FAMILY VOLUNTEERING IN THE AMAZON RAINFOREST IN PERU

PROJECT CONTENT AND DESCRIPTION

Project work comes in the form of a few different, smaller initiatives, which alter depending on the time of year and needs of certain species. You could get involved in:

Biodiversity Monitoring:
Contribute to the long term biodiversity monitoring plan to monitor the species richness, diversity, distribution and composition of birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles and mammals over different forest habitat types.

Data Collection:
Work alongside field staff to collect important data for biodiversity and reforestation monitoring plans and other bespoke projects.

Jungle Treks:
Challenge yourself by helping carry survey equipment through the muddy, humid rainforest up and down hills and through streams to reach far away survey sites – all in the name of conservation!

Reforestation:
Help plant and measure tree saplings as part of a companion planting reforestation initiative with local banana farmers.

Community Work:
Volunteers sometimes work alongside our local community project field staff to help construct organic biogardens and associated infrastructure like roofs.

Education:
Receive professional training from experienced field staff on a wide range of issues such as Amazon wildlife, survey methodology, local and global conservation and sustainability topics and health and safety in the jungle.

Cultural Exchange:
Live as part of a diverse, multicultural community which includes local Peruvian employees who love to engage in ‘Spanglish’ sessions and teach others about their way of life.

BASIC ITINERARY
Please note this itinerary is generic and can change from family to family or season.
Day 1: Cusco
You will be met by your guide at the airport or your hotel in Cusco. Venture out and explore the beautiful city with its mixture of Incan and colonial Spanish architecture.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 2: Cusco – Cloud Forest
Depart Cusco early and start the journey by road through the Andes and into the Cloud Forest, a unique environment that is truly breathtaking. Stop at a ranger station along the way to experience some local culture and witness the spectacular views.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Cloud Forest – The Amazon
After a night in the cloud forest, head to the port town to Atalaya and board your motorized canoe to ride down the Madre de Dios River to the Centre. After lunch, explore the local forest trail system with a naturalist guides before spending the evening learning more about the jungle or simply relaxing, watching the beautiful sunset.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4/5: Amazon – Conservation and Research Projects
For these next two days you will be rising early at about 5.00am to take part in the conservation and research projects. Examples include mammal tracking, bird surveys, butterfly project and forest trekking. Spend time with scientists and researchers, learning more about the forest and the work being done to preserve it.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Amazon – Community Based Projects
Travel at the local town and join the locals for the community projects. Help build a Biogarden so residents can access fresh vegetables or plant trees as part of our Agroforestry scheme. Come back to the Centre for the evening and reflect on a busy day.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Amazon – Cusco
After breakfast, prepare for departure and take the boat back to the port-town, where you board transport back to Cusco. The landscape changes dramatically as you climb up into the cloud forest towards the Andes and then down to Cusco. You will be dropped off at your hotel completing this wonderful volunteer experience.
Lodging: Not Included
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

2016 START DATES:
April 4th and 18th
May 2nd and 16th
June 6th and 20th
July 11th and 25th
August 1st, 15th and 22nd
September 5th and 19th
October 3rd and 17th
November 7th and 21st

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ACCOMMODATION

The accommodation and food at the Centre consists of open style buildings where volunteers share a room with up to three others. Great emphasis is placed on community spirit and inclusion; the Centre is full of people from all kinds of backgrounds, such as local and international student groups, visiting researchers and tourists. There is a solar powered (generator backed) internet connection, an environmentally sound septic system and a gravity fed water system to minimise our impact on the environment.

Food and packed lunches are provided three times a day and are of a typical local fare; rice with a sauce and legumes, vegetables, soups, occasional meat.

Entertainment / Leisure:
This is the Amazon Jungle - unique and exciting and wonderful and tranquil and awesome - but it isn't a placement for people who want to party the night away. There are board games, books to read and other ‘quiet’ activities. At night this has to be by candle light. Most people start their work early and get up between 4 and 5 a.m., consequently people tend to go to bed early.

"Some nights we watched a DVD on the laptop, (somewhat surreal, sitting in a jungle clearing watching a laptop crawling with moths!) Occasionally we just sat and socialised over a beer."

