Imagine yourself deep in an amazing dream where you’re immersed in the Amazon jungle surrounded by all the sights and sounds of exotic flora and fauna, with beautiful animals nearby, with indigenous villages of gentle people living off the land as their ancestors had done for centuries. Well, instead of waking from this fantastic dream, you realize you are experiencing all this firsthand with Conservation VIP in Ecuador! It’s difficult to describe how all your senses become attuned to the Amazon and your inner healing process allows you to benefit from your surroundings. And yet it does in a magical mystical way. So many incredible moments: gently gliding along the rivers and lakes teeming with dozens of exotic birds passing by while enjoying panoramic sunrises and sunsets at the equator, enjoying an authentic local meal with villagers beaming with pride and friendliness, walking the jungle with families of monkeys overhead, including the rare elusive Pygmy Marmoset, the world’s smallest true monkey. Thanks to the efforts of Mark to establish this inaugural trip and lead it along with Millie whose ability to communicate fully with the Spanish speaking park rangers and lodge staff made it seamless and so rewarding. Thank You!

This was my first trip with Conservation Volunteer International. It was a last minute, spur of the moment decision for me to go, and it ended up being logistically easy, and pretty well coordinated. It was a small group of 10, along with the Cuyubena Lodge guide, Fabricio, and a local logistics coordinator, Katie, and 2 trip leaders Mark & Millie. Plus 4 park rangers whom we spent 2 days working with on 2 different trails and butterfly transects. It was the inaguaral trip for CVIP, which made it all the more interesting. We also spent 2 days at 2 villages along the river, and painted at 2 school houses, and were able to talk with some of the families and kids from the villages.
It was an adventure every day- the travel into the Lodge was a short flight to a bus to a boat. There are no roads, so every day was travel by boat and birding along the way. The guide, Fabricio, was pretty incredible at spotting birds, monkeys, sloths, and he was so knowledgable about the jungle plants and ecology. It was really amazing. I liked that we spent 6 nights at the lodge so there was time to settle in and relax too. And the meals were pretty great too!
I have been trying to learn to speak Spanish and had plenty of opportunity to make mistakes in communication, but MIllie is fluent and did a really nice job of introducing, and translating everything.
I had no idea what to expect, but went with an open mind. The entire experience was really awesome. Good trip all around.

🌿 Life-Changing Journey to the Ecuadorian Amazon with ConservationVIP 🌿 I just returned from what can only be described as a transformational experience deep in the Ecuadorian Amazon with Conservation VIP. This wasn’t just a trip—it was a beautifully coordinated blend of purposeful travel, wild beauty, and genuine human connection. From day one, everything was incredibly well-organized and stress-free thanks to the remarkable leadership of Mark and Millie. Their warmth, professionalism, and deep respect for the land and its people set the tone for the entire journey. They guided us not just through the logistics of the jungle, but into its very soul. Their passion was contagious. Each day was filled with unforgettable moments—from spotting colorful toucans and playful monkeys to listening to the night chorus of frogs and insects. We worked directly with the Cuyabeno Park Rangers on improving their trails for butterfly and wildlife watching. They were amazing and appreciated our work with them very much. We also performed two community activities at local schools and everybody, from teachers to parents and students, was incredibly grateful for what we did. We also shared time with a local Shaman and the experience was out of this world. The evening canoe trips were my favorite. Floating through the still black waters (looked like a mirror) of the lagoon as the sun melted into the horizon, surrounded by the sounds of nature, was nothing short of magical. We even took a refreshing swim in the lagoon.—working, watching wildlife and swimming in the Amazon is a memory I’ll cherish forever. This wasn’t just about sightseeing—it was about giving back, learning, and connecting. If you're looking for a meaningful adventure that feeds your soul and helps protect one of the most vital ecosystems on Earth, I wholeheartedly recommend this journey. We had a fantastic local guide (Fabricio) who had total command of the wildlife that inhabitates the jungle and its waters. His spoken English was very good as well. Thank you, Mark, Millie and CVIP. You made the jungle feel like home! I AM going back!!!