With its expanses of barren desert, lush tropical rainforests and dramatic mountain scenery, Peru offers a diverse travelling experience. Volunteer in the Sacred Valley, before trekking to ‘The Lost City of the Incas’ in the awe-inspiring scenery of South America.
The snow-capped mountains and imposing volcanoes of the Andes make trekking in Peru one of the highlights of the amazing continent of South America. Complementing its natural beauty, Peru has a rich history of pre-Columbian settlement and is home to Machu Picchu, ‘The Lost City of the Incas.’ Our Machu Picchu Challenge will take you off the beaten track to visit this mystical heritage site. As far as trekking holidays go, this is one of the best in the world!
Peru sits on the west coast of South America, bordered by Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Chile and Bolivia. It has a rich cultural and geographic diversity, with traditional indigenous South American culture, infused with Spanish, African and Asian influences. This is seen in much of the Peruvian way of life, no more so than its varied culinary dishes. So be sure to sample the wide variety of food available in a country with such a rich cultural history.
Machu Picchu is not the only astounding scene to see in Peru. The floating islands of Lake Titicaca, South America’s second largest lake, inhabited by the Uros people, combines stunning scenery with an insight of a completely different lifestyle. You can also go on a boat tour around the Ballestas Islands to see beautiful marine life, including sea lions, pelicans and even dolphins and whales. Be sure to take an aerial tour of the Nazca Desert to see the intriguing Nazca Lines, a series of ancient lines and ‘drawings’ believed to have originated between 400 and 650 AD.
Our projects are based in the Sacred Valley, near the city of Cusco. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, Cusco is a picturesque Peruvian city, with a stunning cathedral, narrow cobbled streets and traditional town squares. Despite the influx of tourists, the city retains its traditional roots, encapsulated by the Barrio de San Blas neighbourhood, which is the home of artisan workshops and craft shops and is one of the most traditional and beautiful areas of this stunning city.
Peru is one of the must-see countries of the world, and some of the sights and attractions feature on many peoples’ ‘bucket list.’ The chance to immerse yourself in this fascinating, stunning and culturally rich country is not one to pass up, and volunteering with the Peruvian communities while you are there will make the whole experience even more memorable and worthwhile.
