and customs, their language (Quechua) and their deep respect for nature. Volunteers at this project have the unique opportunity to live with a local family in one of these small villages. The immersion into Andean life is complete and volunteers essentially become members of the local community. You will live like the villagers – assisting them with daily work/activities, eating meals with them and sharing free time together.

Objective of the project:

Our Andean Cultural Immersion Project was set up in conjunction with the Rural Network of Alternative Tourism in Peru. The aim of this project is to expose people from around the world to life in the small, rural villages in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This project seeks to provide an alternative source of income for villagers and to promote cross-cultural awareness and understanding.

Volunteer Life

During this project, volunteers live with a family in a small village in the Sacred Valley. Our village is only accessible by dirt road and is approximately 3-hours from Cusco. The project begins with orientation in Cusco and volunteers are then be accompanied by an in-country coordinator to the village. Volunteers can choose to spend their first week in Cusco studying Spanish. However, please note that the native language in these villages is Quechua and only some villagers speak Spanish as a second language.

Volunteers will live in their host family's small adobe house. The accommodation is rustic although volunteers do have access to a shower and toilet. Meals will be typical cuisine from this region, for example potatoes, rice, vegetables, grains and meat. Volunteers can choose to assist their family with a variety of activities, such as agriculture, construction and textile work. They can also assist the village community by offering basic English workshops or classes to help with future tourist interactions.

During their free time, volunteers can explore the natural beauty of the Sacred Valley. There are unlimited activities, including hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, whitewater rafting and many chances for photography. There are also many impressive ruins to explore and colorful local markets to visit throughout the Sacred Valley. Volunteers can also spend time with their host families who can teach them to speak basic Quechua and make traditional textiles. Volunteers can also join some traditional dance activities and to cook meals using typical Andean ingredients.

Role of a Volunteer

Agriculture:

The majority of villagers support their families through agricultural activities. The most common crops grown in the Andes are potatoes and grains, such as quinoa. Depending on the season that you are in Peru, you will help with harvesting, planting and/or transporting and storing the crops.

Construction:

The main material used for construction in the villages is adobe (a sun-dried, unburned brick of clay and straw). Depending on the time of year that you are in Peru, you will have the opportunity to assist in making adobe bricks or help construct adobe buildings.

Textiles:

Many of the women in the villages make beautiful woven textiles to sell at the local markets. You will be offered a chance to learn about their weaving skills and the natural dyes they use to add color to the textiles.

Education:

Many people who live in these villages are interested in learning English to improve communication with tourists in the future. There high hopes that visiting volunteers will facilitate informal English classes and workshops and other educational activities for village children and adults alike.

Expectations:

Volunteers should be physically fit for this project and should be prepared to live without modern amenities, such as internet access and running hot water. This project is ideal for volunteers who are seeking to immerse themselves completely into a community and experience what day-to-day life is honestly like while living in the Andes. Volunteers should not expect luxury or home comforts. Rather, they should expect to be flexible, tolerant and open-minded towards accommodations and lifestyle circumstances that vary from their own.

Benefits for volunteers:

This project provides a truly unique opportunity to become part of a small Andean community for a short period of your life. While the vast majority of tourists in Peru pass fleetingly through the Sacred Valley stopping only to buy some souvenirs and visit the ruins, you will have the chance to discover how people actually live in this beautiful region of Peru. You will reach beyond just assisting your host family and learn from them and their ancestors who have passed down their skills and traditions for generations.

Price Includes:

• Airport pick-up in Cusco
• Accommodation in Cusco during orientation with full board (3 meals a day)
• Optional first week stay in Cusco to attend Spanish lessons
• Detailed orientation in Cusco
• Traditional Host Family Accommodation in the Sacred Valley with full board (3 meals a day)
• Transport to your host family (accompanied by one of our in-country coordinators)
• 24-hour Staff Assistance
• Free internet access in Cusco (note: there is no internet in the village)

Price Excludes:

• Flights to and from Cusco
• Personal/Travel Insurance
• Costs of optional activities
• Personal expenses