Experience:
Organisation:
Name: Ashlinn
Hometown: USA
Destination: Peru
Project type: Inca projects and conservation
Organisation: Projects Abroad
What were your impressions of your destination?
Peru was incredible in so many ways. I had the most wonderful host family in Pisac (near Cusco) for starters, and the people in general were nice and helpful. It is true that tourists often get the "gringo price" for taxi rides and souveniers, but I found that if you knew what the price for the locals was and stuck to that when bargaining they would usually give it to you. Travelling possibilities are endless because of its proximity to other countries, but in my opinion you hardly need to leave Peru to experience some of the best of South America. Peru has beautiful beaches (Paracas), incredible desert for sandboarding and exploring (Nazca lines, the oasis Huacachina), valleys for hiking (near Cusco), and of course, the Amazon (Puerto Maldonado).
Of course there is some adjustment needed. Showers are often dodgy at best and hostels are sometimes lacking in quality and safety (pack light and be aware when travelling around). I loved the food, but you have to be openminded sometimes. I highly recommend the cui, or guinea pig.
Was the work interesting and challenging?
I liked Inca Projects a lot. It was often pretty much slave labour cleaning ruins, but the people made it so worthwhile. Also, at least once a week we would be taken on long hikes (usually about 7 hours) to explore the Sacred Valley, which was fantastic.
The Rainforest Conservation project was wonderful, too, but also a LOT of hard labour given out in rota assignments every day such as building new bungalows or animal enclosures or hauling wood/sand (but you get a couple of hours each afternoon to relax before evening work). My favourite assignment was Lodge Maintenence where we took care of cleaning the lodge and the rescued animals (including the baby monkeys). In our down time we relaxed in the hammocks, floated down the river, and swam in the creek. We also experimented in the kitchen a lot, which was fun. We had electricity for 2 hours each evening (usually) and sometimes watched films. Oh, and going up to the highest canopy walkway in South America (you could go up for an overnight stay)? Really incredible.
What was your accommodation like? Did you feel comfortable and welcome at all times?
My host family in Pisac was wonderful. We had comfortable rooms and my host mother went out of her way to make delicious food for us. They gave us keys to the house and were very understanding that contrary to usual Peruvian customs, often their host children might sneak back in at 4 am after a night out in Cusco. :) They even allowed me to stay with them for a week free of charge after I was officially done with Projects Abroad. I had been away for the rainforest project for a month and returned extremely ill. They took excellent care of me and helped me regain my health for my flight home.
While in the jungle, the accommodation was pretty cool, too. We lived in bungalow-like building which were built by volunteers and actually built a few ourselves. Obviously being in the middle of nowhere in the Amazon means the lifestyle is quite a change from normal, but it was loads of fun and everyone was very welcoming and helped you adjust. But beware the bugs, especially the sweat flies.
Were you happy with the organisation and the staff that were responsible for you during your stay?
I was very happy with my immediate supervisors, who were all tons of fun and really nice. Sometimes the head office people were a bit fussy.
Do you feel that you got value for money on the project?
That's a tough question. In the Sacred Valley projects, most of the projects you do are things which you could theoretically arrange for yourself by, for example, contacting schools directly to teach English. However, in that case you would be pretty much alone. What you're paying for is a support system (which is really important for first time travellers) and the opportunity to meet other volunteers. In the jungle, you obviously are paying to help support the lodge and for your food, although I am not entirely sure how much of the money you put into the project goes straight into the hands it should.
Would you recommend the project to others?
Yes
