Volunteer in Peru at a center for rescued and endangered native animals, ranging from penguins to monkeys! The goal of this project is for volunteers to provide hands-on care for the animals and assist in the upkeep of the sanctuary, while learning about the conservation of these endangered species.
Program Highlights:
Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum Two-Week Commitment):
Day 1, Sunday: Arrive at Mayor General FAP Armando Revoredo Iglesias Airport (CJA). You and fellow volunteers will be picked up from the airport and take an overnight bus together to your accommodations at the project site in Jayanca.
Day 2, Monday: Volunteers will receive an orientation and partake in a training session at the sanctuary.
Days 3-5, Tuesday- Thursday: Rewarding volunteer work at the animal sanctuary.
Day 6, Friday: Volunteers will go to a local school to teach children about animals and wildlife conservation.
Days 7-8, Saturday and Sunday: The weekend is free for volunteers to spend how they wish.
Remaining Weeks: Remaining weeks will follow the pattern of volunteering Monday-Friday and having weekends free. Departures are on Saturdays; Volunteers take a taxi to Chicalyo and bus to Cajamarca, before taking either a taxi or pubic transportation to the airport. Transfer fees are at volunteers' own expense.
Love caring for animals? Check out our other wildlife conservation projects here!
Program Highlights:
- Help provide care for various Peruvian wildlife species - monkeys, sloths, crocodiles and more
- Gain hands-on experience in animal care
- Ethical wildlife volunteering and interactions
- Spread awareness for wildlife conservation by educating local school children
- Extend your stay in Peru and visit Machu Picchu and other amazing sites
Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum Two-Week Commitment):
Day 1, Sunday: Arrive at Mayor General FAP Armando Revoredo Iglesias Airport (CJA). You and fellow volunteers will be picked up from the airport and take an overnight bus together to your accommodations at the project site in Jayanca.
Day 2, Monday: Volunteers will receive an orientation and partake in a training session at the sanctuary.
Days 3-5, Tuesday- Thursday: Rewarding volunteer work at the animal sanctuary.
Day 6, Friday: Volunteers will go to a local school to teach children about animals and wildlife conservation.
Days 7-8, Saturday and Sunday: The weekend is free for volunteers to spend how they wish.
Remaining Weeks: Remaining weeks will follow the pattern of volunteering Monday-Friday and having weekends free. Departures are on Saturdays; Volunteers take a taxi to Chicalyo and bus to Cajamarca, before taking either a taxi or pubic transportation to the airport. Transfer fees are at volunteers' own expense.
Love caring for animals? Check out our other wildlife conservation projects here!
Location of the Project:
Jayanca, Lambayeque Region, Peru
Project length:
Min 2 weeks - Max 12 weeks
Arrival Airport:
Mayor General FAP Armando Revoredo Iglesias Airport (CJA) - includes overnight bus to project, or Capitán FAP José A. Quiñones González International Airport (CIX) - 1.5 hour taxi to project (approx. $30)
Volunteer Work:
Animal care
Age:
Minimum age of 18 (Age exception: Those aged 16 and 17 may apply with parental consent)
Number of Volunteers:
Up to 20 international volunteers
What's Included
Accommodations:
Shared rooms in a guesthouse
Food:
Three meals per weekday and two per day on weekends are provided
Airport Transfers:
Airport pickup is provided upon arrival from CJA airport
Orientation:
A full explanation of volunteer tasks will be given during the first Monday following breakfast
Support:
Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.
What's not Included
Flights, visas (if required), travel health insurance, lunches on weekends, personal expenses, taxi from CIX airport
This project takes place in the northwestern part of the South American country of Peru, in the Lambayeque Region. The Lambayeque Valley is home to 250 pyramids, which explains the region’s nickname of “Valley of the Pyramids.” The sanctuary is close to the northern beaches as well as within close driving distance to the region’s capital city of Chiclayo. There are also archaeological sites, restaurants and small local villages nearby.
