MMini-Venture in Peru invites participants to explore the enchantment of Peru while helping its most disadvantaged people. This particular program offers an excellent alternative to the typical tourist journey by giving participants the opportunity to work in Peru as a volunteer, as well as explore the beauty of Peru

The Mini-Venture includes 4 days of traveling in and around Cusco – Peru 's most enigmatic city. You will experience Peru 's rich, diverse history, lush natural beauty, and the immensely mysterious Incan Empire.

Program outlines

Day 1:

You will be met at the airport by a member of Global Crossroad – Peru . From the Cusco Airport, you will go to Global Crossroad's Peru office for a brief orientation. You will then have time to get settled into your new home and rest.

Mini-Venture Peru
  • Program: Mini-Venture Peru
  • Program Fee: $1,499
  • Start Dates: 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month
  • Departure and End Point: Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima
  • Language Need: None
  • Accommodation and meals: Host family/hostel and local foods three times a day by host family
  • Activities: Work in orphanage and explore Cusco for 4 days
  • Working Hours: 25-35 hours per week
Day 2: Orientation and City Tour (Monday)

In the morning, you will be brought to our offices for orientation. Your in-country coordinator will also take you to visit your project and introduce you to the project staff.

In the afternoon, you will visit Q'oricancha (the Inca Temple of the Sun) and then tour Cusco 's Cathedral, a 16th century church filled with original artwork and an amazing high altar made of silver. In the afternoon, you will tour the four primary ruins surrounding Cusco , including Sacsaywaman, Q'enko, Tambomachay, and PukaPukara. As part of the tour you will receive the "Tourist Ticket" which can be used in your free time to visit a number of museums and other attractions in and around Cusco .

Days 3-6: Volunteer Work (Tuesday-Friday)

Volunteer work begins. Depending on your volunteer project and your own personal preferences, working hours may be in the morning, afternoon, or all day. Though most of volunteers work in childcare project, any type of volunteer project can be combined with the Mini Venture

As a volunteer working with children, you will teach English and other subjects such as geography, history, music, computer, art and crafts. You will also play music, sing songs, draw pictures, and conduct other creative activities that children enjoy. You may also need to extend your help to prepare food, keep the premises and the children clean, and develop creative extracurricular activities.

Day 7: Free time (Saturday)

On Saturday you will have a free day to explore the city of Cusco and to use your "tourist ticket" to visit some impressive museums and ruins. In the evening, you will also have the opportunity to join in our free salsa lessons.

Day 8: Sacred Valley of the Incas (Sunday)

You will take a beautiful driving tour of the ancient agricultural center of the Incas. You will travel by bus from Cusco down into the lush Sacred Valley. Your first stop is the pueblo of Pisac, and then onto Urubamba, and the archeological ruins at Ollantaytambo. Your tour will also take you into the high mountain plains to the small village of Chincheros; all while surrounded by the amazing snow-capped mountain peaks of the Andes.

Days 9-11: Volunteer Work (Monday to Wednesday)

Volunteer work continue

Day 12: Aguas Calientes (Thursday)

Early in the morning, you will depart Cusco bound for the village of Aguas Calientes, right on the edge of the Ama¬zon Rainforest and literally at the foot of the mystical Machupicchu Mountain. When you arrive in Aguas Calientes, you will meet by our guide as you get off the train and they will escort you to your hostel. The first day, you can spend relaxing and getting to know the small pueblo of Aguas Calientes; and be sure to take a relaxing dip in the natural hot springs which give the village its name: Aguas Calientes. There are a multitude of little restaurants and shops in Aguas Calientes and you can enjoy one of the 3-for-1 Happy Hour specials. You will be staying at a nice, little hostel and your guide will visit you at 7:30pm to give you a brief information.

Day 13: Machu Picchu (Friday)

Our guide will meet you at your hostel early in the morning. You will travel by bus up to the en¬trance of the sanctuary-city of Machupicchu (20 minutes by bus), and then take a 3-hour guided tour of the ancient ruins, which are still 60 % intact today. At the end of tour, you will have lots of free time to hike and explore independently, including a trek to the top of Huayna Picchu, the Temple of the Moon, or to the very last part of the Inca Trail and the Inkti Punktu (Sun Gate).

Day 14: Free Day (Saturday)

You can spend your last day saying good bye to Cusco and to your volunteer project. You will also be able to join in our free salsa lessons on Saturday evening.

Day 15: Depart Cusco (Sunday)

*The proposed itinerary is a sample and is subject to change to meet the changes in the local field conditions

Price Includes:
  • Accommodation at the Family House
  • All meals at the Family House
  • Services of a professional guide
  • Comprehensive insurance
  • Airport Pick-up
  • Ongoing in-country support
Price Excludes:
  • Lunch and dinner in Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu
  • Tips (for guide and/or local staff)
  • Other items of personal consumption (i.e. soft drinks, bottled water, etc.)