Machu Picchu Challenge

On this Challenge you get to spend two weeks working in the local community on a range of projects aimed at improving education quality in the Sacred Valley. You'll be challenged to step out of your comfort zone and think creatively as you're immersed in the incredible local culture. At the end of your 2 weeks you'll get to end your journey with the amazing 5-day Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu!

 

who can volunteer?

If you want to learn more about grass-roots community development, gain experience teaching and working with children or you're someone who wants to use your skills to make a difference while travelling in Peru, the Machu Picchu Challenge is perfect!

 

what you'll be doing

During your first two weeks you’ll be immersed in the local culture in and around the Sacred Valley, volunteering in one of our partner schools to deliver a range of educational workshops. You could be teaching sessions that focus on conversational English, life skills, the environment, creative arts and sports! We encourage our volunteers to be creative and teach fun workshops that will engage the children and allow them to learn hands-on.

 

You will also have the chance to volunteer on a renovation project at one of our partner schools with the aim of creating a safer and more inspiring learning environment. You could be painting an educational mural, renovating a playground, creating a library, installing a hand-washing station and more!

 

In your third week you’ll head off the beaten track on the Salkantay route to Machu Picchu. The 5 day trek will test your endurance, reaching 4600m above sea level as you reach the summit of Salkantay Mountain. The awe-inspiring views will keep you going as you pass the unbelievable Humantay Lake and finally reach Machu Picchu in an epic final day! 

 

weekly structure

After an orientation and induction when you arrive, your project days during your volunteering weeks will be Monday - Friday, with the weekends free to do your own travel. We recommend heading to UNESCO World Heritage city Cusco and making a trip to the infamous Rainbow Mountain! 

 

Extend your volunteer trip

After your volunteer program you can join our optional extension trip for $900 and spend a week in the mystical Amazon rainforest! You'll visit the Wayquecha and Villa Carmen biological stations, based in the most protected environmental area in South America and home to some of the rarest ecosystems on the planet! Trekking through the jungle, you'll walk through waterfalls, spot incredible native animals and see myriads of interesting jungle plants. Near the end of the week you'll visit the Santa Rosa de Huacaria community to learn how native tribes have managed to keep their traditional customs to survive in the jungle, even trying out a few of them yourself!

COVID-19: GIVING YOU PEACE OF MIND

To deal with the uncertainty that comes with COVID-19, we have introduced several guarantees so you can confidently book in your 2022 volunteer program today. Click the button below for all the details.