Live and work in the
most awesome jungle in the
world - the AMAZON! This project is located in the MANU
Biosphere Reserve in Peru, surrounded by Amazon Rainforest.
This is a
multi-activity project - volunteers benefit from the training
components and actively assist in the environmental monitoring study at
multiple locations. As you stay longer, you will take on increasing levels
of data collection and project management responsibilities (depending on
your abilities). The longer you participate on the project, the more
skills you will develop.
On this project you will ...
Visit one of the
most bio-diverse regions in the world
Experience life in
the Amazon jungle
Trek through the
rainforest
Live in a
beautiful, traditional lodge
Participate in
important conservation projects
Train with
experienced guides and conservationists
Understand
survival issues for rainforests and endangered species
Contribute towards
scientific research
Explore a variety
of different ecosystems
Adventure through
mountains, rivers and forests
FREE TREK: If you are on this project for 2 months or longer, you'll take
part in a 4 day/3 night trek either to the very popular Hot Water Springs
OR
Whitewater Rafting down the river.
The Project takes place
at a Centre (see photo right) based in the Manu Biosphere Reserve,
which is a large conservation area located in the South Eastern corner of
Peru in the Parque Nacional Manu. It consists of various types of
rainforest (The Amazon) and is rich in diversity.
The importance of
the Manu Biosphere Reserve was recognised in
1987 when it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It achieved
this largely because of its renown as an area of abundant wildlife and
high species biodiversity, many of which have yet been documented.
The park is
approximately the size of Wales (20,000 sq km). Some of the area is being
opened up to limited ecotourism (and tourists pay up to US$300 per day to
stay in the ecolodges!). The closest city is Cusco which is
approximately 8 hours drive by 4x4 vehicle.
The Rainforest Centre
that we work with lies within the Reserve near to a road and river. It is
about 45 minutes drive from the nearest village (Salvacion). The design of
the facility complements its surroundings using a fusion of traditional
thatched techniques with modern design, while utilising the latest in
natural resource management to maintain the site. As an added bonus, there
is a waterfall that borders the site!
This is a
multi-activity project - volunteers benefit from the training
components and actively assist in the environmental monitoring study at
multiple locations. As you stay longer, you will take on increasing levels
of data collection and project management responsibilities (depending on
your abilities). The longer you participate on the project, the more
skills you will develop.
4 Day / 3 Night Trek - Hot Springs OR
Whitewater Rafting: You can do this project for 1, 2, 3 or more
months. If you are on the project for 2 months or longer, you can take
part in a 4 day/3 night trek either to the very popular Hot Water Springs or
Whitewater Rafting down the river. (The choice of trek will be allocated
at the time and dictated by factors like number of volunteers, weather,
etc.) In either activity, you'll spend time camping out.
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.
"I have visited rainforests a
great many times and this is the best that I’ve 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 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 in Manu:
You will arrive in Cusco, where you'll
be met by members from the Project and taken on to the Centre in Manu. This journey is by
road (4x4 vehicle) and takes from 9 to 10 hours. 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 with sheer drops, but the road is relatively ‘quiet’ with maybe 6
-10 vehicles passing every hour.
The scenery is variable and often
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
interesting (but long) and adds to the sense of adventure!
The last part of the
journey (10 minutes) involves crossing a river by boat. The Centre is only accessible by boat as
the road ends on the other side of the river.
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.
ABOUT YOUR WORK
On your arrival
(this is in the late afternoon) and after settling in, you'll have a
short, informal welcome and orientation session. The following day you'll
be taken on a guided walk into the forest. This will be followed by a
half-day introduction to the rainforest and how it works. You'll also be
told about the kind of projects you can become involved in. These will
change according to what is required at the time you are there.
As mentioned above, this
is a multi-activity project. There are many different projects and types
of projects on the go at the same time, but you will also be guided and
encouraged to work on your own projects as well. "When I arrived, all
the volunteers were working on their own projects and they took great
pride in showing me what they were doing. They all felt their efforts were
benefiting the local community." (Paul White, Travellers) The degree
to which you'll run or assist on such projects will depend upon your
abilities.
Below are some examples of the types
of activities that are carried out at the Centre:
Mammal studies:
Population surveys carried out by
walking the paths and recording what you see.
Installing and maintaining mud
pits on paths (these are footprint traps used to indicate species type,
number and frequency of use).
Checking the mud pits and taking
plaster casts.
There is a project which involves
observing a small colony of night monkeys at the edge of the campus.
This occasionally has to stop because there is nobody to do it, so your
help in this would be appreciated.
Data input (onto laptop
spreadsheets). This is very useful as it enables more observations to be
made.
Bird Studies:
Population
surveys are carried out by walking the paths and recording what you see.
This is also
enhanced by the use of recordings played through speakers to attract
individuals – very interesting! Due to the large number of species,
volunteers assist the scientist with this, often by watching the sky for
larger birds whilst the scientist concentrates on the small species in
the undergrowth.
Observations at
clay licks. These are areas where flocks of parrots, parakeets and
macaws predictably visit. It is part of a study occurring in a great
many parts of the Amazon.
Mist netting.
Scientists capture wild birds in order to ring them and take
measurements, etc. They are then released unharmed. Your assistance with
this is appreciated because it's a two-person job.
Hummingbird
feeding project. Construction of a ‘garden’ of different coloured
hummingbird feeders (plastic bottles filled with sugary water), to try
and associate species with different coloured plants.
