Animal Rehab in the Amazon Rainforest - Peru

Projects Abroad arrange overseas service and internship programmes which are challenging, meaningful, educational and safe.

We have been taking students overseas since 1992 and work in over 20 developing and emerging countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Key to our work is the dedicated in-country staff whose diverse skill sets, local knowledge and love of their community allow us to develop relevant, immersive and worthwhile schedules for school trips which give the students responsibility and teach them to see the world through a different lens.

We offer programmes in community development, conservation, construction, education, sports, empowerment, human rights and healthcare among many others. These projects are designed to contribute towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, broadening the student experience to see the contribution of a few going towards a movement for global change.

All school trips are individualised, and we realise that each school has its own goals and interests, the students their own passions. We work with the school to develop a tailored itinerary which reflects their values and allows the students to make a connection with the community in which they serve.

Days 1 and 2
Arrival by plane in Puerto Maldonado where the group will be greeted by the local Projects Abroad team. Transfer to the boats and head up the jungle-lined river to the camp.
Once settled in the camp accommodation, the group is given a tour of the camp, meeting the animals in their rehabilitation runs and cages. A vitally important safety briefing is given and discussed along with a presentation on the aims and achievements of the initiative.

Students will then be led on a walk through some of the jungle trails to familiarise themselves with the environment.

Days 3 – 6
Conservation activities. The camp team will split the group into small teams and they will all take turns in various projects. Some will clean, feed and observe the animals in the runs, others will work on observations and surveys (pitfall traps, mist netting etc).
Other activities include work on the pilot farm and trail maintenance, using machetes to keep a clear path for the team to be able to reach all parts of the reserve.
As a larger group, students will collect turtle eggs for incubation, hatching and release (seasonal, usually around June – September) and undertake bat surveys at night.
Throughout the week, in the evenings, there will be night walks to observe the different characters of the jungle after dark and educational talks about the different species and the ecology of the rainforest along with quizzes and fun activities.

Days 7 & 8
Over the weekend, the students will take the boat back to Puerto Maldonado where they can enjoy different food, stock up on snacks and contact home (there is a satellite phone at the camp but no wifi).
Alternative itineraries would have regular rest breaks through the week, work activities across the weekend and then a trip to Machu Picchu after day 11 or 12.

Days 9 to 13
Back to conservation activities, ensuring the students are involved in all aspects of camp life and the full range of conservation and animal care activities. The rainforest has wet and dry seasons which give the jungle a very different personality so activities will vary at different times of the year.

Through their time in the rainforest and these activities, students will learn many new outdoor skills, and gain a rich understanding of a stunning ecosystem and the nature of the struggle to preserve and improve it. They will also develop their resilience, perspective, teamwork and leadership skills while contributing to a longstanding and meaningful initiative.

Day 14
Students pack up and take the boat back to Puerto Maldonado again with Projects Abroad staff. Transfer to the airport and the short flight back to Lima for international departures.
This programme can be extended to three and four-week trips incorporating activities in and around Cusco.

All group sizes of 5 or more. Free staff place with every 9 students.

Disabled facilities can be offered on request.

Projects Abroad provides an individualised service and schedule planning which is backed up by excellent pre-departure preparation and by a dedicated and highly experienced local team in each destination.

We aim to provide a challenging and rewarding experience for every student which promotes self-belief, resilience, leadership, teamwork, reflection, and a new perspective on the world.

Please contact us so we can support you with your trip planning.