Amazon Conservation
Peru

The Amazon Conservation project is based in the heart of jungle and researches the ecosystem to help conserve the rainforest through sustainable community projects.

The rainforest is under threat from deforestation so volunteers can support the scientific research team to collect data on the tropical ecology to help protect the environment. The team collect data on mammals, birds, amphibians and insects on treks and boat rides from the centre which is a great opportunity for unique wildlife watching.

Live at a biological research centre where there is an abundance of local wildlife which includes sloths, endangered macaws and monkeys.

Join the Amazon Conservation team and help save the rainforest.

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Key Info

key info
  • Location: South Eastern Peru
  • Start dates: Throughout the year
  • Duration: 2 – 12 weeks
  • Age requirement: 18+
  • Availability: Spaces available
  • Cost: From £1595 / €1850 / $1915 (10% discount Jan-Apr 2024) - see fees table below
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Project Information

Volunteer role: What will I be doing?

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 so you will be involved in a combination of some of the following projects:

  • Documenting rare blue-headed macaws by the river bank
  • Capturing footage of mammals, which may include jaguars, tapirs or peccary through camera traps
  • Surveying amphibians and reptiles on transect surveys, pitfall surveys, leaf litter plots and bamboo traps
  • Early morning bird research walks
  • Butterfly data
  • Forest regeneration
  • Community and children's education projects

All the data which is collected is collated and inputted into the project’s database. Volunteers help to maintain the equipment, make survey apparatus and are scheduled onto data entry sessions. You can learn more about the volunteer itinerary and research projects here.

Typical day

After the initial week’s 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 whereas surveys for amphibians and reptiles may not return 10.30pm, but volunteers are not expected to do a late finish followed by an early morning. Volunteers may walk for up to around 2 hours to reach the research site. 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.” Alex, Project Manager

Multimedia Intern

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

Accommodation

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.

Peru Amazon BedroomVolunteers share open-air rooms with views into the rainforest, there are generally two volunteers per room and shared bathrooms. There is limited solar powered internet connection.

Peru Amazon Conservation volunteer accommodation

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 (Western style breakfasts of cornflakes and toast are not common in Peru)
  • Lunch and dinner – pasta, rice, stew, salad, potatoes, vegetables, noodles, beans   

Vegetarians and vegans are welcomed and can be catered for.

Drinking water is provided at the centre and accommodation.  

Getting there

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!

Amazon Conservation location

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

Machu Picchu

For more information on Peru and some of the things we loved when we visited there please see our Peru country page. This also features all our other Peru volunteering projects as you might like to consider combining this project with one of the others we offer to make a trip of a lifetime!

Dates

2024: 1 Jan, 29 Jan, 26 Feb, 25 Mar, 22 Apr, 20 May, 17 Jun, 15 Jul, 12 Aug, 9 Sep, 7 Oct, 4 Nov, 2 Dec. Multimedia Internship start dates are 22 Apr and 15 Jul.

2025: TBC

What's Included

Included

  • Dedicated Pod Volunteer specialist to support you from booking on until you complete your trip
  • Cusco airport pick up and transfer to Cusco accommodation
  • Transfer from Cusco accommodation to Cusco airport on departure 
  • 3 nights’ accommodation in Cusco - 2 nights on arrival and 1 night on departure
  • Transfer from Cusco to research centre via a mountain road trip through the Andes, including an overnight stay in the cloud forest and cocoa plantation visit
  • Transfer from research centre back to Cusco on departure
  • Accommodation at the research centre
  • Food - all main meals at the cloud forest and research centre
  • Induction and training
  • Support from the team onsite in Peru
  • 24/7 emergency support from the Pod Volunteer UK team 
  • Donation to Pod Environmental Fund tackling climate change
  • 100% payment protection through ABTOT 
  • Volunteering certificate and reference (on request)

Not included

  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Vaccinations
  • Living costs - meals in Cusco, snacks, drinks, laundry
  • Any tourist trips / activities you choose to do in your free time
Price table
2 weeks (15 nights) £1595 GB Pounds
4 weeks (32 nights) £2195 GB Pounds
6 weeks (43 nights) £2895 GB Pounds
8 weeks (60 nights) £3895 GB Pounds
10 weeks (71 nights) £4595 GB Pounds
12 weeks (88 nights) £5695 GB Pounds
Multimedia Intern 12 weeks (88 nights) £4500 GB Pounds

Discounts

  • 10% discount for start dates from Jan-Apr 2024
  • £50 discount if you have previously volunteered with Pod Volunteer 

Where the money goes - financial transparency

Your fee covers the overseas costs of volunteering and the costs of running our organisation in the UK, on a non-profit basis.  For more details and a breakdown of our costs please click here.

Book with confidence - financial protection

All monies paid to us are financially protected through The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT). 

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Fees in currencies other than GBP are indicative only and volunteers are invoiced in GBP. For current exchange rates please see www.xe.com

Read volunteer reviews from the Amazon Conservation project

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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hectares of protected regenerating forest

"It was an amazing experience that will stay with me forever! Pod Volunteer provided the ideal amount of support and guidance"Satvinder

Gemma

24/7 support

Gemma and the Pod UK team are here to help you throughout your trip

Reserve your place and start your volunteering adventure to Peru!

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VOLUNTEER REVIEWS

  • Peru Amazon Conservation volunteer - Eleanor

    "From setting up butterfly traps, clearing the wetlands, to chasing woolly monkeys. I got to learn about everything out there from the mammals; tapirs, jaguars and armidillos, to the reptiles and amphibians, including all the species of poison dart frogs."

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  • Peru Amazon Conservation volunteer - Hannah

    "The Amazon conservation project was my first experience of travelling alone. It's going to be a tough one to follow! I have learned so much more than I expected. It feels like I've actually contributed towards something great."

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  • Peru Amazon Conservation volunteer - Lewis

    "I found my time volunteering to be a truly valuable and rewarding. From it I have gained new various cultural insights and interests, as well as a knowledge of Amazonian ecology and species."

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