Fusion Power to Machu Picchu

Experience life in the Peruvian Andes and participate in cultural activities and excursions to sites of historical and archaeological importance, such as Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu Volunteer Vacations

Care for Cuzco: Heart of the Inca Empire

Cuzco is known the world over as the enchanting heart of the Inca civilization and the gateway to Machu Picchu, one of the great wonders of the world. With its narrow, cobblestone streets, colonial architecture atop Incan stonework, and locals in vibrant and traditional dress, you will forget you are living in the 21st century.

Service Vacations: Volunteer Work Projects in Cuzco

Globe Aware Adventures in Service offers many different opportunities in Cuzco, including working in a home for impoverished children from rural households. While some children have families, most are too poor to care for them. Without this home or "albergue," these children would have no educational opportunities.

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Other service vacation projects include improving and maintaining facilities, such as painting classrooms, creating a garden, or constructing desks and beds. The children attend public school in Cuzco during the day, but you will have ample opportunities to work directly with them after classes and on the weekends. You may also visit a local family to construct a Lorena stove. Your hosts will arrange your volunteer projects before your trip based on the immediate needs of the children's home.

Volunteer Holiday Food and Lodging

The children's home is just a few minutes drive from the main square and all the major sites within Cuzco. Volunteer vacationers will stay in dormitory rooms (two to three per room) at the children's home. Modern plumbing, warm running water, flushing toilets, and electricity are all available. Traditional, delicious Andean meals are prepared fresh daily for you.

Leisure Activities During Your Service Vacation

Volunteer vacationers can make a scheduled excursion to Machu Picchu (at your cost, since your program fee cannot be used for this due to tax regulations), and to the other surrounding ancient sites - several of which are in very close walking proximity. You will also have free time to explore the charming pedestrian town of Cuzco with your fellow volunteer vacationers, to learn how to make Peruvian food, etc.

Machu Picchu is $425 for adults, $395 for kids under 13

it is a 3 hour train journey in each direction from Cusco to Machu Picchu. We leave early in the morning, usually arriving 8am, then depart as the entrance to ruins close, usually back by 9pm. The fee includes transfers to train station, round trip train, roundtrip buses from town up to the ruins, the entrance to the ruins and the guide. This is a non-transferable participation run by a monopoly conglomerate that requires a passport tied to each ticket, in similar fashion to an airline ticket. It usually sells out long in advance. During certain times of the year, river issues require that trains depart from further station, and buses are included to cover that portion when needed. It doesn't alter significantly the entire trip duration or the time at the site itself. Other than the 26 mile pre-reserved 3 day hike on the Inka Trail, this is the only way to visit the ruins.

The cost for the Machu Picchu excursion is not tax-deductible.

Previous volunteer vacation groups have met with traditional shamans to learn about their way of life, and others have gone on a pisco-sour tasting mission. Depending on your cultural interests, your volunteer coordinator will help organize these cultural explorations.

Arranging Your Volunteer Vacation Airfare

You will need to be in Cuzco by 11:00 a.m. on the Sunday your program begins. The program ends at about 10:00 a.m. the following Saturday. It takes approximately five minutes for our driver to get you to the Cuzco airport. You can arrange any return time on Saturday, as long as it is before 4:00 p.m., as the driver will make trips based on your return trip time.

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LIMA-To-Cuzco airfare: As of January 2010, the airlines flying from Lima to Cusco include: LAN, TACA, and StarPeru.

Safety and Security During Your Volunteer Vacation

Cuzco and its immediate surroundings are considered quite safe in terms of political stability and health risks despite the political instability that arose in December 2022. Because Machu Picchu is important to bringing much-needed revenues to the entire country, all sides have a vested interest in keeping the area safe and open. Be aware that both Globe Aware Peru programs are at a high altitude, and if you have any high blood pressure or respiratory condition, you should check with your doctor before deciding to go.

More Safety and Security.

Journeys of the Heart - trailer from Misc GA Folk on Vimeo.

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