Galapagos Venture

  Ecuador

• Quito: 
Quito

  Peru

• Cusco: 
Cusco

Dates: Please enquire

Description: Galapagos Venture combines Spanish language tuition with 2 high Andes mountain treks (including the Inca Trail), exploration in the Amazon rainforest and a unique conservation project on the Galapagos Islands, language tuition and an Andean expedition in Peru.

Cultural Orientation & Language School, Cusco, Peru:

The Venture begins in Peru with a two-week Spanish course at our school in Cusco, high in the Andes. Family-stay accommodation allows you to soak up the local culture and experience Cusco's Inca heritage, tempered by Spanish colonialism and veneered by modern Latin life.

Expedition, Peru:

The Peru expedition takes a little known alternative Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, before visiting the island communities on Lake Titicaca. The mysteries of pre-Inca civilisations are revealed in the coastal desert at Nasca and Chan Chan, whilst the Spanish influence is unmistakable in the great colonial cities of Arequipa, Lima and Trujillo. The challenging four-day Santa Cruz trek is a wilderness trek in northern Peru's Cordillera Blanca. There's just time for some beach R&R before entering Ecuador.

Language Refresher & Amazon Expedition, Ecuador:

Our language school refresher in Quito is an ideal introduction to all things Ecuadorian. The expedition travels to the Amazon for some rainforest exploration, culminating in a white-water rafting descent of the mighty Amazon itself. We return to Quito's bright lights before flying out to the islands.

Conservation Project & Sail Trek, Galapagos Islands:

The greatest threat to this fragile environment is the introduction of non-native species, both flora and fauna. VentureCo's 3-week project on Santa Cruz island works with the Charles Darwin Foundation to eradicate certain non-endemic flora so that endangered native plants can thrive, thus restoring the islands' natural balance.

The finale of the Venture is a 5-day sail-trek that visits neighbouring islands of the archipelago. Both on land and under the sea you'll see the fish, reptiles and birdlife that so inspired Darwin.

Journey's end is in Quito back on mainland Ecuador, from here there are onward independent travel options through South and Central America.

Highlights:
* Learn Spanish in Cusco a stronghold of the Inca Empire and stay with a Peruvian family.
* Trek along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, the "lost city of the Incas".
* Challenge yourself on a wilderness trek through the Cordillera Blanca.
* Explore the the rainforest and raft the mighty Amazon
* Contribute to a unique conservation on the Galapagos archipelago, and come face-to-face with some remarkable indigenous species

Qualifications: No qualifications are required.

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: $9750 for 12 weeks

Not included: International flights, travel insurance, visas and travel documents.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Venturers are enthusiastic and motivated team-players with plenty of initiative and a desire to make a positive contribution to the communities they visit.

Age Range: Gap Year Venture: 17-21 years. Career Gap Venture: 21 years and over.

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

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