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GYC2171 - Jungle conservation in the Amazon Country: Peru Cost: £1250.00 Cost Includes: The price includes insurance, accommodation, food and pickup from airport but does not include flight, kit or visas      Duration: 4 weeks Company Rep Nearby: All the time 0845 344 7535 or

 

	This placement would suit... you if you want to learn about the rainforest and contribute to some valuable research while living in an amazing rainforest habitat. Please contact us to find out more and we can direct you to our website which has all the details or give you a call to tell you all about it. Introduction Have an incredible experience learning about the rainforest and working on a research and conservation project in the Peruvian Amazon. You will be based at our jungle research and conservation centre on the Madre de Dios River in the Amazon jungle. The first 2 weeks is an ‘Intro to the Jungle’ course designed to develop your understanding of the Amazon rainforest and to give you an up close and personal experience of the plant and animal life. The two week jungle course The placement starts in the ancient Inca capital city of Cusco with a day of orientation and preparation. During the day you’ll also do a tour of this fascinating city. The next morning is a journey through the high Andes from Cusco to the cloud forest on the edge of the Amazon. You stop in the town of Paucartambo on route to visit a mountain community and then in Acjanco Park Guard Station to learn about the high cloud forest. The next day completes the journey to the jungle centre. You’ll stop at a ‘Cock of the Rock’ lek (a display ground in the forest) and hopefully spot the national bird of Peru. Then the final part of the journey to the centre is by motorised canoe down the Madre de Dios River. Once at the centre you will have six days of jungle courses and discovery. This is focused learning time and is a mix of time on the trails with guides and time at the centre in a more structured learning environment. During this time period you will find yourself immersed in all things rainforest and should find yourself learning a huge amount. At the end of the first week the group visits the town of Salvacion - the capital town of the district. Whilst in Salvacion you will be involved in some community development volunteering for 2 days, which is a chance to give something to the local community as well as giving you a real insight into how people live in jungle towns. The second week at the centre will give you more time out on the jungle trails and more of a chance to get involved with the on-going conservation and research work. At the end of your fortnight you will receive a certificate confirming that you have completed a rainforest research and conservation course. Volunteering after the two week course If you stay on after the two week course, you will become much more involved in the on-going work of the jungle centre. Your main focus will be volunteering on the sustainability projects such as the bio-garden and reforestation. You can also get involved in the monitoring projects depending on the needs at the time. Current projects include: Fauna - wildlife monitoring and capacity building programme Mapping - using GPS to map the area and record areas of special interest Water purification - using local plants and biomass to filter and cleanse water Carbon initiative - offsetting greenhouse emissions through forest regeneration Reforestation - planting new forest to provide renewable commercial timber Education - educating local children in rainforest and sustainable development practices Field guide - producing an illustrated educational tool Night monkeys - studying the habits of the night monkey Jungle exploration - maintaining and expanding the trail system and exploring the area Once every fortnight the group of volunteers will also spend 2 days in the local town of Salvacion to experience life in an Amazonian community and participate in a community project. Community projects in 2008 are likely to include some rebuilding and refurbishment of the local school. The jungle expedition A 4 day jungle expedition is included every month for volunteers at the centre. This takes you out into the rainforest away from the centre on small rarely travelled trails. You will visit a native community and will sleep out in the jungle. If you stay for 2 or 3 months you will take part in 2 or 3 expeditions. The 4 day expeditions have proved to be one of the most popular elements of the placement in recent years. Its an amazing experience that you are unlikely to ever forget. About the research centre Our centre is a key site for research and education. Its mission is to: Educate local rainforest communities and visitors Promote sustainable natural resource development Integrate pure and applied research of the rainforest environment and its natural systems Conserve and preserve tropical ecosystems The centre is located in a 600 hectare private reserve of diverse humid tropical rainforest. The site has been developed using traditional thatched techniques and modern design integrated with the latest in natural resource management to maintain the site. There is accommodation for 24 people in spacious dormitory areas with fully equipped bathrooms. There is also a large dining area, bar and kitchen as well as a relaxation area with hammocks. The setting is a rainforest clearing dominated by a clear-water stream and cascading waterfall and with majestic views over the canopy, Madre de Dios River and surrounding areas. The whole area is intersected with rivers and mountain streams, and is full of natural bathing pools and waterfalls. What's included: A detailed information pack and support prior to departure Pick up from Cusco airport Orientation in Cusco A tour of Cusco city Overnight accommodation in Cusco Guided educational transfers to the rainforest centre from Cusco Overnight stop in the cloud forest on route to the centre Orientation and tour on arrival at the centre 2 to 12 weeks in the jungle at the research centre All meals while at the centre A 2 week rainforest research and conservation course A 4 day jungle expedition every 4 weeks for people staying for a month or longer Support staff throughout your placement in Peru Return transport to Cusco One night in Cusco at the end of the placement Optional two day tour to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley of the Incas from Cusco Dates, duration and prices The placement is for 2-12 weeks and starts once a month (see dates below). Prices: 2 weeks - £850, 4 weeks - £1250, 6 weeks - £1600, 8 weeks - £1950, 12 weeks - £2650. Start dates for 2008: Jan 15th, Feb 12th, Mar 11th, Apr 8th, May 6th, Jun 3rd, Jul 1st, Jul 29th, Aug 26th, Sep 23rd, Oct 21st, Nov 18th, Dec 16th. Our users say: "Everything involved in the Manu Learning centre was an incredible experience and I learnt so much whilst out there. All of the staff were so friendly and supportive as well. Thank you so much for the opportunity - I really had an amazing time." - Lucie "Volunteering offered the chance to help with the conservation of the area whilst knowing that a lot of the money made is inputted back into the native communities, unlike some volunteer organisations. PoD were very helpful and enthusiastic in organising my project, and I hope to travel with them again soon! By far the best part of the project for me was the mammal census, involving trekking through the jungle with sightings including Woolley monkeys, howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, peccaries and jaguarondi, plus many kinds of birds, lizards, snakes and insects.My time spent at the Manu Learning Centre was incredible and provided a great insight into living in a jungle environment. The accommodation was better than could be imagined considering the location, and our daily routine and expedition gave plenty of opportunity for learning about the area, helping to conserve the rainforest, trying out local cuisine and swimming in Amazon tributaries! Value for money was very good - looking at other projects, PoD was cheaper and included more. The placement was more enjoyable than I could have imagined and I have no complaints!" - Neil 0845 344 7535 POD - Personal Overseas Development: PoD provides the opportunity for people to volunteer and make a difference overseas, while experiencing incredible parts of the world that are rich in culture, variety and natural beauty. We also arrange placements and courses for people wanting to develop their skills in amazing locations. Great value 1 week to 3 month placements in Cambodia, Belize, Malawi, Nepal, Peru, Tanzania and Thailand. PoD is a small non-profit organisation that focuses on quality and safety rather than quantity.