The post Xtreme Venezuela Experience appeared first on Xtreme Gap Year UK.
]]>Venezuela has epic proportions, it has South Americas largest lake and third longest river, the highest waterfall in the world and the longest of all snakes. It has Jaguars, armadillos and some of the most spectacular landscapes on earth. There are the snow capped peaks of the Andesin the west, steamy jungles in the South, the hauntingly beautiful Gran Sabana plateau, with eerie flat topped mountains, in the east, and miles and miles of white sandy beaches fringed with coconut palms on the Caribbean coast. There can be no better country to offer adventure and exploration. This is exactly what our adventure classroom offers, all the while you will be learning to speak Spanish and developing personally through countless interactions with another world. Our award winning travelling classroom programme is a unique blend of learning Spanish and travelling adventure. Based in a beautiful country of huge diversity with golden palm fringed beaches, exotic jungles, spectacular and mysterious mountains, ancient indigenous cultures and the beat of exotic Latino! Based at our Caribbean Lodge on one of Venezuela´s best beaches, Playa Colorada (the coloured beach!), in Mochima National Park, you take adventure travel expeditions while learning Spanish.
There are approximately the 60 hours of Spanish included with the 5 week programme
The programme includes so many adventures, travel after this experience will never be the same again!
We are talking about sea kayaking amongst pristine Caribbean islands with Dolphin encounters and amazing beaches. The adventures continue with the exotic Orinoco Delta Jungle: remote untouched areas where tourism is non existent, you will meet local Indians: we will introduce you to the culture of the Warao and Pemon indigenous Indians, and you will live in lush primary jungle and savannah terrain.
Other activities like cultural immersion projects are included as well as more active adventures like rock climbing and beach volley ball tournaments, if that is not your thing you might get your body moving in some Latin dance classes! Trips to national parks, guided by local guides and Indians set against some of the most beautiful backdrops in South America will give you a lasting impression of just how amazing the real world can be.
All the while you will be learning, practising and improving Spanish, one of the worlds most widely spoken languages, classes won‟t be in stuffy classrooms but in the open air of the real South America!
By the time you return home your experiences, knowledge and social skills will have advanced way beyond your expectations, getting you prepped for what ever lies ahead.
Accommodation will be split between a beautiful Lodge on Playa Colorada and a cool Jungle Camp in the Orinoco Delta and depending on the length of stay also at Posada.
The beautiful Lodge on Playa Colorada has been developed over a number of years and the main accommodation and recreational space comprises a magnificent ‘Chawata’ (in the style of a Warao Indian commune).
Students have a choice of sleeping in specially designed sleeping hammocks (recommended as it is hot here!) or in beds. This is a stunning location and a stunning traditional styled lodge with many open communal areas all in traditional tropical gardens. It has a 12 metre high climbing wall and is a front line property to the beach.
The Orinoco Delta is a vast unspoilt ecosystem of some 25,000kms. Home to some 20,000 nomadic Warao Indians, these peoples live simply by the water, travelling by dugout canoes and have had very little contact with the outside world for over 20,000 years. The wildlife and scenery is simply spectacular and encounters with wildlife including River Dolphins, Jaguars, Pumas, Perro de Agua, Anacondas, Pythons, Howler and Cappuccino Monkeys and prolific bird life including, Macaws, Tucans, Parrots, Storks, Kingfishers and Woodpeckers are virtually the norm.
Our Partners have pioneered kayaking in the delta and there really is no other way to immerse yourself in the world of the Warao. During your expedition to the Delta – during which you will continue to receive daily language classes (‘travelling classroom’) – you’ll stay in a Warao home, construct your own bush camp and even stay at a luxurious lodge. Sleeping is in hammocks in true expedition style!
Free time – lots of free time which is why we have a beach side location. Would be rather cruel of us to not factor this in! Certainly there will be regular trips into town (Puerto La Cruz is quite a big city for those who need their city fix!)
|
||||||||||
Pickup from Barcelona airport in Venezuela and transfer to Caribbean Lodge upon arrival are included. Please let us know if you want help with flights.
There are set start dates but these dates are flexible – students are welcome to arrive a day or two early for free if this helps with international flight arrangements… we are open 365 days a year and will arrange pick up from our local airport – Barcelona – for free!
Please note if you start in a group we can make exceptions to the start dates!
