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Q: |
Do I need to speak Spanish to work as a volunteer? |
| A: |
This depends on what type of work you are looking for. Typical volunteer work includes work in hospitals,
teaching English and work on specific projects in rural communities. Hospital work will obviously require
more knowledge of Spanish than the latter two examples.
It is better to know at least basic Spanish to begin with. This way, both the volunteer and the institution
will benefit much more from the time and the experience.
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Q: |
Do you have contact details of institutions in the area? |
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Most volunteer programs are organized through Incas del Peru. We have contacts with a number
of institutions in different fields. Our current opportunities include positions in:
- Health and Hospitals
- Service Industry
- Administration
- Office Work
- Education
- Rural and Agricultural Work
Incas del Peru will help volunteers find the placement that best meets their abilities as well as the
needs of the institution, and will organize accommodation, meals and transport to and from work. |
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Q: |
Do you have any comments from previous volunteers? |
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| A: |
You can read some comments from past volunteers.... and also contact them!
..."One of the things that drew us to Incas was the no volunteer placement fee and we would receive significant discounts on food and lodging. We had been looking around and one of our constraints was money and most organizations charge heavy fees to volunteers.
We really wanted to volunteer but weren’t sure if we could afford it. We had sent an info seeking email to Lucho and he replied promptly and after struggling to find decent priced plane tickets we arrived in Peru ...
Read more
Ryan and Chelsea McClain from USA ( ryjmac@hotmail.com)
..."From 12 to 25 July 2007
we did voluntary work for the Aldea el Rosario, an orphanage. Through the Incas del Peru we got in touch with the Aldea El Rosario. We found out about the Incas del Peru because of a flyer we found in a hostal in Lima. The Incas del Peru introduced us in the Aldea and helped us whenever we had questions..."Read more
Jeroen and Debby Crecou from Holland ( recou@hotmail.com) for feedback and information.
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Q: |
How long do the volunteer programs last? Can I work for just one week, for
example? I don’t have much time. |
| A: |
Usually volunteers are asked to work for at least one month to leave enough time for training.
Incas del Peru will organize any Spanish classes you may need, as well as board and lodging. |
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Q: |
What are the costs involved for volunteers?
Do we need to pay for these programs? |
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There is a $100 booking fee. You will also need to pay for lodging and food, which we can organize
with a Peruvian family, recommended hostel or apartment. The price, of course, depends on the level of
luxury! Please note that all volunteers will be eligible for a 20% discount on any services offered by
Incas del Peru. Click here for more details. |
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Q: |
Will visitors help with daily tasks? |
| A: |
This depends on the individual and on the family. Visitors will be more likely to help in
rural homestays. You will be able to go out into the fields with the locals to see how they work
and perhaps help. Incas del Peru will coordinate all extra activities. |
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Q: |
Do you have any comments from previous visitors? |
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Yes, plenty! Please refer to the TESTIMONIALS section of the website. |
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Q: |
Please can you tell me how the Patronage works, for example, are there
regular meetings and definite steps to get the train running again? |
| A: |
The Patronage was started and is fully financed by Incas del Peru. We had an office in the Lima
train station in 1998-99 but due to the privatization and subsequent closing down of the train service,
we closed the office. We hope to reopen the office when the train gets back on the rails.
For the moment, we need your written support and comments, which you can send to
incasdelperu@gmail.com. Once we receive sufficient support
in this way, we can present our case to the local and national authorities involved. Only then will we
organize meetings for interested parties and receive donations to support the campaign.
We are simply trying to put back to work a tool for tourism for the Central Andes.
Click here for the latest Updates on the Train Status! |
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Q: |
Is there a guideline on how much money we should donate to help the cause? |
| A: |
For the moment, we are not accepting donations, as we will be accused of promoting the present campaign for
profit by local political organizations. What we would really appreciate are ideas and contacts to get the
Highest Train in the World declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. |
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Q: |
Is there a petition we can sign? |
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| A: |
Yes. Please contact Incas del Peru for more information. Or send your comments to
incasdelperu@gmail.com.
These comments will be collated and presented to authorities involved. |
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Q: |
Do you have prices and times of buses from Lima to Huancayo? |
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Buses usually leave late at night (about 10 pm) or in the morning (between 6 am and midday).
It is worth checking the times with the company you want to go with beforehand as they vary
(phone numbers and addresses of bus companies are here.) As for prices,
Cruz del Sur is the most luxurious but most expensive (S/45). Etucsa costs about S/30.
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Q: |
Where is the best place to stay between Lima and Huancayo to
break up the long journey? |
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There are various villages in between the two cities, all with hostels.
Most are basic however and you may find that you are the only tourists.
Chosica has a great market and several hostels but is only 2 hours from Lima.
