10-day Machu Picchu Volunteer Trip
An In-depth trip to a unique Archaeological Treasure!
Machu Picchu is one of the Seven New Wonders of the World. Why? Because this royal Inca retreat and sacred center is spectacular by any measure. The Inca ruler Pachacuti began constructing Machu Picchu in mid-1400. The site was still under construction when it was abandoned around 1530 after the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire. For nearly 400 years the jungle reclaimed this mountain citadel. Now, Machu Picchu is one of the most sought-after destinations in the world.
Unlike typical tours of Machu Picchu, travelers on our Machu Picchu Volunteer Trip spend several days within the famed Machu Picchu Sanctuary. That is because ConservationVIP® is a nonprofit and we bring travelers who want to help as well as to learn. On this trip, you will learn about the Inca history, culture and impact while at the same time you help maintain Machu Picchu. You will be guided by our expert local Peruvian guide and experienced American trip leaders. While volunteering under the supervision of local park rangers, you help care for Machu Picchu Sanctuary.
Join us on this unique, inspiring trip to the famous Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Peru. Experience the awe as you help one of the world’s most astounding archaeological treasures!
Conservation Activities | Itinerary | Price | TRIP REVIEWS | Trip Reports | Safety
Conservation Activities
Conservation Issues in Machu Picchu
Over 1.5 million people visit Machu Picchu per year. As a result, its managers must devote a significant amount of their resources to visitor management. That is, they have to ensure that visitors stay on designated trails and do not damage the site. Those responsibilities reduce the resources they can devote to important maintenance tasks.
How We – Together with You – Can Help
We support Machu Picchu in a variety of ways, depending on the needs of local authorities at the time of the trip. For example, we may remove vegetation which can grow and cover the Incan ruins. Sometimes, our projects involve removing invasive species which are both a fire risk and can crowd out native species. Or we may repair Incan trails. In addition, we have planted native trees in areas prone to slides and collected seeds for replanting.
Is this Trip Right for You?
No prior experience is required, because training will be provided.
Moar importantly, to safely enjoy the activities, you should evaluate your physical fitness. You should be able to navigate steep stone stairs. Also, you should be able to hike with a day pack, move soil or rock with a shovel, pull vegetation, or carry stones. In addition, the altitude at Machu Picchu is about 8,000 and Cusco is even higher, making this challenging for some. If these are not issues for you, the satisfaction and awe far surpass these challenges!
Itinerary | Price | TRIP REVIEWS | Trip Reports | Safety
Machu Picchu Volunteer Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Meet in Cusco, Peru
We begin in Cusco, the capital of the New World’s “Roman Empire.” To begin the trip, we have an orientation meeting at 2:00 p.m. at our hotel. During this orientation, you will meet your local guide, your ConservationVIP trip leader and the other travelers. Following the orientation, you will have a guided tour of the cathedral, and time to explore on your own. These activities help you to acclimatize to the 11,200-foot elevation.
In the evening, we share our first dinner at a traditional Peruvian restaurant. (dinner and hotel included)
Day 2: Introduction to Inca Culture
Following breakfast at the hotel, the group spends the day learning about the Inca Culture. In the morning, the group will have a guided tour of the Machu Picchu Museum and the Qorikancha. In the afternoon, we visit Sacsayhuaman, the stone fortress built by the Inca overlooking Cusco. The largest stone used in the construction of Sacsayhuaman weighs over 360 tons and is more than 20 feet tall. (meals and hotel included)
Day 3: Travel to Machu Picchu Pueblo
After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for the Machu Picchu Sanctuary and Machu Picchu Pueblo (also known as Aguas Calientes). First, we travel by van, stopping to visit Chinchero, where local weavers demonstrate their skills and textiles. Next, we board the train, passing by ancient agricultural terraces and remote villages along the Urubamba River. After arriving in Machu Picchu Pueblo, we check into our hotel. (meals and hotel included)
Days 4-8: Activities in Machu Picchu Sanctuary
We start each day with breakfast at the hotel, and then we enter Machu Picchu Sanctuary. Before starting on our project activities, we receive an orientation and safety instruction. The conservation projects vary, depending on the tasks assigned to us by the Peruvian authorities who manage Machu Picchu.
On one of these days, we will enjoy a guided tour of Machu Picchu, and each traveler will have time to discover the ruins at their own pace. (meals and lodging included)
Day 9: Return to Cusco via Ollantaytambo
After breakfast we pack up and board the train to Ollantaytambo. Dating back over 500 years, the Incan origins of Ollantaytambo are apparent. For example, its narrow alleys and street water canals coupled with trapezoidal doorways are emblematic of the Inca period. Even more important, the temples are considered by many to be the best preserved and finest examples of Inca stone craftsmanship after Machu Picchu.
