Machu Picchu Volunteer Trip

A unique opportunity
to volunteer in Machu Picchu!

Machu Picchu – Be Inspired!

Guided by our local Peruvian guide and experienced American trip leaders and working under the supervision of local park rangers, volunteers learn about the Inca culture and its impact while helping to preserve the Machu Picchu Sanctuary. ConservationVIP® is pleased to offer this unique and exciting opportunity to one of the world’s most astounding archaeological treasures! Volunteer project sites vary in altitude from 8,000 to 11,000 feet, making this challenging for some, though past volunteers included a wide range of ages and abilities. The rewards far surpass any challenge from working at this elevation!

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Machu Picchu Volunteer Trip Details

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project activities | itinerary | price | trip reviews | prior trip reports | safety

Help protect Peru’s famous Machu Picchu Sanctuary. Each trip varies, depending on the current needs of local authorities. Past trips included:

  • helping the National Institute of Culture
  • helping archaeologists restore cultural sites
  • helping the National Service for Protected Natural Areas, by
    • removing moss and plants from walls, windows, niches at Incan ruins
    • removing encroaching invasive species
    • planting native trees in areas prone to slides
    • collecting seeds for replanting
    • repairing Incan trails
    • interviewing travelers about their experiences in order to improve visitor management.

You must be able to hike with a day pack, move soil or rock with a shovel, pull unwanted vegetation, or carry stones.

 

Introduction: Listed below you will find a general description of activities you can expect on the trip. Please note, however, that every trip is unique. Because local conditions and the Park’s needs continually evolve, detailed plans are often finalized or revised after the group arrives and the trip leaders review the conditions at the site in light of the capabilities and special interests of the volunteers. As volunteers successfully complete conservation and restoration activities, new activities or areas can be targeted on subsequent departures, which may result in a modified itinerary.

Day 1: We begin in Cusco, the capital of the New World’s “Roman Empire.” We meet at our hotel in the early afternoon for orientation. The afternoon includes a guided tour of the cathedral, as well as free time to explore on your own, while acclimatizing to the 11,200 foot elevation.

In the evening we enjoy the fine dining of a traditional Peruvian dinner while enjoying the camaraderie of the volunteer group.

Day 2: After a morning tour of the Machu Picchu Museum and the Qorikancha, we board a private bus to Sacsayhuaman, a hilltop stone fortress overlooking Cusco. The largest of the stones used in the construction of Sacsayhuaman weighs over 360 tons and stands more than 20 feet tall.

Day 3: We depart for the Machu Picchu Sanctuary and Machu Picchu Pueblo (also known as Aguas Calientes) via train. On the way, we visit Chinchero, a village where local weavers demonstrate their skills and textiles. We pass by ancient agricultural terraces and remote villages along the Urubamba River. Once in Machu Picchu Pueblo, we check into our hotel.

Days 4-8: Each day starts with breakfast at the hotel, and then on to work. Projects vary, depending on the tasks assigned to us by Peru’s National Institute of Culture and the National Service for Protected Area Management. During our initial visit, we receive an orientation and safety instruction. On one of these days, volunteers will enjoy a guided tour of Machu Picchu, followed by time to discover the ruins at their own pace.

Day 9: In the morning, volunteers will board the train for Ollantaytambo. Dating back over 500 years, the Inca city is complete with its narrow alleys, street water canals and trapezoidal doorways. The nearby temples are considered by many to be the best preserved and finest examples of Inca stone craftsmanship after Machu Picchu. Upon our return to Cusco, we will enjoy a farewell celebration dinner together, toasting newfound friends and our accomplishments during the past week.

Day 10: The Machu Picchu Volunteer Trip ends with breakfast. You may transfer to the Cusco airport for homeward-bound flights (via Lima) or opt to extend your stay in Peru.

Note: Although we do our very best to adhere to the itinerary, it is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control, including weather. A detailed discussion of specific daily activities will take place on the trip.

$3,495 for ten days; single room supplement $800 (subject to availability)

(Note: Your trip expense may be tax-deductible. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions page and consult your tax advisor for details.)

Price includes:

  • Leadership and support staff for volunteer activities
  • guide leadership on tours
  • all meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 10
  • hotel accommodations
  • all bus and train transportation as noted on the itinerary
  • group tools
  • all orientation and training excursions as noted on the itinerary
  • park entrance fees

Price does not include:

Deposit and Cancellation
A deposit of $500 per person is required at the time of signup; final payment is due at 90 days prior to departure. The payment and refund policy can be found here.

Group Size: 8 – 18 plus trip leaders

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ConservationVIP
Average rating:  
 66 reviews
 by Amy Higgins

An absolutely fantastic and one-of-a-kind trip!! It was well-organized, Millie is an amazing leader, Santiago is the best guide out there, and it was wonderful to have Pablo's insights into architecture! To learn about, and help take care of in a small way, an amazing UNESCO site such as Machu Picchu was a real privilege. I loved working with the local Peruvian staff and our group of volunteers got along fantastically. Can't recommend this trip enough!

 by michael bucci
Andean Air-an attempt to use words

We were drawn to volunteer at Machu Picchu, Inca fortress, with separate expectations that grew together as the days gave more and more.
Our heads filled with information, stacking like Inca stones building our experience. As stones were touched, our hearts were brought along this journey.
The privilege to walk among the timeless creativity of the Incas where sun, wind, and water shift the day, filled our souls with Andean and air circulating in our labor.
Unexpected, instant immersion in each other’s lives, grew with each days arrival. Terraces, and roads that connect Empire with spirit also connect us with contagious laughter working our abs as we share comida celebrated in beauty and flavor.
This community of gifts offered and received, requires us to separate from time in attempts to absorb the experience.
Our love to Peru and to our volunteer community, left part of our hearts as gifts of Thanksgiving.

