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Eco-Agriculture Conservation Volunteer Project in Peru - Cusco

Eco-Agriculture Conservation Volunteer Project in Peru - Cusco

Love the outdoors and interested in being an Eco-Agriculture Conservation volunteer in Peru - Cusco? International Volunteer HQ’s immersive Eco-Agriculture Conservation project enables volunteers to assist Peruvian farmers in a cloud forest in the Amazon jungle. Volunteers will gain farming experience and learn about efficient practices and environmental sustainability while helping farming families maximise their harvests of coffee, tea and cacao and earn a decent living.

Highlights:
  • Programs start every Monday
  • Affordable fees from $805 for 2 weeks
  • Includes accommodation, meals, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
  • Help local tea, coffee and cacao farmers to maximize their harvests

  • Discover Peru’s amazing cloud forests

  • Experience daily life in the Amazon by staying with a local family

Key information

Promote sustainable farming practices
Based in a remote rural village
Homestay accommodation
Volunteers aged 18+, and 16+ accompanied
Fully hosted experience from $805 for 2 weeks
Durations from 2 - 24 weeks
Visit Machu Picchu before or after your project
Up to 5 hours volunteering a day

This program is ideal for:

Fit and active volunteers who like working hard and getting their hands dirty. You’ll need to be comfortable staying in basic accommodation with few modern conveniences.
Who is this program suited to?

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

Peruvian farmers have operated in the highlands of the Amazon jungle for centuries, and volunteers can now join them. This is an immersive experience where you’ll be based in a small farming community in a cloud forest around four hours from Cusco, helping farming families to maximize their harvests.

As an Eco-Agriculture Conservation volunteer you’ll help with permaculture efforts on coffee, tea and cacao farms and learn about efficient practices and environmental sustainability. The money farmers earn depends on how much they can produce, so your efforts can directly impact their livelihood. You’ll help with seasonal tasks, including:

  • Planting seeds
  • Tilling fields
  • Harvesting
  • Weeding
  • Clearing land for new crops

There is also scope for volunteers to spend time in the organic orchard learning about the various fruits and vegetables or to participate in a language exchange in the nearby village.

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

As job losses escalate as a result of Covid-19, it is estimated that nearly half of the global workforce is at risk of losing their livelihoods. We must improve access to jobs, decent work conditions and community services in order to achieve peace, sustainable economic growth and a better quality of life for all.

Why do Eco-Agriculture Conservation volunteering in Cusco with IVHQ?

When you volunteer on farms in Peru - Cusco you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:

  • Learning about sustainable and efficient farming practices
  • Supporting local farming communities with permaculture efforts
  • Developing your communication skills
  • Gaining farming and agriculture experience
  • Immersing yourself in Peruvian culture
  • Exploring the stunning mountains of Peru

Volunteer requirements

  • Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program and may be asked to provide additional documentation to the local team
  • All volunteers aged 18+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 16 and 17 will need to provide 2 character reference letters to participate
  • All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
  • All volunteers must speak fluent English.
Are you eligible to volunteer?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

Apply For Free

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What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

CF
Cindy Fall
04 Mar 2024

I greatly appreciate the support that my IVHQ Program Manager provided prior to my trip and how quickly she responded to my questions. The online resources were also very helpful. I also found the local team to be gracious, supportive and just wonderful people to be around.

I received so many gifts from this trip. It was a complete disruption from my normal life. I was in a different country, speaking a different language, eating different foods, experiencing a different culture and geography, and doing volunteer work completely different from my work at home. The combination of all of these things left me with inspiration, creativity, and space in my body and soul to reaffirm what is important in life and how I want to proceed.

...
JB
Jacob Barsness
05 Feb 2024

I went to Peru with a mindset of learning Spanish, exploring a new country, and contributing in a positive way with the skill-set I have. IVHQ gave me this opportunity to explore and expand my personal goals in a way that benefited myself and those around me.

