About the Internship
The mission of this program is to provide essential medical care to underserved communities in Cusco, the gateway to the iconic Machu Picchu.
Rural clinics in Peru often face staff shortages, creating a critical need for additional support. Interns are placed in medical facilities in and around Cusco, where they assist doctors and nurses while helping expand access to quality healthcare for low-income patients.
This internship offers the opportunity to develop your professional skills while making a meaningful impact. Participants work in clinics and hospitals where the need is greatest, contributing to patient care and sharing their knowledge in a hands-on, culturally immersive environment.
Goals of this Project:
- Provide essential medical care to the most vulnerable people of Cusco
- Improve health and wellbeing
- Promote adequate treatment to low-income patients
- Enable international volunteers to spend time working with those who need it most
- Enable inter-cultural exchange which benefits both locals and international volunteers alike.
How You Can Help
Interns play a vital role in supporting medical care for underserved communities in Cusco. Many facilities operate with limited resources and basic equipment, meaning that even small contributions can significantly improve patients’ daily lives and access to care.
Participants gain hands-on experience across a range of medical areas, including laboratory work, gynecology, traumatology, pharmacy, and preventative medicine, depending on their skills and background. Interns are typically placed in departments where they can contribute most effectively, with opportunities to rotate through different areas for broader exposure.
Please note: Interns are required to bring their own scrubs.
Volunteers will contribute in a number of ways on this program and can expect to undertake the following tasks:
- Shadowing doctors in the treatment of patients.
- Help sort medical supplies
- Help in emergencies and field visits
- Observe and assist in minor surgeries
- Undertake routine hospital tasks as required
- Work on health and education campaigns
Requirements
This program welcomes interns who are studying medicine, are professionals in the medical or health field or have a related proven background. Suitable applicants who are 18 years and over will work alongside qualified medical professionals and gain first-hand insight into the Peruvian healthcare system. Interns on this project will need at least an intermediate understanding of Spanish in order to communicate effectively with patients and staff. Naturally, all applicants must also have a genuine willingness to help, show drive and initiative, and bring a positive 'can-do' attitude. If this sounds like you, we want you on the team!
Interns are required to bring scrubs and, if possible, gloves and a stethoscope.
Interns are also required to provide class transcripts if they are students, and a letter of motivation.
Additionally, volunteers applying to join this program will be required to supply to following documentation:
- Emergency contact
- Medical Qualification
- Passport
- Police check
- References
- Resume
Project Location
This program is hosted in Cusco, high in the Peruvian Andes. Once the capital of the ancient Inca Empire, Cusco is now known as the gateway to the world heritage site of Machu Picchu, for its archaeological remains and its stunning Spanish colonial architecture. Located in the heart of the 'old city' the central square of Plaza de Armas is the areas tourist hub and is filled with cafes, restaurants and dozens of trinket shops to explore, all set among the arcades, carved wooden balconies and Incan wall ruins, including the baroque Santo Domingo Convent which was built on top of the Incan Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha). Cusco is a fascinating city to find yourself in and a wonderful place to experience the challenges and the joys of volunteering.
Start Dates & Duration
This project is available year-round and programs start every SUNDAY. Volunteers can choose to participate for periods ranging from 4 weeks to 12 weeks. Longer stays can be arranged directly with the local team, but will be subject to availability and individual visa conditions.
Spaces on this project are limited and therefore subject to availability. Early booking is recommended.
For current available start dates please check the calendar on the right.
Arrival & Orientation
Upon your arrival in Cusco, you will be collected at the airport and delivered to your accommodation. You will receive an orientation to help you settle in, find out about your volunteering placement, the local surroundings and meet your fellow volunteers. A representative from the local team will fill you in on local and regional customs, traveling, rules and recommendations, and of course, what to expect from your volunteering experience. This is a great opportunity to get to know your hosts, meet your fellow volunteers, and ask any last questions you may have.
- Program Arrival Day: SUNDAY (between 8am-11pm)
- Program Departure Day: SATURDAY
- Arrival/Departure Airport: Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport, Cusco, Peru (Code: CUZ)
Accommodation & Meals
As with all of our wonderful programs in Cusco, volunteers on this project are accommodated with one of our friendly local host families, where breakfast and dinner of traditional Peruvian cuisine are provided daily. All home-stay families have been fully vetted by our local team. All host families have standard amenities available, including comfortable beds, hot showers and modern bathrooms (Peruvian Starndard). Wi-Fi is also available (additional charges may apply in some cases). All families have experience hosting international volunteers. Volunteers are provided with a private room and shared bathroom.
Living with a local family truly is the best way to throw oneself into the local culture and to meet people who will become lifelong friends!
Host families will provide breakfast and dinner, however it is often easier to buy lunch at a nearby cafe during the week. Meals are also provided on the weekends if required.
The host families have some rules that must be respected: No use of alcohol, no drugs, no visitors without asking for permission.
Arriving early? Additional nights accommodation with the host families, including 2 meals daily, is US$20 per night.
Fees
Please note: Program fees for this program include a donation to the hospital for much needed medical consumables and other items.
That’s just USD 48 per day* for:
*In addition to the program fees listed above a Registration Fee is payable to secure your place. The registration fee is USD 299 for those volunteering with Love Volunteers for the first time or USD 149 for any subsequent volunteer placements. The registration fee includes: lifetime LV Alumni Membership, fundraising support & advice, dedicated pre-departure support, certificate of completion (on request), and exclusive access to the LV Trip Planner.
Some things are not included in the program fees listed above, such as flights, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, additional foods and snacks, spending money, local transport, in-country trips and excursions, return airport transfer (unless mentioned above).
Please note that prices are subject to change without notice. Please ensure you have read the Love Volunteers Terms and Conditions & Refund Policy.
Additional Info
Want to learn Spanish?
Why not use this opportunity to improve your knowledge of Spanish and really get immersed in the local culture during your volunteering placement? We can offer part time Spanish classes at very competitive rates for you, so simply let us know if you are interested!
Part-time Spanish Lessons (taken in conjunction with volunteer work):
- Group Classes (20 hours per week) = USD150
- One-on-one Classes (10 hours per week) = USD115
Fees for Spanish Classes must be paid directly to your volunteer coordinator on arrival in Peru.
Tours and Excursions for Volunteers
During your time in Cusco, why not use the opportunity to explore! If you're looking for an authentic insight into the local culture, or an adventure that takes you ‘off-the-beaten-track’, you can book an excursion directly with our local partner organization. As a Love Volunteer, not only will you get a discounted price, but every time you take a trip with them, a portion of the fee is donated to one of our local development projects!
Here is some of the options available to volunteers in Cusco:
- Cusco City Half-Day Tour - US$15
- Sacred Valley Full-Day Hike - US$30
- Rainbow Mountain Full-Day Tour - US$45
- Lake Titicaca (2-day) Experience - US$85
- Machu Picchu Inca Trail Trek (4-Days) - US$650
- Machu Picchu Inca Trail Trek (2 Days) - US$530
- Machu Picchu by Train (1 Day) - US$290
- Machu Picchu by Train (2 Day) - US$340
- Package Deal (3 Days) - Cusco Half-Day Tour + Sacred Valley Tour + Machu Picchu by Train (1 Day) - US$330
*Discounts available to Love Volunteers alumni only. Bookings are made directly with the local team after a place on the program has been confirmed. Spaces subject to availability.