Mission Trip – International Medical Relief – Cusco, Peru

International Medical Relief Mission Trip - Cusco, Peru

Mission: Peru Cusco Classic
Organization: International Medical Relief (IMR)
Location: Cusco & Sacred Valley, Peru
Mission Dates: 12/20/2026-12/26/2026
Arrival & Orientation: 12/20/2026
Clinic Days: 12/21/2026-12/24/2026
Free Day: 12/25/2026
Departure: 12/26/2026
Mission Length: 7 days / 4 clinic days
Starting Mission Contribution: $1,900
Trip Type: Classic
Volunteer Opportunities: Medical, dental, pharmacy, other healthcare professionals, and non-medical volunteers
Lodging: Safe, comfortable, authentic accommodations in Cusco
Clinic Transportation: Arranged by IMR
Compensation: Volunteer / Unpaid

The mission runs from December 20-26, 2026, with a starting contribution of $1,900.

Mission Overview

International Medical Relief is assembling a multidisciplinary volunteer team to serve underserved communities in Cusco and Peru's Sacred Valley.

Volunteers will spend four clinic days providing medical, dental, vision, and health-education services to communities with limited access to consistent healthcare. Physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals can contribute their clinical expertise, while non-medical volunteers, families, and friends also play important roles in patient support, logistics, and education.

IMR has been working in Peru since 2012, with hundreds of volunteers and staff serving tens of thousands of patients. The organization continues to return to the region to support continuity of care, health education, local partnerships, medical supplies, and sustainable healthcare initiatives.

Mission Highlights

• 7-day international humanitarian mission
• 4 dedicated clinic days
• Serve underserved communities throughout Cusco and the Sacred Valley
• Work directly with Quechua communities
• Physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals welcome
• Non-medical volunteers, family members, and friends can also participate
• Provide care for acute and chronic medical conditions
• Address common conditions including hypertension, diabetes, infections, and injuries
• Provide urgent dental and vision care
• Women's and maternal health needs
• Nutrition, hygiene, and disease-prevention education
• Work shoulder-to-shoulder with local healthcare professionals
• Support long-term continuity of care and sustainable health initiatives
• Safe transportation to clinic locations arranged by IMR
• Authentic accommodations in Cusco
• Christmas-week mission with 12/25 designated as a free day
• Opportunities to experience the Sacred Valley and Andean culture
• Optional extensions to Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, and the Sacred Valley

The Need

Communities throughout the Sacred Valley surrounding Cusco face significant barriers to healthcare and medical resources.

IMR identifies preventable and infectious illnesses--including tuberculosis, pneumonia, malaria, dengue, and yellow fever--among the region's health concerns. Poor water quality also contributes to gastrointestinal illness and parasitic infections, while inadequate dental care and nutrition particularly affect children and older adults.

Women's health is another important need. Limited access to maternal healthcare and health education can contribute to complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

In addition to providing treatment, volunteers have an opportunity to give patients and families practical education about disease prevention, nutrition, hygiene, and healthier daily practices.

Our Work

IMR began its relief efforts in Peru in 2012 and has since worked with local communities to provide medical treatment, health education, supplies, equipment, and support for sustainable clinic operations.

The organization's model emphasizes working directly with local healthcare professionals rather than functioning independently of the existing healthcare system.

IMR's Peru initiatives align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for Good Health & Wellbeing, Clean Water & Sanitation, and Partnerships for the Goals. Its work includes safe-water initiatives, water filtration, hydration and hygiene education, and collaboration with local healthcare partners.

This Mission

Volunteers will provide care to underserved populations throughout Cusco and the Sacred Valley.

The multidisciplinary team expects to address a broad range of medical needs, from chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes to acute infections and injuries.

The mission will also provide urgent dental and vision care and health education covering disease prevention, nutrition, hygiene, and other locally important health issues.

