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Medical Volunteer Program in Peru – Cusco
Volunteers working in medical volunteer program in Peru make a genuine contribution to staff working within Peru’s health clinics, medical centers and understand the Peruvian healthcare system
This program places you in health clinics and medical centers in Cusco that serve underprivileged communities. Day to day, you shadow local doctors and nurses, join ward rounds, help with routine checkups such as measuring blood pressure and checking for fever, keep patient files and fill out medical forms, and support patients with comfort and communication. It suits pre-med, medical and nursing students with an intermediate level of Spanish who want hands-on exposure to Peru's healthcare system.
Placements run 1–24 weeks, starting every week (sundays), with the next start on 20 Sep 2026. You live with a host family in Cusco, sharing a room with other volunteers, with three home-cooked meals a day Monday to Friday. Prices start at $854 (deposit included). What sets this program apart is that your clinical tasks are matched to your qualification and Spanish level, so students with more medical background get correspondingly more hands-on exposure, always under direct supervision, while weekends stay free for the Sacred Valley or Machu Picchu.
- Medical Volunteer Abroad in Peru is an opportunity to understand the country’s healthcare system and make a difference to the lives of the locals
- Work/Assist a professional doctor/nurse in local healthcare clinics
- Responsibilities include suturing wounds, giving vaccinations, shadowing/observing doctors during operations, treatments, maintaining records
- Duties also depend on Spanish level and prior work experience
- Weekends are free to explore the country and visit the heritage sites of Peru
Your role on this program
- Shadow and assist doctors and nurses during ward rounds, treatments and operations, observing under direct supervision
- Assist with routine checkups such as measuring blood pressure and checking for fever
- Help maintain patient files and fill out medical forms and documentation
- Support patients with comfort and communication during their care
- Depending on your qualification and Spanish level, assist with tasks such as suturing wounds or administering vaccinations, always under the direct supervision of the treating clinician
- Participate in the daily routine of the clinic and assist wherever the placement needs support
Exact duties vary with the placement's needs, the season and your experience.
Role boundaries
Volunteers do not diagnose, prescribe medication, or make clinical decisions; any hands-on task such as suturing or giving vaccinations happens only under the direct supervision of the treating doctor or nurse and only within what your training and qualification allow. Duties depend on your medical background, Spanish level and the placement's needs, and can vary from mostly observing to assisting more directly.
A typical day and week
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Sunday – Arrival in Cusco, Peru
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Monday – An orientation session will be conducted by the local coordinator, informing the volunteers about relative topics such as safety, culture, language, places to visit, behavior, food, and other suggestion over things to do in Peru.
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Tue to Fri – Volunteer Work.
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Weekends: Free to explore the city/ Head out for Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley etc.
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Breakfast – 07:00 am to 08:00 am
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Working hours at the placement – 09:00 am to 01:00 pm and 02:00 pm to 03:00 pm (The second shifts depends on the requirement at the placement)
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Lunch – 01:00 pm to 02:00 pm
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Dinner – 07:00 pm to 08:00 pm
The same volunteer work schedule continues from the second week onwards.
Note: Please note, the schedule may vary depending on the particular project the volunteer is participating in.
Timings are the placement's usual pattern; the local team confirms your hours at orientation, and they can change with school terms, clinic rotas, weather and the project's needs.
Who can join and what you need
- Minimum age 18
- Pre-med, medical, or nursing student, or equivalent healthcare background
- Intermediate level of Spanish
- Clean criminal background check issued within 12 months of the start date
- CV and documents showing your qualifications, submitted before joining
- Travel/medical insurance, either your own policy or the one Volunteering Solutions arranges
- An open, flexible attitude for working in a clinical setting in a new culture
The placement, its limits and your part in it
You are placed in local health clinics and medical centers in Cusco that serve underprivileged communities, working alongside the doctors and nurses who run daily operations there. The clinic staff, not volunteers, direct patient care and decide what you are asked to help with, based on your qualification and Spanish level.
Because this is a clinical setting, safeguarding is built into how the role is scoped: a criminal background check is required before you start, and any hands-on task stays under direct supervision of a treating clinician, within your own training. Your contribution is practical support to the clinic's daily routine, such as record-keeping, basic checkups and patient support, alongside the chance to observe how the local healthcare system operates, rather than independent medical work.
Start dates
Weekly start dates, year-round — pick any week across the next two years.
Program fees by duration
Prices include your $249 booking deposit — which is deducted from your total program fee. Your deposit stays valid for one year, during which you may enroll in multiple programs. A 5% international banking fee applies to credit-card payments in USD or AUD.
| Duration | Total price | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week | $854 | |
| 2 weeks | $1,004 | |
| 3 weeks | $1,154 | |
| 4 weeks | $1,306 | |
| 5 weeks | $1,594 | |
| 6 weeks | $1,783 | |
| 7 weeks | $1,972 | |
| 8 weeks | $2,181 | |
| Each additional week | +$425 / week |
Indicative conversion — your booking is charged in the currency you choose at checkout.
