Trip Details

Volunteer Teaching in Peru

One of the most popular ‘bucket list’ destinations for all ages, Peru’s incredible culture, landscapes and ancient history make it a fascinating place to visit. And volunteer teaching in Peru is an experience in itself! Located in Northern Peru, this project aims to help children plants the seeds of their future by developing their knowledge of English. With the rise of tourism in Peru, having even a basic command of English can open doors for these children later in life …and that’s where YOU come in!

Teach Peruvian Children to Speak English for a Brighter Future!

Whilst volunteer teaching in Peru, your creativity will be a real asset, as you have the freedom to use your own techniques and resources. As part of this programme, you will support the teachers across a whole range of subjects, from Music and dance, to art, maths and even Karate!  However, another important part of this volunteer teaching programme is to help children build their confidence to empower them to reach their goals! So, if you’re the type of person who can motivate and inspire, your star qualities will be much appreciated here!

Explore Exciting Peru whilst you work as a Teaching Volunteer!

As you can imagine, Peru offers more than the average destination. For those who want to immerse themselves in Peruvian life, you can spend time with local farmers and workers and get involved in community activities. However, for those looking to venture further afield, your accommodation is not far from the Amazonian rainforest, and there are also a multitude of ancient archaeological sites, villages and town to explore!  In fact, many of our volunteers will arrange exciting adventures at the weekends with their friends, and kick back during the week, enjoying their surroundings at our comfortable accommodation.

Why do Volunteer Teaching in Peru?

  • Teach exciting activities and subjects in English to Peruvian kids
  • Improve your volunteer teaching skills and learn new techniques
  • Make new friends and relax at our comfortable accommodation
  • Explore Peru’s rich history, rainforests, mountains and cities
  • Discover Peruvian cuisine with all meals and beverages included

*tea, coffee and drinking water

Get in touch to find out more or browse through our many other volunteer experiences.

Trip Itinerary

Volunteer Teaching in Peru – Itinerary

As a volunteer teacher in Peru, you will be supporting the teachers at local primary or secondary schools. Transport will be taken care of, as you will be driven to your school each morning on a minibus – a short 30 minute drive through neighbouring villages.

You will assist local teachers, and also support these classes in a variety of ways, for example with activities through games, drama, song, and play that will help the students learn in a fun way!

Activities

There is a variety of exciting subjects that you can take part in on your volunteer teaching programme:

  • Music (Piano, Violin, Guitarra popular, Flauta, singing)
  • English (beginners to intermediate, reading skills)
  • Karate
  • Arts (sculpture, painting, drawing)
  • Mathematics (Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Arithmetic)
  • Dancing
  • All volunteers must have a sense of initiative and understand that teachers at the project might not speak the same language

Mandatory Orientation Day

On the Monday of your first week on your volunteer teaching programme in Peru, you will join our orientation day, to get familiar with the surroundings as well as local culture. Your program will continue as usual from Tuesday onward throughout the rest of the week.

Orientation Day Schedule

  • Introduction meeting, House rules, Setting Expectations, Health and Safety Advice and handling of documents.
  • Peruvian Do’s and Don’ts, Peruvian Culture Lessons and Spanish Language Lessons.
  • Tour around the compound and local area; where to find local shops, and arrange a sim-card if necessary.
  • Lunch
  • Small hike to ‘white crosses hill’ where you can have Thermal Baths in Banos (Optional) and a massage session (Optional) .

Daily Schedule

Monday – Friday

  • Breakfast
  • Volunteer Teaching 2-3 hours
  • Lunch
  • Volunteer Teaching 2-3 hours
  • Dinner

Please note: This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

During the summer and winter holidays, there are no classes in Shaullio. Volunteers will instead supervise the children at the Banos Library where children create arts & crafts, play sports and engage in cultural activities.

Evenings and Weekends

Your evenings and weekends are yours to spend as you wish. Many volunteers will hang out at the volunteer accommodation with other volunteers, and travel further afield with their new-found friends at the weekends.

Transportation

From this location we provide free transport to your next program at the following location(s):

Lambayeque (Chiclayo)
Huanchaco
Chiclayo

Places to Visit

Chiclayo

You can easily reach Chiclayo, Peru’s fourth biggest city, by public transport which is cheap and frequent. Chiclayo offers shopping centres, a cinema and nightlife, but it is also a major traffic hub in northern Peru. This makes it easy to travel on the weekends or after your program.

There are plenty of small restaurants or shops around the area. There is an active surfing community and it is easy to make local friends, we can also point you to our Tandem Skydiving program and some other events.

Huanchaco

Only 12 km outside Trujillo. Once a quiet fishing hamlet, the town is now one of the best places for surfing.

Trujillo

Founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1534, Trujillo has 709,500 inhabitants. It is the home of the beautiful Plaza de Armas and its glamorous colonial. 4 hrs from our accommodation, this city by the ocean is referred to as the everlasting spring, where the temperature is usually 32ºC, and where the very important Festival de la Marinera takes place.

