Continuing our series on gap year travel opportunities, let’s take a look at some of the many wonderful trips you can take to Peru!
When we picture Peru, usually images of Machu Picchu, alpacas, and Quechua clothing come to mind. And while exploring Inca ruins and immersing oneself in traditional culture is reason enough to visit this amazing country, there’s so much more to it: from carnivals and festivals to surfing and soccer, to urban style, shopping, and food, Peru offers everything a traveler could ask for. And with the country’s increasing focus on innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship – alongside a strong sense of cultural preservation and celebration – Peru mixes ancient and modern in an incredible way.
If you’re a student looking to take some time off between high school and college, college, and career, or anywhere in between – otherwise known as a gap year – and you want to take advantage of the time you don’t need to spend in class or on homework, then going abroad on a meaningful and adventurous trip is a great way to do it.
Fortunately, Peru is an excellent place for students and young adults to embark on a gap year. The budget-friendly cost of living, the overwhelmingly gorgeous sights (not to mention the UNESCO World Heritage Sites), the modern conveniences in urban areas, and the many opportunities to live, learn, and work comfortably make this a wonderful destination if you want to make the most of your gap year.
As a gap year traveler, there are a few directions you can go when narrowing down a meaningful trip with an established NGO or trip provider to Peru: you can volunteer, you can teach, or you can intern. Each of the organizations and opportunities we’ve highlighted below cover at least one of these areas – whether you want to earn your TEFL qualification and teach English abroad, pursue a career-building internship, or simply volunteer with Indigenous communities and learn about their way of life, there is no shortage to the ways that you can experience Peru, make a difference, and enjoy your gap year.
Ready? Let’s go!
Great Gap Year Programs in Peru
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International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ)
IVHQ has an excellent track record of sustainability and responsible travel and is one of the most affordable volunteer organizations you can travel with right now. Since 2007, IVHQ has sent more than 76,000 volunteers all around the world, to more than 30 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe, and the Pacific. IVHQ’s trips to Peru bring you to Cusco and Lima, where you can volunteer on programs such as jungle conservation, English teaching, construction and renovation, and much more.
Volunteer in Cusco
Right now, IVHQ is offering several different opportunities to volunteer on your gap year in Cusco – a few of those programs include:
- Construction and Renovation – Work alongside a local construction worker to help renovate community centers, schools, clinics, and other buildings.
- Jungle Conservation – Assist with reforestation, animal inventories, trail and home base maintenance, and other projects at IVHQ’s placements in the Amazonian jungle conservation base.
- Andean Immersion – Live with a Quechua-speaking family and truly immerse yourself in Peruvian culture by volunteering in the local village on projects ranging from English teaching to animal care, agriculture, women’s empowerment, and much more.
During your free time and on weekends, you’re invited to explore Cusco and other areas of Peru, including Machu Picchu. You can also couple Spanish language lessons with your volunteer work – a great way to gain the most from your gap year experience in Peru.
Volunteer in Lima
If you would rather visit Lima – Peru’s capital and a wonderful destination for great food, shopping, and nightlife – IVHQ invites you to volunteer on several different projects including:
- Medical Care – Help out with medical campaigns throughout different areas of Lima, or volunteer in a local hospital, clinic, or dispensary.
- English Teaching – Teach children and adult learners in schools and language institutes in the outskirts of Lima.
- Animal Care – Volunteer at a local dog shelter, supporting the staff with daily responsibilities such as feeding, playing with the dogs, cleaning, and maintaining the shelter. While dog abandonment is a challenge in Lima, shelters can make a significant difference in finding new homes for these animals.
To sign up for the medical volunteer program, you must at least be in a related degree program and have conversational Spanish language ability. As with IVHQ’s Cusco volunteer programs, you are invited to take Spanish lessons to get a more immersive experience during your gap year, and you will have free time to explore during your weekends.
