Volunteer in the Ecuadorian Amazon (75 days)

» Volunteer in the Ecuadorian Amazon

Volunteer in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

There are simply no words to describe the beauty of Ecuador, the mystical Amazon, its general nature, great views of snow capped mountains, colonial cities and colorful Andean cultures.

This said, unfortunately we also have to acknowledge that the destruction of the (Ecuadorian) Amazon region is still ongoing. Even in the so called protected area of Unesco, the bio-reserve Sumaco.
For this reason Selva Viva was founded in 1993, a rainforest preservation project aiming to save still existing areas of primary forest which otherwise would be in acute danger of deforestation.
The ecologically and environmentally sustainable project seeks to protect not only the rainforest but also its people and therefore consists of the following:

- Protected forest Selva Viva
- Community-run lodge Runa Huasi
- Local school Sacha Yachana Huasi Christina
- Animal rescue centre AmaZOOnico

More info on:
http://www.selvaviva.ec/selvaviva/index.php   and  http://www.selvaviva.ec/amazoonico/index.php?l=en

The animal rehabilitation center, AmaZOOnico, is located in the middle of the protected GSR preserve and is sheltering a number of different animals, some in danger of extinction. The center was built in 1993 as one of the first animal refuges in Ecuador and is still considered one of the most experienced and best wildlife refuges in Ecuador. One of the reasons why AmaZOOnico was able to grow and help many animals over the past years is the support of many dedicated volunteers who work and worked with AmaZOOnico. You could become one of these volunteers and help the Amazon and its inhabitants. If you just want to help the animal refuge it is best if you contact AmaZOOnico directly by yourself, if you want to combine your volunteer work with a very interesting tour through Ecuador, then we can help you.

The Volunteer work:
- The most important part of the volunteer work in AmaZOOnico is to guide visitors through the centre and provide enthusiastic and interesting information. By informing our visitors about the animals, their natural habits and habitant, we hope to create more awareness about the threat their existence. Visitors are also the main source of income for the centre and without them the centre would not be able to run.
For these reasons it is important for the volunteer guides to not only have knowledge of the centre and the animals but also be aware of the cultural differences of visitors from around the world.

- Feeding and taking care of the animals is the majority of the work. Some animals live free and can provide for themselves but most of them require daily care. This involves feeding and cleaning cages. It is a guarantee that you will get dirty during this work and may even be peed on by a monkey, so those with a delicate disposition when it comes to this kind of work would not be suited life at AmaZOOnico. New animals have to be carefully examined and observed. Especially the orphaned animals in the quarantine station, who require a lot of attention and intensive care. 

- Additional work include trail maintenance, harvesting bananas, cutting branches for enrichment in the enclosures, minor repairs etc...

Some Volunteer requirements:
1.    22 years or older.
2.    Speak Spanish well. In addition to English and Spanish a 3rd language such as German or French is preferred. (when leading tours these languages are the most common among our visitors).
3.    A minimum stay of 2 months. (if this is your first volunteer experience at the centre there is a maximum stay of 6 months)
4.    Previous experience and/or education in animal care, veterinary medicine or natural sciences is preferred. More importantly, we are looking for motivated, enthusiastic people who don’t mind working and living in rustic conditions and who are healthy and fit enough to do the physical work required.

If you are unsure if you meet these requirements we still encourage you to apply as exceptions can be made if the applicant has other skills that are needed.

-Note: There is a 125 US$ /monthly (150 US$ starting from July 2012) fee to help cover the cost of food and basics during your stay at AmaZoonico.

The combination:

This combination tour of 10 weeks of travelling and volunteering offers a very good value for money and time. The tour is a good mix of Amazon jungle, colonial cities, Andean highlands and green fertile valleys where people supposedly live much longer than average.
On purpose we have also chosen for this tour to combine private transport with comfortable public busses. Our two
main reasons are: Economics and a more realistic experience of travelling around in Ecuador.

