Are you fascinated by the Inca culture?

This tour through Peru is a heady mix of the ‘must see’ and the ‘rarely seen’. You’ll visit the legendary Macchu Piccu, the stunning Sacred Valley and the lively cities of Lima and Cusco before venturing off the beaten track (literally) to visit traditional villages near your reforestation project in the beautiful Lares Valley. Our partner project is based in the heart of the rural mountain communities and you’ll spend your days planting trees with the local people and teaching reforestation techniques in the area. Remind yourself of the beauty you’re protecting during your time off and spend a night or two camping under the stars or visiting the hot springs to help get all that mud off.

 

Tour details:
This tour takes you into the heart of the rural mountain communities of Lares where you will work at a reforestation project before heading off to Cusco. Various excursions are available here that will help you to explore the fascinating history of the Incas.

Itinerary includes:
Cusco, Lares, Sacred Valley of the Incas, Tipon, Machu Picchu

Tour Details:
Arrival dates are 2nd Friday of every month

Day 1: Lima: Arrival
You will be met at the airport and transferred to your homestay for a relaxing evening.

Day 2: Lima: Orientation
You will begin with a great introduction to Peru that will show you how to make the most of your tour and how to stay safe while you're away. Then you'll have a "get-together" lunch and the afternoon free to explore the city.

Day 3: Transfer from Lima to Cusco
Arrive Cusco. Today you will meet your Cusco representative and transfer to your accommodation. Then you'll have a short briefing about the tour and general safety in Cusco. In the afternoon you will take a short walking tour of the city centre, allowing you to establish the location of all the important amenities including the bank, the post office and the shops. You'll have the rest of the day to acclimatize.
Guesthouse with lunch and dinner.

Day 4-9: Lares
4hr transfer to Lares (altitude 3250m) accompanied by a local guide who will be spending the whole week with you. Each day will be planting trees with the local people and teaching reforestation techniques in the area. A couple of days could be spent in one of the many communities surrounding Cuncani trekking between communities and camping overnight in Cuncani. All your meals will be provided during your stay here. A two hour walk will bring you to Lares hot springs - a great place to visit in your spare time. On Saturday afternoon, you will say goodbye to your new friends and return to Cusco in your private transport.
Guesthouse with Breakfast, lunch and dinner when not camping

Day 10: Rest day in Cusco
Today you will have the day free to relax and explore.
Guesthouse with breakfast and dinner.

Day 11: City sightseeing /walking tour
Depart at 9am for walking tour of the city. Transfer to the farthest ruins above Cusco where you will visiting four sites - Qenko, Puka Pukara, Tambo Machay and Sacsayhuaman. Return from Sacsayhuaman for a well deserved lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon tour of the major sites in the city - the Cathedral, Qoricancha and the Inca Museum. Evening free.
Guesthouse with breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 12: Sacred Valley of the Incas
Early departure to 'Sacred Valley of the Incas'. Private transport to Pisaq to visit the local market and the ruins, then the unique agricultural ruins of Moray for a picnic lunch and onto the Salineras (salt mines). Last stop is the town of Ollantaytambo, a unique town built on Incan ruins before late return back to Cusco.
Guesthouse with breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 13: Tipon
Site visit to the south of Cusco to visit the beautiful site of Tipon and the 15th century church at Andahuayillas. You will be having a late lunch, with a chance to try the local delicacy, 'chicharron', before returning to Cusco. Rest of the day at leisure. Lunch is your choice.
Guesthouse with breakfast and dinner.

Day 14: Machu Picchu
Early departure transfer to Cusco's train station where you'll catch a backpacker train to the town of Aguas Calientes. A 30 minute bus ride to the amazing ruins of Machu Picchu follows. You'll have a guided tour of the ruins followed by some free time which will allow you to explore on your own. Finally you will descend to the town and head back to Cusco. You will be met at the train station and transferred to your accommodation.
Guesthouse with breakfast and dinner.

Day 15 Rest day in Cusco
A free day to rest, go shopping or enjoy the other sites in the city.
Guesthouse with breakfast and dinner.

Day 16 End of Tour
Transfer to airport and short flight back to Lima or free to continue your travels.
Breakfast.

What's included:

• Guesthouse Accommodation:  including (shared rooms in Cusco hot water showers, beds, sheets, blankets, pillows, basic furniture, and basic kitchen facilities.)
• Double tents in Cuncani, facilities in Cuncani are very basic, but clean.
• Sleeping bags
• All meals listed. Vegetarians can be accommodated with advance notice. Local Spanish/Quechua and English speaking guide for all portions of the trip
• Supplies such as soap, fruit, vegetables, other food items, paper, etc.
• Private transport from Cusco to Lares (return)
• Private transport for all activities in and around Cusco as per itinerary
• Backpacker train from Cusco to Aguas Calientes (return)
• Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (return)

What's not included:

• International flights
• National flights
• Airport taxes
• Meals not listed
• Vaccinations and Medical Insurance
• All entrances for all sites listed in the itinerary.
• Laundry/ Personal care items / towels
• Tips to staff

Note: Participants should be aware that there are no internet facilities in Lares, however, there is a phone available.