During the day there are activities such as swimming in the river, complete with vines to swing from ("Hello Tarzan!"). (You can only swim if supervised and depending on river conditions.) The manager is a keen climber and may be persuaded to teach you how to access the canopy, (climbing trees using ropes). Some scientists use this method in their work when studying birds. It is safe (when under instruction) but can be difficult.

Although there are lots of places to visit in Peru, there are few external places to visit while on your project. In the dry season Salvaccion is a 1¾ hour walk away (after crossing the river) and it is a safe walk. In the wet season it may be possible to reach another village by boat, but it would not possible to walk to Salvaccion. Sometimes it may be possible to get a lift with other volunteers or staff and perhaps spend a few days in Cusco. Generally, however, volunteers tend to stay at the Centre for the duration of their placement and visit Cusco at the end of their project.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Got any questions? Please email us: info@travellersworldwide.com

THE CENTRE AND ITS ENVIRONMENT:
The Centre itself covers 640 hectares in a seemingly endless rainforest which stretches across Brazil and to the Atlantic Ocean. This is the Amazon! Mammals in the area include peccaries, puma, jaguar, armadillos and various monkeys. Tortoises and lizards are also present.

Currently 365 species of birds have been recorded in the area, including parrots, hummingbirds and the rather bizarre Hoatzin. The resident bird expert, Claudia, is very enthusiastic about birds and her knowledge is truly exceptional. As one of our people said, "Working with her is a privilege!" Like any jungle there are lots of insects and there are also tarantulas and snakes, but these are not frequently seen.

There are many trails in the forest that are very productive in terms of wildlife because they are not used by tourists, but one of the main reasons the area was selected for study was that within a reasonably small area there is land that has been impacted by agriculture and human activity in the past. This is why there are such a variety of forest types within the private reserve (forests in different stages of re-growth as well as in different ecosystems).

It is through comparative studies between the old and new forest that conservationists aim to learn more about the effect of human activity on biodiversity as well as the ability of forests to regenerate.

The environment is relaxing, with nice weather, good views, excellent accommodation and very pleasant company. Entertainment is very much home-made and there is a real community spirit among the volunteers whilst still allowing for ‘personal space’. Volunteers are well cared for whilst still having the excitement of being in the jungle. All the staff are enthusiastic, helpful and caring. There are some opportunities for engaging in leisure activities such as swimming and climbing.

The trip from Cusco to the Centre:
You will arrive in Cusco, where you'll be met by members from the Project. You will stay in Cusco for 2 nights, before beginning your journey to the Rainforest. This journey is by road and takes from 9 to 10 hours, so there will also be another overnight stop on the way. Almost the entire journey is along an unpaved road and the last few miles are very unmade indeed! For some of the way it is a typical Andean road along the side of a mountain but the road is relatively ‘quiet’ with maybe 6 -10 vehicles passing every hour.

The scenery is stunning, including barren mountains, cloud forest, seemingly endless jungle, impressive valleys. There are places of interest to stop every hour or so, either to take photos or buy refreshments. The journey is very totally fascinating and adds to the sense of adventure! The last part of the journey involves crossing a river by boat.

Return transfer from the Centre in the Amazon to Cusco is included in the cost of the placement and is arranged for you by the managers in Peru. At the end of your project, you will stay for 1 night in Cusco, and after some end of project administration, be free to depart after 9am. Those wishing to do some independent travel after their placement can opt to stay in Cusco rather than going straight to the airport. Either way, you’ll need to make your own arrangements to get to Cusco Airport, which is about a 15-minute drive away and costs about $15-$20 by taxi (prices correct at time of writing).

Rainy Season: The rainy season is between November and April with the worst of the rain occurring from February to March. Work at the Centre does continue through the rainy season because the arrays (working paths) are designed to be useable throughout the year.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU BOOK YOUR PLACEMENT?

Once you have applied for a placement, we'll contact you and send you our Welcome Pack. You'll also receive Log-on details and password for our Volunteer Extranet where you'll have access to all the documentation and information which we've put together to facilitate preparations for your adventure! Your Project Co-ordinator for your country will liaise with you throughout the arrangements process, as well as while you're on your placement and on your return home.

The documents you'll have access to also include a Country Factfile, Safety Guide and any manuals that may assist you on your particular programme (e.g. Teaching Guide, Sports Manuals, Enrichment Suggestions for Animal Care, etc.). We do all we can to make your stay one that you'll never forget. This is a truly awesome, elegant and beautiful country.

