Volunteer in the Manu Biosphere at the Peru Amazon Conservation Project!
Volunteer at the Peru Amazon Conservation Project in the spectacular Manu Biosphere and take part in serious Conservation work in the rainforest.
1 to 12 weeks from £1,125 / US$1,350
Volunteer at this project to protect the Amazon Rainforest and our Future! In 1987 the reserve was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will have a variety of tasks helping to protect the Amazon. Volunteer and have an experience in the Peruvian Amazon that you will never forget.
Project Overview
Join the jungle team in the unrivalled Manu National Park in the Peruvian Rainforest. Work alongside international and Peruvian staff in their efforts to conserve this important Eco system at the Peru Amazon Conservation Project!
Volunteers get to monitor many different species, check camera traps and trek deep into the jungle. Live as a conservation volunteer in the Amazon Rainforest for a once in a lifetime experience!
Volunteer in the Peruvian Amazon and make a real lasting difference!
This programme allows you to make a real difference volunteering as a research assistant to the project staff. You can gain new skills and learn all about amazon conservation efforts to protect the rainforest and its wealth of species.
Join us in Peru at one of our most adventurous volunteer programmes and help save the Amazon!
Project Summary
The Project: The Peru Amazon Conservation project is based in an idyllic setting deep in the rainforest of Peru where you will work to protect rainforest that still harbours endangered species such as jaguars, pumas, ocelots, tapirs, sloths, anacondas, river otters, caiman and a myriad of other species.
Project Location: The Peru Amazon Conservation Project is located in the Manu Biosphere Reserve; This region of Peru is one of the world’s most biodiverse hotspots and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Volunteers at this project need to arrive into Cusco. After the project orientation in Cusco, you will start your journey into the Amazon with your fellow volunteers.
Main Volunteer Activities: Forest regeneration, animal monitoring (birds, mammals, amphibians, butterflies and reptiles), bio gardening, capacity building, and agroforestry.
Hours: Volunteers work for 6-8 hours per day, with one free day per week.
Duration: Volunteer placements are year-round and for 2 to 12 weeks.
Accommodation: Shared rooms.
Volunteer Requirements: Volunteers at this project must be aged 18+ , with a passion for conservation, learning and the outdoors.
Peru Conservation Project History
Our local project partner has been working in Peru for over 15 years. They are at the forefront of rainforest conservation and regeneration efforts in Manu. The research project is dedicated to conservation and sustainable community initiatives that are helping to protect the spectacular Manu Biosphere Nature Reserve.
The project location
The project is located approximately eight hours by vehicle and boat from Cusco (split over two days to visit other local ecosystems). This means not only do you get to explore the stunning rainforest of the Amazon River Basin, but it is also easy for you to visit Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley before or after your placement.
Volunteers spend a busy first two days in Cusco, where they receive their project orientation, meet the staff and other volunteers. You will also go on a Cusco town tour, complete registration and get ready for their trip of a lifetime! On the way to Manu, volunteers will visit a range of different eco systems on the drive the nature reserve. Volunteers will stay one night in a beautiful cloud forest before arriving into Manu for the 45 minute boat ride to the research centre and volunteer accommodation.
Volunteer placements at this project
Why the project need volunteers
The Amazon rainforest, which is the biggest and most diverse rainforest in the world, covers more than half of Peru and is home to thousands of unique animals and endangered species, plants and ecosystems – some of which are only found locally.
The project receives no state funding, but through volunteer support, private donations and grants, the project continues its vital work in monitoring biodiversity in the Amazon and creating greater awareness of the threats to the greatest rainforest on the planet. Volunteer at this unique research project working to save the Amazon!
Typical Volunteer Duties
Volunteers at the Peru Amazon Conservation Project are expected to work six days per week. Sundays are rest days for volunteers to play games, hang out with your fellow volunteers, go for a swim, build a camp fire, or relax with a cold drink.
During your first few days at the project, volunteers undergo a rigorous training and induction schedule. This will ensure you know how to live in the rainforest and effectively work on the project. Then you will be taken out to the rainforest and introduced to the vital work you will be taking part in.
You will receive training in tropical ecology, species identification (auditory calls, foot prints, visual markers and flight patterns), compass and GPS use, emergency first response procedures, data recording, processing findings, and a range of other conservation methods.
There are also regular talks and debates held by staff members, where you will be able to learn more about different local endangered species, plants, eco systems, indigenous groups, and everything else in between!
