Volunteer Programs in Puerto Maldonado, Peru

Become a construction volunteer in Cusco, and assist in the building or repair of community centers, playgrounds, and classrooms for schools, orphanages, and rural villages. This is a physically demanding role that includes digging, removing dirt, carrying bricks, mixing cement, plastering, painting, cleaning, and other tasks related to construction. Work days are typically from Monday to Friday, though this may vary based on the weather, project needs, and construction schedule. At all times, volunteers are supported by Maximo Nivel’s professional Field Managers and construction projects are led by professional foremen who determine the work program. This program is available all year round, with start dates every Monday. It’s designed to take place for as short as 1 week and up to 1 year. NOTE: This program qualifies for 3-4 university credits via our School of Record. Volunteers must be over 18 years of age or accompanied by a parent or guardian. We require background checks and proof of medical insurance.

Volunteer at a rainforest wildlife sanctuary in Peru through a program from Globalteer. The Peru Rainforest Wildlife Sanctuary is devoted to the promotion and protection of the welfare of rainforest animals—both free and captive—and the conservation of their natural environment. Illegal and uncontrolled extraction of flora and fauna has a deep impact on the loss of biodiversity in the Amazon rainforest, and a key focus of the project is educating locals on the importance of wildlife in the rainforest through environmental education workshops for different education levels. Another important objective of the program is the reintroduction of animals back into the wild when feasible. Some animals that have resided at the center include Howler Monkeys, Tortoises, Coati, Red Brocket Deer, White Lipped Peccaries, Brown Capuchin Monkeys, Three-toed Sloths, Anteaters, and various types of Macaws.

Peru is a fascinating and beautiful country with many volunteer projects and internships available. With an extensive Pacific coastline, a vast area of Amazon rainforest, and the magnificent Andes, Peru will allow you to experience much of what South America has to offer. Wildlife, beaches, historical sites, and the most beautiful mountains in the Andes range are abundant. There are also interesting cities full of colonial history, especially Cusco, an archaeological paradise. Our projects in Peru are available for anyone interested in volunteering in the developing world, including those on a college summer break, gap year, career break, or volunteer vacation. You may join one of our various volunteer projects, including care, teaching, medicine and healthcare, conservation and environment, sports, Inca culture & community, as well as learning to speak Spanish or Quechua.

As a volunteer at Amazon Shelter, you’ll be immersed in every part of our vital conservation work. From preparing specialized diets and feeding the animals to enriching their enclosures, collecting fresh leaves for our Howler monkeys, cleaning habitats, and assisting with repairs and maintenance, you’ll play an active role in the daily care and rehabilitation of wild animals. Every task you take on helps restore the lives of animals affected by deforestation, illegal trafficking, and habitat destruction. Your work directly supports the health of one of the planet’s most fragile and essential ecosystems. You'll learn from experienced wildlife keepers and veterinarians, gaining hands-on knowledge about how a real conservation project operates and deepening your understanding of native Amazonian species. And perhaps best of all, you’ll live in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, surrounded by a community of people who share your love for nature, wildlife, and sustainable living. Come ready for hard work, deep connection, and a life-changing adventure. This is more than volunteering; it’s your chance to be part of something significant.

Kawsay is a biological station located in the Peruvian Amazon, close to Puerto Maldonado. Staying with us will give you the opportunity to gain an inside look at how the forest is conserved and studied through training, monitoring, research, conservation programs, and specialized tours. We make research and conservation available for everyone. Don't be afraid to help out at a biological station. Of course, we work seriously, but we also believe that everyone can contribute in a certain way. Come and discover this beautiful forest as well as work in the field. Volunteers mostly assist in main projects and activities, including maintaining the conservation area, monitoring wildlife (e.g., behavioral studies, camera trapping, mammal transects, pitfall traps, phenology study), evaluating habitats (vegetation plots), and assisting researchers.

Tucked away in the Amazon Rainforest of Southeast Peru, the protected reserve of Panthera Sanctuary offers various projects that contribute to Jungle Conservation. Participate in several ongoing projects, including the Reforestation of Degraded Ecosystems, Caiman Monitoring, Agroforestry & Neotropical Permaculture, Mammal Monitoring, Creation of Artificial Rainforest Ecosystems, Night Walks for Surveying Reptile & Amphibian Populations, Reserve Patrols, and so much more. Recreational time can be spent fishing, reading/napping in our garden hammocks, playing cards and other fun games, or collecting fruit from our bio-orchard for making juices and jams. As soon as you arrive by plane (or bus), our staff will be there to greet you! During this time, you will be picked up and taken to the boat dock, where we embark on a 45-minute boat ride down the Madre de Dios River to the reserve. Feeling nervous or need some help? Don't fret, our staff is at your disposal 24/7!

This project is dedicated to protecting the Las Piedras area in the Madre de Dios region of Peru through the Ranger Program. The project conserves a threatened habitat in the vitally important Madre de Dios region of the Peruvian Amazon. The Las Piedras watershed is part of the Andes/Amazon hotspot—one of the most biodiverse and pristine areas on earth. It is home to thousands upon thousands of species including jaguars, spider monkeys, and giant otters. This forest is home to tens of millions of trees, numerous indigenous communities, and untold numbers of animal heartbeats. In recent decades, the watershed and forests in the Las Piedras have increasingly been threatened by illegal activities such as poaching, logging, mining, and agricultural expansion. The teamwork along the Las Piedras River, an area that still holds much flora and fauna already extinct in other regions, is key to protecting it. The growing team of local forest rangers, together with volunteers, creates a wildlife corridor that protects many species from disappearing from this highly biodiverse area.