You wake up before dawn and catch the boat down to the beach as the sun begins to rise over the Amazon rainforest and the distant snow-capped mountains. The early morning light is perfect for shooting atmospheric photos. A spectacular way to start the day.

Flocks of macaws and parrots begin to arrive at the clay lick by the beach, where they socialise and replenish minerals needed in their diet. You busily write notes as the team leader explains to the volunteers how to identify different species and record various data, so that our researchers can better understand how these threatened species are being impacted by tourism and habitat loss. You've got your next blog idea sorted.

You hop back on the boat for typical Peruvian breakfast with the team back at camp, before setting out with your team leader into the rainforest to learn about tropical ecology surveys and how studying indicator species can help researchers better understand the health of an ecosystem. You take up-close photos of the amazing diversity of Amazonian butterflies, amphibians and reptiles. Another blog idea is writing itself.

Back at camp you enjoy a hearty Peruvian lunch with the team, swapping stories about the day's best wildlife sightings. You get to know the new group of volunteers and tell tales about jungle life. After a good natter, you help the kitchen staff with the washing up and spend time getting to know them, picking up colourful Peruvian Spanish phrases.

You join your intern group for three hours of study and your intern leader takes you through this week's media topic, teaching you skills in writing, marketing, photography or film-making. As the workshop progresses, you complete tasks and formulate new ideas as a team, while your intern leader provides plenty of discussion and feedback. This week's assignment is set and you can't wait to get cracking on it.

After dinner, you spend a fun-filled evening practising Spanish with our Peruvian staff – sharing stories to learn about different cultures and experiences that’ll expand your understanding and horizons. You play games with the new volunteer group and start building lifelong friendships. Or you chill out in a hammock with a good book.

Tired and fulfilled after the day's activities, you’re on the way to bed but take a moment to stand in awe of the amazing starscape and the milky way like you’ve never seen it before. You hit your pillow for an early night, in preparation for the new adventures and experiences that tomorrow will bring.