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This immersive two-week program is designed to bring together the knowledge of 14 university students who study the Marañón River from diverse perspectives. By joining, you will deepen your understanding of rivers and their critical role in our natural world. The Marañón River is currently subject to a law proposal by Conservamos por Naturaleza aiming for its long-term protection after years of looming threats from large dam projects. It was also recently recognized as a subject of rights due to ongoing efforts led by the Huaynakana Kamatahuara Kana Federation, an Indigenous Kukama women’s group.
This moment presents a unique opportunity to engage the younger generation in the protection of the Marañón River. The Students for Rivers Camp Marañón will bring 14 participants on a journey from the Andes to the Amazon, accompanied by a team of experts spanning various fields of knowledge. At the core of the exploration lies a fundamental question: “What does it mean for the Marañón to remain free-flowing?”. Through workshops, expert lectures and transdisciplinary exchanges among participants, we will find answers to this question from a wide range of perspectives.
We invite university students who focus on the Marañón River through their Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis, their PhD research or another type of project. The program gives you a chance to experience the Marañón in all its power and culture while exchanging knowledge with experts and peers. This program offers a platform to turn knowledge into actionable project ideas that will contribute to the campaign for the Marañón’s long-term protection. As both our experts and participants represent a wide range of educational backgrounds and cultural diversity, the program nurtures the development of transdisciplinary project ideas that combine science, art and conservation.
The Marañón River, often hailed as the “hydraulic source” of the Amazon, emerges in the Andes, traversing more than 1700 kilometres while winding through two embracing mountain ranges. Along this journey, it erodes sediment from the youthful mountains and conveys vital nutrients into the Amazon basin. This dynamic interplay of river and terrain spawns diverse ecosystems, with the seasonally tropical dry forest being particularly notable for hosting numerous endemic species. Ancient rock art tells the story of hunters and gatherers dwelling in the valley and pre-Incan ruins pose questions about the role of the river in ancient times.
In recent years, the Marañón faced grave threats from proposed dam projects. While the collective efforts of local communities and dedicated NGOs have temporarily thwarted these projects, new investments and ongoing perils from mining and oil spills persist. This juncture presents an opportunity to secure the river’s protection for future generations.
Conservamos por Naturaleza, an esteemed NGO based in Lima and operating under the Peruvian Society for Environmental Law (SPDA), is on a mission to establish legal safeguards for the Marañón and other Amazonian rivers. In partnership with The Nature Conservancy, they are actively crafting a comprehensive law, mirroring the success of their “Hazla por tu Ola” initiative to protect surf breaks along the Peruvian coast. The legal framework they envision will serve as a pioneering model for Amazonian river conservation.
The SRC is open for Bachelor, Master and PhD students from all disciplines. We will welcome 14 students: 10 from Peru and 4 from other countries. Priority is given to students who focus on the Marañón River through their Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis, their PhD research or another type of project.
We expect selected participants to actively engage in five online meet-ups leading up to the camp, and to contribute to a final storymap project that gathers all collective knowledge.
If you are not currently enrolled in a university course, you are still welcome to participate, just send us an email regarding your situation. You do not need any kayak or raft experience to participate in the camp.
The program commences in Cajamarca with an intensive day focused on introductions and exchange at the local university.
At the heart of the program lies an immersive eight-day journey through the Marañón River’s Heart, spanning from Balsas to Puerto Malleta. This river journey encourages you to connect with the complexity of a free-flowing river. You will also have the opportunity to visit remote riverside villages, delving into the stories of the local communities’ efforts to preserve the river’s integrity.
Following this adventure, the program transitions into a three-day stay in Cocachimba, providing you with a place to cultivate ideas, work on your research project and develop your own river conservation projects. You will take your insights and project plans to Chachapoyas to present them during a conference that concludes the Students for Rivers Camp.
The Students for Rivers Camp Marañón will take place from August 10th to August 24th 2025. On August 10th we meet in Cajamarca and on August 24th we end in Chachapoyas. Transport during the camp will be organised but transport to Cajamarca and from Chachapoyas is at your own cost. Buses are available, as well as direct flights from Lima. Selected participants will receive more detailed information.
The river journey is run by Marañón Experience, a company that exists to grow and support a network of people who care about the Marañón. They have over 6 years of experience and are ready to take you down the river safely regardless of your level of experience. If camping is new to you, we guarantee it will not be your last time! We will guide you through it and will provide you with all the information necessary.
Applications will open towards the end of December and close on February 15th 2025.
The participation fee for the Students for Rivers Camp Marañón is $ 2,700.- (€ 2,600.- or S/ 10,000.-) which covers the full program including on-land travel during the program, food, materials and professional guiding for the river trip.
Scholarships
Several FULL scholarships are available in collaboration with partner NGOs.
We are currently working on making many more scholarships available, prioritizing scholarships for students from Peru. If you are willing to support local students in experiencing the Marañón and advancing knowledge for its protection, please get in touch with vera@rivercollective.org