Having said that, the main reason why most people pass through this coastal city is to visit one of Peru’s top attractions: the Chimú adobe city of Chan Chan.

Chan Chan

Built around AD 1300, Chan Chan is the largest pre-Columbian city in the Americas and the largest adobe city in the world. You can visit it by taking a combi from C/España. The ticket (10 S) includes entrance to the Nik-An temple, the Chan Chan museum, the Huaca la Esmeralda and the Huaca Arco Iris.

Kuntur Wasi

The ruins of a religious structure in Peru’s northern highlands only 2 hours from our accommodation.

Cajabamba, Huamachuco

Located 5 hours away is a northern Peru town, rich with history, politics, religion, culture and hometown of the international famous muralist Jose Sabogal. Here, you can also visit unspoiled archaeological sites and old monuments.

Bambamarca and Chota

Located 3 and 4 hours away, respectively, these towns are known for their festive activities in the months of June/July. If you’re here during this time, don’t miss out!

Leymebamba and La congona

Six hrs driving up north, are these beautiful tiny villages. Leymebamba is quiet, but with an exciting museum with over 200 mummies! La Congona can be reached on foot by hiking uphill from Leymebamba.

Chachapoyas

Also known as the Warrior of the Clouds, the Chachapoyas were a pre-Incan civilisation that lived in the cloud forests of present-day Peru. Chachapoyas contains intriguing archaeological sites to explore, however, the drive is 12 hours away from our centre, so good planning will be required.

Kuelap: The second Machu Picchu

Famous fortress of the mystic “cloud warriors”. One of the very few places never conquered by the Incas. Visitors describing Kuelap indicate that it is “as impressive as Machu Picchu” while it is by far not as crowded or expensive.
The government just recently decided to invest heavily into tourist infrastructure around Kuelap. Be one of the last persons discovering it while it is still relatively unknown!

Gocta

The waterfall of Gocta (771m) is amongst the highest in the world. Although methods of measurement are debatable, it got recognized as the world’s third-highest waterfall, right after Angel Falls (Venezuela) & Tugela Falls (South Africa). Combine your visit with Kuelap and pick Chachapoyas as your home base to have an adventurous weekend!

 

Trip Accommodation

You will be staying in the district of Puyllucana which is a small village found in the east-northern part of Cajamarca. It is a beautiful part of the country, with great weather – and friendly locals too!

Located only a short distance away from Cajamarca city, this quiet location provides a relaxing atmosphere after a day out. Further, your accommodation has a beautiful view of the Andes Mountain Range and is close to the Amazon Rainforest!

About the Accommodation

The house where you will be staying is made with traditional materials such as adobe (mudbrick) and stone, and also has large gardens to enjoy. Wi-Fi will be available only in common areas, so we recommend also using 3G data if staying connected is important to you.

All volunteers are expected to be environmentally aware and to use all resources with restraint, especially water, paper and electricity. Although rooms will be cleaned daily by staff, you will be expected to clean up after yourself, and to play your part to keep accommodation neat and organised.

Food Arrangements

The food will be typically Peruvian meaning lots of corn, beans, rice, chilli peppers, potatoes, wheat, and other grain, all very vegetarian friendly. Keep in mind that some local dishes may be spicy!

Facilities

Eateries

Although there are many restaurants around this small town, “Menu centres” – locals’ version of fast food, and are a cheaper popular local choice. Known as a “Menu”, here you are offered soup, entrees and a drink before digging into your main meal.

Shops

There are good facilities within walking distance, and you’ll find a selection of shops for all your basic shopping needs.

Transportation

The accommodation is about 1.3 Km from the main square of Baños del Inca, and about 20-30 minutes away from the Cajamarca city centre by public transportation.

“Moto-taxis” are also available for quick rides around town (up to 3 people round trip cost Banos del Inca 2 – 3 soles).

Internet use

There is Wi-Fi in communal areas at your accommodations, but there is also an internet cafe in the main township where you can access wifi from when you are not at the centre.

Money

There are numerous shops and ATMs in the centre of town.

Medical

We will have a basic first aid kit on-site, but there is a clinic available in Banos del Inca. A hospital and various clinics are in nearby Cajamarca for any emergencies or health issues that may arise.

Activities & Events

Cooking Lessons

Daily: Evenings
Join your cook as they prepare meals for you and other participants. Take notes, learn new recipes, traditional food preservation techniques and more! Try not to spoil your dinner as you learn!

Farm Animals

Daily: Mornings and Evenings
Watch the local farmers near your accommodation, as they tend to their animals in daily rituals like shearing and milking.

Trip Country Info

Participant Criteria & Requirements

Standard Requirements

DBS, Criminal Background Check
Travel Insurance
Under 18, Parental Consent

Additional Requirements

Recommended Vaccinations
Donations for the children, Board Games/Books/Comics/Stationary

What's included

  • 24/7 support in case of emergencies
  • Accommodation
  • Airport Pick up
  • English speaking coordinator
  • Meals
  • Orientation

What's not included

  • Airport drop off
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Vaccination
  • Visa