The image shows three people taking a selfie in front of Machu Picchu, with the ancient Inca city and mountains visible in the background.
The image shows a person holding a small bird, likely a hummingbird, with their hands. The bird is perched on the person\'s hand, and the background is out of focus.
The image depicts a group of people standing on a mountain peak, with a valley below and a clear sky, conveying a sense of adventure and exploration. The scene is serene and peaceful.
The image depicts a serene scene of a woman standing in front of a large body of water, with a tree-lined shore and a clear sky, evoking a sense of peace and tranquility.
The image depicts a woman preparing food in a restaurant setting, with a table featuring plates of food and a shelf stocked with mugs and glasses in the background.
A person is using a power tool on a piece of wood, likely for a DIY project, with the tool\'s cord visible and the wood appearing to be a table top or shelf.
The image depicts two men working in a shed, with one man operating a table saw and the other standing nearby, surrounded by tools and materials.
A woman stands on a ladder, smiling, next to a signpost with multiple signs in different languages, in a grassy area with trees and a dirt path.
Two men are pulling a rope attached to a large object, likely a boat, with a third man standing on the shore, all wearing life jackets. The scene is set against a body of water.
A person is operating a chainsaw, cutting down a tree branch, with the saw positioned on the ground and the person standing behind it, surrounded by a pile of cut branches.
A person is carrying a large load of dirt or soil, possibly for landscaping or gardening purposes, with the image showing their efforts and the natural surroundings. The scene is outdoors and appears to be a sunny day.
The image depicts a couple sitting on a rock, with a mountainous landscape and an ancient Inca city in the background, set against a cloudy sky.
A young woman with long hair is crouched down, smiling, and painting a wooden table base outside a building with a red wall.
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Nature reserve and cloud forest in Machu Picchu, Peru

  • Peru
  • Last activity : 29 Jul 2025

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    Last replied

    26 Jul 2025

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    Reply rate

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    Usually responds within 4 days

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Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: 1 month or more

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What's this?

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  • Description

    Description

    Hola! I’m Erwin, and together with my family, we run a nature reserve and ecotourism project just 2 km from Machu Picchu, nestled in a beautiful cloud forest. It is home to waterfalls, rivers, trails, mountains, and botanical gardens, offering visitors a chance to connect with nature sustainably.

    My grandparents bought this land in the 60s for farming, but in the 80s, new government regulations ended their main livelihood, and in 1998, my mother turned it into a conservation project focused on protecting biodiversity. Over the years, my siblings and I joined her, and after finishing university, I decided to stay and help full-time. That’s when I started welcoming volunteers.

    Sadly, in February 2024, an unexpected flash flood caused severe damage, destroying our trails, natural attractions, and much of the reforested areas. We lost not only part of the ecosystem, but also our main source of income. Thankfully, none of us were hurt and we were able to start over again.

    We’re now focused on rebuilding, and that’s where you come in. I’d love to welcome you as a volunteer! Whether you enjoy working with people, have creative or technical skills, or simply want to lend a hand, there’s always a way to contribute. Every bit of help counts. We’re open to ideas, eager to learn, and grateful for any support on this journey.
    __________________________

    Hola! Me llamo Erwin, y junto a mi familia gestionamos, una reserva natural y proyecto de ecoturismo ubicado a solo 2 km de Machu Picchu, en medio de un hermoso bosque nuboso. Alberga cascadas, ríos, senderos, montañas y jardines botánicos, ofreciendo a los visitantes una conexión con la naturaleza de manera sostenible.

    Mis abuelos compraron esta tierra en los años 60 para la agricultura, pero en los 80, nuevas regulaciones del gobierno les impidieron continuar con sus principales actividades. En 1998, mi madre transformó el lugar en un proyecto de conservación enfocado en proteger la biodiversidad. Con el tiempo, mis hermanos y yo nos unimos a su labor, y tras terminar la universidad, decidí quedarme y ayudar a tiempo completo. Fue entonces cuando comenzamos a recibir voluntarios.

    Lamentablemente, en febrero de 2024, una repentina inundación causó graves daños: destruyó nuestros senderos, atracciones naturales y gran parte de las áreas reforestadas. Perdimos no solo parte del ecosistema, sino también nuestra principal fuente de ingresos. Afortunadamente, ninguno de nosotros resultó herido y pudimos empezar con todo nuevamente.

