Volunteers looking out over the forest. La Hesperia.
Fundación Tangaré / Volunteer
Volunteer in Ecuador’s cloud forest
Spend from one week to five months working alongside our team on what keeps 700 hectares of forest protected: monitoring wildlife, restoring habitat and maintaining trails. No experience is needed.
- Duration
- 1 week to 5 months
- Cost
- Personalized quotemeals and lodging included
- Start
- Any Mondayall year
- Places
- 16 at a timeno experience needed
What you will do
Activities depend on your interests, your physical capacity and what the reserve needs at the time.
Wildlife monitoring
Help check camera traps and take part in field surveys of species such as the clouded tiger cat and the Ecuadorian capuchin.
Habitat restoration
Reforestation and propagation of native plants in the nursery.
Trail maintenance
Keeping open the trails that give researchers and staff access to the forest.
Environmental education
Supporting field trips and activities with schools and visiting groups.
Reserve and farm support
Daily work alongside La Hesperia’s staff: organic gardens, animal care and sustainable farming.
Conservation projects
Special campaigns and biodiversity assessments, such as helping document species that are still missing from the site’s lists.
What you gain
- Hands-on experience in wildlife monitoring, conservation and environmental education
- Daily life in a forest that few people get to know from the inside
- Ecuadorian culture and food, firsthand
- A community of volunteers and staff from different countries
- A certificate of participation at the end of your stay
From past volunteers
At the beginning I was going to stay only for one month, but in the end I stayed for almost four. My experience there was one of the best of my life. I met amazing people from all over the world and learned a lot about things that are very practical for life.
I’ve learned so much, not just about the cloud forest but about the importance of volunteer work.
We can put you in touch with a past volunteer before you decide.
Conditions
| Where | La Hesperia reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador, about two hours from Quito. The reserve hosts you; the Foundation runs the program |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 week to 5 months |
| Start dates | All year, arrivals on Mondays |
| Closed | 23 December to 3 January |
| Who can apply | Anyone motivated to help; no previous experience required |
| Languages | English and Spanish |
| Group size | Up to 16 people at a time in shared rooms; organized groups of up to 20 |
| Insurance | International health insurance covering every day of your stay in Ecuador is required |
| Fitness | You should be comfortable with physical outdoor work and steep trails between 1,100 and 2,040 m |
Cost
Volunteering is unpaid. The fee covers your accommodation, meals and support during the stay, and depends on how long you stay and on your profile. Tell us your dates and we will send you a personalized quote. Payment is made to Fundación Tangaré by PayPal or Wise.
Where your fee goes
Your stay
The fee covers your accommodation, meals, internet, transport from the highway and the coordination of your work during the stay at La Hesperia.
The Foundation’s programs
Fundación Tangaré receives the fee. What remains after the costs of your stay funds its conservation, research and education programs. As a nonprofit foundation it does not distribute profits: all of its income is used for its mission.
Included
- Accommodation in shared rooms
- Three meals a day and internet access
- Transport between the highway and the reserve
- Activities: a chocolate and coffee tour, two Ecuadorian cooking workshops, weekly talks and a guided hike every 15 days
- Certificate of participation
- Travel guidance before you arrive
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- International medical insurance (required)
How to apply
Tell us about yourself
Fill in the form with a short introduction, what motivates you and your preferred dates.
We plan your stay
After reading your application we schedule a conversation to plan the experience with you.
Confirm
We send travel guidance, a packing list and the insurance requirements.
Request a quote
contact@tangarefoundation.org
Common questions
Do I need experience?
No. Students, professionals and travelers are all welcome. You need motivation and willingness to learn.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
No. We can coordinate your work in English. Some of the local team speak only Spanish, which many volunteers find is the best way to practice.
Can I stay for just one week?
Yes, a week is the minimum and five months the maximum. The longer you stay, the more you can take on.
Is volunteering paid?
No, it is unpaid work. What you pay is the cost of your stay.
Looking for a research placement?
If you need to collect data for a thesis or complete a formal internship, see the research and internship program.
Tell us your dates and we will send you a quote
There is no commitment in asking. Places are limited to 16 people at a time.