✓ What you're paying for
- 24 hrs Assistance and support from VS Staff
- Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
- Pickup from Cusco Airport or Bus Station
- Orientation
- Accommodation in a homestay
- Meals from Monday to Friday
- Insurance (Provided at an extra cost)
- Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)
Not included
- Airfare
- Visa and Visa extension fee
- Return airport drop and airport taxes
- Local Transportation
- Any personal expenses
Accommodation & meals
Airport Transfer
As soon as you land at Cusco Airport, our friendly local coordinator or representative will be there to greet you. If you’re traveling overland or are already in Peru, we’ll arrange a convenient pickup at a designated meeting point or bus station. You´ll see the VolSol logo and your name at the airport door.
Orientation
Get ready for an exciting journey with our orientation! Our local staff will introduce you to key aspects of life in Peru, covering topics like culture, greetings, transportation, safety, and your volunteer placements. This session will help you feel right at home!
Accommodation
Experience authentic Peruvian culture by staying with a local host family! You’ll share a cozy room with fellow volunteers, giving you the chance to bond and make new friends. Most host families have two bathrooms equipped with hot showers, and the accommodations are clean and comfortable. Many homes also offer Wi-Fi and cable TV for your convenience.
Meals
Enjoy delicious home-cooked meals with your host family, served three times a day from Monday to Friday. The menu varies daily and typically includes mouth-watering soups, fresh salads, rice, potatoes, refreshing juices, and delightful desserts.
During your Free Time
During your free time, feel free to explore, shop, or relax! Most weekends, volunteers seize the opportunity to visit the breathtaking Sacred Valley or the world-renowned Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas. In Cusco, take a leisurely stroll around the Plaza de Armas, discovering local restaurants and vibrant shopping areas along the way.
Life on the program
Getting there and who looks after you in Peru
Airport or bus station pickup
You are met at Cusco Airport (CUZ), or at the bus station if arriving overland, by a local coordinator holding the VolSol logo and your name.
First night with your host family
You settle into your host family homestay in Cusco, sharing a room with other volunteers.
Orientation on Monday
The local coordinator runs an orientation covering culture, safety, transport, behavior, food and your specific placement, with a walking tour of the city as one of the topics.
First day at the clinic
Volunteer work runs Tuesday to Friday, with working hours from 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 3pm depending on the placement's needs.
Ongoing daily support
The in-country coordinator and a 24-hour emergency contact are available throughout the placement, with the same weekly schedule continuing from the second week onward.
From volunteers in Peru
Frequently asked questions
What will I actually do on this program?
You shadow and assist doctors and nurses in Cusco's health clinics and medical centers, helping with routine checkups, patient files, medical forms and patient support, with more hands-on tasks depending on your qualification and Spanish level.
Do I need to be a qualified doctor or nurse to join?
No, the program welcomes pre-med, medical and nursing students from 18, and your specific duties are matched to your medical background and Spanish level.
Will I suture wounds or give vaccinations myself?
Any task like this is only offered if it matches your training, and it is always done under the direct supervision of the treating clinician; the local staff decide what is appropriate case by case.
What is a typical day like?
Volunteer work runs Tuesday to Friday, with working hours from 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 3pm, the second shift depending on what the placement needs that day.
How long can I volunteer and when do programs start?
Placements run 1–24 weeks and start every week (sundays), with the next start date on 20 Sep 2026.
What does the price include?
The program costs from $854 (deposit included), covering airport or bus station pickup, orientation, homestay accommodation, meals Monday to Friday, 24-hour staff support and a certificate of completion on request; flights, visa fees, local transport and personal expenses are not included.
Where will I live and eat?
You stay with a host family in Cusco, sharing a room with other volunteers, with three home-cooked meals a day from Monday to Friday; weekend meals are on you.
How does airport pickup work?
A local coordinator meets you at Cusco Airport (CUZ), or at the bus station if you travel overland, holding the VolSol logo and your name.
What support is available if something goes wrong?
The in-country team gives you a 24-hour emergency contact plus ongoing supervision from clinic staff throughout your placement.
Do I need a background check or specific documents?
Yes, a clean criminal background check issued within 12 months of your start date is required, along with a CV and documents showing your qualifications, since this is a placement working with patients.
What about insurance, visas and vaccinations?
Travel/medical insurance is compulsory, either your own policy or the one Volunteering Solutions arranges; visa requirements and any vaccination guidance are sent in the pre-departure information before you leave.
Who is this program best suited for?
It suits pre-med, medical and nursing students with an intermediate level of Spanish who want supervised, hands-on exposure to a clinical setting and are comfortable with duties varying by placement.
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