2-24 weeks
from € 1.350
Peru

Wildlife rescue station and rainforest protection in the Amazon

  • Surrounded by nature
  • High recreational value
  • Species richness

The rescue station in the Amazon region is committed to animals in need and the preservation of the rainforest in Peru. Support the non-profit organization with reforestation projects, animal protection, educational programs and local community support.

Location icon Peru South Amazon
Minimum age icon from 18 years
Icon Duration 2-24 weeks / from €1.350
Departure days icon Wednesday, Sunday
SDG 15 - Life on Land
life on land

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

Project ID : FA-PE510

As a volunteer
Peru

2-24 weeks / from €1.350
to the cost overview

Wildlife rescue station and rainforest protection in the Amazon

What's the matter?

With around a dozen people and caring for 15-20 animals, volunteer work in the rainforest is dedicated to protecting and exploring the jungle, offering educational programs and creating safe tours and volunteer projects for people worldwide.

The goal of the organization is to make nature conservation realistic. An important approach is to connect local farmers and miners with conservation projects through ecologically sustainable agriculture and global support.

The donations are used, among other things, to purchase endangered land and support local hospitality businesses and farmers. Funds also flow into the indigenous community, health and educational institutions in the valley, as well as projects such as botanical gardens and research stations.

The main challenges are the lack of veterinarians and conflicts of interest with industrial agriculture. 

Your tasks as a volunteer

You will be integrated into the team's everyday life and diverse tasks, although you have the opportunity to refuse certain activities.

Depending on the weather and the status of the project, volunteer work in the rainforest includes protecting the jungle, for example by caring for seedlings, collecting and planting seeds, and creating and maintaining jungle paths. This also includes working with animals, including rescue missions and caring for animals in the rescue center. Field work includes planting and harvesting tropical plants, creating gardens and permaculture.

Office work includes the creation and distribution of advertising material, translations, as well as contacting potential partners and NGOs.

There are also social projects, such as educational workshops and support for local businesses. As a volunteer in the Amazon, you have the freedom to be creative, contribute your own ideas and work in your preferred areas, with professionalism in social and medical areas being particularly valued.

Accommodation Catering

Wildlife rescue station and rainforest protection in the Amazon

Gilahuanco family

The property is mainly made of stone and wood (bamboo) and features a garden, a terrace and a roof terrace with hammocks. Windows are fitted with mosquito nets, creating a charming atmosphere. The walls are thin, but blankets are provided on cool nights.

Up to 12 volunteers and guests of the city can live here, with rooms for a maximum of three people - but usually one or two. Most rooms share bathrooms and showers, but there are also rooms with private bathrooms for up to two people that can be booked in advance. Gender-specific rooms can be set up upon request.

There is a good internet connection. 

Location

Amazon Peru

Peru South Amazon

The Amazon in Peru represents one of the most biologically diverse places on earth and is part of the largest rainforest area in the world. This region stretches across eastern Peru and offers a breathtaking range of flora and fauna, including numerous species found nowhere else on the planet.

The Peruvian Amazon is known for its vast, pristine rainforests, mighty rivers, including the Amazon itself - the richest river in the world - and an impressive variety of wildlife, from jaguars and tapirs to countless species of birds.

Travelers heading to the Amazon from Cusco can take advantage of the unique opportunity to explore both the Inca cultural treasures and the natural wonders of the Amazon. The combination of rich history and breathtaking nature makes this area an unparalleled destination for adventurers, nature lovers and culture seekers alike.

In addition to the religious and cultural aspect, the region also offers unique opportunities for nature and adventure lovers with its picturesque landscape and proximity to the Manú National Park. The national park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world, with an incredible diversity of flora and fauna.

The Peruvian Amazon and the Cusco region together offer a fascinating mosaic of culture, history and natural beauty that attracts visitors from around the world.

Amazon Peru

Your free time in the southern Amazon

Located in close proximity to the market and the central square of the small jungle town, all needs or medical supplies can be reached within a maximum of 5 minutes on foot. The river and various sports facilities are also just a 10-20 minute walk away. Going out in clubs is not recommended for very young people. It is safe to move around the central squares during the day and also late in the evening. The risk is comparable to that of a European city, if not lower, especially if you are not traveling alone.

On-site procedure

Arrival in Cusco

After your arrival at Cusco airport, a team member will meet you at the exit after baggage claim. With a sign with your name on it you won't be able to miss it. You take a taxi into the city and then a 5-hour minivan ride into the Amazon to your accommodation. There you can rest and sleep if necessary. 

Orientation program in the Amazon

During the first 3-4 days you will take part in an on-site orientation program. The team will show you what you need to consider so that you can find your way around the area and inform you about your activities and tasks in the project.

Your first day in the project

Once you have familiarized yourself with everything, you can start working on the project. At the assignment site, you will get to know your contacts and tasks. Depending on how much previous knowledge you have and depending on your assessment and needs, you will be slowly introduced to the work or you will soon be assigned your own tasks.

