Venezuela Expedition

  Venezuela

• Other Cities in Venezuela: 
Puerto la Cruz,  Caracas,  Merida,  La Gran Sabana

Dates: 2010: 6th Jan, 6th April

Description: Based in the town of Chichiriviche, located in Morrocoy National Park on the northwest coast of Venezuela, you will go away for weeks at a time and have the opportunity to get to know one of South America's most beautiful countries. You will visit the Orinoco Delta; trek to the summit of Roraima mountain; and have the chance to Kayak to Angel Falls, the world's tallest waterfall.

The expedition programme gives you an opportunity to explore the country, experience the beautiful beaches, mountains, waterfalls, rivers and jungles. Along the way there will be Spanish tuition, courses in survival skills and navigation and you will have plenty of opportunities to try out the many sports activities the country has to offer.

This gap year expedition programme is full of physical and mental challenges, with the added pressure of having to learn Spanish too! The itinerary, although changeable with the weather, involves exploring the rich wildlife areas of Venezuela and even hunting for an Anaconda.

Highlights: Weeks 1 and 2: Base Camp
During the first two weeks you'll spend time getting to know your fellow travellers, as well as the crew of the on-site organisation. You'll explore Chichiriviche, kayak through the national park of Morrocoy and camp around the different islands.

Week 3: Los Llanos
Los Llanos is located in the south west of Venezuela and it will take us around nine hours to get there from the camp. The experience you get from these lowlands depends on the season. If we are there in the rainy season everything is very colourful and there are swamps all around, with all the wildlife they bring. In the dry season almost everything is completely dry. Like a desert, the surface of the earth is brown and full of cracks. During this time the animals will give up their individual territories and gather wherever they can find water. This means you'll see a greater amount of different animals in the same place at the same time. The main attractions of these lowlands are huge crocs and anacondas, but the variety of birds is also amazing.

Week 4: Base Camp
We go back to Chichiriviche base camp for a few days. You can relax on the beach, perhaps play some volleyball, write a few e-mails, call your parents, wash your clothes, have Spanish lessons, gather your equipment, pack your bags and off we go to the 'Big Trip' (Delta Orinoco, Canaima National park & the Gran Sabana).

Weeks 5: Orinoco Delta
The Orinoco Delta is located in the east of Venezuela. This will be the first expedition where we don't have a base, as we move constantly from one place to the next every day. On the way into the jungle we camp in Warao settlements, which is mostly a nice plain piece of land right next to the river. A typical Warao house is made of wood covered with palm leaves. In these houses we hang up our expedition hammocks and sleep for the night. If we can find dry wood we burn this for the cooking, if not we use our multifuel burners.

Week 6: Canaima National Park - La Paragua
La Paragua is located in the national park of Canaima, this unique place has its charm in the natural surroundings, where you have at hand a spectacular landscape and numerous waterfalls and rivers.

Weeks 7 and 8: La Gran Sabana
The Gran Sabana is located in the southeast of Venezuela close to the Brazilian border. The whole area has an altitude of 800 metres above sea level. This gives us a nice temperature and fresh air. The ground is partly hard rock and red dirt combined with big areas of green grass fields and mystical 'Tepuis', odd table-topped mountains. We will explore the scenery and climb the famous Tepuis, "Roraima".

Weeks 9 to 12: Volunteer Work or 3rd month Activity option
During these four weeks you will have a choice of activities. Depending on the package you have chosen, you will either be volunteering for this period or doing an activity programme. You will be given the options available to you in both of these areas when you arrive in Venezuela, but here a few possible examples:

Weeks 13 to 16: Volunteer Work Around Venezuela
You can choose two different projects in Venezuela, as mentioned above. You will live in the camp or with a host family, depending on the project.

Cost in US$: GBP3,499 - GBP 5,299

* For information on what is not included please visit our website.

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Venezuela Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

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