Peru · Americas · Indigenous Populations Relief Missions
Peru Rainforest
This Medical Mission Has Been Completed
August 15, 2020 — August 21, 2020
Upcoming Missions in Peru
All Peru missions →
More Upcoming Missions in the Americas
All Americas missions →
Mission Archive · August 2020
Our Work
The World Bank and the World Health Organization stated in a 2009 study that these indigenous peoples are viewed as needing full assistance to solve their multiple health problems. IMR is working in collaboration with local partners to help those suffering from life-threatening diseases. We will provide medical and dental care and health education to these otherwise untouched people groups. Your team will see many patients with infections, wounds, and common health problems that are frequently untreated. Dental needs are among the most troubling, with patients suffering from horrific pain from infected teeth without care other than home remedies.
Annual flooding is a serious concern for the people of the Amazon River basin, with the associated skin issues, infections, and emotional loss that comes with major disasters. Dengue Fever and other mosquito-borne diseases are significant health concerns in this community. Providing education about mosquito-borne disease and providing supportive care for patients will be a primary task for our team. This trip is a wonderful opportunity to provide care for people who truly need help.
We will be bringing some of the less accessible indigenous people into our clinic and will work closely with local medical students to care for them. If you love to teach, this is the trip for you!
This Mission
This beautiful trip starts and ends in Pucallpa, Peru. Located on the Ucayali River in eastern Peru, Pucallpa is a place that few tourists go but they are missing out! Sloths and monkeys abound in this port city that is the gateway to the jungle. You will find a port city combining the modern with the old with a touch of mythical creatures thrown in for good measure! Laguna Yarinacocha, about 15 minutes from town, shelters wildlife, including many varieties of monkeys, sloths, river dolphins, and birds of every size and color. Pucallpa, in addition to being a jumping off point for Amazon expeditions, is home to the Shipibo-Conibo indigenous people and suffers from serious flooding annually.
The Shipibo-Conibo people are an indigenous tribe living along the Ucayali River in the Amazon rainforest in Perú. The Shipibo (apemen) and the Conibo (fishmen) were originally distinct tribes until they became one people based on shared traditions and beliefs and intermarriage. They are becoming more urbanized in order to survive but are fighting to keep their traditions, including utilizing traditional spiritual brews in rituals and shamans for their medical care. Your team will provide care for many of the Shipibo-Conibo people as you work in the small villages along the river. You will have an opportunity to learn about the rich culture of this beautiful and unique area, where the people are passionate about their religion, their crafts, and their traditions.
Lodging/Transportation
You will be in a lovely hotel on this trip, traveling by bus each day to the small villages and towns that are in need of medical and dental care. Bring your bathing suit and don’t forget your camera!
Highlights
Working with the indigenous people of the Peruvian Amazon is a highlight all its own. You’ll also have some time to learn more traditional medicine and to see the many different crafts handmade in the area, including textiles, beaded items, seed jewelry, ceramics, carvings, clothing with Shipibo designs, rattles and other traditional crafts.
Another highlight of this trip is your CHOICE of spending your last day in Peru in Pucallpa – shopping, relaxing, or EXPLORING THE AMAZON – or in the capital city of Lima. Lima is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has “Museums with great works of art, archaeological sites, beaches, the boardwalk, valleys, natural reserves, the nightlife, the thrill of adventure sports, and the exquisite cuisine gives Peru’s capital an authentic personality and makes tourism in Lima a unique experience in the country.” Your choice will depend on your departure time from Pucallpa on August 21 and your flight time home. This might be a good time to think of extending your stay!
If you are thinking about extending your stay, Machu Picchu is another option and certainly a highlight of any visit to Peru. Fly to Cusco where you will travel by bus and train to Machu Picchu, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Extend Your Stay
You’re journeying halfway across the globe, have you considered extending your stay to visit some of Peru’s top spots? Join International Medical Relief on an exclusive trip extension provided by our partner, Worldwide Navigators!
Experience the wonder of a sunrise on Machu Picchu
Enjoy a train ride through the Peruvian jungle
Journey to the vibrant & colorful Rainbow Mountain
Click here to view the itinerary!
Ready for the adventure? Connect with Worldwide Navigators today!
Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1 · August 15, 2020
Arrivals
Day 2 · August 16, 2020
Training Day
Day 3 · August 17, 2020
Clinic
Day 4 · August 18, 2020
Clinic
Day 5 · August 19, 2020
Clinic
Day 6 · August 20, 2020
Clinic
Day 7 · August 21, 2020
Free Day & Departure
Gallery
Your Journey
Clinic Photos
Full Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to change without notice.
Please note: Independent flight arrangements should not be made until after the group flight is booked. You will be notified about the group flight at the Early Bird deadline. If you are planning on flying independently and want to book your flight in advance, please contact Worldwide Navigators at travel@worldwidenavigators.com for the most up-to-date trip information before you book your independent flight.
This medical/dental mission starts and ends in PUCALLPA, PERU. Trip dates do not include travel time. Your travel time may increase the number of days required based on the flights you choose.
Arrivals
You and the team will fly into the Pucallpa Airport on August 15th and transfer to your accommodation. The required arrival time to land in Pucallpa is 5:00pm on August 15th. Airport transportation is provided for all those traveling on the group flight purchased through Worldwide Navigators. If you are flying independently and would like to be included on the group flight transfer, please contact us.
In the evening you will attend a required team orientation to further prepare you for clinic. Your team leader will assign your roles for the upcoming clinic days, go over protocols, and discuss the communities you will be serving.
Clinic
Education is as important as medical and dental care for our patients. Each clinic includes basic health education according to the specialties and skills of the IMR volunteers, as well as the needs of the local people. When communities become empowered to take health and wellness issues into their own hands, they become self-sufficient. IMR provides learning opportunities for the local communities through classes and hands-on learning to sustain their well-being beyond our visit.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Clinic
Wake up and have breakfast at your accommodation before departing for clinic. Lunch will be served at your clinic site. After returning back to your accommodation at the end of the day you will have a team debrief with your team leader and dinner provided at the accommodation. You will find the indigenous people of the rainforest to be among the kindest people you will meet and the most in need of healthcare.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Clinic
Most time at the clinic will be spent treating those with with infections, wounds, and common health problems that are frequently untreated.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Clinic
Clinic activities will include treating those with and educating the residents of the community about Dengue Fever and other mosquito borne diseases.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Free Day & Departures
You will have a free day to explore Pucallpa or Lima, shop, or simply relax. Plan an evening departure if you want to explore Pucallpa or an early morning departure if you want to explore Lima (all flights in and out of Pucallpa stop in Lima).
IMR’s last night of provided accommodation is the night of the 20th to the 21st (checking out on the 21st)
Your Journey
Clinic Photos
Extension Photos
Extensions
EXTEND YOUR STAY!
You’re journeying halfway across the globe, have you considered extending your stay to visit some of Peru’s top spots? Join International Medical Relief on an exclusive trip extension provided by our partner, Worldwide Navigators!
Experience the wonder of a sunrise on Machu Picchu <br>
Enjoy a train ride through the Peruvian jungle <br>
Journey to the vibrant & colorful Rainbow Mountain<br>
Click here to view the itinerary!
Ready for the adventure? Connect with Worldwide Navigators today!
Flights & Prices
This mission has been completed. The details below are retained for reference; applications and early bird offers for this trip are closed.
For current travel arrangements and donation amounts, please view our upcoming missions.
Prepare to Go
A Walk Through Clinic
Download the Team Guide