Volunteering at this project is physically demanding, and can include walks of up to 10 kilometres over uneven and muddy terrain in a hot and humid environment. We therefore require that all volunteers have a high level of physical and mental fitness, and also enjoy being outdoors all day. If you are unsure about the requirements of this project, and your health, age or fitness, please contact us and we can talk in more detail about whether this project is suitable for you!
To learn more about what it is like to volunteer at the Peru Amazon Conservation Project, read about Rosie's experience here!
A Typical Day
Example of a typical day's activities at the Peru Amazon Conservation Project (please note that this does depend on seasons, project focuses during your placement etc.) Some days have an early morning start and some days volunteers work into the evenings:
- 5.30 am Visit the clay lick, and monitor the Blue Headed Macaws
- 7 am Breakfast
- 7.30 am Trek into the forest to check camera traps
- 12.30 Lunch
- 1-3 pm Rest
- 3-5 pm Work in the MLC biogarden
- 5 pm Spanglish lessons whilst helping with dinner in kitchen
- 6.30 pm Dinner
- 7.15 pm Night transect for amphibians
- 10.30 pm Return to lodge with amphibian bounty. Shower, hot chocolate then bed (Note there would be no early start the following day due to the late night).
Accommodation
Internet is available for at an hourly rate, but being based in such a remote location can mean that the connection can be sporadic and unreliable. Volunteers are asked to bring environmentally friendly and bio-degradable toiletries if possible.
Conservation volunteers are provided with three nutritious and delicious meals per day. Meals will be typical local food, including rice with beans, eggs, vegetables, soups and occasional meat. Dietary restrictions can be catered for, so please inform us if you have any allergies or food restrictions. Volunteers assist the chefs in preparing meals, which is a great opportunity to learn some traditional Peruvian recipes and practice Spanish!
Free Time
Whether you plan your entire trip in advance or decide to wait until you get to Peru, our local team are all very well travelled and can offer advice and help in planning the perfect itinerary for your weekends or for travel before or after your placement. Here are just a few of Peru’s treasures to whet your appetite.
Cusco
Cusco is a beautiful city that has something to offer everyone from Inca ruins and splendid Spanish colonial architecture to elegant squares and outstanding mountain scenery. The historic city centre is a lively hub of cafes, restaurants and bars with dozens of boutiques, markets and shops offering an astonishing range of unique locally made goods to take home as a souvenir of you trip to Peru. There are museums, galleries, churches and monasteries to visit and every Sunday sees a magnificent civil parade in the City’s stunning main square, the Plaza de Armas.
Cusco’s Indian and Catholic traditions are frequently celebrated with street parades, live music and food stalls springing up across the city at any excuse. There are also some wonderful walks and hikes in and around the city centre. You can stroll amongst whitewashed houses and along the cobbled lanes in the Bohemian quarter of San Blas or climb high above the city to the Inca fortress at Sacsayhuaman and take in the unrivalled views of the city and the surrounding Andes.
The Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is a must-see on anyone’s Peru itinerary. Barely half an hour’s drive from Cusco and you will find a magical, steep-sided valley where fresh mountain rivers and streams tumble between ancient mountains and majestic glaciers.
The Sacred Valley’s centuries-old towns and villages are home to remarkably reserved Inca forts and citadels; markets with traditional textiles and souvenirs draw visitors to lovely towns like Pisac, Chinchero and Ollantaytambo. The amazing salt terraces and pre-Inca agricultural terraces at Maras are also an easy day trip from Cusco.
Machu Picchu
Surely the number one reason that many visitors come to Peru is to visit the incomparable wonder of Machu Picchu. Whatever you read and no matter how many photos you have seen, nothing can quite prepare you for the first time you see the Inca citadel rising high above a bend in the river.
Machu Picchu is easily accessible from Cusco. You can go there by luxury train, trek the amazing Inca Trail high in the Andes or take any other number of routes all ending with lost city itself. Built, but never completed by the Incas around 1450 the Inca capital was only re-discovered in 1911. The breath-taking lost city of the Incas is now discovered by hundreds of enthralled visitors every day.
Lake Titicaca
For long weekends or those travelling before or after their placement with us, Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world is under 5 hours from Cusco by car or 7-8 hours by bus. Here you can take a cruise on the lake, visit the famous floating Uros Islands or do a spot of star gazing in one of the least light-polluted skies on the planet.
Lima
You are almost certain to travel through Lima on your way to Cusco, but Peru’s capital is worth a stop before or after your placement with us. There is excellent shopping in the ocean-side district of Miraflores, wonderful galleries and museums in trendy Barranco, some truly impressive Spanish colonial buildings in the historic centre and amazing restaurants throughout the city.
