Overview of the project:

The Sacred Valley of the Incas is located in the Peruvian Andes, close to the Inca capital of Cusco. It is fed by numerous rivers which descend through adjoining valleys and gorges, and contains numerous archaeological remains and villages. The valley was considered paradise on earth by the Incas due to its sunny weather, rolling rivers, and fertile earth. Today, the towns of Urubamba, Pisac, and Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley have become popular tourist destinations both amongst Peruvians and travelers from all over the world.

However, the smaller villages in the mountains surrounding the Sacred Valley remain undiscovered and the villagers continue to live a very traditional life based on subsistence agriculture and textile production. These villagers are direct descendents of the Incas and therefore represent one of the most ancient cultures of the world. They still preserve their traditions and customs, their language (Quechua), and their deep respect for nature. Volunteers at this project have the unique opportunity to live in one of these small villages with a local family. You will be fully immersed into Andean life and become a member of the local community during your stay there. You will live like the villagers - assisting them with their daily work, eating your meals with them, and sharing your free time together.

The 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 bring people from around the world to experience life in small villages in the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Peru. This project seeks to provide an alternative source of income for villagers and to promote cross-cultural understanding.

Volunteer Life:

During this project, volunteers live with a family in a small village in the Sacred Valley. The village is only accessible by dirt road and is approximately 3 hours from Cusco. Volunteers begin the project with orientation in Cusco and will then be accompanied by one of our in-country coordinators 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. We do not offer free Spanish in Andean cultural project

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. You will eat typical food from this region with your host family each day, for example potatoes, rice, vegetables, grains, and meat. Volunteers can choose to assist in a variety of activities with their family, such as agriculture, construction and textiles. They can also assist the village by offering some basic workshops or classes in English so that the community will be able to receive tourists in the future.

During their free-time volunteers can explore the beauty of the Sacred Valley. There are unlimited activities, including hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, whitewater rafting, and lots of opportunities for photography. There are also many impressive ruins as well as 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, to make traditional textiles, to join in on some traditional dances, and to cook using typical Andean products.

Volunteer Activities:

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 time of year 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. Depending on the time of year that you choose to come, you may have the opportunity to assist in making adobe bricks and/or constructing adobe houses.

Textiles: Many of the women in the villages make beautiful woven textiles to sell at the local markets. You will have the opportunity 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 keen to learn English so that they can host tourists in the future. You will therefore have the opportunity to run English workshops as well as other educational activities for the children in the villages.

Expectations:
Volunteers should be physically fit for this project and should be prepared to live without modern amenities, such as internet and regular hot water. This project is ideal for volunteers who are seeking to immerse themselves into the community and to really experience what life is like in the Andes. Volunteers should not expect luxury or home comforts. Rather, they should expect to be flexible, tolerant, and open-minded.

Benefits for volunteers:
This project provides a truly unique opportunity to become part of a small Andean community for a 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 not only assist your host family but you will also learn from them and their ancestors who have passed down their skills and traditions for generations.

Price/Dates

Andean Cultural Immersion Project starts on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month

1 week: $1099
2 week: $1264
3 week: $1404
4 week: $1569
5 week: $1734
6 week: $1899
7 week: $2064
8 week: $2229
Additional week: 165 peer week

Price Includes:
* Airport pick-up in Cusco
* Accommodation in Cusco during orientation with full board (3 meals a day)
* Optional first week 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)
* 24hr 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