As with all our destinations, the culture and heritage is different to what you're used to ... which, although one of the most exciting aspects of travelling, should be borne in mind. Self-reliance and independence are highly appreciated in all our destinations and will help you to make the most of this wonderful opportunity!

TRAVELLERS' SUPPORT AND BACKUP: Read about the excellent Support & Backup we provide before you leave and during your programme.

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OPTIONAL ADD-ON ACTIVITIES:

Make the most of your time there! To help you do that, we've put together some exciting activities, courses and tours that you can add to your itinerary. These are designed to let you learn, expand your personal and professional development ... and add to your fun and enjoyment!

Very popular choices are Spanish Courses and Dance Courses.

Terms and Conditions apply for Add-Ons, please see here.

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LOCATION | SIGHTSEEING:

The best advice you'll get from us is to try to see some of the country.

Cusco is a magical little island of colonial architecture. Many of the buildings are built on, over and around Inca walls, arches and doorways, and many of the narrow streets in the centre of the town are lined with original Inca stonework. Cusco was once the capital of the vast Inca empire.

The Inca Trail and Machu Picchu: This 3-5 day journey is widely considered to be the most spectacular trekking experience on the continent. Its route passes through a 13,000-foot Andean Pass beyond which lie some of the most astounding artifacts of the Inca civilization. Most of these attractions lay completely undisturbed for hundreds of years. The trail ends at the astonishingly well-preserved sacred city of Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu is probably the best-known and most spectacular archeological site on the continent. Apart from a few locals, no-one knew of the existence of the "Lost City of the Incas" until Hiram Bingham stumbled on it almost by accident in 1911. It was certainly a complete city, perched on a saddle connecting two high mountains, with residential and agricultural sections and terracing around the edges.

TRAVEL:

Read about Travel arrangements and what happens when you arrive in your new country.

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REVIEWS AND FEEDBACK:

LINDSAY PETERSON
American
Conservation in the Amazon Rainforest in Peru

The experience I gained was invaluable. I learned about current environmental issues and really got to know local communities and the culture of the area. The experience really opened my eyes to the world around me.

The best thing about my placement was the people I met. I learned so much from the staff at the centre and also from my fellow volunteers. Everyone I met was so welcoming and eager to teach me about what they knew. They became like a second family.

I would highly recommend this placement to anyone, that is, if you don't mind insects! It was the most amazing month of my life and I would go back in a heartbeat!

In order to really get the most out of this placement, the volunteer needs to be flexible. The daily schedule varies with the availability of staff members, the weather, and the river. They also need to be self motivated and eager to learn. The volunteer needs to speak up and let the staff know what he/she would like to do or learn and they will usually be able to make it happen, and, of course, the volunteer needs to be at ease living with the many, many creatures of the jungle.

It's an amazing place and I loved my stay there. One of the best times I had there was on expedition. Not much more to say except that it was the best month of my life. Thank you!

CARYS HUTTON
British
Conservation in the Amazon Rainforest in Peru

The Travellers Worldwide conservation project in Peru was exactly what I hoped it would be and exactly what it claimed to be…It was also the best value for money I could find and encompassed a broad range of skills, experience, and opportunities that other projects lacked.

When did you decide to take a gap year and why? I decided in my final year at university to take a gap year after graduating. I wanted to follow my degree with a masters but wasn’t sure if this was the right choice at the right time. I have always wanted to take some time to go travelling and this seemed like the perfect time.

Where did you go and why? I went to Peru, South America. The conservation project Travellers Worldwide advertised was the best value for money I could find and encompassed a broad range of skills, experience, and opportunities that other projects lacked. Also, Peru really appealed to me because I have never been to South America and I wanted to build the conservation project into a 4-month trip where I could go travelling afterwards and explore the continent and its culture.

Which different options did you consider? I spent months searching the internet for gap-year projects, considering a variety of themes such as community work, and teaching English. In the end I narrowed my search down to conservation-related projects to follow on from my degree and pursue my interests in these areas. I ruled out projects that focused purely on one specific conservation task, e.g. projects where you spent all of your time with turtles, or all of your time with monkeys, as I wanted a more rounded experience. I also ruled out projects that claimed to be a conservation project but on further inspection seemed to revolve around physical work such as path building and erecting sign posts – i.e. minimal relevance to conservation of species.

