Explore Peru

Volunteer Peru

A Gapper’s Paradise

Full of mystery and a culture dating back millennia, Peru is an indomitable land of deserts etched with ancient geoglyphs, rainforests teeming with wildlife, and soaring peaks harbouring secret cities. Famed for the incredible ruins of Machu Picchu, the real Peru lies within its warm, proud inhabitants.

As one of the fastest-growing countries in South America, a lot of progress has been made towards reducing poverty, but many challenges still remain.

Volunteer in Peru

For all the rich culture and tourism, many of Peru’s communities still face many issues, such as social discrimination and inequality.

On our GapGuru Peru experience, you’ll join our teams in the Sacred Valley to help inspire change in a number of ways, from igniting a passion for education in children to raising awareness of climate change.

With GapGuru you can do so much more than simply volunteer abroad. Leave your handprint on a community, be a part of creating lasting change, and join our efforts to help the UN achieve its Sustainable Development Goals.

Why Gap Year in Peru?

Why GapGuru?

Extensive Gap Year Experience

Over the past 18 years, we’ve guided more than 6,000 students through unforgettable gap year experiences.

Ethical Gap Year Programs

All our programs work towards the UN’s Global Sustainable Development Goals and are backed up by our charity, the FutureSense Foundation.

A community of support

You’ll be guided by our GapGuru Advisors and Mentors before, during and after your gap year experience.

Don’t just take it from us…

Why visit Peru

This was an amazing experience

This was an amazing experience, loved every second even through the challenges. Working on improving the environment and volunteering at the park where so rewarding but also the workshops carried out as a team where great to experience.

I loved experiencing new cultures

This was such an amazing experience that changed how I look at the world and taught me more about what it means to be a global citizen. It also made me realise how much I want to travel in the future.

A wholesome, fulfilling experience

I’d highly recommend this experience to any students. Not only does it look great on a CV but it was tremendous fun to do as well. Overall, a really fantastic experience.

learnt so much and had an amazing time.

Absolutely amazing. Any issues I had in organising the trip, eg flights or vaccines, they told me exactly where to go for the best info. I was completely prepared for my trip, what I would be doing, and the expectations. I learnt so much and had an amazing time.

Your Gap Year in Peru

All you need to know

Peru Highlights

Peru quick facts

Urubamba

Urubamba is located in the heart of the ‘Sacred Valley’, a region in the Andean highlands. The Sacred Valley got its name due to it containing some of the most fertile lands in the region. It’s home to colonial towns and isolated weaving villages. Incredibly colourful markets with traditional handicrafts and the Inca citadels of Pisac and Ollantaytambo are what draw tourists to the area, as well as being on the iconic Inca Trail.

Language

Spanish is the first language of Peru, covering around 82.6% of the population.

To help you with your Spanish, here are some phrases you may use on a day-to-day basis whilst on in Peru:

English	Spanish
Good morning	Buenos días/tardes
How are you?	Aaramai Hunuhunchha?
Thank you	Dhanyabaad
My name is…	Mero naam … ho

Peru History and Culture

History

The origins of civilization in Peru can be traced back 20,000 years before the Incas. The best-known early Peruvian civilizations are the Chavin and Wari cultures followed by the Incas.

In the space of a century, the Incas built not only the largest empire in pre-Colombian America but also one of the largest in the world. Peru stands as the direct collision between the Western and the Andean worlds beginning with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in 1532.

The Spanish introduced the language and religion most Peruvians still speak and practice today.
The economic classes they established also survive as the mestizo (mixed-race) and the indigenous ‘Quechuan’ population.
Peru gained its independence from Spain in 1824. The ‘Peruvian War of Independence’ spanned over thirteen years and culminated at the battle of Ayacucho.

However, Peru’s struggle did not end there. Following a period of guerrilla warfare by the Maoist terrorist movement Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) in the 1980’s, it is estimated that some 200,000 people were driven from their homes and 70,000 Peruvians were killed.

Peru today stands as a country moving toward social reform, social inclusion and greater development.

Culture

Traditions are very strong in Peru, as is the sense of community. It is important to be curious, but not get frustrated with things that may work differently from what you’re accustomed to.

Religion in Peru

Roman Catholicism is the most common religious affiliation in Peru, estimated at around 85-95% of the population. They celebrate this with huge festivals, food and prayers. The most well-known festival is Carnival, a week of celebrations leading up to Lent.

