Description

Have an incredible experience learning about the rainforest and working on a research and conservation project in the Peruvian Amazon.

* About the Placement

You will be based at our jungle research and conservation center on the Madre de Dios River in the Amazon jungle. The center is leading the field in combining research with conservation and local community development. Work at the center is closely tied in with supporting the local community and you will not only be involved with scientific research programs in the rainforest but also with community development programs close to the center.

The placement starts in the ancient Inca capital city of Cusco with a day of orientation and preparation. During the day you'll also do a tour of this fascinating city. The next morning starts with a journey through the high Andes from Cusco to the cloud forest on the edge of the Amazon. You stop in the town of Paucartambo on route to visit a mountain community and then in Acjanco Park Guard Station to learn about the high cloud forest. The road then descends down into the Amazon rainforest where you'll stop at a 'Cock of the Rock' lek (a display ground in the forest) and hopefully spot the national bird of Peru. Then the final part of the journey to the center is by motorized canoe down the Madre de Dios River. The road (and river) to the center is one of the most diverse and incredible journeys in the world.

Once at the center your first few days will be a mix of time on the trails with guides and time at the center in a more structured learning environment. During this time period you will find yourself immersed in all things rainforest and should find yourself learning a huge amount. You'll then be ready to get into the work at the center. You may find yourself collecting specimens in the forest, monitoring endangered Macaw's from the hide at the clay lick, digging seed beds in the bio garden, carrying and planting seedlings as part of the reforestation and carbon sequestration program or working with local children in the ecology club.

At weekends the group visits the town of Salvacion - the capital town of the district. Whilst in Salvacion you will be involved in some community development volunteering which is a chance to give something to the local community as well as giving you a real insight into how people live in jungle towns.

Highlights

* On-going volunteering

The longer you stay, the more you will become involved in the on-going work of the jungle center. Your main focus will be volunteering on the sustainability projects such as the bio-garden and reforestation. You can also get involved in the monitoring projects depending on the needs at the time. Current projects include:

* Fauna - wildlife monitoring and capacity building program
* Mapping - using GPS to map the area and record areas of special interest
* Water purification - using local plants and biomass to filter and cleanse water
* Carbon initiative - offsetting greenhouse emissions through forest regeneration
* Reforestation - planting new forest to provide renewable commercial timber
* Education - educating local children in rainforest and sustainable development practices
* Field guide - producing an illustrated educational tool
* Night monkeys - studying the habits of the night monkey
* Jungle exploration - maintaining and expanding the trail system and exploring the area

* The jungle expedition

A 4 day jungle expedition is included every month for volunteers at the center. This takes you out into the rainforest away from the center on small rarely traveled trails. You will visit a native community and will sleep out in the jungle. If you stay for 2 or 3 months you will take part in 2 or 3 expeditions. The 4 day expeditions have proved to be one of the most popular elements of the placement in recent years. Its an amazing experience that you are unlikely to ever forget.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

2 weeks: GBP 975 - 12 weeks GBP 3145

Program Fees Include:

* A detailed information pack and support prior to departure
* Pick up from Cusco airport
* Orientation in Cusco
* A tour of Cusco city
* Overnight accommodation in Cusco
* Guided educational transfers to the rainforest centre from Cusco
* Orientation and tour on arrival at the center
* 2 to 12 weeks in the jungle at the research center
* All meals while at the center
* Training for your work
* A 4 day jungle expedition every 4 weeks for people staying for a month or longer
* Support staff throughout your placement in Peru
* Return transport to Cusco
* One night in Cusco at the end of the placement
* Optional two day tour to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley of the Incas from Cusco

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

must be at least 18 years old.

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat
• Other

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of Normally 3-8

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Personal Overseas Development (PoD)'s Mission Statement

PoD is a leading non-profit organization arranging ethical, inspiring and supported volunteering opportunities around the world. Established in 2001, our aim is to support ongoing projects with our partners in Belize, Cambodia, Nepal, Peru, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand and Vietnam by providing passionate and committed volunteers. We work with long term projects that we know personally and where there is genuine benefit to local communities. A placement with PoD will not only develop volunteer's skills and confidence, get them out of their comfort zone and exploring incredible parts of the world but also the ability make a genuine difference. We currently offer gap year, career break, working holiday, volunteer projects and school expeditions from 1 week to 6 months with year round departures. We offer a personal and professional service drawing on years of experience from staff in the UK and overseas. Volunteers are needed to help work with disadvantaged children, communities, animals and conservation projects including: caring for elephants and wild animals; joining an Amazon jungle conservation project; scuba diving and marine conservation; community building projects; volunteering at orphanages and care homes; teaching English and running summer English camps. PoD believes in providing challenging, safe and fun experiences for individuals and groups to enjoy. We are passionate about giving volunteers of all ages the opportunity to use their energy, enthusiasm and personality where it counts.

Year Founded

2001