GoEco
Since 2006, GoEco has offered affordable volunteer abroad programs and internships in over 40 countries including Peru. With more than 150 different programs, GoEco is a great organization to check out if you’re looking for a variety of impactful trips to choose from
Amazon Wildlife Rescue & Release Sanctuary
Join a grassroots wildlife rescue sanctuary in Peru’s Amazon rainforest. Volunteers assist in caring for animals rescued from illegal wildlife trade, habitat destruction, and hunting. You’ll feed and nurture animals, maintain enclosures, and support efforts to prepare them for release into protected reserves. With a third-week free grant for January 2025, this is an incredible opportunity to live and work in the Amazon jungle while learning from professionals. Accommodations are provided on-site, and volunteers can choose to focus on specific species, such as primates or birds.
Health and Medical Care
Gain hands-on experience in healthcare while volunteering in Cusco, Peru. Ideal for students and professionals in the medical field, this program offers placements in local hospitals, clinics, and elder homes. Tasks range from providing companionship and distributing medications to assisting with patient care and shadowing medical staff. Volunteers work 3-4 hours daily, with weekends free to explore the vibrant city of Cusco. Accommodations are provided with host families, offering a culturally immersive experience. Breakfast and dinner are included, with opportunities to enhance your CV and make a direct impact on patients’ lives.
Maximo Nivel
Since 2003, Maximo Nivel has offered volunteer trips, study abroad programs, internships, teaching opportunities, and Spanish language learning trips to Latin America. So far, 25,000 travelers have signed up with Maximo Nivel to visit, learn, and make a difference in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. Maximo Nivel’s trips to Peru are all based in Lima, where you can teach English, volunteer on a variety of projects, learn Spanish, or take on an internship that can enhance your education and jumpstart your career.
Learn Spanish in Peru
Travel to Cusco to learn Spanish on this amazing program from Maximo Nivel! On this Spanish immersion program, you will have the chance to learn about Peruvian culture while taking small group courses or customized classes led by certified, native Spanish instructors. As part of this course, you also will be able to sign up for Maximo Nivel’s Tandem Conversation Program, where you will be paired with a local student so you can practice Spanish while they practice English. If you wish to pair Spanish language learning with volunteering, you can assist with a variety of programs such as animal care, construction, Indigenous community support, and more.
Teach English in Peru
Another excellent gap year opportunity in Peru invites you to take a TEFL certification course and have the chance to teach at Maximo Nivel’s English language school in Cusco. You will start with a 150-hour, four-week course in Peru that includes modules such as class management, lesson planning, English grammar, teaching vocabulary, assessing learners, and other topics. After earning your qualification, you may apply to be a teacher at Maximo Nivel’s English language institute – the third-largest one in Cusco – which has 1,600 enrolled students and hires four to five new teachers each month. If you aren’t ready to teach English in Peru yet, but still want to earn your TEFL certification there, you’re in luck: Maximo Nivel offers lifetime job placement assistance for their graduates, and as part of the program, you’ll attend a workshop on resume-building, job search, and teaching opportunities worldwide. Learn more and register here!
Projects Abroad
Projects Abroad sends more than 10,000 volunteers overseas each year on programs ranging from archaeology, to teaching, to childcare, to medical assistance, and much more. Projects Abroad believes that international volunteering and internships provide a defining experience as you move from adolescence into adulthood. They also encourage young adults to explore and discover what they’re capable of. And what better way to do that than to spend your gap year traveling and volunteering in Peru?
Conservation in the Amazon Rainforest
Spend your gap year trekking through the Amazon Rainforest and work on the frontlines of rainforest conservation. You’ll work at the award-winning Taricaya Ecological Reserve. Under the guidance of qualified conservation experts, you’ll protect wildlife and indigenous plants, and rehabilitate wild animals. It’s an exciting and different way to help preserve this unique ecosystem for future generations. Learn more here.
Uncover Artifacts on an Archaeology Project in Cusco
Travel back through time to ancient South America as you get your hands dirty on excavation sites. You’ll work at two national parks, and learn from experienced archaeologists as you dig up the past. This program gives you the chance to help with preliminary investigations, excavations, analysis and registration of cultural material, site visits, office registry, museum assistance, archaeology presentations, and classification of ceramics. With your help, they can preserve ancient Inca and Wari sites for future generations to come. Find out more here.
