Quick Facts
Program code
EC-WN109
Category
Volunteer Work, Animal Welfare, Nature Protection
Country
Ecuador
Location
about 45 minutes from Puyo
Prgram start
flexible start and end dates on any weekday, year-round.
Arrival preferred to be between Monday and Friday
Minimum duration
2 weeks
Minimum stay
17 years
Contact us
Happy to help you
(+1) 954 762 7607
(+56) 23245 9801
(+49) 7735 425 339
skype: chileinside
8 am - 4 pm EST
Program details
Located in the Ecuadorian Amazon region, this ecological research and education center works for sustainable and ecological development. To ensure professional and sustainable conservation of the Amazon region, our partners combine western knowledge with traditional practices. Thanks to many years of activity, the center and the staff are very experienced and will make your stay in Ecuador unique, enjoyable and very educating.
The aim of the project is to improve the ecological balance in the region while incorporating the participation of the local indigenous population. In the past, they hunted in the Amazon region and used slash-and-burn agriculture, causing damage to the ecosystem. Thus, the center was created not only to pretect animals and plants, but also for educating the local community on the technology related to biodiversity management.
Tasks
There is always plenty of work to do in the center, so your daily tasks in this volunteer project will be diverse.
Working tasks include:
- Reforestation
- Maintaining trails
- Preparing food for the animals (animals live free!)
- Counting and observing the animals and their behaviour
- Working in the greenhouse
- Maintaining and reparing of infrastructure
- Working with the children from local communities (English teaching, environmental education)
- Photographic record
As a volunteer it is not essential that you have specific knowledge or previous experience on any subject, but you need to have a true interest in the conservation of biodiversity and the Amazonian context. Please be flexible with possible changes in activities and the weather.
Usually, volunteers work 4-6 hours per day and have two days off per week. The tasks will be coordinated on-site together with the project coordinators and may vary from the schedule mentioned above.
Note: The tasks may vary. They depend on factors such as number of volunteers, weather, season, current needs of the project, as well as self-motivation. Not every volunteer may be fully involved in all these tasks.
Accommodation
This project includes accommodation in a volunteer house, where you will live together with other volunteers. The property has five shared dormitories with bunk beds, two bathrooms, and a kitchen with a fridge. It is the responsibility of the volunteers to keep the property and house clean.
The project will also provide you with three meals per day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
There are internet cafes in Puyo (45 minutes by bus) or in Santa Clara (30 minutes).
Location
The project is located in the Ecuadorian Amazon Region, in the Pastaza Province, between the town of Puyo and the village of Santa Clara.
Puyo is located in the province of Pastaza, in the eastern part of the country. It is a small colonial town with a population of approximately 30,000 people. It has the infrastructure that welcomes tourists that come to admire the beauty surrounding this unique destination. This is one of the most commercial towns in the Amazon region of Ecuador.
From Ecuador’s capital, Quito, it takes you about 7 hours to get to the center in the Amazon Rainforest by bus.
The region has tropical climate with rainfall all year round and on average 25 °C during the day and 17 °C during the night, so although the animal rescue center is in the Amazon rainforest, you will not feel suffocated by the heat. The rainiest months are August to December and March.
The area around Puyo is a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts: Not only do you live in the middle of pristine nature, but there is also a lot to discover in your free time! The hot springs of Baños de Agua Santa are not far away and invite you to take a relaxing bath. The way there itself is a highlight: Just an hour from Puyo you will find the spectacular "Devil's Gorge" (Pailón del Diablo). Here you can take an almost vertical hike over breathtaking stairs and come to a stand next to or above a waterfall that thunders down into the gorge.
Daring ones can swing over the jungle via canopy and go trekking to the active volcano Tungurahua on the weekend. If you love nature, the region will delight you!
Language skills
In our Wildlife & Nature projects, our volunteers get along well with English language skills.
For optimal program preparation and cultural integration in the destination country, we recommend participating in a Spanish course in Ecuador (optional).
You can book your Spanish course in Ecuador directly with us!
Requirements
- English skills. Basic Spanish skills (book your Spanish course in Ecuador!)
- Minimum age 18 years
- Application at least 4 weeks before the desired start of the program. Read more about our application process here.
- Completion of a foreign travel health insurance (get your travel insurance here)
Pre-departure and in-country support
Before arrival, our experienced team will be at your disposal to assist you throughout the booking process and travel planning. With the booking confirmation you will receive our 24-hour emergency number, so that you can reach us 24/7 in case of emergency.
In addition to the assistance given by our office staff you will be supported by the on-site volunteer coordinator in Ecuador.
Costs & Services
Our volunteer project in Species Protection in the Rainforest of Ecuador includes:
- Shared room in volunteer house
- Full board from Monday to Friday
- Transfer Puyo - Project - Puyo on day of arrival and exit
- Professional English-speaking advice
- Translation of your application documents
- Volunteer Work Placement in Ecuador
- In-country support
- Country handbook Ecuador
- Intercultural guideline
- 24/7 emergency number
- Information about suitable travel insurance
- Certificate of participation
Costs
Application fee: US$ 150
Program fee: US$ 580 (minimum stay 2 weeks)
Extra week: US$ 190
Additionally, you can book:
Our tips (experience more + see more = save $$)
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All our stay abroad programs can be combined with each other: So, you can combine different volunteer projects in the same country or in different countries, or you mix Working Holiday with volunteer work or Farm Stay with Working Holiday ...and so on …
Your creativity knows no limits. The longer your stay abroad in Latin America, the greater the discount you get from South America Inside. Below you can see how much you can save:
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Note: Language courses are excluded from this promotion. These discounts can not be combined with other promotions.
If you need assistance in putting together your personal experience abroad, then please contact us. Our experienced staff will help you to set up your tailor-made stay abroad.
Volunteer Guide
Find valuable information about volunteering abroad in our program guides. Find out about all the benefits, possibilities and challenges, that a stay abroad offers you. Read more about the great opportunities that South America Inside has at your disposal.
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