Expedition Life
Rainforest Expedition in the Ecuadorian Amazon

Expedition members will spend the majority of time working on the various scientific research projects to collect and collate scientific data. You will also be involved in working directly with students and teachers on education (environmental and teaching English) and construction projects. The initial couple of weeks will be hard as you will have to adapt to the change in environment and learn the different skills needed to do research. The expedition is in a remote location, so all expedition members will participate in first aid training and team-building activities to ensure everyone is safe and secure in their new environment. This training information must be thoroughly understood as the environment is challenging. It must be stressed that expedition members will not have the opportunity to be alone at any time in the forest, as it is a harsh environment in which you can get lost very easily. You will be prepared thoroughly for any eventuality and be tested on your skills on a continual basis.

The days are long, beginning at first light to take advantage of the early wildlife activity and continuing to work throughout the day. Night surveys are also conducted regularly throughout the expedition. You have the opportunity to join several mini-expeditions, which involves going on a hike through the forest to a satellite camp location where we will camp for a night or two. Be warned that you will get very hot and sweaty during the day’s activities, so ensure you come prepared! In assisting in these tasks you will have the opportunity to:

• Live in a remote and beautiful part of the tropics, surrounded by pristine rainforest which is inhabited by extraordinary wildlife
• Live and work with members from various indigenous and colonist communities, learning about the diversity of the rainforest and the culture of the people who have lived there for hundreds of years
• Learn about living on a remote expedition (no electricity or running water) and the methods used to conduct a biodiversity research program in a lowland rainforest environment, with activities including: humane small mammal trapping and releasing, bat netting, mist netting for birds, recording bird song for identification, conducting amphibian and reptile surveys, and going on mammal walks to identify the larger mammal species of the area
• Learn Spanish in a fun and natural way by preparing food for the whole group or spotting monkeys in the forest
• Canoe down remote jungle waterways during field trips, camping in the forest away from base camp (satellite camps) and catching your own dinner
• Teach English and work with students on environmental education issues
• Have an experience you will never forget seeing the jungle and the river under the stars, spotting caiman as well as other nocturnal species
• Relax back at camp, getting your volleyball skills up to scratch and chilling out in hammocks
• Enjoy a well deserved rest and self-made entertainment on Saturday nights!