Amazon Conservation
Location - Madre de Dios
Start dates - Once a month throughout the year (see below for dates)
Duration - 2 - 12 weeks
Availability - Spaces available (July fully booked)
Cost - From £1195 / $1885 - see pricing table below
How will I make a difference?
By volunteering at our jungle conservation centre you will be making a direct contribution to helping preserve the Amazon rainforest in Peru. Volunteers will support the centres conservation research and sustainable community development projects. You will help with scientific research studies of the local wildlife such as the endangered Blue Headed Macaw, jaguars, tapirs and monkeys as well as monitoring and documenting local flora.
Volunteers are involved in helping local communities increase their sustainability through bio garden and reforestation projects.
Read what past volunteers have said about this project in our Peru Amazon Conservation reviews.
Amazon conservation volunteering in Peru: What will I be doing?
Volunteers normally work 6 days per week. In your first week you will be given presentations and training on the current research projects, neotropical mammals, reptiles, amphibians, compass and machete training, community projects, birds and species ID tests.
Volunteers should expect a mix of early mornings and late evenings according to what research surveys and conservation projects they are assisting. Volunteers may need to wake up at dawn to record parrots at the river clay lick or head out into the jungle at dusk with a head torch to record local amphibians and reptiles.
During your time at the centre you will be able to learn about the impacts of humans on biodiversity and gain valuable field skills for your career, degree or just for fun! This is a fantastic opportunity for volunteers to learn about conserving the natural ecosystem through research and sustainable initiatives with the local communities whilst immersing yourself into life in the Amazon in Peru.
A three night expedition is included in the cost of volunteer placements who stay for 4 weeks + which includes a trek deeper into the rainforest which may include meeting indigenous communities, visiting hot springs, white-water rafting or other activities depending on season.
Normally there are 3-8 volunteers on each start date and around 9 full time local staff and scientists.
More about the project
The project has a long history of supporting conservation research in the Manu region, with long-established projects monitoring the blue headed macaw, mammal behaviour patterns, human impact studies, environmental management and forest dynamics to name but a few. Their focus is on creating sustainable agriculture, timber and carbon alternatives for local communities on deforested and impacted land. By effectively reducing the human and carbon footprint, these initiatives aim to increase both the communities’ wellbeing and enhance the region's sustainable offerings.
The centres mission is to:
Location and free time
You will be based at our jungle research and conservation centre on the Madre de Dios river in the Amazon jungle on the outskirts of Manu Nature Reserve. The centre is based a two day journey from Cusco which is an incredible journey starting by bus through the Andes and cloud forest and finishing with a motorised canoe along the river. The centre is set in a rainforest clearing with a cascading waterfall nearby and fantastic views over the Madre de Dios River.
When you are not working you can relax at the centre, play football with the team of local staff, read books, play board games, chill out in the hammocks by the river or go for short bird watching walks around the jungle trails. At weekends volunteers can visit the local town of Salvación.
Volunteer accommodation
Volunteers are housed in a lodge with has been verified by the Rainforest Alliance for its high standards of sustainability. Volunteers share a two bed room and have mosquito nets. The rooms are open air so there are splendid views into the rainforest. There are fully equipped bathrooms, a solar powered internet connection (available for a small fee) and the whole centre has been designed in an environmental friendly manner. There is also a large dining area, bar and kitchen as well as a relaxation area with hammocks.
Three tasty wholesome meals a day are provided while at the centre including a packed lunch. Volunteers often remark on the creativity of the chefs since they create tasty dishes from simple local ingredients!
What's included and where your money goes
Start dates - Once a month throughout the year (see below for dates)
Duration - 2 - 12 weeks
Availability - Spaces available (July fully booked)
Cost - From £1195 / $1885 - see pricing table below
How will I make a difference?
