Rescue mission: peru
Join renowned conservationist Stephanie Arne for a unique opportunity to care for exotic wildlife at Rainforest Awareness Rescue & Education Center (RAREC) in Iquitos, Peru. This exclusive,
week-long mission is designed
for conservation enthusiasts.
THE OPPORTUNITY
By choosing to volunteer with RAREC, you are making a real, lasting difference in the preservation of the Amazon. Volunteers aid in the preservation of endangered species, the implementation of education programs and community outreach, and reforestation efforts. RAREC's approach to conservation seeks not only to defend the present-day Amazon but also to protect the Amazon of the future by providing the people with the tools they need to save the Rainforest. It is our volunteers who help us make the change that Amazon needs today.
Let's gO!
Location
Cost
Iquitos, Peru at the Rainforest Awareness Rescue & Education Center.
Dates
Group Size
Open to all conservation enthusiasts. This program is capped at 24 participants.
Inclusions
Accommodation, meals, in-country transport, field activities, and lectures.
Exclusions
Flights, personal travel insurance, Lunch on day 3 ($30-$40 USD), Activities outside RAREC does not include extra food, tips, & souvenirs.
TBD
TBD
PROGRAM Schedule
Trip Dates: TBD
START DAY – MONDAY:
Pick-up time: RAREC transport will pick up the group on Monday at 7:30 a.m., so the group can arrive on one of the four flights before that time. Alternatively, they can come on Sunday and stay at a hotel, and we will pick them up from the hotel at 8:00 a.m.
We will go to a supermarket in Iquitos City so they can buy what they need, then exchange their currency and go to an ATM. After this, we will go to RAREC.
We will arrive at RAREC at 11:30 a.m. The group will be led to the accommodations, where they can change or order their belongings. At 12 p.m., we will have lunch in the dining room. After lunch, we will introduce the rules and safety instructions and then tour all the facilities. After 4 p.m., the group will have time to shower and change before dinner, which is at 6:30 p.m. Usually, we have a group activity after dinner on Monday so the group can meet everyone while participating in a fun activity.
Typically, people go to their rooms between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. However, electricity and Wi-Fi are available all day, so there is no best time to go.
TUESDAY:
The day starts at 7 am with breakfast, approx. at 8 am, all the group will go with caretakers to start the activities of the day; the group will be split to support in activities in:
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Manatee area
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Adult animals in the exterior
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Baby animals in the Nursery
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New arrivals in the Quarantine
The activities will be in the range of the following list:
● Supporting with husbandry in different areas
● Preparation of food supplements and their delivery to the enclosures, feeding animals
● Forage for native foods of animals such as insects, plants, flowers
● Maintenance of the trials
● Helps in the preparation of seedbeds and vegetable plantations
Lunchtime at: 12:00 pm
The afternoon starts at 1:30 pm, and all the group will go with caretakers to start the activities; the group will be split to support in activities in:
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Manatee area
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Adult animals in the exterior
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Baby animals in the Nursery
-
New arrivals in the Quarantine
The activities will be in the range of the following list:
● Supporting the enrichment programs for the animals
● Manufacture of toys, hammocks, and ladders for enclosures
● Monitoring the behavior of assigned species
● Minor repairs to enclosures (when necessary)
● Cleanliness and order of the enrichment materials area, kitchen and animal storage, nursery
The activities end at 4:00 p.m. The group can then shower, rest, and go to dinner.
WEDNESDAY:
This day starts early. The group will have breakfast at 6:00 a.m., depart from RAREC at 7:00 a.m., and arrive in Iquitos at 8:30 a.m. to visit Belen Market. After a walk in Belen Market for approximately one hour, we will go to a river port to get in a boat to visit the Kukamas tribe. This visit will last approximately two hours. When this finishes, the group has two options. You will let me know what they prefer: We can go directly to RAREC to arrive at 1 pm for lunch. We can go to a nice restaurant for lunch. In this case, each participant will be responsible for the cost of food and drinks, as they can ask what they prefer from the menu. This menu contains regional and typical food. The price of a main dish is 65 soles on average (US$20), and drinks are 35 soles on average (US$10). After that, we will go to RAREC. We will have a small lecture about the Illegal Wildlife Trade at 2:30 p.m., concluding at 3:30 p.m.