The price of this tour starts from 1049 Euro + (2x125US$)= 1245 Euro for 10 weeks p.p. From July 2012 this will become 1285 Euro p.p., due to increasing local costs.

Short itinerary:
Day 1 - Friday: Arriving in Quito and private transfer to hotel.
Day 2 - Private transfer to terminal and public bus to Baños (3.5h)
Day 3 - Free day in Baños (optional to bike the very scenic road towards Puyo
Day 4 - Public bus to Riobamba (2h) and taxi to hotel (optional, climb the Chimborazo)
Day 5 - Taxi to terminal and public bus to Cuenca (6.5h), taxi to hotel
Day 6 - Free day in Cuenca (optional to visit the indescribable Parque Cajas)
Day 7 - Direct shuttle service (5h) to Vilcabamba (Hostel Izhcayluma)
Day 8 - Free day in Vilcabamba (optional to visit Parque Podocarpus)
Day 9 - Free day in Vilcabamba (optional, hike or horseback riding tour)
Day 10 - Taxi to Loja, flight to Quito and private transfer to hotel
Day 11 – A short flight to Lago Agrio and start of Cuyabeno Tour
Day 12 - Cuyabeno
Day 13 - Cuyabeno
Day 14 – Cuyabeno – Lago Agrio – Short flight to Quito (one night)
Day 15 - Private transfer to terminal and public bus (6h) to Tena and AmaZOOnico.

Long itinerary of the tour: 

Day1: Friday. Arriving in Quito.
Quito was elected by Unesco as the American Capital of Culture 2011, because of its impressive colonial centre. Your hotel is in the modern centre, but it is a pretty walk or short taxi ride towards the old historical centre.

Day 2: Today our private transport will take you to the bus terminal just outside of Quito, from where you can take a local bus (3h) to the friendly town of Baños, at the feet of the grumpy volcano Tungurahua (means Little Hell). At night you can sometimes even see a bit of lava coming out of its mouth.

Day 3: A free day in Baños, to enjoy the hot springs were the town received its name from. Because of these hot springs it has developed into a friendly tourist town with lots of activities for local and foreign tourist. These activities include: Rafting, biking, abseiling, quad riding, hiking, spa treatments and more.
For who wants to do something more active, it is a recommendable tour to bike the road downhill from Baños to Puno along the Pastaza River. Along the way you will see steep cliffs, several waterfalls and great views!

Day 4: In two hours you drive by public bus to Riobamba, the most central city of Ecuador and a connection point towards all four compass points, the Andean, Jungle and coast of Ecuador.
After arriving it is possible to join a tour and make a short walk over the slopes of the Chimborazo. You drive to an altitude of 4800m above sea level and then you can walk by yourself the last 200m to a refuge at 5000m altitude. On the way you have great views and possibilities to see the most elegant Andean camel, the Vicuña.
Adventures people can choose to drive their way down on a high quality mountain bike. This option allows you to stop anywhere you want and appreciate more of your surroundings.

If you like nature and hiking, please check the following link:
 
hiking options in Ecuador
 

Day 5: You take the public bus towards Cuenca. This is a very scenic route and on the way it is an option to break the journey with a visit to the archeological site of Ingapirca, one of the most Northern found Inca remains.
Cuenca is the third biggest city of Ecuador, but being in the city centre, it feels almost like being in a colonial town. The city is built on the remains of one of the most northern Inca City’s Tomebamba. Now it is one of the best known places for assembling Panama Hats and also the city’s new silhouettes are good for taking pictures, especially late in the afternoon.
For the evenings Cuenca has lots of restaurants and a great nightlife.


Day 6: On this free day in Cuenca it is a great option to join a hike through Parque Cajas. This nature reserve contains more than 200 lakes and some call it ‘The Scottish highlands of Ecuador’ because of its green hills and unexpected fogs or rain showers. However this reserve is located between 3500m and 4200m altitude, which gives it a total different and surprising vegetation!