Music and Dance

Music and dance are extremely important in Peruvian culture. Each region has its own unique style of music and dance. Peru’s rich musical heritage consists of instruments and styles passed down by the Incas, the Spanish and even African Slaves.

Greetings

When communicating with people in Peru, it is polite to greet them with a handshake which is usually accompanied by eye contact. If speaking with elders, it is polite to address them by their title, Mr, Mrs or Ms, and their last name.

Culture Shock

Culture shock can happen to anyone experiencing a new culture for the first time. It’s the shock your mind and body go through when your daily life changes and you have to get used to a new routine and way of life.

When in Peru, you’ll be faced with a close to an endless stream of new experiences. We’ll do what we can to prepare you before you leave the UK, but the only way to truly understand a local culture is to immerse yourself in it.

Head to our Gap Year Advice section to find out more about culture shock, how to recognise it and the best ways to handle it.

The Community

The people of Urubamba are warm and welcoming and the time you spend with them will result in relationships that last a lifetime.

But much of the community in Urubamba is made up of families who not only live in poverty but also have limited access to basic healthcare facilities. With a population of 16,000 people, the town is also estimated to have 12% of the population lacking literacy skills.

On a GapGuru program in Peru, you’ll be a part of supporting the children of Urubamba and their families to help inspire change for the better.

Where you’ll be staying

You will be staying at a local guesthouse that we use regularly. All the rooms are dorm style, so you will be sharing with 2-4 other volunteers. Each room has an en-suite bathroom with western toilets, hot showers and a sink.

There is plenty of space for you to relax in your spare time, including a large outside courtyard and welcoming reception area.

The accommodation is safe and regularly cleaned with plenty of spaces for you to relax in your spare time, however, the amenities are likely to be the same standard that you’re used to at home.

Meals

Meals are served family-style and are vegetarian to ensure that we can provide you with safe food and also reduce our carbon footprint.

Please ensure that any additional allergy or dietary requirements have been communicated to us in advance so we can make the necessary arrangements with our housekeeping team.

Breakfast

We keep breakfast simple to give you time in the morning. Expect toast, jam and eggs with coffee and tea.

Lunch

Lunch will be had at a local restaurant in town or at the local market.

Dinner

You will have dinner at a local restaurant in town. These will be mostly vegetarian dishes and you will have plenty of opportunities to try local foods. Be prepared for lots of rice and potatoes.

Your Typical Day

Though each program is unique you’ll follow a similar routine regardless of what you’re doing.

You’ll wake up around 7:00 am for breakfast, then head out to your project location around 8 am for morning activities. Your workshops will last around 2-3 hours then you’ll stop for lunch which will either be back at your guest house or in town.

After that you’ll head back to the house for some cultural activities, a daily debrief and some time for planning.

The evenings are for group bonding activities run by your in-country team learning about Peruvian culture. The evenings are also time for exploration where you can get out and discover Urubamba!

Weekends

Your weekends are yours to spend as you like, but we’ll work with you to create an unforgettable itinerary.

You might stay in Urubamba and explore the local area (see ‘Things To Do’ section below), or head further afield to Cusco or the iconic site of Machu Picchu.

There are so many ways to spend your free time so if you want any help organising activities, let us know before or during your stay and we’d be delighted to help.

Budgeting

Although all meals are included in your programme, whilst you are in Peru you’ll want to buy snacks and try the local foods.

Here’s a list of a few standard items to help you budget for your trip, however, approximately £5 per day should be adequate for your time in Peru.

£1.00 = 4.63 Sol*

Sweet treats


Churros	1-5 Soles
Oreos	4 Soles
Local Cookies	2-4 Soles

Savoury snacks


Tamales	2-5 Soles
Empanadas	2-5 Soles
Pringles	8 Soles
Crisps	6 Soles

Drink & Fruit


Bottled Water	2.5 Soles
Coke	2.5 Soles

*Correct as of October 2022

Your support

Our Gap Year programs have the best of all worlds: independent, impactful travel with a support network that’s there whenever you need it.

During your stay in Urubamba, you’ll be in the care of our dedicated Peru GapGuru Mentors. They not only ensure you never feel too far from home but they’re also there to help you make the most of your time in Peru.

Our Peru team are based in Urubamba where they live and work in the community year-round. They’re there for you every step of your journey and will be on hand to help whenever you need it.