Arequipa
Less than a day’s drive from Cusco, the city of Arequipa is Peru’s second largest city. It is known as the white city due to the colour of the historic buildings constructed using local white stone called sillar. Like Cusco, Arequipa is located in the Andes mountains bit at a lower altitude so enjoys almost year-round warm and sunny weather. The city is overlooked by the magnificent dormant volcano El Misti.
Arequipa is also the staging post for trips to the Famous Colca Canyon.
Volunteer with Globalteer at the Peru Conservation Project and receive specially negotiated discounts with a well-respected agency in Cusco who can arrange services such as visits to Machu Picchu, Amazon trips, Lake Titicaca as well as many other amazing trips in Peru and South America.
Financial Transparency
As a UK registered Charity, Globalteer is completely financially transparent to you, our donors. You can therefore see a full breakdown of where your money goes and our independently audited accounts by clicking below:
To discover why you should consider choosing Globalteer, please visit the following page:
Why do we charge a fee for volunteering?
Globalteer requests a donation from volunteers to allow us to achieve our charitable objectives and support our partner programmes. In return, Globalteer provides volunteers with an amazing, responsible and ethical volunteer experience and in-country support from the Globalteer team in Cusco. Ensuring that your placement is responsible as well as rewarding, safe and enjoyable takes a good deal of work.
A summary of Globalteer’s total expenditure for the last financial year is shown below:
Donations and Grants 60% – This includes a share of volunteer placement fees, grants we have secured for our projects and donations managed by Globalteer that are made by individuals and groups to our projects and partner projects.
Support Costs 29% – This includes volunteer accommodation, volunteer transport, support staff costs, travel costs and some volunteer meals.
Operational Costs 11% – Costs of running Globalteer.
What’s Included
√ Free airport pick up from Cusco international airport.
√ Transfer by road and boat from Cusco to the project.
√ Accommodation for the duration of your stay.
√ Three meals a day at the project.
√ Peru orientation guide and induction on arrival.
√ Free Cusco town tour.
√ In-country support from the volunteer co-ordinator.
√ All necessary project equipment and materials.
√ All necessary project training by experienced staff.
√ Transfer back to Cusco at the end of your placement
√ Free Globalteer tote bag and welcome pack.
√ Project donation.
What’s not included
- Flights
- Medical and travel insurance
- Vaccinations and inoculations
- Additional meals & drinks
- Personal kit
What do everyday items cost?
The official currency of Peru is the Nuevo Sol, and there are approximately 4.20 Soles to the pound and 3.20 Soles to the US dollar. The cost of living in Peru is low compared to most countries in the developed world. The costs of some typical items are:
- Bus ride up to half an hour - 1 Sol
- Taxi journey up to 10 minutes - 4 Soles
- Meal in a market - 6 Soles
- Bottle of soft drink - 1.5 Soles
- Coffee - 5 Soles
- Meal in a restaurant - 10 Soles to 40 Soles
Quick Summary of the Peru Amazon Conservation Project
The Peru Amazon Conservation project is based in an idyllic setting deep in the rainforest of Peru.
You will work to protect rainforest that still harbours endangered species such as jaguars, pumas, ocelots, tapirs, sloths, anacondas, river otters, caiman and a myriad of other species.
The Peru Amazon Conservation Project is located in the Manu Biosphere Reserve; This region of Peru is one of the world’s most biodiverse hotspots and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Volunteers need to arrive to Cusco for this project. After your project orientation you will begin your trip into the amazon with your fellow volunteers.Forest regeneration, animal monitoring (birds, mammals, amphibians, butterflies and reptiles), bio gardening, capacity building, and agroforestry.
Volunteers work for 6-8 hours per day, with one free day per week.
Our volunteer accommodation is totally in keeping with this unique environment.
Accommodation is comfortable and airy, with rooms being either twin or triple share. Mosquito nets, a plastic storage box, and bedding are provided.
Volunteers at this project must be aged 18+ , with a passion for conservation, learning and the outdoors.
Volunteers should also have a moderate level of fitness as this project requires hiking through the rainforest to carry out some of the tasks.What’s Included:
√ Free airport pick-up from Talara regional airport. √ Standard accommodation for the duration of your placement. √ Free use of dive equipment (for certified divers). √ Peru orientation guide and induction on arrival √ Free daily transport to and from your project sites √ In-country support from our project team and Globalteer staff. √ All necessary project equipment and materials. √ All necessary project training by experienced staff. √ Project donation.
We have a list of answers to questions frequently asked about the project.
Frequently Asked QuestionsYou can come to the project and help!
To apply click here: Apply nowYou can also donate to support the Peru Marine Conservation Project! Donate Now!