After Ollantaytambo, we return to Cusco. There, we will enjoy a farewell celebration dinner together, toasting newfound friends and our accomplishments of the past week. (meals and lodging included)
Day 10: Trip ends
The Machu Picchu Volunteer Trip ends with breakfast. You may transfer to the Cusco airport for homeward-bound flights or opt to extend your stay in Peru. (breakfast included)
IMPORTANT NOTES about the Itinerary:
- Before purchasing your airline tickets, check to ensure the trip has the minimum number of travelers required to operate.
- Be sure the schedule will get you to Cuzco in time for the initial meeting. In order to be there on time, you will probably have to depart your hometown one or more days in advance.
- Although we do our very best to adhere to the itinerary above, it is subject to change for reasons beyond our control. These reasons include changes in the local project needs, weather, and terrain conditions.
Price | TRIP REVIEWS | Trip Reports | Safety
Price for the Machu Picchu Volunteer Trip
US$3,495 for ten days; single room supplement US$800 (subject to availability)
Note: Your trip expense may be tax-deductible. To explain, we refer you to our Frequently Asked Questions page. Also, we suggest you consult your tax adviser.
Price includes:
- ConservationVIP’s leadership and support staff.
- Local guide throughout the trip.
- All meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on the final day.
- Hotel accommodations.
- All transportation noted on the itinerary.
- Tools for conservation activities.
- Orientation and training excursions as noted on the itinerary.
- Machu Picchu entrance fees.
Price does not include:
- International airfare to/from Cusco, Peru.
- Lunch on Day 1.
- Medical immunizations.
- Insurance (emergency medical and evacuation insurance is mandatory)
- Excess baggage charges.
- Airport taxes.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Gratuities or personal items.
Deposit and Cancellation
A deposit of $500 per person is required at the time of signup. After that, final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. The payment and refund policy can be found here.
Group Size: 8 – 18 plus trip leaders
Machu Picchu Trip Reviews
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Amazing all around! Fantastic trip leaders, great accommodations and fantastic food. Great balance of touring and volunteering. I felt I was able to see and experience more than expected. Working inside Machu Picchu, a place that people typically only get to visit for 1-2 days in a lifetime, is truly a "pinch me" experience. Fellow volunteers were all likeminded, well-traveled, intellectually curious people who made the trip even better! Looking forward to taking additional trips with ConservationVIP in the near future.
A wonderful trip in a magical place with delightful people...truly a trip of a lifetime! Trip leaders were very well organized and knowledgeable. Machu Picchu is stunning. Peru is a lovely country to visit...as a first timer, was grateful to be introduced to it by ConservationVIP. Looking forward to returning in the future.
Please read the above reviews as I wholeheartedly agree with the positives. Food was great, accommodations, good and advisors were exceptional. Very personable interactions, as well as professional insights. A huge shout out to Santiago, who combined his humane appreciation for the land, culture, and interaction with the volunteers. Strongly recommend doing this trip.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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
Gear List for Machu Picchu Volunteer Trip
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 Machu Picchu gear list has been created to help you choose your equipment for the trip. View the Gear List PDF.
Machu Picchu Volunteer Trip Reports
Click the links below to read the trip reports from prior Machu Picchu Volunteer Trips.
2024 November
2024 June
2023 November
2022 November
2022 May
2021 November
Medical Emergency Training November 2019
2019 November
2019 June
2018 November
2018 June
2017 November
2017 June
2016 November
2016 June
2015 November
2015 June
2014 November
2014 June
2013 November
2013 June
2012 November
2012 June
2011 November
2010 November
2010 June
2009 November
2009 April
2008 November
Also, visit the Impact Summary page and see the difference we make!
Safety is our priority
Remote travel can feel big—so we plan for it. First, we match the daily activities to the group’s abilities. Next, the trip leaders review site-specific procedures with local partners. Finally, we ask every traveler to do their part.
Match Your Abilities with the Trip
To safely enjoy the trip, choose a trip which suits your abilities. On this trip, you should be able to hike with a day pack, move soil or rock with a shovel, pull unwanted vegetation, or carry stones. Also, because site itself and the stone stairs connecting the terraces at Machu Picchu are steep, the trip is not suited for people with significant knee problems.
Follow Trip Leader’s Instructions
In addition, to prevent injury or illness on the trip, travelers will need to follow the trip leader’s instructions. Site-specific procedures and other safety instructions will be provided on the trip.
Medical Advice
Check with your doctor to see if any immunizations are recommended for you. Cusco and Machu Picchu are at high altitude. If you are not accustomed to high altitudes, review the issues of high altitude with your doctor.
Comply with other Travel Restrictions
Finally, you will also 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.
We invite you to watch a video from one of our trips: Blessing for travelers volunteering to preserve Machu Picchu