Antonio Raunelli

Country Coordinator

Antonio grew up between Lima, Peru and Santiago, Chile. Before his time with the us, Antonio had years of experience facilitating tourism and outdoor adventure-related activities.

He is deeply passionate about helping people in developing countries to improve their quality of life. Antonio also enjoys trying new foods, exploring nature and engaging in conversations that expand his thinking.

Peru Program Pricing

Having been doing this for as long as we have, we’ve got the experience to know exactly what makes an incredible gap year experience. As a result, we’ve made our Peru gap year program format and pricing simple.

Our programs in Urubamba run for a minimum of four weeks. You can add additional weeks in Peru or combine another one of our destinations to see more corners of the globe.

If you’re interested in including some independent travel, let us know and we can help you organise it around your programs.

Prices Include

Safe Accommodation
3 x nutritious meals (Mon –Fri)
All pre-travel materials
Training & orientation
Pre-travel, in-country & post-travel care
In-country transport
Airport pick-up & drop-off
GapGuru Mentor

What we can help you with

We know that sorting this stuff out can be hard so we’re more than happy to help!

Things to do in Peru

Your Peru Bucket List

Visit the Maras Salt Mines

A short car ride from Urubamba, lie the surreal salt ponds, known as Maras Salt Mines, or locally as Salineras de Maras.

Over 3,000 ponds, locally owned by around 600 families, make up the picturesque Maras, all connected through an impressive underground network of canals that fill these pools with salt water. Over time, the intense sun slowly evaporates the water leaving behind the salt that is later extracted through ancestral techniques by local family members.

This stunning UNESCO site is just around the corner and absolutely worth checking out.

Salt Mines

Pisac Market and Inca ruins

Pisac is about an hour from Urubamba and is home to some of the most incredible ruins in the area. The ruins are located up a relatively short but steep trail from the town and feature incredible ancient stonework, breath-taking views and fewer crowds than in some of the better-known sites.

And the sprawling Sunday market which spills out over half of Pisac’s streets is a feast for the senses and provides a wonderful opportunity for people-watching and insight into local life.

Pisac Ruins

Ollantaytambo ruins

Ollantaytambo, called Ollanta by the locals, is an ancient Inca temple and fortress as well as a village Half an hour from Urubamba. The ruins are some of the best preserved in Peru.

Built in the 1400s, the large Inca fortress (also known as Temple Hill) and the Temple of the Sun with its monolithic stones soar above the town’s cobbled streets. Ancient symbol-like marks in relief still adorn these huge stones. The complex also includes a stepped terrace as well as an area known as the Princess Baths, where ceremonial bathing took place.

Ollantaytambo

Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu, also known as The Lost City of the Incas, is one of the seven wonders of the world! It is an Incan citadel set high in the Andes, above the Urubamba River valley. Built in the 15th century and later abandoned, Machu Picchu is renowned for its sophisticated dry-stone walls that fuse huge blocks without the use of mortar.

The Classic Inca Trail Hike is the most popular route to Machu Picchu. Depending on your preference and the trekking itinerary, hiking this route can take between three and five days. The trek covers 26 miles and begins at the village of Piscacucho, just an hour’s drive from our base in Urubamba.

The panoramic views from Machu Picchu are spectacular. For many, Machu Picchu is considered the most spectacular urban creation of the Inca Empire and one of the most important heritage sites in the world. A gap year in Peru isn’t complete without a stop at this incredible wonder of the world.

If hiking isn’t your thing, shuttles can be arranged if you want to visit this iconic site without the need for a multiday trek!

Machu Picchu

Cusco

Cusco is about 1.5 hours from the Sacred Valley and was once the capital of the Incan Empire.

Today, Cusco is a UNESCO world heritage site known for its archaeological remains and Spanish colonial architecture. The main square, The Plaza de Armas, is a busy and vibrant place that marks the colonial centre of the city. Around every corner you’ll stumble upon spectacular architecture, incredible fruit markets, and colourful craft markets.

From Cusco, you can hike the incredible Rainbow Mountains, a multi-coloured hill scape of maroon, gold, turquoise and lavender. This natural wonder was only recently discovered and was formed by weathering, environmental issues and sedimentary deposits over time.

