Ecuador, Puyo5/5 (3 reviews)
Animal sanctuary in Ecuador
Help care for abused, neglected, and abandoned wild animals at a sanctuary near Puyo, in a beautiful part of the Amazon rainforest.
- Where
- Puyo, Ecuador
- Length
- From 2 to 12 weeks
- Minimum age
- 18 years old
- Language
- English intermediate
- Departures
- Every Saturday
from €1,166 for 2 weeks
Check availabilityTalk to the teamNo commitment. Anaëlle, Amélie or Maëlia will reply.
The project
This sanctuary near Puyo provides care for abused, neglected, or abandoned animals. Some have been orphaned due to hunting, others rescued from animal traders, and some have been confiscated from families who kept them in captivity. This sustainable tourism project offers volunteers a unique opportunity to protect a wide range of wildlife while living in a beautiful part of the Amazon rainforest.
“Family” projects are suitable for children from 4 years old. Our advisors will provide personalized recommendations based on the age of your children, the destination, and the type of mission.
The Sanctuary’s Missions
As a volunteer, you can help with the following activities:
- Daily care of the animals.
- Cutting fruits, preparing food, feeding the animals.
- Helping new arrivals adjust to the center.
- General maintenance and cleaning.
- Construction work, repairing, and building new enclosures.
- Assisting the veterinarian if necessary.
- Other maintenance activities such as gardening, improving trails, and creating signage for visitors.
In addition to contributing to the sanctuary’s daily tasks, your initiative is always highly appreciated. If you want to contribute more to the project, share your ideas with the coordinator. The coordinators are always open to new ways of helping the center: think about what you’re passionate about, use your creativity, and go for it! Perhaps you have experience in animal care and want to assist the veterinarian? Every idea is welcome.
Remember, not all activities are “fun,” but they are necessary for the well-being of the animals and the sanctuary. If you want to travel responsibly, the first step is to get fully involved in the mission. This project is for animal lovers who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty!
A project we follow
Projects chosen with care and followed through regular visits on site.
A typical week
From Monday to Friday, you will work from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM. On weekends, you will work one day for a few hours, as the animals constantly need feeding. In the evenings and for the rest of the weekend, volunteers have time off.
During your free time, you can relax at the project site or visit the city of Puyo. In town, you have the option to visit a botanical garden, a museum, a water park, etc. It is also possible to visit Baños and try sports like rafting, zip-lining, or bungee jumping.
A great way to travel responsibly: join a sustainable project in Ecuador!
Accommodation and meals
You will arrive at Quito airport on Saturday, where a driver will take you to your accommodation for the night. The next day, the coordinator will take you to the bus station, where you can catch a bus to the project (bus between Quito and Puyo not included in the price, approximately a 4-5 hour trip). A coordinator will meet you in Puyo to take you to the project site.
Accommodation is in shared cabins. Showers and toilets are located outside the cabins. The sanctuary also has a shared kitchen and a communal space with hammocks and books. Bed linen is provided, and you have access to Wi-Fi. The accommodation is basic, and it is your responsibility to keep your living space clean.
At the project, you will receive three meals a day (Monday to Friday). However, you will need to arrange meals over the weekend. A fully equipped kitchen is available for your use, or you can dine in town.
Budget
How long are you going for?
Arrival every Saturday.
What is included
- Pick-up in Quito, accommodation for the night and transfer to the bus station
- Accommodation in a shared room in the heart of the sanctuary
- All meals included during the week
- Training and supervision by professional animal keepers
- Materials and equipment
- Registration fees and donation for the project
- Wi-Fi connection
Not included
- Flight tickets
- Travel and repatriation insurance
- Bus between Quito and Puyo
- Meals on weekends
Where your money goes
Donations are reinvested in full and directly into the local associations. How the costs break down
See the budget week by week
| Length | Total programme budget |
|---|
Getting ready to leave
Your application
An up-to-date CV and a cover letter describing your background and what brings you here.
Conditions to take part
- Minimum age: 18 to travel alone; in a family, children take part accompanied by their parents
- Spanish level: Basic/Intermediate
- Registration form with your personal details and travel dates (to be sent by email)
- Flight tickets
- Passport scan
Visa
Ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months from your arrival date in Ecuador. Contact your local Ecuador embassy for the conditions to obtain your visa. Keep this in mind when purchasing your plane ticket, as the airline will not allow you to board the flight if your return trip is scheduled more than 90 days after your entry into the country and you do not have a visa.
Vaccinations
Before traveling, consult your doctor for more information about the required vaccinations and recommendations.
Money and Credit Cards
In Ecuador, we use US dollars, and the easiest way to get them is by withdrawing from an ATM. Check with your bank to ensure that all your debit and credit cards work in Ecuador. If you plan to bring dollars from your home country, ask your bank to provide you with small denominations, as the highest accepted note is $20. Few shops will accept $50 or $100 bills. Bringing a credit card is useful, especially in emergencies. Check your credit limit with your bank because if you face an emergency such as paying for surgery at a hospital or needing to purchase last-minute airline tickets, you may need an amount of $4,000.
Insurance
For any project abroad, Freepackers requires travel insurance covering accidents, illness, repatriation and third-party liability. With Chapka Cap Student, you get 5% off.
Online language lessons
With Clic Campus: video lessons and an e-learning platform, from home.
Questions
What kind of accommodation is provided for a family?
You stay together, in private rooms, shared houses or comfortable local guesthouses.
Is it a safe trip for children?
Our projects are selected with safety in mind. Families get a reassuring setting and supervised activities. The days are designed to include young and old alike, with a flexible pace and time to discover things together.
Can you join a project as a family?
Yes. For families who want to travel together, we offer programmes designed to welcome children from the age of 4, 10 or 15 depending on the project. Our programme pages say whether they are open to families; otherwise, contact our team to find out more.
Another question? Ask the team, and someone who knows the project will answer.
In Ecuador too
All our programmes in Ecuador
Ecuador, Puerto Villamil5(2)
Environmental mission to the Galapagos National Park
- Duration
- 2 to 12 weeks
- Age
- From 18 years old
from €1,950 for 2 weeks
