Gap Year

Summer gap year programs give you the chance to learn new skills or refresh old ones, take time out to discover new places, or even gain some valuable working-world experience.

The best thing is, you’ll also give your resume and college application a boost, while still having a great time in an exciting new place. And you’ll no doubt meet new people and get to see and do things you never would at home.

 This is an opportunity to connect with a network of people who share similar passions for sustainability, while also expanding your knowledge of different linguistic practices, and cultural customs. 

THE PROGRAM

Our standard gap year program in Peru is a 4-week program. Your program is based in the historic city of Cusco, Peru. Cusco is the traveler’s mecca of South America and it is the perfect launching point for travel and adventure.

Suggested gap year itineraries are very flexible, so you can pick and choose to create a personalized program. You can choose to combine locations such as Cusco, Arequipa, Jungle and Sacred Valley!

• Improve your education and employment opportunities with practical skill development in cross-cultural communication, marine and wildlife conservation, and community development.
• Have an opportunity to receive the University credit
• Expand your knowledge and experiences and Incan influenced Peru.
• Contribute to the community, and learn about ethical volunteering and impact.
• Become more familiar with global issues collectively affecting the environment, community, and wildlife

We offer several different opportunities to volunteer on your gap year in Cusco, Arequipa.

A few of those programs include:

• Childcare – Providing attention to children by playing games, teaching English, and helping with homework in community centers, schools, and kindergartens
• Special Needs Care – Work in homes for mentally and physically disabled children, where you will help with feeding, clothing, bathing, and organizing crafts and games

NOTE** Project is available all year and has a minimum participation of 4 weeks.

• Volunteer placement on your favorite project
• Management and administration of voluntary projects for the duration of the selected program
• Program and security guidance
• Support before departure
• Accommodations at Family Stay 
• 2 meals a day (breakfast and dinner)
• 2 hours daily (Monday to Friday) of private Spanish lessons for 2 weeks
• Airport transfer on arrival
• Volunteer certificate
• Transport to the volunteer project on the first day
• 24/7 support from our team in Peru
• Access to computers with high-speed Internet
• Wi-Fi access
• Certified Spanish teacher
• Free placement exam in Spanish
• Free manual and materials in Spanish
• Conversation exchange program
• Spanish certificate at your level

**Your fee also contributes to the purchase of needed supplies for improvements at your project

Accommodation

Volunteers will stay in a homestay where they will live with a local family. Volunteers can expect to share a room with one or two other. We highly recommend staying with a family; that way you will also learn the Peruvian way of life, meet local people, eat typical food, speak the language (Spanish) and engage in local customs and traditions.

Volunteers will be sharing bathroom and common areas with other volunteers and members of the family.

Accommodation is from Sunday to Saturday, check out at 10:30am

**Volunteers arriving before Sunday or staying after Saturday, will be charged US$25.00 per extra night at accommodation.

Food & Beverages

2 meals are included (breakfast and dinner). Volunteers can expect to experience a variety of flavors and meals during their experience as Peruvian food is diverse. We will be glad to let the family know if you have special eating needs. Please let us know ahead of time so that we can make arrangements for you.

Arrival in Cusco!

Once you arrive in Cusco, please pick up your bags and then step out of the airport. Our PEVolunteer representative will be waiting for you there with a sign that has your name written on it.

The first day of volunteer’s program (normally Sunday) is upon arrival in Cusco, Volunteer will be pickup from the airport and then transfer to accommodation. Here volunteers will have the day to rest and acclimatize.

First day! Your Introduction

Volunteers orientation will begin on Monday at around 9:00 am at our office in Cusco and will be conducted by our staff. It will cover everything you need to know for your volunteer placement in the city including an introduction to Peru, Peruvian customs, Spanish Classes, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities in Peru, and an introduction to your project and placement.

The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.

Once our orientation is complete, volunteers will be transported to their projects usually by public bus, with some exception of some walking distance projects. Upon arrival, Volunteer will be introduced to projects Directors and can start working at the same day.

While our programs are flexible and can be fit to your requirements, an example of a typical day is as follows:

07:30 AM- Breakfast at the accommodation

8:00 AM- Volunteers leave the accommodation to take public transport (or, in some cases, walking) to the project. Volunteers will receive a plan for their work.

1:00 PM- Work on the project usually ends.

3:00 – 5:00 PM – Volunteer has private Spanish classes.

5:00 PM – 07:00 PM- Volunteers are now free to visit and explore the city.

7:00-7:30 PM- Dinner at the accommodation

**The volunteers have afternoons free to visit and explore the city.

On the weekend, volunteers have spare time and usually relax or take the opportunity to explore other parts of their local town and Peru. Long weekends can be taken to travel further afield such as Machu Picchu, Colca Canyon or Lake Titicaca.

At PEVolunteer we organize fun and interesting tours for our volunteers, so just let us know where you would like to go!

– The minimum age for volunteers is 18 years old unless traveling with family members over 18 or their school.

– No previous volunteer experience or other qualifications are necessary as all skills are useful in our projects.

– We do require volunteers to be aware that they will encounter cultural differences in Peru, which they must be prepared to respect.

– Our volunteers must be willing to engage in their project and be open-minded towards the dissimilarities they may encounter.

– Step one, fill out our application by clicking Apply Now. Make sure to add info@pevolunteer.org to your email safe list to ensure receipt of our response.

– A no-refundable, no-transferable payment of US$250.00 must be paid at time of booking.

– After reserving your place please book your flight and send us your flight information so we can schedule your airport pick-up. Also, visit your doctor for any vaccinations you may require and do not hesitate to ask us any questions that you may have.

– Upon receipt of your details you will be sent our in-depth pre-departure brochure full of indispensable tips regarding preparation and packing, your destination and its customs, your accommodations, travel requirements and suggestion.

– The remaining total is due 10 days before the start of your program.

– Join us Helping and Traveling in Peru!

• National and International flights are not included
• Please let us know for any additional night
• Insurances are not included
• Please have a valid passport at time of travel