By volunteering at our jungle conservation centre you will be making a direct contribution to helping preserve the Amazon rainforest in Peru. Volunteers will support the centres conservation research and sustainable community development projects. You will help with scientific research studies of the local wildlife such as the endangered Blue Headed Macaw, jaguars, tapirs and monkeys as well as monitoring and documenting local flora.
Volunteers are involved in helping local communities increase their sustainability through bio garden and reforestation projects.
Read what past volunteers have said about this project in our Peru Amazon Conservation reviews.
Amazon conservation volunteering in Peru: What will I be doing?
Volunteers normally work 6 days per week. In your first week you will be given presentations and training on the current research projects, neotropical mammals, reptiles, amphibians, compass and machete training, community projects, birds and species ID tests.
Volunteers should expect a mix of early mornings and late evenings according to what research surveys and conservation projects they are assisting. Volunteers may need to wake up at dawn to record parrots at the river clay lick or head out into the jungle at dusk with a head torch to record local amphibians and reptiles.
During your time at the centre you will be able to learn about the impacts of humans on biodiversity and gain valuable field skills for your career, degree or just for fun! This is a fantastic opportunity for volunteers to learn about conserving the natural ecosystem through research and sustainable initiatives with the local communities whilst immersing yourself into life in the Amazon in Peru.
A three night expedition is included in the cost of volunteer placements who stay for 4 weeks + which includes a trek deeper into the rainforest which may include meeting indigenous communities, visiting hot springs, white-water rafting or other activities depending on season.
Normally there are 3-8 volunteers on each start date and around 9 full time local staff and scientists.
More about the project
The project has a long history of supporting conservation research in the Manu region, with long-established projects monitoring the blue headed macaw, mammal behaviour patterns, human impact studies, environmental management and forest dynamics to name but a few. Their focus is on creating sustainable agriculture, timber and carbon alternatives for local communities on deforested and impacted land. By effectively reducing the human and carbon footprint, these initiatives aim to increase both the communities’ wellbeing and enhance the region's sustainable offerings.
The centres mission is to:
- Educate local rainforest communities and visitors
- Promote sustainable natural resource development
- Integrate pure and applied research of the rainforest environment and its natural systems
- Conserve and preserve tropical ecosystems
Location and free time
You will be based at our jungle research and conservation centre on the Madre de Dios river in the Amazon jungle on the outskirts of Manu Nature Reserve. The centre is based a two day journey from Cusco which is an incredible journey starting by bus through the Andes and cloud forest and finishing with a motorised canoe along the river. The centre is set in a rainforest clearing with a cascading waterfall nearby and fantastic views over the Madre de Dios River.
When you are not working you can relax at the centre, play football with the team of local staff, read books, play board games, chill out in the hammocks by the river or go for short bird watching walks around the jungle trails. At weekends volunteers can visit the local town of Salvación.
Volunteer accommodation
Volunteers are housed in a lodge with has been verified by the Rainforest Alliance for its high standards of sustainability. Volunteers share a two bed room and have mosquito nets. The rooms are open air so there are splendid views into the rainforest. There are fully equipped bathrooms, a solar powered internet connection (available for a small fee) and the whole centre has been designed in an environmental friendly manner. There is also a large dining area, bar and kitchen as well as a relaxation area with hammocks.
Three tasty wholesome meals a day are provided while at the centre including a packed lunch. Volunteers often remark on the creativity of the chefs since they create tasty dishes from simple local ingredients!
What's included and where your money goes
- A comprehensive information booklet
- Support from your dedicated volunteer manager within the PoD UK team
- Travel advice and assistance
- Return transfer to Cusco airport
- 2 nights accommodation in Cusco on arrival and 1 night in Cusco on departure
- A mountain road trip through the Andes into the rainforest
- An overnight stay in the cloud forest
- Training & orientation programme
- Accommodation (shared room)
- All main meals
- A 4 day / 3 night jungle expedition (for people staying 4 weeks or longer)
- On-going support the volunteer coordinator at the project