 by Pam P.
Machu Picchu Volunteer Trip November 2023

Absolutely amazing trip! We started with a few days in Cuzco to get acclimated to the altitude and learn more about the Incan culture, but the true highlight was the work in Machu Picchu. To be able to be part of preserving the truly breath-taking wonder that is this world heritage site is the memory of a lifetime. The Peruvian staff at the site were so helpful and positive, and our Peruvian guide, Santiago, was a never-ending font of information - there wasn't a question he couldn't answer, whether it was about the culture, history, or botany of the area. Highly recommend!

 by James Hafner

A wonderful experience. Being given an opportunity to maintain Machu Picchu, visit other incredible sites, get an introduction to the indigenous culture’s arts and crafts, and see the variety of art forms of the peoples that encompassed the Inca Empire in museums, was a very rich experience. The leadership was great, and we volunteers worked together very well as well as with the local staff at Machu Picchu. It was truly an extraordinary experience.

 by David Shuman
An unique experance for all.

The Peruvian spirit world is divided into three parts, the world above, the world, and the world below. Each part has a spirit animal. The world above belongs to the condor. The earth to the puma and the snake the king of the world below. Each animal brings knowledge to the Peruvian being. Just image yourself immerse in the spirit of all three worlds, where they coiled at Machu Picchu. Start your journey paying respect to these three worlds. Imagine working during the day with the local staff weeding the terraces, quarries and other restricted areas. See the beauty of the towering mountains, that are gently engulfed in the clouds that dance around the mountain tops. Breathe peacefully while the ancient walls, temples and fountains renew your own spirit with memories from days gone by. Laugh, work hard and enjoy your packed lunch with local staff members who greet you with hugs and good wishes each day. The day starts with a bus ride to the top of Machu Picchu, sharing seats with the other members of your trip and the local ground staff.
Both my wife and I were so glad we could give back to the people of Peru who have so little resources. The tour was led by Dr. Milagros Flores Roman who patiently and expertly herded us around Peru. Always listening and putting our needs first throughout the tour. Her know how and can do attitude performed miracles for all on the tour. Her dear friend and colleague, Pablo Ojeda, an architect provided major insight on restoring and preserving ancient structures here and all over the world. And the man himself, Santiago Carrasco Bellota our local guide. Whose heart is the size of the Peruvian mountains. He has all the historical knowledge of the Inca and Peruvian people at his fingertips. Our own Peruvian shaman, performing blessings in the old ways, allowing all three worlds to shine down on our entire journey. The bond we made between the local workers, our guides and other adventurers will be kept for a life time. If you every wanted to see the real Peru and visit an UNESCO site, this is the must do adventure. Both my wife and I cannot wait to sign up for another trip with unique experience with Conversation VIP. Thank you, Thank you Thank you, Debbie Benzer and David Shuman

 by Dan Winfree
Class of May2022(Millie named us)

They say that a picture is worth a 1000 words! I have to agree. One trip to Peru and a visit to Machu Picchu mountain, you will agree also. The beauty, energy, simplicity, and the effectiveness of the will power of a mass of people will overwhelm you when visiting this region. I’ve been here twice already and planning a third trip in September to hike the Inca Trail.
Thanks to ConservationVIP, the trip leaders, our guide, and the members of Class of May 2022, we pulled together to achieve a common goal. There is power and safety in numbers!

 by Liz Holmes
A Wonderful Experience

This was my first trip with ConservationVIP, and I was so impressed. It was well organized down to the last detail, the leadership was superb, and our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, thoughtful, and eager to share this beautiful place with us. To experience Machu Picchu over several days, contributing to its preservation by removing invasive plants, was intensely rewarding. I can’t imagine a better way to see it, and I hope to join another ConservationVIP trip in the near future.

 by Connie Kintner
Magical place

As a returning ConservationVIP volunteer, I felt even more connected to this magical place the second time around. Santiago, our Peruvian guide/troubleshooter and the ConservationVIP leaders worked tirelessly to make sure we were helping the sanctuary accomplish its goals while having a great time. These trips, as Santiago says, make you feel stronger, mentally, physically and spiritually day by day. It’s a privilege to work with such wonderful people in a magical place.

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The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. The gear list has been created to help you choose your equipment for the trip. View the Gear List PDF.

 

Please check with your doctor to see if any immunizations are recommended for you.

ConservationVIP has always focused on our volunteers’ safety. The COVID-19 pandemic heightened that focus. Traveling with COVID safety concerns requires some extra planning and flexibility both for trip leaders and trip participants!

Participants will have to comply with any restrictions imposed by Peru and your country of origin at the time of travel. While we know that restrictions can change between now and the time of travel, we cannot predict what those changes will be.

While on the trip, participants may have to follow procedures such as mask-wearing and social distancing as instructed by the trip leader. More specific safety instructions will be provided to those registered for the trip.

 

 

 

 

About Machu Picchu

In 1911, Yale University Professor Hiram Bingham paid a Peruvian guide to lead him to a nearby ruin. The guide took him up a precipitous slope, straight into the city of Machu Picchu. Conservation Volunteers International Program is the first volunteer organization ever allowed to work within the Sacred City.

One of the Seven New Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu is one of the most sought-after destinations in the world. Towering 1500 feet above the raging Urubamba River in Peru’s Andean highlands, the royal retreat and sacred center of Machu Picchu is spectacular by any measure. The Inca ruler Pachacuti began the site in mid-1400 and the site was still under construction when abandoned after the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire circa 1530. For nearly 400 years the jungle reclaimed this mountain citadel and Machu Picchu slowly disappeared.

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