RECOMMENDED TO BRING:
Good hiking or walking shoes, Clothing that can be layered for warm and cold weather. Please be aware that weather can get very cold and so you will need warm clothes especially at night. Flashlight, Hand sanitizer, Biodegradable shampoo and conditioner (soap is provided) Towel and facecloth, Rain gear or poncho, Mosquito repellent, Sun block, Hat/Cap, Gloves Swim suit.

Why take this tour:
This tour offers a unique cultural experience and the chance to do something really worth while. In the first of this 2 week trip, you will really feel part of the Lares community. You will help with conservation work such as re-planting trees and trek between the various remote communities, learning their way of life. You can walk away knowing that you made a contribution, albeit small, in the quality of life for rural families who really need it.

What kind of skills you need / what to expect on the tour:
You do not need any specific skills to go on this trip, only a wish to help and get involved with the local community. The majority of the tour is done by foot and so you will need a reasonable level of fitness. You will have a guide travelling with you who will arrange the logistics and deal with any problems - it's all part of the adventure! Some of the journeys are long, trekking through rural Peruvian villages, so be prepared for rustic conditions. Note: the more Spanish you know, the better you will get on, as the village families and the children do not speak English.

Where does the tour run:
This tour is based in and around Cusco (3415m) exploring the ancient history of the Incas, the highlight being a train trip to Machu Picchu as well as visiting the local communities in and around Lares. Accommodation is varied during the 2 weeks and based in areas where you will be able to explore the local markets and get to know life in the community.

Cuzco or Cusco, (UNESCO World Heritage Site) means "navel" in Quechua, a Native American language, and referred to the city's placement at the centre of the Incan Empire. It was the capital of the Incan civilization from the beginning of the 14th century. It is situated in a rich agricultural region devoted to cattle raising and the cultivation of cereals and tobacco, although tourism is very important to the city's economy. Cuzco contains many remains of Inca times, including the famous Inca Temple of the Sun, parts of the Inca wall that once surrounded the city, and numerous doorways, arches, and structural walls.

You will need to arrive into Lima (LIM) on your specified arrival date. Please contact the in-country team regarding the best times to book your internal flights to Cusco.

Minimum numbers apply: please call us for more information.

What exactly do i-to-i provide?

It may seem like a strange concept to pay for your volunteer experience. You'd be right if you think you shouldn't and the truth is you actually don't! Your placement is free; it's the benefits around it that you pay for. It's important to note that i-to-i is a travel company and not a charity. We provide a professional travel service. We are responsible for finding and assessing worthwhile projects across the world, preparing you for the volunteering experience and supporting you whilst you're there.

Here’s some more information about what your placement fee covers….

Project sourcing and assessment

We work with hundreds of locally run partner projects around the world and are constantly sourcing new opportunities. We visit all projects to check that they are worthwhile and legitimate and we also conduct a thorough safety assessment before we'll send volunteers there. More

Expert help-desk

Almost everyone who works for i-to-i has traveled extensively or worked overseas. This means we're a goldmine of information; we're always available to offer support and guidance before, during and after your trip.

Thorough project briefing materials

Once you book on to a project you'll receive a Welcome Pack that contains loads of general information about volunteering, about your chosen country and project, and a DVD about how to have fun and stay safe. We'll also give you advice on visas and inoculations.

TEFL training

If you are volunteering on a Teaching or Community Development project then a 40-hour Online TEFL course is included in your placement fee. This is an internationally recognised and accredited certificate that will help you to make the most of your time overseas. More

Airport pickup

It can be pretty daunting arriving in a different country for the first time… especially after a long flight! If you arrive on your project start date, there'll be a welcoming face at the airport to pick you up and take you to your accommodation.

Arrival orientation

Soon after you arrive you will attend a thorough orientation with our in-country team. This is to cover important safety and security information. You'll also get some tips about sight-seeing options for your time off and maybe even learn some of the local lingo!