Day 7: Today your destination is the village of Vilcabamba. According to several studies this village has some of the highest live expectations rates in the world. Main reasons for this are the absence of industry, the fertile grounds, fresh air and green surroundings. Backpackers already know it for a few years, but other tourists are only just starting to discover this great place to relax, enjoy nature and/or make long hikes.


Day 8: A free day in Vilcabamba to go hiking, horseback riding, relax at the swimming pool, or enjoy a great massage.

Day 9: For today it could be an option to visit national Park Podocarpus, home to the only native Conifer of Ecuador and great place for bird watching.

Day 10: A taxi will bring you to the airport just outside of Loja, from where your flight leaves to Quito. A private transfer will bring you back to your hotel.



Day 11: A short flight takes you to Lago Agrio.
From here starts your tour through the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. This reserve is situated in the north-eastern Amazon region of Ecuador, between the San Miguel and Aguarico rivers, and close to the Colombian and Peruvian borders. The reserve is made up of 605,000 hectares of primary forest, rivers and lakes, and is home to an incredible variety of animal and plant life. Five different ethnic groups live within the reserve: the Siona, Secoya, Cofán, Kichwas and Shuar, each of which has its own culture and language.
You stay at the Jamu Lodge or a similar facility that offers an endless possibility of activities. From educational hiking to, trekking through the Terra Firme forest, experiencing the muddy swamps or the Hormiga River, swimming in the lagoon, watching the pink river dolphins, bird and wildlife watching, and visiting the native community, the list goes on. A Bilingual guide is always along for the activities to answer all your questions. In addition, guests can relax at the hammock lounge, or enjoy a beer or cocktail at the bar. Jamu does not use electricity all the time; candles are use part of the time, in order to preserve energy and the jungle. There is a small plant in which batteries can be reloaded as well.

After arriving in Lago Agrio you meet with your guide and other new guests of the lodge around 09:00am, depending on the flight schedule and with them you will take private transportation to the entrance of Cuyabeno. Lunch is on the way. Then you take a motorized canoe down the Cuyabeno River for two and a half hours. During the canoe ride you will get a first look at the jungle and will be able to observe different kind of birds like Caciques, Oropendolas, Greater Anis and the prehistoric bird “Hoatzin”. You may also be able to see a variety of monkeys and other jungle animals, depending on the time and weather conditions. We will arrive at the “Cabañas JAMU” around 4:30pm. At that time you will be shown to your rooms and you can relax a little. After a siesta you can leave the camp for a swim in the lagoon and to watch a beautiful sunset in the middle of the Laguna Grande. You will then return to the camp for dinner, and can finish your first day in the jungle relaxing in a hammock or having a drink at the bar.


Day 12: After breakfast we will take a hike in the primary forest for 3 to 4 hours, where your guide will explain how a tropical rainforest works. You will be able to learn about medicinal plants and might be able to see some exotic birds or monkeys. Then you return to the camp for lunch and a siesta. In the afternoon you can go piranha fishing, have a swim in the lagoon and watch the sunset. With a little luck you can observe the pink river dolphins or an anaconda sunbathing in a tree. You will return to the camp for dinner, and take a night canoe ride to look for caimans.

Day 13: For those of you who are willing to see the sun rise, you can go for an early morning bird watching canoe ride at around 6 o’clock. You will return to the camp for breakfast, then depart in native, dugout canoes, called “quilla”, to visit a family of the community of Tarapuy. You will see how Casabe is prepared, traditional bread made from Yucca (Manioc). You can help prepare the Casabe and see how only material from the jungle is used in making the bread. You will then visit the Siona community and your guide will explain the customs and traditions of the Sionas. You will be able to see what traditions have been lost and what has been maintained. After that we return to the lodge to have a late lunch. At night, you can go on a short nocturnal hike through the primary forest in search of insects, spiders, geckos or scorpions, and listen to the night sounds of the jungle.

