At a glance
- Spend your spring break living in the spectacular Amazon Rainforest
- Support the Peruvian Forestry and Wildlife Protection Agency to rehabilitate animals
- Have a jungle adventure while building skills for your resume
- From the forest floor to the canopy walkway, spot Peru’s beautiful wildlife
Is Spring Break Conservation in Peru right for me?
Want to use your spring break to build skills and leave a positive impact on the world? Volunteering might be just what you’re after!
Rainforest Conservation in Peru is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel deep into the Amazon Rainforest. If you have an adventurous spirit and a love of the great outdoors, this trip is for you.
As a spring break volunteer, you’ll join other travelers your age, who could become lifelong friends. Together, you’ll live and work in the idyllic Taricaya Ecological Reserve.
This project is ideal for college students seeking a career in biological or environmental science. The hands-on fieldwork will give you stand-out skills for your resume.
But anyone who loves wildlife can take part. This is your chance to visit one of the best spring break destinations.
This project runs for a week on fixed dates in March, so it coincides perfectly with your spring break.
Assist with animal rescue, rehabilitation, and release
We work with the help, authorization, and permission of the Peruvian Forestry and Wildlife Protection Agency (SERFOR). We also work closely with Animal Defenders International (ADI) who help us with this mission.
We receive confiscated wild animals that have been kept as pets and circus animals. We also rescue animals that have been illegally trafficked. These are usually rainforest animals such as scarlet macaws and spider monkeys.
Your job as a Rainforest Conservation volunteer is to help us rehabilitate these animals. You’ll help feed and care for these animals. Whether cleaning enclosures or repairing fences, you’ll get up close to wildlife, preparing them for freedom.
For animals raised in captivity who can’t be released, you’ll help give them the quality of life they deserve.
Collect data for biodiversity studies
To protect Amazon Rainforest wildlife, we first need to study it. By recording details about the species you spot, you’ll help us understand how to protect them.
You will:
- Survey birds from a canopy platform
- Collect video footage using camera traps
- Record data during trail hikes
Thanks to the work of volunteers like you, Taricaya is an internationally recognized research center. Data collected by our volunteers have been included in research papers. Take this chance to contribute to scientific papers that are making a real-world impact.
Tend to banana trees and citruses on a pilot farm
We have a pilot farm where we develop sustainable farming techniques.
We also grow mahogany, cedar, and other wooden trees on the farm. This shows local loggers how this can be a cost-effective alternative to cutting down trees.
Tending to crops such as banana trees and citruses, you’ll help maintain a flourishing farm.
Where will I work in Peru?
Puerto Maldonado
You’ll live and work at our central camp on the Taricaya Ecological Reserve in the Amazon Rainforest. You’ll travel with our staff to the nearest town, Puerto Maldonado. From here, you'll take a one-hour boat ride deep into the wilderness of southeast Peru.
Most of the work will take place around this camp. The camp is basic but safe and comfortable. It’s the perfect place to reconnect with nature during your spring break.
What are the goals of Rainforest Conservation in Peru?
The main aim of this project is to conserve the diverse plants and animals of the Amazon Rainforest ecosystem.
The wildlife of Peru is under constant threat, including from:
- Agriculture
- Logging
- Poaching
- Smuggling
- Pollution
- Mining
- Urbanization
We must do more to protect and preserve the Amazon's unique wildlife and vegetation.
This project works to restore an area previously damaged by human activities like poaching, gold mining, and farming. We conduct surveys and reintroduce species previously found in the area.
You’ll become part of these efforts by helping to run a model farm. This helps us pass on techniques for more sustainable farming.
We have four main goals for Conservation in Peru:
- Restore natural ecosystems
- Protect local wildlife
- Monitor habitats
- Raise awareness of environmental issues
Join our Spring Break Amazon Rainforest Conservation Project and help us achieve these goals.
Management plans
We set out the aims and objectives of our projects in documents called Management Plans. We use them to properly plan the work you’ll do. They also help us measure and evaluate our achievements and impact each year.
Ultimately, our Management Plans help us make our projects better. This in turn means you get to be part of something that makes a real impact where it’s needed. Read more about our Management Plans.
Measuring our impact
Our projects work towards clear long-term goals, with specific annual objectives. Every volunteer and intern we send to these projects helps us work towards these goals, no matter how long they spend on our projects.
Every year we take a step back and look at how much progress we've made towards these goals. We put together a Global Impact Report, which documents our achievements. Find out more about the impact our global community of volunteers, interns and staff make, and read the latest report.
Food and accommodation
Where you’ll stay: Enjoy a truly wild adventure as you stay in a rustic rainforest lodge. The lodge is located in the Taricaya Ecological Reserve, a serene protected area.
Comfort level: It’s time to embrace simple living. There are no hot showers but cold showers offer a refreshing relief from the heat.
Electricity works with solar panels, but in the rare event that they lose charge, we switch to generators.
You might not have some of the comforts you’re used to, such as fast Wi-Fi. Take this chance to reconnect with nature instead.
Who you’ll live with: You’ll share accommodation with other Spring Break volunteers during your stay. This is a great way to get to know fellow travelers, share experiences, and explore together.
What you’ll eat: Living in a remote area, food options may be limited. Rest assured, though, that your project fee covers three hearty meals a day. We can cater to a range of dietary preferences.
There will be plenty of fresh tropical fruits and vegetables on offer.
Safety and staff support
Your safety and security is our prime concern. We have many procedures and systems to ensure you have the support you need to enjoy your trip with peace of mind. Our Projects Abroad staff are available 24 hours a day to help, and will be on hand to make sure you settle in well at your accommodation and placement. If you encounter any problems, they will be available to help at any time.
Find out more about safety and backup.
This placement is fully researched, safety audited, and risk assessed in accordance with the British Standard BS8848 for the Adventure Travel Sector.
Not quite what you’re looking for?
Take a look at the following pages where you'll find collections of similar projects:
Our accreditations
