Patagonia Venture

  Bolivia

La Paz

  Chile

Pucon,  Puerto Natales,  Santiago

  Peru

• Cusco: 
Cusco
• All Other Areas in Peru: 
Huaraz,  Machu Picchu,  Incan ruins

Dates: Please enquire

Description: Patagonia Venture explores Cusco and its surroundings before it heads south, far beyond the reach of the Incas, to Tierra del Fuego, the "Uttermost Part of the Earth." The Andean states of Peru and Bolivia contrast sharply with the more Mediterranean feel of Chile and Argentina, until the vast emptiness of Patagonia stretches before us.

Language School & Development project, Peru:
(5 weeks)
Colonial mansions and churches built on massive Inca foundations, colourful markets and a lively night scene: welcome to Cusco, high in the Andes and the setting for our intensive Spanish course. To complement the "full immersion" approach to learning, accommodation is with Spanish-speaking families in the centre of town, guaranteed to stimulate your language skills! At weekends we explore the surrounding Inca temples and fortresses by foot, horseback or mountain bike.

The high Andes Polylepis forestry project works closely with mountain communities to conserve indigenous Andean species. Our urban community programmes assist orphaned and abandoned children, the forgotten fall-out of Peru's recent history.

The Expedition, Peru, Bolivia & Chile:
(3 weeks)
Our first trek follows an ancient Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, a fitting climax to our time spent in the "Kingdom of the Sun". Heading south across the Altiplano we visit the island communities on Lake Titicaca and continue across its waters to Bolivia. To reach Chile we must cross the vast salt flats of Uyuni before descending to the Atacama Desert.

Language School, Chile:
(1 week)
Crossing the Tropic of Capricorn we reach Pucon in the Chilean Lake District where we pause for a week-long refresher course in Spanish. We also take on the challenge of climbing Villarica Volcano (2,444m) and tackle a white-water rafting descent of the Trancura river.

Expedition, Patagonia:
(3 weeks)
Flying south across the Pampas, we tackle a the seven-day trek around the granite spires of Torres del Paine to reach the Patagonian icecap. Our final goal is Tierra del Fuego and the Beagle Channel where we can justly claim to have reached the southernmost point of mainland planet earth!

Highlights:
* Learn Spanish, and put it to good use in Cusco's lively nightlife!
* Live and work closely with Peru's mountain communities on the Polyepis tree conservation project
* Follow the ancient Inca trail to Machu Picchu
* Develop a taste for adrenalin with mountain-biking, ice-climbing and white-water rafting
* Sail across Lake Titicaca, drive across the salt flats of Uyuni, and explore the Atacama desert
* Trek through Torres del Paine to the Patagonian ice-cap

Cost in US$: $8850 for 12 weeks

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of maximum of 16

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

VentureCo Worldwide's Mission Statement: To provide 3-phase travel experiences that are inovative, imaginative and enjoyable. Phase 1: Language school and cultural orientation. That leads to: Phase 2: the volunteer developement project That leads to: Phase 3: the expedition that explores the neighbouring lands and environments of the host region.

Year Founded: 1999