Volunteer in Peru: Conservation Jungle

Location

Volunteers will primarily be based in Cusco, but may also participate in projects in the Sacred Valley and surrounding Jungle. Cusco is a city in south-eastern Peru, near the Sacred Valley of the Andes mountain range. Cusco is at an altitude of around 3,500m (11,500 ft), and is where the majority of volunteers will be based. Volunteers on the Andean cultural exchange projects will be located in the Sacred Valley, and those on the Jungle conservation program will be based in the Jungle reserve outside of Cusco. For all projects, orientation will take place in Cusco, after which volunteers for the Jungle project will be placed approximately 8-10 hours away from Cusco.

Jungle Conservation

You will be volunteering at a conservation project in the Amazon Rain Forest outside of the Cusco area. There, you will be involved in various types of work depending on the current needs of the project. The two primary work areas are reforestation and wildlife inventories. Working in reforestation includes planting trees, shrubs and orchids as well as removing non-native and invasive species of bamboo. Wildlife inventories include observing and counting various species of birds and primates.

Please note that during rainy days work may be limited and may include repairs at the lodge and/or working with the local school. Volunteers can also get involved in teaching English at the local school following their regular work.

Note: Jungle volunteers will NOT be able to take part in Spanish lessons during their time in the jungle. However, we can arrange for Spanish lessons before or after your project though, this may include additional costs for housing.

Accommodation

For volunteers on the Jungle program you will be housed at either the Manu National Park or the Tambopata Jungle in dormitory-style accommodation. Please be prepared to do you laundry by hand.

Free Time

Volunteers are expected to work Monday to Friday, with weekends free to travel and explore the region.

We encourage you to make the most of your time in Peru, and there are some fantastic sights to see not far from the city.

Communication

If you'd like to bring a cell phone, our partner will instruct you how to get a Peruvian sim-card to use for your phone in Peru. Many volunteers use Peruvian sim-cards to receive international calls or send text messages. Calling cards are readily available and make for a cheaper way to make calls home.

Volunteers have access to free internet at the partner’s headquarters or volunteers can use internet cafes in Cusco. While at the Jungle project, phone and internet access is available in a nearby town.

Number of Volunteers

The Peru program usually fluctuates greatly between 7 and 40 volunteers per month, but the number of volunteers varies depending on the season. 

Costs

Application Fee – US $97

Your application fee is fully transferable and will secure your place on the program, (or any other GVN program of your choice), at a placement date that is suitable to you.*

*Your application fee provides you with access to any of GVN's volunteer programs over the next 5 years, as many times as you like without having to pay another application fee!

Children under 18 are not required to pay the application fee when volunteering together with a parent/guardian.  (Except for participants in our Youth Tour program who are required to pay a US$97 application fee.)

To return to the main Peru program, click here.