Our team will be able to help you arrange a trip to Cusco when you arrive in Peru, so you don’t need to do any planning before you go. Cusco has a huge range of accommodations to fit any budget – from quirky hostels to more decadent hotels.

Cusco

Chinchero - a town 3,700m above sea level!

Known to the Incas as the birthplace of the rainbow, this typical Andean village combines Inca ruins with a colonial church, wonderful mountain views and a colourful Sunday market.

On a high plain with sweeping views of snow-laden peaks, this small village sits at a staggering 3,762m above sea level, making it even higher than Cusco. It’s only a little over half an hour from Urubamba so well worth a visit.

Chinchero

The FutureSense Foundation

Be a part of something bigger

When gapping with us, you’ll be supporting our partner charity, the FutureSense Foundation.

Through our programmes and initiatives, the FutureSense Foundation works towards achieving a ‘Fairer World’, a world in which each person has the opportunity to meet their aspirations for a better future.

On your gap year, you’ll see first-hand the work that the FutureSense Foundation does and be a part of our long-term, sustainable programs.

Peru volunteer programs

How do you want to make your impact?

On our programs, you’ll be immersed in our community development projects to help increase our impact in the area. That could be through health promotion workshops, teaching conversational English and life skills to school children, planting trees with the community, or building new classrooms.

However you want to leave your handprint, we’ve created the best programs to help you make the most of your time in Peru.

Health & Wellbeing

Help bring awareness of vital health issues to improve the lives of the children and adults of the Urubamba community.

Education

Work with local schools to deliver workshops on a range of topics, from conversational English to Environmental Awareness.

Climate Action

Work with children and adults to raise awareness of climate change and turn that awareness into action.

Expression

Become an activity leader to inspire the local children to express themselves through creative arts and sport.

How it works

The GapGuru Way

At GapGuru we have the experience to keep things simple for you. With close to two decades shaping over 6,000 trips, we know exactly what makes an impactful, meaningful and memorable gap year. Simply choose your start date then follow these three simple steps:

STEP 01

Choose where you'll make your impact

Pick from five incredible destinations, electing the number of weeks you want to spend in each. You’ll be playing your part to help create a brighter future for some of the most disadvantaged communities around the world.

STEP 02

Decide how you'll make a difference

Select from four activity types that have been designed to be as impactful as possible. All of our programs are built off the back of the FutureSense Foundation, ensuring you’ll be a part of creating lasting change for our communities.

STEP 03

Choose your add-ons

Select additional programs to add to your gap year experience. These can be in the same country as your core activity or in any of our other unique destinations across the globe.

What to learn more about Peru?

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Contact us today

Chat to our Gap Gurus

If you have any questions at all about what to do, where to go, or how to plan your gap year, get in touch with our GapGurus today. With nearly two decades in the business, we’ve probably had the question before!

Need Gap Year Advice?

Whether you’ve already booked a gap experience with us or are still looking, get in the know about everything ‘gap year’. Our comprehensive Gap Year Guide covers everything you need to know, from why you should take a gap year, to information for parents, travel tips, and more.

Volunteer Peru

A Gapper’s Paradise

Volunteer in Peru

Why Gap Year in Peru?

Why GapGuru?

Extensive Gap Year Experience

Ethical Gap Year Programs

A community of support

Don’t just take it from us…

Why visit Peru

This was an amazing experience

Sarah

I loved experiencing new cultures

Mia

A wholesome, fulfilling experience

Harrison

learnt so much and had an amazing time.

M. Gray

Your Gap Year in Peru

All you need to know

Peru Highlights

Peru quick facts

Urubamba

Language

Sweet treats

Savoury snacks

Drink & Fruit

Antonio Raunelli

Prices Include

What we can help you with

Things to do in Peru

Your Peru Bucket List

Visit the Maras Salt Mines

Salt Mines

Pisac Ruins

Ollantaytambo

Machu Picchu

Cusco

Cusco

Chinchero

The FutureSense Foundation

Be a part of something bigger

Peru volunteer programs

How do you want to make your impact?

Health & Wellbeing

Education

Climate Action

Expression

How it works

The GapGuru Way

STEP 01

Choose where you'll make your impact

STEP 02

Decide how you'll make a difference

STEP 03

Choose your add-ons

What to learn more about Peru?

Related articles

Contact us today

Chat to our Gap Gurus

Need Gap Year Advice?

Contacts

About GapGuru

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View Peru Itinerary