    Ahora estamos enfocados en la reconstrucción, y ahí es donde entras tú. ¡Me encantaría que te nos unieras! Ya sea que disfrutes trabajar con personas, tengas habilidades creativas o técnicas, o simplemente quieras colaborar, siempre hay una forma de contribuir. Toda ayuda suma. Estamos abiertos a nuevas ideas, con ganas de aprender y muy agradecidos por cualquier apoyo en este proceso.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Art Projects
    Help with Eco Projects
    Elderly Companionship
    Teaching
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    Hospitality/Tourism
    General Maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
    House sitting
  • Interests

    Interests

    Farming
    Sustainability
    Technology
    Videography
    Plant care
    Photography
    Languages
    Gardening
    Drawing & painting
    DIY & crafts
    Cooking & food
    Carpentry
    Art & design
    Architecture
    Hiking
    Outdoor activities
    Nature
    Mountain
    Camping
    Adventure sports
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    Icon

    ...

    ...

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    We share our place to volunteers as they would be part of our family, and after few weeks they will become. We are so happy to become good friends and that they share our passion for nature conservation and for this project.

    Since we are peruvian and we grew up here you will find an authentic experience and authentic peruvian food you will love.

    Living far away from the city facilities taught us a different way of living, how we manage our energy, how we get our food, how we live and work and even what we do with the trash.

    For example we supply some of our food from the garden, and most of our remedies can be found in the field. We also generate our own electricity, we manage our energy in a different way since it is reduced. Trash is a big topic here since there isn't a solution provided by our government, we reduce, recycle, compost and select the different types of trash finally we walk 2 Km with it to the garbage place.

    We have gained some knowledge about plants cultivation, reforestation, ecology and biodiversity. Same for the house maintenance and construction, since we need to solve everything by ourselves we have plenty of tools and some knowledge on carpentry, masonry, electronics, electricity, etc.

    On top of that, I enjoy training martial arts and would be happy to share some basic techniques or train together with volunteers and friends. I practice things like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, flexibility and strength exercises, and other movement-based training.

    We are happy to share all of these and more.

  • Help

    Help

    We welcome volunteers who wish to leave the place better than they found it. Contributing their skills, creativity, energy, and commitment to help us grow.

    Whether you're assisting in our coffee shop and reception of our ecolodge and ecopark, your efforts help us offer quality services and unforgettable experiences to everyone visiting.
    You might also support us by promoting us online, creating content, designing materials, or helping improve our marketing strategies.
    And of course, hands-on help with maintenance, gardening, or repairs is always appreciated, as is support in biodiversity research and developing educational resources for our community.

    There’s always something new to improve or create, and with every contribution, you become part of the story. You leave your footprint in this land, and it stays with us long after you go.

    ======

    Damos la bienvenida a voluntarios que deseen dejar mejor de lo que lo encontraron, aportando sus habilidades, creatividad, energía y compromiso para ayudarnos a crecer.

    Ya sea ayudando en la cafetería y recepción de nuestro parque natural y el ecolodge, tu esfuerzo nos permite ofrecer servicios de calidad y experiencias inolvidables a nuestros visitantes.
    Pueden colaborar promoviendo en redes sociales, creando contenido, diseñando materiales o ayudando a mejorar nuestras estrategias de marketing.
    También valoramos mucho el apoyo práctico en mantenimiento, jardinería o reparaciones, así como la investigación en biodiversidad y la elaboración de recursos educativos para nuestra comunidad.

    Siempre hay algo nuevo por mejorar o crear, y con cada aporte, pasas a formar parte de la historia. Dejas tu huella en esta tierra, y permanece con nosotros mucho después de que te vayas.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    Spanish: Fluent
    Quechua: Fluent
    French: Beginner
    Japanese: Beginner

    This host offers a language exchange
    This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
    You can contact them directly for more information.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    We are located just below Waynapicchu (only 2 km from Machu Picchu), immersed in a lush mountain forest with rivers, waterfalls, and panoramic views. You’ll stay in a bed in a shared room within our home, enjoying a warm family atmosphere. We offer hot showers, drinking water, and satellite internet access via Wi‑Fi. You’ll also have access to a small exercise area, nature trails, gardens, a kayak for river exploration, and a peaceful setting surrounded by mountains.