Real Reviews of Globalteer on Volunteer's Social Media
Great organisation making a real difference. Great organisation making a real difference in Peru.
Nick James12/20/2017All the staff and volunteers I worked with were very friendly and supportive. My time spent volunteering in Siem Reap, Cambodia, with Globalteer... read more was one of the most eye-opening and inspiring experiences I've had. Volunteering in local schools allowed me to see parts of the area that I wouldn't have been able to as a tourist, and coaching sports to the school children offered me a chance to interact with locals and engage in their culture. Communication with Globalteer leading up to and during my trip was easy and constant. All the staff and volunteers I worked with were very friendly and supportive, always eager to help me out with any issues or concerns I had. Free time during the evenings and weekends allowed me to explore and enjoy what Siem Reap has to offer. I would definitely recommend Globalteer to anyone wishing to immerse themselves in a new culture, step out their comfort zone and make a difference to the local area! read less
Colin Elkington1/13/2018If you’re considering getting involved, just do it! I guarantee you won’t regret it. I had an AMAZING experience volunteering on two different projects... read more with Globalteer. You really get to experience life in a completely different culture, whilst making a significant difference to the projects and local communities. The Globalteer staff are all so helpful and welcoming, and the little things like being picked up from the airport and being shown around the local area made my trip so much easier, and meant I settled in straight away. If you’re considering getting involved, just do it! I guarantee you won’t regret it. read less
Jess Robinson1/12/2018This trip was very well organized by Globalteer. I had the amazing opportunity to volunteer with Globalteer at... read more the Northern Thailand Elephant Sanctuary! It was amazing being at this sanctuary and if you love being outdoors with animals then I highly recommend this one. One of the best things about this sanctuary is that you can stay overnight! It is incredible to see the elephants before you turn in for the night and then watch them get bathed in the morning as you eat your breakfast. This trip was very well organized by Globalteer. The sanctuary is small but it gives you the chance to really see the animals in their natural habitat. You can participate in feedings and sit in bungalows out in the jungle and just watch these magnificent creatures. Meals are filling and delicious and I highly recommend staying for a few nights. read less
Kayla Lynne Kiteley1/25/2018If you go there, you would definitely love it. I stayed in Picaflor House for like one month and... read more a half. I really really appreciate everything they've done for the kids, and what I have learned from them. They are so happy, so pure, and so cute. If you go there, you would definitely love it. If you are wondering where you should go for volunteering, especially for those who love kids, Picaflor is the best choice, and Cusco is one of your best destinations. You would not regret it. read less
PICKLE SMART8/31/2019Everything was well organised from day one and any special requirements were met with ease. Volunteering with Globalteer at Picaflor House was an incredible experience... read more - everything was well organised from day one and any special requirements were met with ease. I can fully recommend volunteering with them to anyone who wishes to spend their time and energy on a worthwhile charity project! read less
Hannah Verity Stone6/30/2017The trip has changed my outlook on life and I believe that this is only the start of my volunteering career! Mid-life crisis? Mid-life adventure? It could have been either.....or even... read more a break from the husband! Following retirement from a demanding career in 2014 I had the luxury and freedom to enjoy being a lady that could wine and dine to her heart’s content but deep down I still yearned for a challenge. Then I came across the amazing opportunity, along with a friend, to work with underprivileged children in Cusco, Peru. This was for a month under Globalteer. I was able to be part of an inspirational and holistic after-school project for 70 children aged from 3-14 in a mountain village near Cusco. The project gives free classes and help with homework to underprivileged children, plus a safe place to play, to learn traditional music and dance, to enjoy free fruit, clean drinking water and a nutritious lunch. Once our applications had been accepted and the relevant checks completed I embarked on a fundraising campaign. Individual Just Giving pages were set up and I approached various companies to donate much needed items for the children such as educational books, art supplies, toys and clothing. My local M&S were very supportive and donated underwear and socks. Anxiety, apprehension and anticipation were just some of the feelings experienced but the time to embark on the adventure soon came round and we flew from Heathrow to Cusco via Bogota. The accommodation was in a family ‘homestay’ as we wanted to embrace and immerse ourselves in the culture and be part of a Peruvian family and also to practice the little Spanish I had learnt. In fact there were 11 people in the house in Wanchaq on the outskirts of Cusco. The family were very friendly and welcoming but you soon began to appreciate what you had left behind and not to take anything for granted. Altitude sickness was the first issue that had to be dealt with. Cusco is around 3400m above the sea level which can present a problem because the human body starts to react at around 2500m. Thankfully after taking the local remedy of Coca Tea and being given oxygen we were up and about