The group can then shower, rest, and go to dinner.
THURSDAY:
This day starts early. The group will have breakfast at 6:00 a.m., depart from RAREC at 6:30 a.m., and arrive at San Joaquin port at 7:00 a.m. We will then take a boat to navigate the Amazon River and see river dolphins and nature for about two hours. We will be back at RAREC at 10:00 a.m. From 10 am to 12 pm, the group will support caretakers with husbandry in different areas.
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If someone in the group has a Veterinary background and can assist in the medical check-up performed on Thursdays at 10 a.m., we limit this activity to those with veterinary professional backgrounds, as there can’t be too many people in the clinic just observing.
12:00 pm Lunch time
2:00 pm: Lecture about Conservation programs and Releases
The day ends at 3:30 pm.
The group can then shower, rest, and go to dinner.
FRIDAY:
The day starts at 7 a.m. with breakfast. At approximately 8 a.m., the whole group will go to Allpahuayo Mishana Reserve for a walk for approximately 3 hours. After that, we return to RAREC.
Lunchtime at: 12:00 pm
From 1:30 pm to 3 pm, the group will support caretakers with husbandry in different areas.
The group can shower, rest, and then go to dinner.
This night, we will go on a Night Walk in the forest, which starts at 7:00 p.m. and lasts approximately 2 hours.
SATURDAY:
The day starts at 7 a.m. with breakfast. At approximately 8 a.m., kids arrive from the communities to RAREC to start the Education sessions. The group will support environmental education, art classes, and computer skills. Any volunteer who wants to share some knowledge with the kids is welcome.
Lunchtime at: 12:00 pm
2:00 pm: Lecture about medicinal plants and then a workshop on the topic, which ends at 3:30 pm.
The group can then shower, rest, and go to dinner.
SUNDAY:
The day starts at 7 a.m. with breakfast. At approximately 8 a.m., kids arrive from the communities to RAREC to start the Education sessions.
Lunchtime at: 12:00 pm
2:00 pm: Community outreach in the nearby villages giving a deworming free campaign for domestic animals, the group will join our Veterinary team and support in this activity that ends at 4:00 pm.
The group can then shower, rest, and go to dinner.
MONDAY:
We leave RAREC at 5:40 a.m. and reach the Airport at 6:50 a.m. You can take any flight that departs after 8:00 a.m. as the airport is small and doesn’t take too long to check in and enter the departure room.
services included
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Full meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner). You must confirm if you have any special diet such as vegan, vegetarian, or food allergies. Fruits and drinks available anytime.
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Shared rooms for 4 or 6 people, made of concrete and wood, very comfortable, with individual beds and bunk beds, mosquito net in windows and beds. Lockers to save your important belongings. There are rooms with A/C and rooms with fans (one fan for each bed).
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Electricity all day in all rooms.
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Shared bathrooms with access to running water.
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Study room with A/C, refrigerator and coffee maker.
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Dining room with A/C, a free use kitchen, refrigerator for personal food and drinks, coffee maker and microwave oven, movie projector, video games, board games and music.
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Computer room with Art room, with computers, A/C, movie projectors and a reading area.
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Laundry room for free use, please bring your supplies.
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Starlink Wi-Fi in bedrooms and common areas.
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Each volunteer will be provided with RAREC t-shirts and rain boots, while their stay last. If your size is 45 EUR or more, please bring your pair of boots.
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Pick up and drop off in Iquitos Airport.
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Free use of inner tubes to float in the Manatee Lake inside RAREC
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One boat ride in the Amazon River to see pink dolphins.
requirements
● No specific experience necessary, but good team working skills are necessary
● An interest in wildlife conservation,
● Good listening skills and capable of following instructions
● ≥18 years old (Under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult)
● Physically and mentally healthy and able to do physical activity in a humid environment.
● Medical insurance
Contact below to express interst
