International Volunteering in Amazonian Peru

Many volunteers

have already taken the plunge…

Discover the satisfaction of participating in actions that bring about change!

Without being a professional in international solidarity, whether you are still studying, in active life or retired, everyone has skills, professional or personal know-how that is useful to others.

Depending on your fields of expertise, we place you on one of our missions but none of the activities require a special level of qualification. We are committed to your commitment and your interpersonal skills. However, if you speak alone, basic Spanish and English are essential at least.

Together, let’s learn to know each other and respect nature for a common future.

The mission location

Amazon Shelter

The Amazon Shelter wildlife rehabilitation and release center near Puerto Maldonado, Peru, focuses on the conservation of wild populations of woolly monkeys and spider monkeys. At the same time, local communities are being educated about preserving the last animals in the Amazon rainforest.

This site has a semi-freedom rehabilitation center to rehabilitate primates in their natural habitat.

Conservation of aquatic and land turtles in partnership with the National Reserve and indigenous communities. Turtle eggs are collected in July to protect them from various predators. They will wait on the artificial beaches for their release into the national reserve in October.

Amazon Shelter continues its work of planting endangered wild species: white cedars, mahogany, wild fruit trees and palm trees that contribute to the plant and animal biodiversity of the center’s 90 hectares.

The role of the volunteer

Care and feeding of the center’s residents: parrots, toucans, tapirs, primates before their reintroduction into their natural habitat.

DIY and maintenance of enclosures

Identification of groups of howler monkeys in primary forest, night outings to census douroucoulis,

Observation of woolly monkeys and spider monkeys in rehabilitation in the forest,

Outings to indigenous communities to raise awareness among students about the urgency of protecting the Amazon and its occupants.

A typical day

7:30 AM – Volunteer Breakfast

8:00 AM – Preparing Animal Diets

8:30-9:30 AM – Feeding Animals

10:00 AM – Howler Monkey Leaf Gathering

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Special Projects – Maintenance and Repair

1:00 PM – Volunteer Lunch

2:00 PM – Afternoon Diet and Feeding Animals

4:00 PM – Cleaning Enclosures and Dishes

5:00 PM – Evening Preparation – Blankets and Milk

6:00 PM – Volunteer Rest Time

7:00 PM – Volunteer Dinner

8:00 PM – Evening Volunteer Activities or Rest

“One of our activities was also to take care of a 4-month-old baby howler monkey named Maya, whose parents had been killed during a deforestation operation. We had to keep her busy all the time, teach her to climb branches, and feed her.

She was too young to be accepted by the groups spread out in the enclosures and composed of a male, 2 or 3 females and their young. It is not certain that she will ever be released, given the imprint she will have had with humans, everything will depend on her future adoption by a male. At night, Magali kept her with her and was woken up several times – like a human baby!”

Cathy, mission to Peru August 2021

The cost of the mission

The total cost of a mission includes:

- mission costs including on-site transport, accommodation, supervision, food on site, between €1,300 and €1,800.

To which are added in addition:
- membership of the association(€25)
- plane tickets(around €900), cancellation option strongly recommended.
- travel insurance
- Vaccination and pharmacy

In total, 66% of the amount committed is deductible from your taxes at the time of your declaration.
Article 200 and 238 bis of the General Tax Code.
We provide you with a tax receipt at the end of your mission.

The costs of weekend activities and any travel outside the program are your responsibility.

Mission departures are open all year round, it is up to you to choose your departure dates.

1) First of all, you must make sure that the flights Paris > Porto Maldonado correspond to your availability and your budget! Use flight comparators: Skyscanner, Kayak, eDreams..

2) Contact us by email (contact@sensolidaire.org) or by filling out the form HERE indicating your name, first name, telephone number, email, choice of destination and any questions you may have. We will contact you to discuss the mission.

3) Book your plane tickets and send them to us by email.

4) Pay the mission fees and join the association.

5) We send you the terms of commitment to sign.

6) We send you practical advice on preparing for the mission.

7) We send you the mission sheet based on your skills, to be completed upon your return from the mission.

Practical information

You will need your valid passport (more than 6 months).

No VISA is required for less than 90 days on Peruvian territory.

Advice for airlines to find you the best price: Iberia, LATAM Airlines, Air Europa, Air France, Delta Air Lines, KLM…

Good physical fitness is highly recommended. The work on site is physical, with a hot and very humid climate. A medical certificate from your doctor will be required.

Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory, antimalarial treatment must be prescribed by your doctor.