Inca Projects - PERU Project Information for Inca Projects in Peru

Our Voluntary Inca Project in Peru

In Peru Projects Abroad work with the Instituto Nacional de Cultura: Cusco, whose aim is to conserve and promote regional cultural heritage, much like the aim of the National Trust in England. We are lucky enough to have a formal agreement with the INC which allows us to work on some impressive sites such as Sacsayhuaman, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, the Historical Centre of Cusco and some amazing new sites in the cloud forest.

Volunteers who take part in the Inca Project are currently working on an archaeological site in Huyro, a town roughly three hours from our office in the Sacred Valley. The ruins at Huyro were recently discovered by our Peru Director Tim Dewinter; although we do not yet know a lot about the new settlement we are sure that, due to its proximity to Machu Picchu and Vilcabamba, it will become an important site for Inca historians.

From May 2007 onwards, for one week a month, we will also be able to do some excavation work on Sacsayhuamán, an amazing Incan structure. Its construction took over seven decades and required the strength of approximately 20,000 men, working together on the foundations and hewn stone works, the transportation of materials, and the carving and setting of the stones. Some of the external walls at Sacsayhuamán exceed 9 metres in height and 350 tonnes in weight.

The work that volunteers are involved in consists of three main areas; archaeology, community work and expeditions. The work varies depending on the weather and what the INC is working on at any specific time. At times volunteers will be involved with the ruins and Incan related artefacts/projects and at other times they will be working with the local community.

In general the working day starts at 7.00am with breakfast. At 7.30am volunteers leave with a member of staff to the designated work place for the week. INC staff members are involved in all work on the ruins, terraces, etc., and are present to give advice on how best to carry out the work. At 12.30pm volunteers eat their packed lunches. In the afternoon volunteers continue with the morning's work under supervision; the work varies between the ruins and archaeological related work such as excavations, cleaning walls, working on new finds from explorations and excavations and community projects. Work with the community is on projects such as agricultural and ecological activities, health campaigns, painting schools or other buildings in need of work, playing sports with local children, and helping with signposting for treks and so on.

Volunteers live in a community house close to the centre of Huyro with a family of Projects Abroad staff who cook and look after them.