| |
|
|
|
| |
Consult a Travel Advisor! |
| |
Write your question below
and we'll get back to you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Andean Conservation Volunteer Program
Cusco, Peru
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
Volunteer Activities |
|
|
 |
Help reforest land |
|
Help in the daily care and rehabilitation of animals at the local zoo |
|
Create animal inventories |
|
Document and help conserve seed stocks for native farmers |
|
|
| |
| Volunteer Program at a Glance |
|
| |
Start Dates:
Any Monday of the year.
Program Length:
Minimum of 1 week; 2 weeks for the rainforest option |
|
Program Cost:
1 week:
US $1,095
2 Weeks:
US $1,405
3 Weeks:
US $1,795
4 Weeks:
US $2,185
Each Additional Week:
US $390
|
|
Cost includes:
|
Airport pick-up |
|
On-site orientation and training |
|
Accommodations |
|
Three meals per day |
|
In-country support and program coordination |
|
24-hour local emergency support |
|
|
Schedule:
The volunteer schedule will vary according to your chosen program. With the reforestation programs, work hours are usually Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, though this may vary based on weather and specific program needs. At the zoo, volunteer work hours are normally Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.
|
|
Requirements:
Volunteers should be physically fit to carry out the duties associated with this program. Those who work in the Andean rainforest will be very isolated. They should be prepared to go long periods of time without modern amenities like hot water and electricity. While Spanish is not required, your language skills will partially determine the programs in which you participate. |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
What Volunteers Can Do: |
|
|
| |
Our Andean Conservation Program in Peru works with several organizations to help conserve Peru's profound natural and cultural treasures. As a volunteer, you can help to reforest sections of the Amazon Rainforest or to conserve native Peruvian animal species. Whichever you choose, you will help defend Peru's fragile natural and cultural heritage. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Why Volunteer in Peru? |
|
|
| |
Peru is one of the most biologically diverse nations on the planet. There are 1,700 species of bird in Peru alone, nearly 20 percent of the Earth's total, along with 15,000 plant species and an estimated 30 million insect species. Peru's geography includes the second-highest mountain range on earth, the world's driest desert, wind-swept beaches, and the sprawling Amazon jungle. To add to this natural wealth, the Incas and other pre-Colombian civilizations left an abundant archaeological record and an enduring indigenous culture.
Such riches, however, are difficult to maintain. Deforestation and habitat destruction has become a serious problem. Much of Peru's native wildlife is endangered. Meanwhile, indigenous cultures are slowly disappearing and important traditions are lost from one generation to the next. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Peru Andean Conservation Program Goals: |
|
|
| |
As a volunteer with our Andean Conservation Program, you can choose between two important efforts:
| |
| |
Animal Care |
|
|
| |
Volunteers can work at the Cusco Zoo, part of the University San Antonio Abad of Cusco, which directs the maintenance and conservation of native Peruvian animal species. Here you will work with university students and professors to care for the animals and help with their cleaning and feeding. |
|
|
| |
Reforestation |
|
|
| |
Reforestation programs take place in the Amazon jungle, on the coast, and in the Andes Mountains. These programs help rural communities and small villages reforest areas that have lost native flora or fauna. With the help of Peruvian environmentalists, you will work with local inhabitants to recover native species of trees, plants, and animals. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Airport Pickup and Orientation: |
|
|
| |
When you arrive in Cusco, you will be greeted at the airport by a volunteer coordinator. You will be taken to your accommodations in Cusco and provided with a brief tour of the facilities and resources available to you. The official orientation typically begins the day following your arrival. Volunteers working on programs outside of Cusco will then be transported by bus or air to their ultimate program location. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Spanish Language Classes: |
|
|
| |
Volunteers enrolled in the standard or complete packages will be taking Spanish classes at our partner language school in Cusco. For more efficient placement upon your arrival, we ask that you take our Online Spanish Placement Test to determine your language proficiency. If this is not possible, we will test you upon arrival at the school. You will be placed according to your language level in a group of 12 or fewer students, learning conversational Spanish for two hours a day. If you enroll in the complete package, you will take an additional hour per day of private instruction.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Transportation: |
|
|
| |
Airport pick-up is included, as well as all transfers required by the program. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Accommodations: |
|
|
| |
Volunteers who work at the Cusco Zoo will stay in Cusco at our partner-owned bed and breakfast. Rooms are shared with another volunteer, as are bathrooms. You will be provided with three meals a day and room cleaning. Volunteers will have hot water throughout the day, though there may be occasional times when hot water is turned off for 3-4 hours.
Reforestation volunteers will stay in rural villages in a variety of climates, depending on the season and the program's needs at the time. Often volunteers will camp. In either case, our partner organization will provide all of the necessary equipment. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Meals: |
|
|
| |
Three meals are served per day for all programs. |
|
|
| |
|
|
In-Country Support: |
|
|
| |
Volunteer coordinators will provide support during your time in Peru. You can expect help from field guides and fellow volunteers. We also provide a 24-hour cell phone number for emergencies. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Peru Excursions: |
|
|
| |
Cusco is a major destination for adventure and cultural travel. If you have free time during or after your volunteer program, you will have the opportunity to take part in excursions at your own cost. The following are some examples of activities you can enjoy:
|
Paragliding |
|
Archeological tour |
|
Whitewater rafting |
|
Bungee-jumping |
|
Machu Picchu (overnight) |
|
3-day trekking adventure |
|
3-day jungle tour |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Insurance for Volunteers: |
|
|
| |
BridgeVolunteers provides emergency travel insurance for participants. For more information, please read our Insurance page. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
