kamanti hostel

🌎 WHAT DOES A VOLUNTEER HAVE TO DO WITH ALL THIS?

Because this project is still growing, we are not looking for volunteers to maintain a structure that is already finished; we want people who can accompany us during the process of building it—perhaps someone can help us prepare a garden; another can repair a table; someone with carpentry experience can teach us a technique; another person can paint a space for the cats; someone who knows social media can help us tell our story; and perhaps someone who has never done any of these things can simply arrive with a desire to learn and help.

Each person can contribute something different.

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🔥 LIFE OUTSIDE OF WORK

For us, volunteering should not be only about getting up, working, and sleeping; we also want to share a meal prepared by everyone, a conversation after work, a walk, a night around the fire, a recipe from another country, music, stories, time to get to know Pisac and the Sacred Valley. Each volunteer will also have their own time to explore and enjoy Peru. We don’t want to create a community where everyone has to do everything together. We want a community where each person has the freedom to participate, rest, explore, and share.

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💚 WHY BE PART OF KAMANTI?

Perhaps because you want to learn something new, perhaps because you like animals, perhaps because you want to experiment with agriculture, perhaps because you have experience in carpentry or construction and want to share it, perhaps because you are traveling and seeking something different from a few days as a tourist. Or perhaps you simply want to meet people from other places and be part of a small community for a while.

We don’t need you to have all the answers.

We are interested in knowing who you are, what you know how to do, what you would like to learn, and what you would like to contribute.

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🌱 A STORY WE ARE STILL WRITING

I don’t want to present Kamanti as a perfect project; it isn’t one. There are things we’re still learning, spaces we still have to build, projects that are still only ideas. And we will probably make mistakes along the way, but that’s also part of what I want to share. Kamanti is growing as we grow with it; what began with a family property and a small home in Pisac now wants to become something broader: a place where people, animals, land, knowledge, and different cultures can meet.

Perhaps in a few years we’ll look back and remember that it all began with a few people working together: a rescued cat, a seed planted, a repaired table, a wall built, a shared meal, a conversation around the fire, small things.

But together you can completely change a place.

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🏔️ DISCOVER CUSCO: THE VALLEY IS ALSO PART OF THE PROJECT

Kamanti doesn’t end at our doorstep.

An important part of our proposal is to help those who come to know Pisac, the Sacred Valley, and other culturally and archaeologically significant sites in Cusco.

From Kamanti we organize and facilitate local tours and experiences to different archaeological centers and iconic places in the region, so that our guests and volunteers can know the territory beyond the usual circuits.

From Pisac you can discover places such as the Pisac Archaeological Center, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and other sites in the Sacred Valley, as well as various cultural and archaeological destinations in Cusco.

For us, traveling doesn’t mean just arriving somewhere and taking photographs.

We want those who pass through Kamanti to learn a little about the history, the traditions, the landscapes, and the communities that are part of this territory

🐾🌱 KAMANTI

A place to come.
A place to learn.
A place to contribute.
A place to build community.

Pisac is our meeting point.
MAska, the country house, is our space to create.
And the volunteers are part of the story we are starting to write.

transformation of our home (various projects: bioconstruction, artistic projects, organic farm, marketing, event organization and help to run and grow a shelter for abandoned cats

My name is Andrés and I am thirty-two years old. Seven years ago I decided to leave behind my previous life and move to Pisac, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, to undertake a very personal project: rescuing an old family property that had been abandoned for more than six years.

The house belonged to my grandfather and was the setting for many happy moments of my childhood, it became dilapidated and in ruins, but it never ceased to be part of my heart. That’s why I decided to bring it back to life and turn it into a beautiful shelter, a small paradise.

This project is also a tribute to my family. Despite the problems I caused in my childhood, my excesses and my rebellion during adolescence, they always supported me, trusted me and gave me unconditional love.

My childhood was marked by the love of my mother. I remember that they always treated me in a special way, perhaps because I was a very attached to her and sensitive kid. Although in my family we went through some difficulties, from a young age I understood that I did not want to be another worry for my mother. That experience taught me to value the effort, the strength, and the love of those who accompany us.

My family comes from a life linked to the countryside and to the farm, a tradition that has always been present in my story. That’s why I was born with the dream of becoming a great farmer: someone able to work the land, learn from it and share his knowledge to improve it and protect it.

Returning to these lands was a deeply important decision. I returned not only to work but also to recover my roots and give a new meaning to my family’s history. My purpose is to show that, with dedication, knowledge and respect for nature, it is possible to transform the land and build a better future.

When I arrived, the property was in really complicated conditions. The house had been abandoned for a long time: there were insects, cobwebs and rats everywhere. The roof was very deteriorated and, when it rained, water entered from several places and moistened the whole house.

There was no adequate water system. There was no bathroom as such; there was only a dark, deteriorated room. To bathe, I had to use cold water since I did not have a good electricity connection, so for many nights I had to do all my activities by candlelight.
The doors, windows and balconies woods were also in very bad condition damaged by the abandonment, the rain and the weather.

However, the work on the property is not finished yet. I still have many projects and improvements to carry out. There is one, in particular, that I have had to postpone for lack of time and money, although for me it is even more important than the restoration of the house: building a shelter for abandoned cats.

I cannot keep seeing so many cats suffer every day on the streets. It breaks my heart and I am deeply frustrated to feel that I do not have enough resources to help them all. Cats are one of the great loves of my life and before I die, I want to save as many as I can.

It hurts me to say it, but in this part of the world many people still act as if animals do not have feelings. They abandon them, hit them and see them wandering the streets, dying of hunger, cold and loneliness, doing nothing to help them.

I do not intend to make money from this project; That has never been my goal. I have space to house the cats, materials to build shelters for them and volunteers willing to bathe them and help them. What I need are people who can help care for them, give them affection, and create a website that allows us to find donations and adoptive families for all the cats I want to rescue from the streets.

Regarding work, I am still very young and I have always thought that happiness should be one of our main priorities, even before work or money. However, I am not so naive as to ignore that I need to work for my project to progress. Therefore, my proposal is completely related to my philosophy: to combine work and my knowledge with happiness.

Perhaps it is a matter of karma or simply good luck, but the truth is that throughout all this time I have gotten on very well with the volunteers who have come; I have always had a peculiar energy. In my house there has always been a pleasant atmosphere, based on camaraderie, kindness, understanding, work and respect. We all work together to keep the house clean and organized; We work, share and have fun together as friends.

For us, volunteers are fundamental. We fully integrate them into the team, assigning responsibilities and creating spaces to share. We consider that working together strengthens coexistence and allows memorable experiences: nature walks, workshops on local customs, nights of shared cooking or small community activities. At Kamanti we live like family: there is respect, solidarity and gratitude for everyone's contribution. We value those who come with the willingness to help and learn, offering not only work but also companionship, training and moments of genuine human exchange.

If you are looking for a meaningful volunteer experience in Cusco - Pisac where you can collaborate, learn about the history and spirituality of the valley and contribute to animal welfare, Kamanti offers you a place full of human warmth and opportunities to grow and leave a positive mark. Come and let's build this dream together.