Day 14: Today you go back to Quito. The day starts after a good breakfast by taking the motorized canoe to head back to the entrance of Cuyabeno from where you will be transferred to Lago Agrio. You take a flight (or bus (8h) if you want) back to Quito and private transport to your hotel.

Day 15: After breakfast a private transfer will bring you to the bus terminal in the south of Quito to take a public bus towards Tena (6h). From Tena you will take another public bus and canoe to the animal refuge of AmaZOOnico.
After a warm welcome and a good explenation about AmaZOOnico you will get a training course about taking care of the animals and working with tourists, before you start helping with giving guided tours to the visitors of AmaZOOnico.
Visit the website of AmaZOOnico for more information about the work as a volunteer: http://www.selvaviva.ec/amazoonico/index.php?l=en or send u an e-mail


Optional: to visit the famous Galapagos Islands after your volunteer work and before you leave Ecuador.


Note: The description of the excursions in the jungle are a general indication of a program in the jungle. They might be slightly different depending on the location where you stay and weather conditions.


This tour includes:
-    14 Nights with breakfast, 11 of which you sleep in well located mid range hotels and hostels and 3 nights in basic lodges in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve including full pension.
-    2 Months contribution fee for your stay at the AmaZOOnico animal refuge, lunch included during the week.
-    A return flight to Lago Agrio and back
-    Several interesting excursions in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve.
-    All private transfers in Quito.
-   Shared shuttle service (from Izhcayluma) from Cuenca to Vilcabamba.
-   Taxi ride from Vilcabamba to Loja airport (arranged by Izhcayluma)
-    A flight from Loja to Quito
-    A 24h emergency number from some-one who lives in Ecuador, speaks English and Spanish and on request Dutch

The price doesn’t include:
-    Optional excursions;
-    International airport tax (41 US$ p.p.)
-    International flights
-    A combination of public transportation and taxi's during the tour (in total about 20 US$ p.p.)
-    Entrée’s, (exit) taxes, food and other personal expenses;
-    Transport back from AmaZOOnico to Quito
-    Tips (in restaurants, for guides, cooks, drivers and more) during the tour
-    Additional price for one person a room during the tour (230 Euro)
-    All things not mentioned in the tour above
-    Obligated travel and health insurance

We recommend you to check the local visa and vaccination obligations.

Also important for our stay in the jungle lodge is the following information:
- If you have special requests towards the accommodation: Twin rooms/double bed room
- Rubber boot (welly) size
- Special food requests (if vegetarian please specify if fish, eggs, etc are ok)

We recommend you to bring at least with:
-    Valid identification and travel documents and when needed a valid visa
-    The information of your travel insurance
-    Valid vaccinations, ask you countries health centre for more information
-    A good backpack, or big sport-bag, preferable no hard suitcase
-    A comfortable day backpack
-    Good shoes
-    Sandals (maybe also a pair of tennis shoes)
-    A warm jacket/ fleece
-    A rain jacket/ poncho
-    Two warm sweaters
-    Three light trousers (cotton or linen)
-    4 T-shirts
-    2 long-sleeved shirts
-    2 shorts
-    Some old clothes for working in the jungle
-    A flashlight for each person, incl. spare batteries
-    Biodegradable soap and shampoo  (they sell handmade soap at little cost at agency in the jungle)
-    Small dollar bills (or try to collect them in Quito)
-    Something to be able to back-up your photos
-    Protection against the sun and mosquito’s (you can also buy locally)

Be aware that Ecuador is not a Third World Country anymore, so most common things are available. If you do have any doubts about what to bring, please feel free to ask us.

Office of Fairtravel4u, Jan van Gentstraat 35, 1755 PB Petten, The Netherlands
Tel.:(0031) (0) 226-381729, cel.: (0031) (0) 615292565
Registration in The Netherlands: Kamer van Koophandel nr: 52269698
info@amazon-rainforest-tours.org