Critical Conservation and Exploration of Latin America.

Robyn Copeland Start Date: Mar 14, 2017 - End Date: Mar 13, 2018
  • Costa Rica
  • Peru
  • Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

My Travel Story

by: Robyn Copeland Start Date: Mar 14, 2017 - End Date: Mar 13, 2018
7 months from now, I will be travelling across Latin America to explore the mystical and rich history of the Andean religion in Peru, exploring Charles Darwin's Galapagos islands and conducting animal research of endangered species in Costa Rica. All the while I will be documenting and maximising followings for future travels as this for me is both brave and a once in a lifetime opportunity to finally understand the magnitidue of beauty in this world, and to see for myself what this world has to offer.
Any contribution made will go towards multiple charities across the world, above and below sea level. Here are just a few charities and environmental organisations that your donation will be going towards: WWF, Conservation International, the Wildlife Conservation Society & the Society for Environmental Exploration. But I cannot do it without your help.

I will begin my journey in Corcovado National Park on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, which is a mere pin prick on the world map, covering a measly 0.03% of the world’s landmass. This makes it even more astonishing that an incredible 4% of the world’s species call the park home and that it is, as described by National Geographic, ‘one of the most biologically intense places on the planet’. I will be there for three weeks and will conduct field research on multiple protected species that inhabit this area, such as; Sloths, Tapirs, jaguars and the endangered Olive Ridley Turtles.
I will be in Costa Rica during peak nesting time for the turtles and will witness hatchlings descending to the ocean, as well as, monitoring predation and the nesting site. I will also be conducting field surveys on primate density which allows us to observe how many individuals inhabit one area depending on food resources, size of territory and competition, as well as, completing observational research on their behaviour in the wild. I will also be participating in research and monitoring of large cats, other mammals, amphibians and butterfly species. All of which play a role in the diversity of the Costa Rican wildlife. 

From there I will travel to Peru and hike the Inca Trail, camping in the wilderness until I reach the world renowned Incan ruins at Macchu Picchu. Last inhabitated by the Incas in 1572 it remains the most mystical citidel of the Inca which sits at 7,927 ft above sea level, situated in the Cuzco region above the Sacred Valley and is still under excavation as their religious practices still remain a mystery. The hike will begin at 13,769 ft and due to this I will need to undergo altitude training before embarking on this journey.
 The Incas were a thriving people who built the Macchu Picchu citidel as a place of solitude, where they developed a complex system of religious rituals and practices that worshipped multiple natural deitites such as Pachamama (Mother nature) whom the paid respects to via human & animals sacrifice and creating oracles which the Incas believed provided them with rain for their crops, freedom from illness and increased fertility. The Andean religion has always fascinated since I bgean studying it in my first years of University.

Finally, I will travel to the Galapagos Islands of the coast of Ecuador which is a dream come true for me and I will have the opportunity to visit three of the islands: Isabela, Floreana and Santa Cruz. I will be snorkeling in the Pacific ocean exploring the magnificent marine life that lives off the coast of these  beautiful islands. I will also have the honour to explore the father of evolution, Charles Darwin Research Station and the world reknowned Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre. Finally I will hike the Sierra Negra Volcano on the island of Isabela. Visiting the Galapagos Islands has always been a dream of mine and this adventure is once in a lifetime, I will create memories that will live with me forever, as well as, contributing to the current environmental efforts that this world so desperately needs.

This opportunity is once in a lifetime and I cannot thank those who have donated enough for providing me with this amazing experience to learn about and help those in need across the world.


I am yet to add to my travels... next stop Asia.




  • Costa Rica
  • Peru
  • Galápagos Islands, Ecuador