...
AH
Ashley Hammon
13 Sep 2023

Everyone at IVHQ was so so helpful through this whole process! I cannot thank you all enough for the wonderful experience.

...
IA
Imogen Austin
01 Jun 2023

I enjoyed how engaged and supportive the local team was during my stay, and the host family was incredibly supportive and kind.

...
BR
Ben Regan
18 Dec 2022

This was the best experience of my life, and the team couldn't have done a better job supporting me on my program. To other volunteers I say, DO IT!!! Get out of your comfort zone!!!

...
LS
Lucas Smith
11 Mar 2022

The Eco-Agriculture project is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the small-holder agriculture that dominates across rural Peru. As someone from an agricultural background I was excited to apply my agricultural background but the farmers at the placement were very knowledgeable and I would highly encourage those without an agricultural background to consider this project to become more connected to our food systems and understand how many of the fruits and vegetables we cherish are grown.

...

To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.

Academic course credit through International Volunteer HQ and Intern Abroad HQ.

Academic course credit

Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!

Learn about course credit
Volunteer Abroad in Peru, Cusco with IVHQ

Location

Set in the tropical Amazon jungle, volunteers on the Eco-Agriculture project in Peru are based in a small rural farming community about four to five hours away from Cusco.

Arrival and orientation

The program orientation begins every Monday and volunteers need to arrive in Cusco on the Sunday before orientation. Orientation will be held within 24 hours of your arrival.

After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at the Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) in Cusco. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee. We recommend that volunteers under the age of 18 travel internationally with a notarized letter from their parents to support their documentation.

When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the local team’s main office and then to a homestay. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation. You will be taken to your Eco-Agriculture placement and accommodation after completing orientation in Cusco.

If you are traveling in Peru prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up in Cusco on the day before your program orientation.

Orientation is hosted by our local team at their offices in Cusco. Orientation begins on Monday morning and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Cusco – introduction to Peru, Peruvian customs, language lesson details, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities in Cusco, introduction to your project and placement.

Volunteer schedule example

Weekdays - A typical schedule might be as follows:

7:00 AM Breakfast at your accommodation with other volunteers.
8:00 AM Volunteer work begins. You may be planting seeds, tilling fields, collecting fruits, preparing fields for new plants or taking out invasive weeds.
12:00 PM Lunch and a long break before continuing with volunteer work.
5:00 PM Start to wind down by doing less physically demanding volunteer work.
7:00 PM Dinner at your accommodation with other volunteers.

Weekends

Because of the remote location, volunteers tend to stay at the placement during the weekends and keep enjoying the immersive experience of living with a local family. We reccommend taking books, games or other activities. Volunteers are able return to Cusco at their own expense.

Accommodation and WiFi

Eco-Agriculture Conservation volunteers are accommodated in dormitory style rooms, separated by gender. Living is rustic but comfortable.

Because of its remote location, there is no WiFi access available on this project.

Meals

Volunteers on the Eco-Agriculture project will be provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.

A typical Peruvian breakfast consists of bread, spreads, fruit and eggs accompanied by tea or coffee. Dinner commonly consists of meat, often chicken, soups, pastas, starches and vegetables.

Please note any dietary requirements you have so we can make special arrangements for you.

Pricing

  • USD
Duration
Program Fee
Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
  • USD
2 weeks $805 Equivalent to $58/day
3 weeks $1,080 Equivalent to $51/day
4 weeks $1,350 Equivalent to $48/day
5 weeks $1,620 Equivalent to $46/day
6 weeks $1,890 Equivalent to $45/day
8 weeks $2,430 Equivalent to $43/day
10 weeks $2,970 Equivalent to $42/day
12 weeks $3,510 Equivalent to $42/day
16 weeks $4,590 Equivalent to $41/day
20 weeks $5,670 Equivalent to $41/day
24 weeks $6,750 Equivalent to $40/day
  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • 24/7 in-country support
  • In-country program orientation
  • Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
  • Airport pick-up
  • Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
  • Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
  • Discounts on language lessons
  • Discounts on travel and tour add-ons
  • Certificate of International Volunteer Service

Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.