A particularly meaningful part of the mission is the opportunity to work with Quechua communities. Patients may present with concerns related to their daily environment and lifestyle, including back pain, dry eyes, and nutritional challenges.

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Specific duties will depend on the volunteer's credentials, experience, IMR's needs, and the scope authorized for the mission.

Healthcare professionals may participate in patient assessments, primary and preventive care, chronic-disease management, acute care, women's health, dental care, vision services, patient education, and other services appropriate to their professional credentials.

Non-medical volunteers may support patient flow, clinic logistics, education, community engagement, and patient assistance.

All clinical volunteers must practice only within their professional credentials and the scope authorized by IMR and applicable local requirements.

Sustainable Impact & Continuity of Care

This mission is designed to be part of an ongoing relationship rather than a one-time clinic.

IMR regularly returns to the region to provide follow-up services, continued medical supplies, education, and training, helping create continuity and longer-term improvements in community health.

Volunteers therefore contribute to both immediate patient care and a broader effort to strengthen healthcare access and community health over time.

Lodging & Transportation

Volunteers will stay in comfortable, authentic lodging in Cusco that combines traditional Andean character with convenient access to the historic city.

IMR arranges safe and comfortable transportation to clinic locations. Depending on the clinic site, volunteers may travel through the surrounding Andean landscape and Sacred Valley communities.

Volunteers looking for upgraded 3+ star, Western-style hotel accommodations can review IMR's separate Signature Trip option.

Itinerary at a Glance

Experience Cusco & the Sacred Valley

The mission provides an opportunity to serve patients while experiencing one of South America's most historically and culturally significant regions.

Cusco was the historic heart of the Inca civilization and serves as a gateway to the Sacred Valley. Volunteers will have opportunities outside clinic to experience Andean culture, local cuisine, historic architecture, markets, and surrounding landscapes.

Potential attractions include Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, Maras salt mines, Moray, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and other Sacred Valley communities and archaeological sites.

Optional Trip Extension

Volunteers may choose to extend their stay after the mission through optional travel experiences.

Potential extensions include Machu Picchu, a journey through the Sacred Valley, Rainbow Mountain, and the Via Ferrata/Sky Capsule experience.

These extensions are separate from the primary mission and are coordinated through IMR's travel partner.

Mission Contribution

The Peru Cusco Classic mission is listed as starting at $1,900.

This is an unpaid volunteer humanitarian mission, not a paid locum tenens or healthcare assignment.

The mission contribution supports IMR's ongoing global relief and capacity-building efforts. Participants should confirm directly with IMR exactly what is included and any additional costs associated with airfare, meals, vaccinations, insurance, personal expenses, optional excursions, or extensions.

Important HPA Healthcare Notice

HPA Healthcare is sharing this opportunity with our healthcare practitioner network for individuals interested in international humanitarian service.

HPA Healthcare is not the sponsor, organizer, operator, employer, staffing agency, or administrator of this mission. The mission is organized and administered by International Medical Relief.

Participation is entirely voluntary and independent of any employment, independent-contractor, locum tenens, or other professional relationship with HPA Healthcare. Participation or non-participation will not affect eligibility for HPA Healthcare assignments.

International Medical Relief and its local partners determine volunteer eligibility, credentialing requirements, clinical responsibilities, permitted scope of practice, mission fees, travel requirements, lodging, transportation, insurance, safety protocols, and all other mission operations.

Healthcare professionals should not assume that malpractice or other insurance associated with an HPA Healthcare assignment extends to international volunteer activities. Participants should confirm directly with IMR what professional liability, travel medical, emergency evacuation, and other insurance coverage is provided or required.

About International Medical Relief

International Medical Relief organizes humanitarian medical missions that bring healthcare professionals and non-medical volunteers together with local partners to serve vulnerable and underserved communities.

In Peru, IMR has maintained an ongoing presence since 2012. Its approach combines direct patient care, dental and vision services, health education, clean-water initiatives, local partnerships, training, and continuity of care to create an impact that extends beyond an individual mission.