Accommodation and meals

Accommodation is included with all projects and meals are even included with some. We only use locally-owned and operated accommodation so that part of your placement fee is filtering back into the local economy. Most projects offer homestay, guesthouse or shared volunteer houses as standard accommodation, but some offer the chance to upgrade to a more comfortable living standard. More

Local in-country coordinators

Your in-country coordinator (ICC) will pick you up from the airport and conduct your orientation upon arrival. All ICC's are English speaking and are locals of your destination country. They won't be at your project every day, but will be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week if you need them. More

24/7 emergency support

Aside from the local support from your in-country coordinators you'll be given access to a 24/7 emergency phone line manned by i-to-i staff in case any problem should arise while you're overseas. We also hire crisis management professionals Docleaf to be on hand in case of a situation that requires additional expert support. More

Ongoing training

The safety and security of our volunteers is paramount. For this reason we provide ongoing crisis management and emergency response training to our local teams around the world. At the end of 2006 we flew all our in-country coordinators to the UK for thorough training to help them offer the best safety to the thousands of volunteers they support each year. More

Supporting our projects

We don't fund our projects directly, but once a year they are all invited to apply for funding for special projects or resources from our registered charity arm, the i-to-i Foundation. i-to-i funds the operation of the i-to-i Foundation and is the largest single donor. Along with the generous support of our volunteers, we have distributed over US$200,000 in funding in the last two years alone! More  

Recruiting people like you

We make no secrets of the fact that part of your placement fee is reinvested in to recruiting volunteers just like you! The volunteers recruited in one week will typically deliver over 2000 man-days of service. The difference this makes to projects overseas is immeasurable. Many of our overseas projects rely on assistance from international volunteers, so it's necessary for us to put together brochures and websites to find the people who can support them. This recruitment process is vital to ensure programs have a constant stream of reliable volunteers.

The intangible benefits

Volunteering through a company like i-to-i has a lot of intangible benefits to developing overseas communities and the individual projects that we work with. To find out more about our placements. click here

What we will do after you've booked:

• Once booked on you will instantly receive a welcome email confirming your booking with access to your online account
• We will send a Welcome Pack in the post containing further information and a t-shirt, the information in this pack should answer most things you need to know
• Community Development and Teaching customers will receive an email introducing them to their Online TEFL course
• Community Development and Teaching customers will be requested to complete a police check (where relevant) or send through a reference
• We will contact you if we require anything else e.g. CV/resume for some projects, doctors note for medical conditions etc.
• We will hound you to complete your forms and pay your final balance when they are due
• We are available for any questions you may have on 800 352 1794 or operations@i-to-i.com
• We will prepare for your trip and send you an email with final project and accommodation confirmation 21 days before you go

What you need to do after booking your place with us:

• Book your flights
• Arrange suitable travel insurance
• Fill out some extra details through our online interface:
  • application from
  • travel details
  • insurance details
  • medical information
  • emergency contacts
• Complete your police check or request your reference (where relevant)
• Do your Online TEFL Course (where relevant)
• Make final payment at least 60 days before you go
• Make sure you have a visa for your trip if its needed
• Visit a nurse or travel clinic for advice on inoculations and malaria prevention
• Read all details and prepare as much as you can for your trip
• Take contact details of the in country team and where you're going in your hand luggage - just in case!
• Get on the plane!

Orientation Information

We aim to provide you with a safe and soft landing into your destination by picking you up from the airport, giving you an orientation that helps to settle you into the country as quickly as possible. It?s also the best time to ask any questions you have about your time in Peru. You will arrive on the Arrival Date ? Friday (Monday if taking part in the Peruvian Andes Experience) and will be met at the airport on that day (whether it is 12 in the morning or 11:59 at night. You will be taken to your accommodation where you will have the first day/night to recover from your flight. Note: If you?re arriving early we can arrange a meet and greet for you. If you require this please contact us to arrange this service. If you wish to make your own way please contact Fiorella directly for your allocated accommodation in Lima. Your orientation will take place the next morning and will introduce you to life in Peru as well as important information about staying healthy and safe and information on getting to your project. Over lunch you will have the chance to ask any questions of the team before starting work. If working outside of Lima then you will travel to your project the following day. Volunteers traveling to Mancora, San Andres, Trujillo, Cajamarca (Andes experience) will have bus tickets bought and just need to reimburse Fiorella in Lima during orientation.

Insurance

It's important that you get adequate travel insurance for your i-to-i experience and as many of you will be working this often means standard policies won’t work. The good news is that no matter where your coming from we have already found a policy to suit you.

The best time to get your insurance is when you book your project as this means you can get a fully tailored policy exclusive to i-to-i, just ask your consultant for further details at the time of booking.

If you have already booked but still need insurance then you may still be able to take our tailored policy. If, however it was more than a few days ago then try the links below:

Australian customers - find out more here >>

All other customers - find out more here >>

Flights

As with insurance we advise you get these booked as early as possible to avoid high prices and to make sure you arrive on the right day. The i-to-i team is right up to date with the best deals no matter where you’re flying from; their insider knowledge could save you some time and money.

Early Airport Pick-up

If you are arriving before your designated arrival date, we can arrange for an extra meet and greet service for you. The team in Peru can offer this service for no extra charge as long as you request it. We will be there to meet you at the airport and take you to the orientation accommodation. Accommodation payment for any extra nights will then be made in country directly to the accommodation (approx 13 USD per night).

The cost of this Early Pick-up service is US$ 0.00