The Travellers Worldwide conservation project in Peru was exactly what I hoped it would be and exactly what it claimed to be.

What was the best thing about the year and the worst thing? The worst thing was acclimatising to the altitude in Cusco and getting used to the locals’ style of driving (!).

The best thing was being surrounded by rainforest and the nature that it supports. Even after a month it is amazing that in the space of about 30 minutes you could see parrots and macaws, toucans, vultures, giant butterflies, leaf cutter ants, spider webs as big as a car, wild cat footprints, and a snake or two – as well as hundreds of other exotic species. It is truly amazing.

What benefits do you think it has given you in terms of employability? I am seeking work in the environment sector and so the project is relevant to my career. It demonstrates to employers that I am serious about a career in the environmental sector and that I have a genuine interest in conservation. It also emphasises personal attributes such as: confidence, team work, hard working, dedicated, etc. These are important skills that employers look for examples in.

How would you talk about it in an interview with a prospective employer? For my career I would emphasise my role in the project in terms of research, record keeping, species identification, and my passion for biodiversity. I would provide examples where I worked with minimum supervision to demonstrate my competence and reliability, and times where I worked as part of a team. Employers are also keen to know that you are able to work with a variety of people and so I would also give examples of this.

Do you think you have made the most of the gap year on your CV? I participated in the project purely for my own enjoyment, rather than the associated benefits to my employability and how it looks on my CV. I have a range of more relevant experience for my line of work and so I have stated the nature of the gap year on my CV in one short sentence.

ADAM WATTS
British
Conservation in the Amazon Rainforest in Peru

THANK YOU so, so much! I will never forget the time I spent there. Would love to go back one day.

What experience do you feel you're gaining? Team work; expanding knowledge of another culture; construction; learning Spanish; understanding rainforest ecosystems.

What is the best thing about your placement so far? One thing?! Okay, the people. Other volunteers, staff, locals. All were incredible. Friends for life as the cliché goes.

Would you recommend this placement to anyone else? Yes, yes, yes and a hundred million times yes.

What type of person do you think this placement would suit? Anyone who wants a drastic change of scenery, willing to work hard, and anyone who wants to reflect on what they're doing with their life.

What, if any, improvements could be made to the placement? Honestly, none. They were the best three months of my life and I would not change a single thing.

Was there anything that you weren’t told before your departure that you think future volunteers should know? No. It's the jungle and the surprises are half the fun!

Can you describe a typical day? Up at 05:00 to take a boat trip upriver to monitor the parrots at the clay lick, back for breakfast at 7:30, working in the biogarden into lunch at 13:00 then possibly a trail walk in the afternoon or a swim in one of the many nearby creeks. Dinner at 19:00, then a chat, game of cards and bed.

TIM CLARK
British
Conservation in the Amazon Rainforest in Peru

Good Afternoon Andrew, Well I made it here and thought I'd drop you that line that you requested to let you know how it’s going.

It has been absolutely great so far ....not easy but a most amazing experience. The centre was just like your pics and great . It was a bit of a shock to be sleeping in an open sided hut with only a mosquito net between me and the jungle ....but I survived…! I am back in Cusco now (with the luxury of a hot shower!) and internet!

I was only there for a short time. I had to work with plants, leaf traps and biogardens mainly. However the main ´´guide´´ Tilman (who was brilliant) did send me off with a special bird watching man and that was great. Overall it has been truly wonderful.

On Monday I am off to Machu Picchu with all the crowds and then on another trip to the jungle up in Iquitos...so I will make the most of Cusco this weekend!

Hope all ok with you, All the best.

SAMM BENNETT
British
Conservation in the Amazon Rainforest in Peru

I have gained a great understanding of the real life of the Amazon rainforest, ranging from the chaotic sounds of the Peccaries during the day to the peaceful sounds of the night time insects and frogs.

I have learnt a huge amount of about all kinds of animals. Ranging from insects, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and exotic birds like the Macaws, parrots and parakeets. I have gained enough understanding of all these animals that I can now identify them instantly. In my free time I have had enjoyment of fishing with the clean air and the overwhelming view of the river and the forest around me. I have also had the chance to go swimming in the river after a long trek through the jungle observing all kinds of animals, as well as swimming in the small pools of the streams within the forest.