Tarma is probably the best village to stay the night in. There are various quality
hotels at various prices. 4 km away is a huge limestone cave (guided tours possible)
and 9 km away is the famous Santuario de El Señor de Muruhuay.
Tourist information for both these is available at 2 de Mayo 775. |
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Q: |
What is there to do in and around Huancayo? |
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There is a large and famous market in Huancayo on Jr. Huancavelica that is really worth a visit.
Incas del Peru has several walking maps of the local area incorporating many of the local craft villages,
famous for weaving (Hualhuas), silver filigree jewelry (San Jerónimo) and carved gourds (Cochas Chico).
Ask in our office for the maps and details on bus services to these villages.
Parque de la Identidad is a nearby, pretty park with statues of famous, local characters of music and folklore.
All the sculptures have meanings. Locals in colorful waistcoats will give you a guided tour.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in La Cabaña have live, folk music played by local bands with local instruments.
If you have more time, Incas del Peru can organize classes for you to learn local skills and crafts.
These include: Spanish, Quechua, weaving and panpipe playing. |
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Q: |
Can you recommend any good places to try traditional food in Huancayo? |
| A: |
La Cabaña has excellent trout ceviche and anticuchos (heart kebabs). If staying at La Casa de la Abuela,
la Abuela will prepare any local food if given notice. Families involved in the homestay program will also do so.
Antojitos on Av. Puno and Arequipa is also good. There are in fact, several good restaurants in Huancayo and in the
Mantaro valley that prepare excellent typical dishes (including pachamanca, a way of cooking underground with hot stones).
Visit Incas del Peru for a free map and advice on where to find them. |
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Q: |
If I get the train from Huancayo to Huancavelica, how can I get from
Huancavelica to Ayacucho?
I have heard there is no bus service. |
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| A: |
Emp. San Juan (Av. Andrés A. Caceres, s/n in the zone of Yananuco) has buses going to Ayacucho every day via Rumichaca.
There is an alternative route to the main road with 2 villages on the way. You have to change buses in both places (Lircay and Julcamarca) and you can stay the night in the first one called Lircay.
Bus times: Huancavelica to Lircay 2 ½ hours; Lircay to Julcamarca 3 hours; Julcamarca to Ayacucho 3 hours.
Shared taxis, or colectivos, also go to Ayacucho. |
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Q: |
What are the exact prices of the Spanish courses you offer? |
| A: |
Spanish courses (see the “COURSES” section of the website for more exact info): all courses include 3-4 hours of
Spanish lessons (Mon-Fri), 3 meals a day, 5-7 days accommodation either in our hostel - La Casa de la Abuela, or homestay,
course materials and free pick up from the bus station. Some courses include a discount on a weekend excursion, farewell
dinner and interactive Spanish practice around Huancayo.
Budget course: $110; Survival course $150; Standard course $220; Interactive course; $260. A 5% discount is offered for
students or for travelers with a guidebook that recommends Incas del Peru, and a 5% discount for guests at La Casa de
la Abuela. The prices are per week. Courses can be followed for up to a month. |
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Q: |
Do I need to book in advance for these courses? |
| A: |
In the busy season (April-September), we advise booking for Spanish courses as much in
advance as possible. Classes start on Mondays. |
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Q: |
What about the other cultural courses? |
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| A: |
We offer: Quechua; weaving; spinning and natural dye courses; cooking courses; music courses
(pan flute, panpipes, charango (small guitar) and guitar courses; gourd carving and jewellery making.
Prices include hire of teaching materials, study books (if applicable) and notebooks.
Booking at least a week in advance is essential for all the above courses.
Please contact Incas del Peru to book. |
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Q: |
What are the prices and booking details for the tours you offer? |
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YOu can find booking forms with terms and conditions in the TRIPS section of the website.
Booking forms are applicable for the mountain trek, mountain biking and high jungle tours. For prices, please
email us at incasdelperu@gmail.com
. Mountain tours can only be done when the weather permits; May to September are the best months. We would appreciate
at least two weeks notice, especially for tours lasting longer than a day. |
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Q: |
What are the minimum and maximum number of people required to go
on these tours? |
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Minimum 4 people, maximum 12 people. |
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Q: |
We are interested in doing a high jungle trek but don’t have much time.
Do you do tours of less than 5 days into the jungle?
Or can you give us information on how to get there by bus? |
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| A: |
A minimum of 4 days can be organized.
There is no bus service to the place where the trip starts. However, there are buses from Huancayo
to La Merced (5 hours by bus) where you can change and get a bus to Satipo (6 hours by bus)
in the high jungle. Please email us if you need information on where to stay; we can recommend a great place.
If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate
to send us an email; or register with our bulletin board and send your comments/questions there.
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For more information please contact us:
 incasdelperu@gmail.com
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© Copyright 2001 Incas del Peru. All Rights Reserved.
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