Pricing

  • base fee
    € 1.350, -
    2 weeks of participation
  • extension week
    € 300, - / week
    up to 22 weeks respectively

included
Services

Before departure

  • Individual advice and support from our trained RGV team in Munich
  • Organization including placement in the project and coordination of your stay on site
  • Assistance with preparation: visa, health care, travel insurance, etc.
  • Non-binding flight advice
  • Travel ABC with packing list for your travel preparation
  • RGV t-shirt

On site

  • Orientation program with the team on site
  • Support and guidance from the on-site team
  • RGV 24h emergency number
  • Airport transfer on the agreed day of arrival
  • Accommodation in Volunteer House
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

After return

  • Participation confirmation of your voluntary commitment
  • Reflection course on your experiences abroad
  • Evaluation sheet and optional feedback discussion
useful additional services

not included
Services

  • Round trip
  • Private expenses on site
  • Travel and cancellation insurance
  • Visa and Vaccinations
  • Excursions costs 

Individual Recommended additional offers
& must-haves

Picture must-haves

Would you prefer to stay in a single room? Are you vegan or do you have special requests for food? Or do you want to do some cool trips with other volunteers in your free time and explore the country?

With us, you benefit from a variety of optional additional services that you can add individually to your booking, depending on your preferences.

Flight booking icon
" Round Trip
Cheap flights with our flight partner thanks to volunteer rates.
Flight offers with maximum flexibility

Would you like to receive a cheap flight offer for your stay abroad that is perfectly tailored to you? After you have successfully registered, you can have a non-binding offer created.

The excellent rates for volunteers, students and young people are a great advantage. Arrival times and flight time changes can also be sent directly to RGV upon request, so that our RGV teams in the destination countries are always informed about your arrival times.

These special tariffs give you special added value:

  • maximum flexibility for rebookings and cancellations
  • generous baggage allowance
  • Additional discounts on one-way flights: The new volunteer tariffs include attractive discounts to reduce your financial burden on one-way flights (e.g. for stopovers, project or country combinations).
Insurance icon
" Insurance
Benefit from the 4 in 1 ERGO travel insurance.
The 4 in 1 insurance cover for volunteers and internships abroad

You can easily book the long-term travel protection of ERGO Reiseversicherung after you have registered. You will receive the links to this automatically after a successful registration.

The following building blocks are included:

  • Health Insurance
  • Comfort protection: accident, liability and interruption insurance
  • Travel insurance
  • After your arrival you can spend an extra night in Cusco and visit the romantic, historic city center with the Inca ruins. Please note that in this case you will have to arrive one day of the week earlier than the regularly scheduled day of the week (Saturday or Tuesday instead of Sunday or Wednesday).
  • Transfer from the project to the airport in Cusco
  • Transfer from the project to the airport in Cusco

Peru South Amazon Team
site

Main Guide: Daniel (Danny), born in Germany, is a dancer and musician fascinated by science and biology who has lived in the Amazon rainforest for 10 years. He built the project slowly and steadily over the years. Traveled around the world by bike and has since then been actively involved in human rights as well as climate and nature conservation issues.

Second guide: Cesar, a local from the region, founded and runs the project's animal shelter, speaks Spanish, but also has many years of experience with international volunteers. Loves playing soccer and hiking.

Other people:
Heike, Daniel's mother, came to join the project 7 years ago and will assist you in various situations. Enjoys working with plants and cats.

Yonatan, Mex, Lidia, Fredy, Franziska and many other local residents and colleagues are part of the project and will welcome you.

Portrait team in the Amazon, Peru

RGV FAQ
to the project

What visa do I need for Peru?

You do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days per half year. If you are staying longer than 90 days, you will need proof upon entry that you are leaving the country before the 90 days are up. A bus ticket to a neighboring country is ideal for this. You have the option to request an extension of up to 183 days. The issue is then carried out on site at the migration authority.

General guidelines can be found on the website of the Foreign Office.

What are the project fees used for?

Although we are a non-profit organization, there are costs associated with volunteering abroad. Find out here, why volunteering requires money and what your project fee is used for.

What language skills do I need for the project?

The project manager speaks German, Spanish and English and can fully translate. The locals mainly speak Spanish.

It is recommended to learn some basic Spanish.

What are the requirements for the project?

No special skills are required and there is no dress code, but be aware that you are in the rainforest. It will rain and there will be insects at work (depends on the time of year). Rubber boots are an advantage!

What vaccinations/ health precautions do I need?

If you are traveling from a yellow fever area, you need a yellow fever vaccination. Otherwise there are no compulsory vaccinations.

We generally recommend a consultation in a practice for travel and tropical medicine.

You can get general information about recommended health care and vaccinations online Center for Travel Medicine as well as on the side of Foreign Office.

Is the project a safe place for LGBTQ+ people?

The project is led by queer people, among others, and is also suitable and safe for LGBTQ+ people.

However, please be aware that homosexual acts are considered undesirable in many countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America and are even punishable in some places. In general, people who are identified as queer are often exposed to hostility.

For example, contact the Foreign Office to find out the exact regulations in your target country.

General FAQ about volunteer work

Ready to volunteer in Peru? Start your adventure abroad with Rainbow Garden Village!

Rainbow Garden Village has been offering volunteer work and internships abroad since 1999. What started as a small student initiative in Ghana has now grown into an organization with over 250 projects around the world.

You can be sure that your work as a volunteer will be an unforgettable experience. Bring your commitment and your knowledge to do good locally - and at the same time benefit from the unique experiences that will promote your personal development.

Become part of our RGV community!
We look forward to you.

RGV Your way
to the volunteer

1
Choose your volunteer project and register online.

2
We will review your application and confirm your participation.

3
Prepare for your assignment online or in our preparatory seminar in Munich.

4
Here we go! During your volunteer work, we will support you at any time with our on-site team.

Gallery Impressions &
Impressions

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