Home > Volunteer in Latin America > Volunteer in Peru > Animal-Rescue-Sanctuary-for-Indigenous-Wildlife

Animal Rescue Sanctuary for Indigenous Wildlife

animal rescue volunteering in peru volunteer peru volunteering peru volunteer work peru south america volunteer volunteer abroad peru peru volunteer volunteering volunteer opportunities in peru volunteers peru volunteering abroad voluntary work volun

Location Peru
Start Date 1st and 3rd Monday of every month
Duration
Book now for

The Project

Volunteer abroad in Peru and spend time working in a locally run animal sanctuary situated in the beautiful province of San Sebastian just outside of Cusco. The sanctuary itself was founded by the Chavez Family and provides a safe haven for animals rescued from the black market where they will be sheltered and nursed to full health until they are able to be released into their natural environments once again. Almost all of the animals housed in the sanctuary are there on a short term basis aside from more wild animals such as pumas, which have been hand-reared and now do not have the hunting skills to be able to survive in the wild. You’ll come across a number of different species of animals while working in the sanctuary including condors, pumas, various types of birds, alpacas and other wild cats.
Why the project needs you

This project relies heavily on monetary donations to complete the fantastic work which has created a safe environment for a huge number of animals over the years. Volunteers not only provide financial aid through donations toward the project, but also help to support the animals through feeding and rehabilitation programmes.

Project Location

Cusco is the archaeological capital of the Americas and the oldest continuously inhabited city on the continent. Its legacy as the seat of the Inca Empire is readily apparent. Many of the city streets are lined with original stone walls and crowded with Quechua-speaking descendants of the Incas.

The word Cusco is the Spanish spelling of the Quechua word Qosqo. According to Inca mythology, when Manco Capac, the first Inca emperor saw the lush Sacred Valley, he struck a staff into the ground and declared the spot Qosqo which means "navel of the universe."
Project Facts

•Duration: 2 - 26 weeks
•Cost: £795 ($1391) for 2 weeks, £175 ($306) for each week thereafter
•Requirements: age 18+
•Location: San Sebastian, 19km outside of Cusco, Peru
•Project activities: General caring for the animals including feeding and cleaning the enclosures, guiding tourists around the centre, organising trips for local children to educate and raise awareness
•Working hours: Hours and days flexible as the project is open Monday – Sunday so you are able to choose your working days and hours.
•Project Availability: First and third Monday of the month. Project available to start throughout the year.
What is included

•Accommodation: Single room in a home-stay
•Food: 3 meals per day – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
•Airport pick up and drop off
•Training: Pre-departure pack, On-site Orientation and project induction provided.
•Language classes: Five hours of language classes provided
•Support: 24 hour support
•Excursions: Staff will help to plan excursions (at additional cost to you) for your spare time
What is not included

•Flights
•Insurance
•Visas
•Transport to and from project - you will take a local bus to project from your home stay in Cusco each day
•Extra Spanish classes are available for £8/$13 per hour. Please contact us for more information about booking.

Your life outside the project

The landscape surrounding Cusco and the Sacred Valley make living here both beautiful and entertaining. There are dozens of different hikes in the area, to hot springs, glaciers, ruins, etc. As the centre of the mighty Incan Empire, tons of incredible ancient ruins, both popular and virtually unknown, are easily reachable. Cusco, just an hour away from Urubamba, also has a very lively nightlife so there is something to do every night of the week. It is also very easy and inexpensive to get to both Chile and Bolivia.

The Sacred Valley is split into a number of different regions and towns, with Cusco being the capital of the Valley. Areas to visit on your weekends off include:

• Pisac – a beautiful and picturesque Andean village located on the Urubamba River in the eastern end of the Valley. Pisac (derived from the Quechua word ‘pisaca’ meaning little partridge) is most famous for it big Sunday markets as well as its smaller weekdays ones on Tuesday and Thursdays. These attract tourists from all over Peru and indeed the world. On market days, the main square is thronging with stalls selling artisan goods including ceramics, alpaca jumpers, gloves, sock, paintings, antiques, musical instruments, trinkets, jewellery and much more. There is still an area dedicated to fruit and vegetables, but they have moved to a smaller area of the market as the popularity of the traditional vendors has increased.
• Urubamba – this is a lovely town which caters for all that a passing traveller could hope for boasting a number of bars and cafes which are situated around the main Plaza de Armas. There are also a number of local shops and markets to delve in to. While in Urubamba, make sure to check out the ceramics of local artist Pablo Seminario. His workshop is located here, where you will be able to purchase items from and he is known throughout Peru as creating beautiful pieces. Urubamba is a wonderful and charming town with an appealing climate all the year round. The town boasts panoramic views of the valley as well as breath-taking sights of the Vilcanota mountain range. Urubamba is also a great starting point to adventure activities such as trekking, mountain biking, horse riding, rafting and also provides some rest if you’re planning on heading to Machu Picchu.
• Yucay – This is another small town located close to Urubamba and boasts one of the Sacred Valley’s best kept secrets – Huayoccari Hacienda Restaurant. This is an elegant and charming converted country manor situated on a ridge looking over the sacred valley approximately 2km outside of town. Although small, the town consists of beautiful colonial architecture in the form of homes and churches – most notably the church of Santiago Apostol. Yucay also has great cuisine, so it is definitely worth taking a meal or two here, sampling some of the local delicacies.
• Chinchero – nestled between Urubamba and Cusco, Chinchero is looked down upon by the incredible snow capped Chicon mountain. The town is famous for its wonderful ruins and beautiful churches. The name Chinchero actually means ‘Town of Rainbows’ in the local Quechua language and it was supposed to have originally gotten its name due to being the mythical birthplace of the rainbow!
• Ollantaytambo – Located about 97km from Cusco in the far end of the Sacred Valley, the small city is nestled along the Patakancha River. Ollantaytambo is a very popular starting point for the Inca Trail, so many visitors pass through on their way to see the mighty ruins. The town itself is divided into various blocks (canchas), most of which are entirely entact, allowing you to get a real sense of how the Inca’s mapped their way around a town. The scenery is stunning with each block having a large stone doorway, leading to houses surrounding a central courtyard. A true Inca town, Ollantaytambo is one not to be missed.
Ideas for Independent Travel

Sandboarding on Huacachina

Sandboarding is a fast-growing activity around the globe with strong roots in Peru. This is one of the best locations in the world for sandboarding as Peru boasts the largest sand dune in the world, Cerro Blanco, which stands at 2070m. Flying down the slopes with tremendous speed you are guaranteed an adrenaline rush and a thrilling experience.

Mountain climbing/Canyoning/Rappling

The most exciting experience available near Cusco, the sport of canyoning introduces you to the beautiful countryside within the archaeological complex of Pisac while delivering an unsurpassable adrenaline rush. At Pisac a canyon cuts into the Vilcanota River valley from the NE. The gorge is 100 meters deep. This is wet, upside-down climbing on some beautifully sculpted river rocks.

Manu Biosphere Nature Reserve

Manu National Park is one of the largest natural protected areas in the world. To see biodiversity on such an unparalleled scale is such a special experience. This UNESCO world heritage site contains about 15,000 species of plants, 250 varieties of trees, 800 species of birds and 200 species of mammals, including the endangered Jaguar.

Machu Picchu
The incredible site of Machu Picchu lies 2,430m above sea level in the most extraordinary and beautiful tropical mountain setting. People from far and wide trek the extraordinary journey to see this beautiful Inca Empire and its grand wall, terraces and ramps cannot help but astound the visitor. Set on the eastern slopes of the Andes, the site of Machu Picchu covers over 32,500ha of the Peruvian Andes in the upper Amazon basic. This was officially the last stronghold of the Incas and the architecture and archaeological importance of the site remains one of the most important in Latin America. The stone work is still one of the world’s greatest examples of the ability to manipulate a natural material and the views and landscape are just entirely breathtaking.

Due to its local and national importance, the grounds surrounding Machu Picchu have been continuously cultivated, thus so for over 1,000 years and this too, provides a great examples of how productive a man and land relationship can be. The diet of the locals who live near the site are much akin to those of their Inca ancestors, based on potatoes, maize and llamas and, as well as a haven for sustenance, Machu Picchu also is home to a number of local and endangered species, including (among others) the spectacled bear, the dwarf brocket, the otter, long-tailed weasel, pampas cat, vulnerable ocelot, the boa and the Andean condor.

Machu Picchu is a site not to be missed, so spare some extra days to marvel and awe at the incredible landscape and scenery. The trek is usually completed in 4 days and will see you covering around 45km (trekking). These treks vary enormously in price, so make sure you do a little homework before booking so you know the route that you most want to take, the agency that you are going to book it through and how long you want the trek to be. There are easier/harder versions and longer/shorter versions depending on how much you want to challenge yourself.

