Peru Youth Outreach Volunteers

The project is set in the beautiful colonial city of Cusco about 15 minutes walk or a short bus journey from your volunteer accommodation.

Cusco

The beautiful city of Cusco sits perched amidst the clouds and the lush greenery of the Andes 11,000 feet above sea level, an everlasting legacy to Peru’s rich history.

Many international tourists are drawn to Cusco for its proximity to the famous Machu Picchu ruins and Inca Trail and its many Incan ruins and colonial architecture. Due to its high elevation, the weather is cool at night and sunny but cool during the day all year round. This, however, is the perfect excuse to seek out the many street markets selling the beautiful wool sweaters and textiles for which the country is known!

Peru

This fascinating country borders Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile and the Pacific Ocean. Comprised of three distinct regions, the wide Andean mountains in the north, a narrow coastal belt running down the centre, along the Pacific Ocean, and the deep Amazon rainforest in the south. Although the coastal belt is a desert, that is where most of the population lives.

Peru is renowned as the land of the Incas, but many other great pre-Columbian civilizations flourished here.

Visitors can see the ancient ruins of the Inca capital of Cusco and explore the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu as well as visit ruins from a variety of other cultures including the Nazca and the Moche. The fascinating culture existing there today reflects this diversity.

Time
Five hours behind GMT (January to April, four hours behind GMT due to daylight saving).

Getting There

You will need to arrive in Cusco on the Sunday, alternatively you can add our "Lima Package" and arrive in Lima on the Saturday - the package includes a night in Lima and flight to Cusco on Sunday.

Climate

The climate varies greatly in Peru depending on the geographical region. On the coast, winter lasts from June to September. During this period, the mountainous areas are often sunny during the day but cold at night. Heavy rains in the mountains and jungle last from December to April. It hardly ever rains in Lima or most of the coast, except for Tumbes and Piura, which have tropical climates.

Cusco: Due to its high elevation of 11,000ft, it's cool during the day (20’s C) and cold at night (around 10 C). It is important to bring warm clothes. The rainy season is from October to April, however Cusco is generally a dry place.