The whole experience of helping out in this project has given me a great satisfaction, knowing that my work here is helping towards a great and important course within conservation.

My favourite experience at my placement was the sightings of the Wholly and the Squirrel Monkey. Although they are very different in many ways, they were equally exciting. On my second day in the forest I saw 20-30 small Squirrel Monkeys that ended up to be all around me jumping from one tree to another. Some of which were very curious and were trying to get a better view of me. A couple of weeks later I saw the Wholly monkey, one of the largest monkeys here. Which were huge, almost like gorillas. They were the most impressive things I’ve ever seen.

I would definitely recommend this placement to anyone interested in nature. The forest itself is the most beautiful place you possibly could go. Filled with all kinds of plants, flowers, insects and a huge variety of different animals, some of which are harder to see than others.

Can you describe a typical day?
A typical day for me is to get up for 5am to go observe the Macaws, parrots, parakeets. Then I have breakfast at 7:30. After this I then go into the jungle to do mammal observations and return by 12pm to have lunch at 1pm. Then I may go back into the jungle to go to the mammal clay lick to see what kind of activity as occured, but sometimes I will have an afternoon off to relax. Then dinner is served at 7pm. Afterwards I will go to bed or sometimes go for a night walk.

JOE ROBBINS
British
Conservation in the Amazon Rainforest in Peru

I have gained valuable experience whilst working with 2 botanists here in plant collections and identification. I have gained experience in visiting other cultures, in a country that is quite poverty stricken. This has heightened my respect for other people’s cultural activities and beliefs.

I have also gained a lot of experience in botany fieldwork which is great for my studies in botanical horticulture and will help me develop my knowledge of plants and plant ecosystems in the future. I have seen many different types of flora growing in lowland Amazon, Cloud forest and more arid flora on the mountainside, by seeing these my understanding of these plants has increased.

It is also quite good to experience living in a small group in for a long period of time; it can be challenging but is good fun and character building!!

Can you describe a typical day? Those that do mammal studies visit the claylick at 5 am, I did this once and I thought that it was an incredible experience, all those wonderful colours of the parrots!
7 am: A lovely breakfast is served
8 until 9 am: Getting ready for the day, maybe a shower or some clothes washing etc.
9 until 11 am: Identifying plants collected the previous day using an identification key. Each plant is then labelled with its family and genus, where it was collected and when. The plants are then prepared as herbarium specimens and pressed.
11.30 am: Head out on a trail to collect plant specimens, a different trail each day
1.00 pm: Box lunch often beside one of the streams
4 until 5 pm: Return from the jungle, normally very tired!
5 until 6 pm: Shower and relax
7 pm: Dinner is served, always great food
8 pm: Relaxing, reading, chatting and then bed

Visits to Salvasion on Wednesday, are really enjoyable and good fun with a nice lunch in town and internet access and an international telephone. It is good to have a day out a few times through the placement. The staff are absolutely wonderful, you cannot fault their devotion and care that they have to the volunteers. I have been looked after very well. I have had a really great time!

What's the best thing about my placement? The location. The forest that surrounds the area combines both primary and secondary and comparing between the forests is very interesting. The sights and sounds of the rainforest are incredible.

I think that this placement would best suit someone interested mainly in mammal studies as you would have to have an understanding of tropical flora or be working with botanists to study the plants. Mammal studies are easier to understand and you can teach yourself from books etc!!! Most people at the centre are mainly interested in the mammals.

Volunteers should also enjoy difficult walks and should not mind creepy crawleys! I also think that to live in a small group to you have got be sociable but at the same time respect other people’s personal space.

LAWRENCE SMART
British
Conservation in the Amazon Rainforest in Peru

It has been an amazing experience so far, I could never have imagined how this place is. Fitted in extremely fast and every set of new volunteers integrates extremely well.

I've been on a few excursions already which have been amazing and one has taken us deeper into the jungle on a 3 hour boat ride down river, taking another 5 hours to get back!

Thank you for everything you and Travellers has done for me and, as a result, has helped me decide my course of action for my future plans.

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