If Conservation and Archaeology aren’t for you, you might enjoy some of their other projects. You can:
Involvement Volunteers International (IVI)
Through Involvement Volunteers International (IVI), you can engage in meaningful volunteer work that aligns with your passions. From the ancient ruins of Cusco to the lush Amazon rainforest, IVI offers a range of programs in Peru that cater to diverse interests. Spending a gap year in Peru with IVI allows you to make a significant impact while exploring one of the world’s most fascinating countries.
Alpaca and Llama Farm Program
Volunteering at an Alpaca and Llama farm near Cusco is a unique way to spend your gap year. This program offers hands-on experience in caring for these native Peruvian animals, from feeding and grooming to assisting with wool production. Volunteers also support the local family running the farm by participating in light construction work and helping to create educational materials. Living in a rural village, you’ll experience authentic Andean life while contributing to the preservation of traditional Peruvian textiles. This program is perfect for animal lovers seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience in the stunning Andes.
Indigenous Community Immersion Program
The Indigenous Community Immersion program in the Andes provides a deep dive into the traditional Quechua way of life. Volunteers live and work alongside a local family, assisting with farming, herding animals, and participating in community activities. This off-the-grid experience offers valuable insights into the complexities of indigenous cultures and the challenges they face in balancing tradition with modernity. Ideal for those interested in anthropology and cultural exchange, this program allows you to contribute to the community while gaining a profound understanding of life in the high Andes.
Volunteering Solutions (VolSol)
Spending a gap year in Peru with Volunteering Solutions (VolSol) is an enriching experience that combines cultural immersion with meaningful volunteer work. VolSol offers a variety of affordable programs in Cusco, catering to gap-year travelers eager to make a difference. These programs allow you to contribute to local communities while exploring Peru’s incredible history and landscapes. With well-organized placements and the support of dedicated local coordinators, VolSol ensures that your gap year in Peru is both impactful and unforgettable.
Dental Elective Internship
VolSol’s Dental Elective Internship in Cusco offers dentistry students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while working alongside professional dentists in local hospitals and clinics. Interns assist with patient care, sterilization of instruments, and conduct dental hygiene awareness campaigns in schools. This program is ideal for those looking to deepen their clinical skills before starting their professional careers. With a flexible schedule that allows free time for exploring Cusco and nearby attractions, this internship not only enhances your resume but also provides a unique cultural experience in one of Peru’s most vibrant cities.
Volunteer Teaching English
Volunteering to teach English in Cusco through VolSol is a rewarding way to spend your gap year. Volunteers work in local schools, helping students of various ages improve their English language skills. You’ll teach three classes a day, focusing on pronunciation, vocabulary, and conversational skills, with the support of a local teacher coordinator. This program is perfect for those passionate about education and cultural exchange, offering the chance to make a lasting impact on students’ lives while experiencing the rich cultural heritage of Peru. Weekends are free to explore Cusco and its surroundings.
Global Vision International (GVI)
Taking a gap year in Peru with Global Vision International (GVI) offers a unique opportunity to contribute to vital rainforest conservation efforts in the heart of the Amazon. Based in the Tambopata National Reserve, you’ll work alongside a dedicated team of biologists to preserve this diverse and fragile ecosystem. Volunteers engage in hands-on activities such as primate studies, habitat evaluations, and monitoring wildlife populations.
This immersive experience allows you to live in the rainforest, surrounded by incredible species like jaguars, sloths, and harpy eagles, making a meaningful impact while exploring one of the world’s most biodiverse regions.
Ready to Travel?
If you’re ready to embark on an amazing gap year in Peru, there’s no shortage of wonderful travel opportunities where you can explore, have fun, and do good. If you haven’t already, sign up for an account on Volunteer Forever to start fundraising for your trip – and check out these articles for more inspiration!
Volunteer Programs and Projects in Peru
Teach English in Latin America: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Peru, and Ecuador
Peace Corps Alternatives: Volunteer, Intern, and Teach Abroad Programs
Sarah Vandenberg · Director of Partnerships
Sarah has worked as a researcher and consultant in the volunteer travel world since 2004. With a BA from the George Washington University and background working with both public and private sector volunteer organizations, she enjoys exploring the world and collecting and sharing stories, trends, and advice with travelers who want to volunteer, intern, or teach abroad.