after 36 hours. Meeting the children for the first time at Picaflor House was a very emotional experience and brought on the first of many tears. At the end of the first day with them I felt so privileged and humbled to have met them. They had nothing but were always smiling and wanting to hold your hand. I assisted with English classes, Mathematics and activities such as music, crafts and games on a Friday. They delighted in playing the simplest of games such as ‘Piggy In The Middle’ which started off with 3 and then everyone wanted to participate! The older girls made makeshift swings one day from cardboard and ropes! We were advised not to have favourites but I have to own up to having a soft spot for the Kindergarten class! The ongoing project focuses on the young and vulnerable to assist them in finding a way out of the trap of poverty and is aimed at keeping the children in a secure environment off the streets, and providing them with a safe place to learn and enjoy being children. I did witness in various parts of the area young children on their own begging in the streets or trying to sell sweets to motorists whilst waiting at the traffic lights. Sadly despite the wealth of tourist money that enters the country, very little of the money filters down to the average Peruvian and millions live in extreme poverty. This means a lack of education, healthcare and nutrition effects the poorest the hardest. Many homes have no running water or proper sanitation and heating is unheard of. With volunteers Globalteer hope to help the least fortunate live healthily, with dignity and with a future. We caught a local bus to and from the project. The journey was just under 1 hour each way and cost 3.50 soles return – approx £1! On one of our weekends off we visited Machu Picchu – an incomparable wonder and despite having seen so many pictures nothing prepares you for the first time you see the Inca citadel rising high above a bend in the river. It was well worth the 3.45 am alarm call to see the sunrise which was absolutely breath-taking. Another challenge we took on was to eat the local dish ‘Cuy’ – otherwise known as guinea pig! A Peruvian delicacy it is either fried or roasted and cooked whole. We ate it with our hands and although the meat looked like the dark meat of chicken it tasted more like duck. I also celebrated my birthday whilst out there and I gave the children a small bag of ‘Haribo’ sweets as a treat. They were absolutely delighted and so happy to have in their eyes such a luxury. I didn’t need to translate in to Spanish on this occasion – I think ‘sweets’ is a universal language! The trip was an incredible experience not only because of the gratifying sensation of helping in a foreign and vulnerable country, but also learning more about ourselves and appreciating what we have. The children made a lasting impression and I do have intentions to one day return. Volunteering at Piclafor House has taught me to never take things for granted and to realise how we can manage with far less than we think we need – I have a wardrobe of clothes so why do I think I need more? I left a case of clothes and toiletries for a lady I met and she actually filled with tears when she saw the bottle of shampoo I had donated. The trip has changed my outlook on life and I believe that this is only the start of my volunteering career! I would recommend volunteering with Globalteer to anyone who wants to have a memorable life experience. read less
Geraldine Parkin2/06/2018I met a fab group of people and they made the trip even better! I had the best time volunteering, especially with a background... read more in childcare I found this an amazing experience and highly recommend to anyone who is thinking about doing it. I met a fab group of people and they made the trip even better! The people who support you from Globalteer keep you informed and are always there through-out your trip and I hope to come back in the near future! read less
Hope Wilson1/16/2018The most eye-opening and inspiring experiences I have had. My time spent volunteering in Siem Reap, Cambodia, with Globalteer... read more was one of the most eye-opening and inspiring experiences I've had. Volunteering in local schools allowed me to see parts of the area that I wouldn't have been able to as a tourist, and coaching sports to the school children offered me a chance to interact with locals and engage in their culture. Communication with Globalteer leading up to and during my trip was easy and constant. All the staff and volunteers I worked with were very friendly and supportive, always eager to help me out with any issues or concerns I had. Free time during the evenings and weekends allowed me to explore and enjoy what Siem Reap has to offer. I would definitely recommend Globalteer to anyone wishing to immerse themselves in a new culture, step out their comfort zone and make a difference to the local area! read less
Colin Elkington1/14/2018Accommodation was perfectly chosen and I made friends for life during my month working there. Learnt so much in an authentic and safe environment. Accomdation... read more was also perfectly chosen and I made friends for life during my month working there. Working hours flexible for a passionate explorer like myself read less
Crystal2/13/2018The whole experience was fantastic from start to finish. All the Globalteer staff made me feel really welcome. I spent a couple of weeks volunteering at the Helping... read more Hands School just outside Siem Reap. The whole experience was fantastic from start to finish. All the Globalteer staff made me feel really welcome and were always on hand to answer any questions. The school itself was really well run and the kids were brilliant to work with. It felt like such a worthwhile way to spend my holiday. Will definitely be going back! read less
