You may not think it as you clamber over another jungle-covered mountain but Honduras really is a small country. With only a few hundred miles separating its Caribbean and Pacific coasts, it’s possible to enjoy a dip in both on the same day! In reality though that’s impossible because the route will take you through the cloud forests and you’ll have to stay and admire those for a while! La Tigra is Honduras’ first and largest national park and is colonised by an assortment of birds, monkeys and mountain lions. To keep it looking beautiful only 70 people are allowed in each day; so you can enjoy this area in peace and quiet (except for the howler monkeys). You will help protect this beautiful area by maintaining trails and helping with the important reforestation effort amongst other things.
Honduras has the region's most extensive tracts of cloud forest and the largest remaining area of primary forest which is home to more than 700 species of birds including the Harpy eagle and the Quetzal. As well as populations of rare mammals such as jaguars, pumas, ocelots, giant anteaters, tapir and mantled howler monkeys. These high mountains literally scrape the clouds and even if it is not raining above the canopy, a steady drip soaks the forest floor.
The abundance of moisture gives these high, misty forests a lavishness exceeding that of even the lowland tropical forests of La Mosquitia. Every branch and trunk is covered with a carpet of epiphytes - plants like mosses, bromeliads and orchids that, lacking roots in the ground, cling to the surfaces of other plants for support.
La Tigra National Park severely lacks funding to maintain its high diversity and at times there are only 2 park rangers employed to look after all the 238 squared kilometers of the National Park. Therefore, each extra set of hands are extremely valuable and are crucial for the survival of this cloud forest which is considered to be one of the richest habitats in the world.
Activities that you may be asked to get involved include maintaining the large network of trails through the forest, making signs and repairing old ones. The national park has an on going reforestation program supported by a number of nurseries for the creation of the trees, helping to insure that La Tigra maintains a high diversity.
In addition there are also 87 communities that live within the reserve. A new program of “Carbon offset” has recently been introduced to supply a steady flow of fire wood for the wood burning ovens that every family has. A huge amount of trees are now being planted to release the strain on the surrounding forests, and the need for volunteers to assist in this new initiative is massive.
You'll be staying on site at the project in dormitory style accommodation.
You'll be provided with all the necessary materials and equipment during your time at the project.
A typical Honduran Breakfast and dinner are provided at the project.
You will be met at the airport if arriving on the scheduled arrival date. Please book your flight to arrive into Tegucigalpa international airport (TGU).
If you are arriving before your designated arrival date, we can arrange for an extra meet and greet service for you. For an extra supplement we will be there to meet you at the airport and take you to the orientation accommodation. Accommodation payment for any extra nights will then be made in country directly to the accommodation (approx 15 USD per night).
Near Tegucigalpa, La Tigra National Park is a cool retreat just a 40-minute drive from the capital. Honduras' first national park, La Tigra was once the sight of the El Rosario mines that operated at the beginning of the century. The mines and scattered remnants of ancient machinery are an added attraction to this pristine cloud forest. Resplendent Quetzals are sighted in the park, as well as many other species of birds.
You don’t need to be specialized in conservation but a love of the outdoors and stunning scenery help. This project is perfect for someone who has
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