Project Quality

Kaya evaluates every project we offer to ensure that we only commit to programmes with genuine need for volunteer aid, not just financial assistance. We develop relationships with the projects and help shape initiatives to ensure in the long run that we do not encourage dependence on outside help, but rather establish foundations on which the people can build and develop themselves. We also ensure that the members of those communities are open and eager to learn and discover our culture, as we become a part of theirs. The quality and sustainability of our programmes are very important to us. We want you to have the most fulfilling and memorable time as possible, and be part of something that is going to last into future generations.

Accommodation & Meals

You have the option of staying in a local homestay or in a volunteer house. With either of these options you will either have your own room or be sharing with another volunteer and will be provided with either two or three meals a day. Staying in a homestay setting will allow you to experience first-hand the true way of local Peruvian family life and will enable us to plough back more of your fees back into the local economy.

In-Country Coordinators

Each country coordinator is there to make sure your time in your programme runs smoothly. They will pick you up from the airport and take you on your orientation. All in-country coordinators are English speaking and are there to ensure you have all the information and resources for the best placement.

24/7 Emergency Support

As well as support from your in-country coordinators, you'll be given access to a 24/7 emergency phone line managed by Kaya staff, in case any problem should arise while you're overseas.

Kaya Help-desk

Each member of Kaya staff have worked, travelled, studied or volunteered abroad, and many staff have visited and volunteered in our projects knowing firsthand the country and nature of the programme placements. Their knowledge of international travel and volunteering is invaluable, and they can give you good advice and tips to make the most of your international placement.

Briefing Pack & Materials

Once you have booked a programme, an information pack will be sent out detailing everything you need to know - from specific project details and vaccinations required to the visa application process.

Airport Pickup

When you arrive at your destination a member of Kaya staff will meet you with a warm welcome at the airport and take you to your accommodation to get you set up for your stay.

Cultural Excursions

Kaya staff are at hand to help organise weekend excursions and activities, which can include visiting cultural places of significance and visiting various projects around the area. This way you can learn firsthand about each project and take part in local cultural and adventure activities.

Arrival Orientation

Shortly after you arrive you will be given your orientation by one of our in-country coordinators. They will show you your placement, local transport, take you into the local town, and show you things you can do in your spare time. Information regarding safety and security will be given along with some much needed lingo when moving and travelling around the area.

Language Classes

At the beginning of your stay the in-country team will provide basic language classes to help you during your time on your placement - and to practice at the dinner table with your host family or in your volunteer house.

Funding for Individual Projects

If on your placement you wish to start up your own sub-project, a reasonable amount of funding will be provided. An example is: one volunteer arranged a basketball tournament for the street children where funding was provided for team shirts and trophies. This is a good chance to make your own lasting mark on a project and the people of your chosen country.

Local Community Benefits

Not only is your participation on your project of great help to the local communities, but so is the boost to the local economy that volunteers create while they are visiting.

Related Projects

Environmental Conservation on Biological Stations on the Ecuador Coast
Founded in 1985 with its original conserva...

£ 1110 ($1943) for 3 weeks
African Lion Rehabilitation & Release in Zambia
BOOK NOW: This project is one of our most ...

£ 1355 ($2371) for 2 weeks
Island Marine Conservation with PADI Certification
Based on the Thai island of Koh Tao, this ...

£ 1365 ($2389) for 2 weeks
Bulawayo Wildlife Rescue Sanctuary
Get up-close and personal with a host of a...

£ 899 ($1573) for 2 weeks
Environmental Conservation in Western Australia
Volunteer in Australia and get involved in...

£ 775 ($1356) for 2 weeks

Other Projects in Peru

Work in Rural and Urban Medical Clinics in Peru
Become a volunteer in Peru and bring healt...

£ 795 ($1391) for 2 weeks
Teach English in Rural Provinces in Peru
Volunteer abroad in Peru and spend time te...

£ 795 ($1391) for 2 weeks
Work with Disabled Orphans in Peru
By volunteering abroad in Peru you can bri...

£ 1845 ($3227) for 8 weeks
Inca Jewellery-Making Cooperative
Volunteer in Peru and work on a fascinatin...

£ 795 ($1391) for 2 weeks
Learn Spanish in Peru
Learn Spanish abroad with Kaya in the beau...

£ 895 ($1566) for 2 weeks