Volunteers will be involved in a wide range of hands-on tasks at the sanctuary, ranging from direct animal care to the restoration of the center itself. Volunteers will also be able to engage with the community and local children to educate them about animal conservation efforts that take place at the sanctuary. This project is the perfect opportunity to make a positive impact on endangered species while getting to share your new knowledge with others to spread conservation awareness.
Some of your tasks may include:
Sample Schedule: Volunteers will work six hours per day, Monday through Friday. Fridays will be the day that volunteers go to a local school to educate the children about the animals. Weekends are free for volunteers to spend as they wish.
Please note that while you might not have the chance to touch all of the animals (as some are very sensitive and get scared easily), the reward of your efforts will be in knowing that you help them to thrive and not just survive! Volunteers will not be able to feed the animals while they are in reproductive stages.
Holidays: Please take note of the consecutive holidays in which this program will not take place:
Some of your tasks may include:
- Preparing food for the animals
- Feeding the animals
- Light construction work around the sanctuary
- Restoring cacti populations
- Maintaining the gardens and nurseries
- Educating the public and students about endangered native species
Sample Schedule: Volunteers will work six hours per day, Monday through Friday. Fridays will be the day that volunteers go to a local school to educate the children about the animals. Weekends are free for volunteers to spend as they wish.
Please note that while you might not have the chance to touch all of the animals (as some are very sensitive and get scared easily), the reward of your efforts will be in knowing that you help them to thrive and not just survive! Volunteers will not be able to feed the animals while they are in reproductive stages.
Holidays: Please take note of the consecutive holidays in which this program will not take place:
- December 24 & 25, 2018
- Janaury 1&2, 2019
Internet:
WiFi is available at the accommodations.
Laundry:
Laundry facilities are available for use for an additional fee.
Accommodations:
Volunteers will be on-site in shared rooms with up to four other people. There are hot showers, shared bathrooms as well as a cleaning staff.
Food:
Traditional Peruvian food will be served. All food is vegetarian, and a typical meal consists of grains or rice with a mix of vegetables such as sweet potatoes and peppers with beans or chili. This food will contain more spice than Western dishes.
Please take note of this project's minimum requirements:
- Basic level of English
- Police clearance
Culture Week (Highly Recommended): This program provides a comprehensive introduction to South American culture, the Cajamarca region, and the traditions and customs of Northern Peru. If you join this add-on, you'll get to visit some of the highlights of Northern Peru, in addition to learning some basic Spanish, trying some typical Peruvian dishes and experiencing the local culture before beginning your volunteer placement.
While restaurants and local villages are located close to the sanctuary, volunteers who wish to experience more of Northwestern Peru may want to explore further. Below are a few recommended destinations:
Bosque de Pomac
Travel a mere 10 minutes to this Peruvian forest. Horseback is the preferred mode to explore this ancient forest.
Valley of the Pyramids
Take a trip to the Valley of the Pyramids to experience a piece of the fascinating history of this South American country. Trek over 200 hectares of land and explore the wonderment of 250 pyramids without traveling to Egypt.
Huaca Rajada
Continue your historical exploration of Peru with a visit to Huaca Rajada, home to the tomb of the “Lord of Sipan.” Explore the museum here and learn about the Sipan culture.
Chiclayo
Take a trip to the capital city of the Lambayeque Region and don’t miss the chance to visit the famous “witch doctor’s market.”
While restaurants and local villages are located close to the sanctuary, volunteers who wish to experience more of Northwestern Peru may want to explore further. Below are a few recommended destinations:
Bosque de Pomac
Travel a mere 10 minutes to this Peruvian forest. Horseback is the preferred mode to explore this ancient forest.
Valley of the Pyramids
Take a trip to the Valley of the Pyramids to experience a piece of the fascinating history of this South American country. Trek over 200 hectares of land and explore the wonderment of 250 pyramids without traveling to Egypt.
Huaca Rajada
Continue your historical exploration of Peru with a visit to Huaca Rajada, home to the tomb of the “Lord of Sipan.” Explore the museum here and learn about the Sipan culture.
Chiclayo
Take a trip to the capital city of the Lambayeque Region and don’t miss the chance to visit the famous “witch doctor’s market.”
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