    Due to recent events, we’re sadly no longer able to cover food expenses for volunteers . We can offer three meals a day, and to help cover the cost of ingredients, we suggest an optional contribution of 10 USD per day. This payment is entirely voluntary, and if you prefer, you’re welcome to bring and consume your own food or snacks. Note: there is no kitchen available for personal use.

    ======

    Estamos ubicados justo debajo de Waynapicchu (a solo 2 km de Machu Picchu), rodeados de bosque montano, ríos, cascadas y paisajes increíbles. Te alojarás en una habitación compartida dentro de nuestra casa, con un ambiente cálido y familiar. Contamos con duchas de agua caliente, agua potable y Wi‑Fi satelital. También hay una pequeña zona para hacer ejercicio, senderos en la naturaleza, jardines, un kayak para recorrer el río y muchos rincones tranquilos para relajarte y disfrutar de las montañas.

    Debido a los sucesos recientes, lamebtamos no poder cubrir con los costes de alimentación. Podemos ofrecer tres comidas al día, y para ayudar a cubrir el costo de los ingredientes, sugerimos una contribución opcional de 10 USD por día. Es voluntario, también puedes traer tus propios alimentos o snacks si lo prefieres. Importante: no hay cocina disponible para uso personal.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    We are very close to Machu Picchu, you can come to our area on a mini-van or by train from Cusco (mini-van is cheaper). We will provide all possible information for better getting to our area.

    On your days off, let the mountains guide your steps. Breathe deeply and sit by the waterfalls, hike hidden trails through lush forest, bathe in warm springs, take a cold bath in the crystal-clear rivers, listen to the sounds of the wild. Explore forgotten ruins, and experience the contrast between touristic Machu Picchu and Santa Teresa towns.

    We had really nice experiences with volunteers from all over the world which has permitted us to exchange culture and points of view, we have learned many things from each other, share experiences, have fun, made some short trips and adventures in nature.
    We love to build long-term friendships and stay in contact with them, we have become a familly and always remember their contribution, initiative and love to our initiative.

    Love to all.

    Erwin and Nelly

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    We have satellite internet and our electricity supply is generated by ourselves, so our internet connection is not 100% guaranteed although fast enough (starlink provided)

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • My animals / pets

    My animals / pets

    Nina

    Kira

Host ref number: 439364517312

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Photos

The image shows three people taking a selfie in front of Machu Picchu, with the ancient Inca city and mountains visible in the background.
The image shows a person holding a small bird, likely a hummingbird, with their hands. The bird is perched on the person\'s hand, and the background is out of focus.
The image depicts a group of people standing on a mountain peak, with a valley below and a clear sky, conveying a sense of adventure and exploration. The scene is serene and peaceful.
The image depicts a serene scene of a woman standing in front of a large body of water, with a tree-lined shore and a clear sky, evoking a sense of peace and tranquility.
The image depicts a woman preparing food in a restaurant setting, with a table featuring plates of food and a shelf stocked with mugs and glasses in the background.
A person is using a power tool on a piece of wood, likely for a DIY project, with the tool\'s cord visible and the wood appearing to be a table top or shelf.
The image depicts two men working in a shed, with one man operating a table saw and the other standing nearby, surrounded by tools and materials.
A woman stands on a ladder, smiling, next to a signpost with multiple signs in different languages, in a grassy area with trees and a dirt path.
 Show all photos
Two men are pulling a rope attached to a large object, likely a boat, with a third man standing on the shore, all wearing life jackets. The scene is set against a body of water.
A person is operating a chainsaw, cutting down a tree branch, with the saw positioned on the ground and the person standing behind it, surrounded by a pile of cut branches.
A person is carrying a large load of dirt or soil, possibly for landscaping or gardening purposes, with the image showing their efforts and the natural surroundings. The scene is outdoors and appears to be a sunny day.
The image depicts a couple sitting on a rock, with a mountainous landscape and an ancient Inca city in the background, set against a cloudy sky.
A young woman with long hair is crouched down, smiling, and painting a wooden table base outside a building with a red wall.

Feedback

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Cultural exchange:
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