Volunteering with SBC in Peru

Volunteers work Monday to Friday with weekends free to relax or explore local destinations.

You will have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects: 

• Expeditions into remote bear habitat to monitor camera traps
• Monitoring and collecting evidence of bear activity 
• Watering and planting trees to provide natural food sources for bears
• Educating local kids about bears and conservation
• Building fences and irrigation systems to protect and rehabilitate prime bear habitat
• Caring for horses 
• Making traditional adobe bricks for future building projects

No experience is required, but we are always looking for volunteers with the following skills:

•  GIS mapping
•  Tree nursery and planting experience
•  Photography or videography
•  Construction trades
•  Equestrian experience
•  Fluency in Spanish 

You will experience the natural and cultural beauty of northern Peru.

SBC’s conservation center is in Batan Grande, thirty miles from the city of Chiclayo.  You will be close to the heart of the tropical dry forest at the base of the Andes, which is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world.  The dry forest has algarobbo trees and cacti, as well as spectacled bear food staples: sapote and overo trees.  The spectacled bear shares its home with many other unique species like the white-winged guan, the Pampas cat, and the Andean condor. 

SBC is on the edge of a landscape rich in archaeological wonders.  A series of adobe pyramids can be seen on the horizon of Batan Grande.  The pyramids were sites of ceremony and celebration for the Sican people, a pre-Incan civilization obsessed with precious metals.  The Sican had perfected the art of gold-smithing and their elite were buried adorned in gold including masks, headdresses and ear spools.  These beautiful artifacts are on display at the Sican museum.

From April to October, the daily temperatures average 25⁰C with cool nights, and little to no rain. In the summer season, November to March, the daily temperatures can range from 25 – 35⁰C with warm nights, and occasional rain.

The first step is to complete the online application form. Once we have received your application, an SBC staff member will contact you for a short interview to determine suitability and time of travel.

• Book your flights to Peru once your time of stay with SBC has been confirmed
• All volunteers must have travel and health insurance
• Consult your health care provider prior to departure regarding any vaccines required for travel to Peru
• Upon trip confirmation we will email you an orientation package outlining travel considerations, what to pack, and relevant contact information

Transportation

• We will greet you at the Chiclayo airport and drive you to our conservation center in Batan Grande

Accommodation

• SBC volunteer accommodations are traditional Adobe style buildings with private rooms and a shared bathroom.

Meals

• Three nutritious meals will be provided daily, featuring local fare such as beans, chicken, rice, and fresh fruit and vegetables.   

We welcome volunteers year-round for periods of 2 weeks ($1,000 USD), 4 weeks ($1,400 USD), or longer. For visits of more than 4 weeks, we will work with you to determine fees based on your desired length of stay. Meals and accommodation are provided for the duration of your visit.

As SBC is a non-profit organization, every dollar we can put towards conservation action is critical.  The volunteer program fees cover the cost of hosting you at our conservation center.

If you have a serious case of wanderlust, there are a multitude of excursions right at our doorstep.

Less than an hour away…

• Hike the Mayascon waterholes and relax by the natural turquoise pools that dot the trail 
• Explore the Bosque de Pomac Historical Sanctuary to see the Sican pyramids up close.  
• Visit the Sican National Museum or The Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum to learn about the ancient civilizations of the Sican and Moche peoples.

Best Northern Peru destinations…

• Beach day? Surf the waves at Mancora Beach and enjoy some great local grub.
• Bird-watching? Head to Illescas Reserve in Piura to see Andean Condors and Humboldt Penguins along the coast. 
• History buff? Check out the Chan Chan Citadel in Trujillo, the largest mud city in the Americas, built by the Chimu civilization.

Have an extra week to explore Peru?

• Be awestruck by the world-renowned Incan ruins in Machu Picchu
• Experience the bustling city of Lima where the past and present converge; ruins, colonial architecture, and skyscrapers are set against the Peruvian coastline.  The city offers a variety of activities from historical tours, gastronomy adventures, and recreational excursions.