Other feeding
studies based upon feeders spread around the campus.
Data input.
"Anybody with an
interest in birds would find this to be a particularly superb
opportunity." Paul White
Plant Studies:
Observation
Recording
Data input.
Associated jungle
projects:
Cutting paths to form new ‘arrays’
for surveying the jungle. Arrays are large grids (each path is around 1
km
long). They are the trails that the observers use when recording
wildlife.
Mapping the paths and arrays.
Volunteers go out with GPS units and use the information to draw maps of
the area.
Other projects on the
Site:
The Centre is keen to
develop sustainable practices on the site as trials. Where successful,
these can then be introduced to the local population. Currently a
volunteer has started a reed-bed system of filtering the waste water from
the centre. This will need maintaining.
Another volunteer set up
a compost system and taught the staff to use it to make compost from the
kitchen waste. This has tied in nicely with another volunteer's work to
try and plant a garden on the site outside the accommodation buildings,
(where the soil is particularly poor).
Work is also going on to
set up a vegetables and fruit garden, as anything brought in from the town
tends to rot fairly quickly. As you can see, there is a lot of scope here
to develop new ideas and/or projects. This is a placement where you can
really make a difference, particularly if you have initiative.
Teaching:
If you can provide any
English language tuition and practice for the staff at the Centre, this
would be very much appreciated. They are very keen and are happy to attend
classes, do homework, etc. (Incidentally, there are also many
opportunities for you to practice and improve your Spanish - or to start
learning it from scratch!)
ACCOMMODATION
The Centre has breathtaking views over the canopy, Madre
de Dios River and surrounding areas. There are also numerous other
viewpoints situated around the reserve.
This project is Idyllically placed on the edge of the
Amazon Rainforest, on a hill next to a river. It has a ’nice’ feel to it.
It
is relaxed and peaceful, and has been tastefully constructed in keeping
with its surroundings. At present the area has six thatched
buildings. Three are accommodation houses with a classroom/workroom on the
ground floor and a bedroom area above and you'll be sharing a room with
other volunteers. All buildings have open walls and
are fresh and airy.
The bathroom is a separate block consisting of six cubicles, each
containing a (Western) flush toilet, handbasin and cold shower.
There are also extra washbasins, and a large sink in which to do your
laundry.
There is a dining and relaxation area, with
tables and a few armchairs, as well as a library and covered hammock area.
Lighting is by candle (not allowed in bedroom areas) and there is
generally no electricity on the site. There is, however, a generator which
is run for a few hours every night in order to charge camera batteries
etc. We recommended that you take out a portable headlight torch and a few
other items, but we'll provide you with a list of recommended items to
take with you before you leave.
Food: Food is provided and you'll
have three meals per day - breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food is wholesome and
mainly vegetarian. Often pasta or rice, soup, fruit juice. Not 5 star
(it’s the jungle after all) but very acceptable. There is always
a flask of hot water, tea, coffee and filtered (safe) drinking water
available in the dining room.
The cook is able to cater for a number of specialised diets, although
choices may be limited.
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.
What
is required of You:
You don't need any special qualifications
to do this Project, but if you do have initiative and you are adaptable, it
does help.
As with all our destinations, the
Peruvian culture and heritageis different to Anglo-Saxon cultures and this must 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!
Once you have applied for a placement, we will send you a very
detailed Peru Information Book, as well as an equally detailed
Safety Guide
- both of these will help to make your stay in Peru one that you will never
forget!
To read about the extensiveSupport & Backup we provide in our countries,
please click here.
TRAVEL
You have the option to arrange your
own flights or we can assist you with your flight arrangements. If you would
like us to do this for you, we will liaise with you regarding available flights
and dates to suit you. All arrangements for your flight bookings/payments will
be fulfilled by Murray Rogers Travel Ltd., ATOL No. 6856. (Read more about Murray Rogers Travel Ltd.)
Where possible, we arrange for two or more people to travel on the
same flight and we will let you have the names and telephone numbers of other
volunteers on your flight, so that you can chat to each other or even meet up
before leaving for your placement.
Where possible, all flights we arrange for you
have changeable return tickets because many of our volunteers choose to extend
their stay once they are in their destination country. Changeable return tickets
enable you to do so, within the limits of your visa and the level of your air
ticket, of course.
If you choose to book your own flights, you should endeavour
to get a changeable ticket. We meet you at the airport regardless of whether you
make your own travel arrangements or not.
You'll fly into Cusco where you'll be met at the airport.
From the airport you'll be taken into Cusco to
a hostel/hotel and arrangements will be made for you to have some food,
telephone home, change some money, etc.
You'll then be taken overland and finally across the river to the Centre.
Cusco: From Cusco the main
attraction is Machu Picchu and/or the Sacred Valley. The Inca Trail
currently has a 3 month waiting list although sometimes ‘strings can be pulled’!
VISAS:. In countries where visas or
immigration documents are required, we'll send you all the necessary forms and
information and make the process very easy for you.
To read about the extensiveSupport & Backup we provide
in our countries, please
click here.
We can also arrange your flight
dates to give you additional time at the end of your project for travelling
around and sightseeing - this is a fascinating and wondrous country!
PRICES:
To see the Prices of this project and all
our other projects in Peru, please
click here
Prices
include
Food & accommodation while on your project,
2 T-shirts, if required
for your project
All support and backup
during your programme
Meeting you at the
nearest airport, where appropriate, but exclude international travel.
.
+44 01903 502595
