Amazon Conservation
Peru

The goal of the Amazon Conservation project is to help protect the Amazon rainforest through research and community work in the Manu region. The volunteer role changes day-to-day depending on the what is required by the research team and you will be involved in a combination of some of the following projects:

• Documenting rare blue-headed macaw parrots at a salt lick, from a river island 
• Capturing footage of mammals, which may include jaguars, tapirs or peccary through camera traps and footprints
• Surveying amphibians and reptiles on walking transect surveys and pitfall surveys - the team have even found some new species of frog! 
• Early morning bird research walks
• Butterfly research
• Community and children's education projects, agroforestry and biogardens

All the data which is collected is collated and inputted into the project’s database which you will help with. There is a great group atmosphere and volunteers help to make meals, wash dishes, clean floors, maintain the equipment and make survey apparatus. You can learn more about the volunteer itinerary and research projects here.

Cusco and Journey through the Cloud Forest

You will meet the group in the beautiful ancient city of Cusco where you will have a chance to explore the Inca capital, spending 2 nights in a hotel in the centre of the city. Early on day 3 you will start the spectacular route up through mountain communities before heading down into the lush cloud forest, where you will go on a jungle walk and stay 1 night in a lodge. The following morning the group will descend through the foothills of the Andes to the lowland Amazon where local farmers will teach you about the sacred coca leaf and medicinal plants. The final part of the journey is a scenic boat ride down the river to the research base. 

Typical day

After the initial journey to the jungle and training, volunteers normally work 6 days a week, with Sundays off. 

Volunteers should expect a mix of early mornings and late days according to what surveys they are assisting with. Generally, birding surveys start early around 5am and surveys for amphibians and reptiles may not return until 10.30pm, but shifts are allocated so that volunteers don't have a late finish followed by an early morning. Volunteers may walk for up to around 2 hours to reach the research sites. 

The scientific research team often hold evening talks, presentations and debates for volunteers and staff. You can spend your free time relaxing around the research centre.

Other volunteers

There are normally 3-8 volunteers and interns (maximum of 20) and around 10 full time local staff and scientists. Numbers vary throughout the year. 

Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award

This placement has been approved by the DofE as meeting the requirements for the Residential section of the Gold Award.

Local support

You will work alongside the research project team and interns. The team will oversee your volunteering work and be there to support you throughout your placement.

“Volunteers are absolutely vital in helping us to achieve our project objectives, and without your help we simply would not be able to achieve our goals. Volunteers are helping us to make our dream a reality; a sustainable Amazon for everyone.” Juan Carlos, Manager

Multimedia Intern

The team are also looking for longer term volunteers to join a 12 or 24 week multimedia internship which you can find out more about here. 

You will be based at the biological research centre which is within one of the world’s most biodiverse hotspots, the Manu Biosphere Reserve. Volunteers live at a verified Rainforest Alliance research centre.

Volunteers share open-air rooms with views into the rainforest, there are generally two volunteers per room and shared bathrooms. There is limited electricity and internet connection.

Meals

Main meals are provided at the research centre. Here are typical examples of the food you may have: 

• Breakfast – savoury meal of rice, eggs, pancakes (Peruvian breakfast!)
• Lunch and dinner – pasta, rice, stew, salad, potatoes, vegetables, noodles, beans   

Vegetarian and vegan options can be provided.

Drinking water is provided at the centre and accommodation.  

You will need to fly into Lima (LIM) and then take a connecting flight to Cusco (CUZ).

You will be met on arrival at Cusco Airport and driven to the volunteer accommodation in Cusco, where you stay for 2 nights, before travelling onto the research base in the Amazon.

Location and free time

The research centre is based at the furthest tip of the Upper Amazon River in a remote region, which is the largest tropical rainforest biosphere reserve on earth. This project is a real immersion into remoteness and the Amazon, it's a 10 minute boat ride and walk to the nearest jungle town!

Many volunteers choose to spend their free time relaxing in the hammock area which is perfect for watching the sunset and enjoying the view over the rainforest. You can go in small groups to the wetlands area which has a hide and is a great quiet place for spotting birdlife and wildlife. Small groups can also visit the river lookout area, overlooking the river and jungle below.

At the centre you can play board games in the communal lounge or relax and read books (there is a book swap). There is also a football match most Sundays between the staff and volunteers and any ball games are popular. We would recommend bringing books and cards for the evenings.

Climate

The Manu rainforest region has a tropical climate and daily temperatures are generally between 20-30˚C. The wet season runs from October to March where there are typically afternoon heavy rain showers. The dry season runs from April to September. During the wet season the volunteer role may on some days be based within the research centre, depending on the rain and wind. 

There is a great difference in the weather between the city of Cusco and the tropical rainforest. Cusco night temperatures are usually below 10˚C and around 20˚C in the day.  

Travelling in Peru before or after your placement

Peru is famous for Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, and there is so much more to this truly diverse South American country from the snow-capped Andes Mountains to giant sand dunes in Huacachina. Popular things to do in Peru that you might like to combine with your project are:

• Visiting the Machu Picchu on a mountain hike along Inca Trail or on a day trip from Cusco
• Exploring the colonial cities of Lima 
• Hiking the Colca Canyon or Sacred Valley

For more information on Peru and some of the things we loved when we visited there please see our Peru country page. 

Max 

“I had the most amazing experience and it exceeded my expectations greatly. The Amazon conservation program is such an amazing experience. I learned so much about different species of birds, reptiles, mammals and amphibians. 

One of my favourite memories from the volunteering was at night in the jungle when we found a glass frog and a Olive Whip Snake within meters if each other. The staff there are some of the most amazing people. I strongly recommend this volunteer program!”

Arnound 

“It was exactly what I hoped it would be; fulltime jungle exploration with the focus on finding animals. I was scheduled on surveys 6 days per week and everyone had the opportunity to mention their preferred expeditions so if you prefer butterfly surveys over reptiles and amphibians, you get assigned to these a lot more.

The fact that the volunteers were essential was quite rewarding. The fact that they need at least three people (for safety reasons) per survey made it so that the fulltime staff always needed two volunteers/interns to accompany them into the jungle and without them, the data would not be collected as often as they manage now.”

Esmee 

“Spending a month in the Amazon amongst wildlife was an amazing experience. As someone who is studying environment, this project was a perfect out of the classroom learning opportunity. I had the chance to talk to experts in all different types of wildlife from fungus, to snakes to macaws while putting that knowledge into practice.

Working in one of the most biodiverse areas in the world really helped me narrow my interest and reinforce my understanding of how important conservation is. I also really enjoyed day to day life at the centre. It was a perfect escape from modern day busy living and put everything into perspective. This experience will stay with me forever.”

Michelle 

“Volunteering in the Amazon rainforest was an incredible experience that opened my eyes to the biodiversity of nature, and grew my passion for conservation. The work that we engaged in was extremely rewarding, as the data we collected contributed to datasets that were used in research.

Furthermore, having the opportunity to observe and engage with wildlife in their natural habitats was just an incredible experience. I learned so much from the experience, and highly recommend it to everyone!”

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