  • All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately $329) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
  • A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
  • Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check, public transportation to and from your placement each day and return to the airport when your program finishes.
  • Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Cusco generally find US$100 per week to be sufficient for expenses, such as lunches (except for Amazon Jungle Conservation, Andean Immersion, and Eco-Agriculture Conservation volunteers), in-country tours, and Spanish language lessons.

Free-time experiences & tours in Peru

Take your volunteer experience to the next level with IVHQ's affordable activity and tour add-ons in Peru! Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Peru program.

Lake Titicaca Tour (2 nights/1 day)
Lake Titicaca Tour (2 nights/1 day)

Prepare to be in awe of this unique landscape and surroundings on this overnight tour!

$140
Machu Picchu Overnight Tour  - Upgrade (2 days, 1 night)
Machu Picchu Overnight Tour - Upgrade (2 days, 1 night)

Explore Machu Picchu on an exhilarating 2-day & 1-night tour.

$490
Machu Picchu Tour (Full Day)
Machu Picchu Tour (Full Day)

Experience the awe-inspiring wonders of Machu Picchu in just one day without stretching your budget!

$374

No experiences or tours for Lima, yet...

Mini Adventure (6 days, 7 nights)
Mini Adventure (6 days, 7 nights)

See all of Peru’s major hot spots on this 1-week Mini Adventure tour.

$920
Lake Titicaca Tour (2 nights/1 day)
Lake Titicaca Tour (2 nights/1 day)

Prepare to be in awe of this unique landscape and surroundings on this overnight tour!

$140
Rainbow Mountain - Short Trek
Rainbow Mountain - Short Trek

Enjoy a short, mountainside trek to the top of Rainbow Mountain, part of Ausangate Mountain in the Andes.

$59

Affordable Spanish language lessons

Fluency in Spanish is not a prerequisite for the IVHQ Peru - Cusco program, however on certain projects volunteer work will be restricted with limited language ability. We recommend that volunteers take advantage of the very affordable language lessons offered exclusively to IVHQ volunteers by our local team in Cusco. Past volunteers feel that taking these lessons help immensely with day-to-day volunteer work and communicating with local people. The language lessons are tailored to each volunteer’s current level of Spanish and classes run from Monday through to Friday. The cost is very affordable and offered exclusively to IVHQ volunteers.

  • Group Class: 2 hour a day - starting at $89 per week
  • Private Class: 1 hour a day - starting at $95 per week
  • Private Class: 2 hours a day - starting at $6190 per week

How to book IVHQ’s language lessons: Once you’ve paid your registration fee, you will be able to select language lessons as an “Add-on” via your MyIVHQ profile.

Spanish language lessons are not available on the Andean Immersion, Eco-Agriculture or Amazon Jungle Conservation projects due to their remote nature. However volunteers will have plenty of opportunity to practice with locals.

Check what's required to visit Peru

Safety and support with IVHQ

Safety and support

IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.

  • All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
  • All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
  • All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
  • All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Learn more about IVHQ's safety

Essential country information

Capital Lima
Population 32 million
Languages Spanish
Currency Peruvian Nuevo Sol (PEN)
Time zone UTC-05:00

Weather and climate: Peru, unlike other equatorial countries, does not have an exclusively tropical climate; the influence of the Andes and the Humboldt Current causes great climatic diversity within the country. In the mountains, rain is frequent during summer and temperatures and humidity diminish with altitude up to the frozen peaks of the Andes. The jungle has heavy rainfal​l​ and high temperatures, with the exception of its southernmost part, which has cold winters and seasonal rainfall.

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How to get started

Pick a destination + project and apply for free
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Pay the Registration Fee to secure your place and upgrade your MyIVHQ account
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