“I had a blast there. We had an amazing group of people from all over the world and together we’ve been kayaking, hiking, and done loads of road trips.”Ramon
” Hi Debby! The trip was absolutely incredible! more reviews here.”Alice Horsfield
” Hello, Im now home from the trip of a life time!! See more reviews here.”Eddie UK
The post Xtreme Venezuela Experience appeared first on Xtreme Gap Year UK.
]]>The post Venezuela Adventure Class Room appeared first on Xtreme Gap Year UK.
]]>
Venezuela has epic proportions, it has South Americas largest lake and third longest river, the highest waterfall in the world and the longest of all snakes. It has Jaguars, armadillos and some of the most spectacular landscapes on earth.
There are the snow capped peaks of the Andesin the west, steamy jungles in the South, the hauntingly beautiful Gran Sabana plateau, with eerie flat topped mountains, in the east, and miles and miles of white sandy beaches fringed with coconut palms on the Caribbean coast.
There can be no better country to offer adventure and exploration. This is exactly what our adventure classroom offers, all the while you will be learning to speak Spanish and developing personally through countless interactions with another world.
Our award winning travelling classroom program is a unique blend of learning Spanish and travelling adventure. Based in a beautiful country of huge diversity with golden palm fringed beaches, exotic jungles, spectacular and mysterious mountains, ancient indigenous cultures and the beat of exotic Latino!
Based at our Caribbean Lodge on one of Venezuela‟s best beaches, Playa Colorada (the coloured beach!), in Mochima National Park, you take adventure travel expeditions while learning Spanish.
Nestled on the beautiful Caribbean beach of Playa Colorada, you’ll think you’re in paradise as you arrive at the lodge that will be your main base for the next six months. After settling in you’ll have chance to get to know everyone else in the group and find out all about what you’re going to be doing whilst in this amazing country.
Intensive Spanish classes begin straightaway (nothing like getting stuck in!) and also include an introduction to the culture of Venezuela, covering topics such as etiquette and safety. To help you get into the swing of things you also have the chance to learn Salsa and Merengue dancing, which can get ‘muy loca’, especially after a few glasses of rum and you find yourself in a dance off!
When you’re not in the classroom (we use the term loosely, it’s much more relaxed) you’ll be out on the beach or on a kayaking expedition to explore the surrounding islands, where you’ll encounter pods of dolphins, interesting marine life and beady-eyed iguanas. They can be quite feisty, especially when there is food around, so watch your fingers! Back on land there is an introduction to rock climbing and abseiling – skills which may come in handy on the treks later on in the trip.
Spanish lessons continue this week, but it’s not all hard work and no play! There is a chance to visit the friendly countryside town of Caripe, surrounded by coffee plantations and fruit farms, some of which you’ll be visiting to see traditional farming methods in action and learn a little about the local economy.
When you reach the entrance to the village you’ll see a statue of a big bird, a species which this area is famous for. You’ll get to see the real thing when you visit the Cueva del Guácharo. This is a very long, large and spectacular natural cave located 12 kilometres from Caripe and is home to thousands of the noisy, nocturnal oilbird that the cave is named after. It’s possible to visit the first 1200 metres of the cave and see huge stalactites and stalagmites, some of which have familiar shapes that are just downright rude! For such a dark and damp environment, it’s surprising how much wildlife actually survives in the cave – mice, crabs, insects and spiders will all be scuttling around your feet and combined with the Guácharo guano, you’ll want to make sure you’re not wearing sandals.
There are also opportunities to go trekking in the mountain areas and visit the colourful local markets and sample some locally grown strawberries.
During weeks four and five you have a break from the intensive Spanish lessons and instead get to spend your time exploring the magnificent Orinoco Delta by kayak and learning all about the Warao Indian culture. Over 10 – 12 days you’ll wind your way along the river, past tropical mangroves, swamp forests and flooded grasslands, whilst looking out for marine life such as dolphins, rare manatees and giant otters, not to mention the abundant and colourful birdlife. On land you can expect to see red howler and capuchin monkeys and if you’re lucky you might spot a puma or an ocelot. This unique ecosystem is also home to a vast number of reptiles and amphibians, some cute such as turtles and some not so cute, like anacondas and vipers!
Sharing this habitat with the wildlife are the Warao Indians, who have lived in this area for over 20,000 years. The expert guides and locals that you meet during the trip have plenty to teach you when it comes to surviving in the jungle – Bear Grylls has nothing on these people! The outside world has had little influence on the Warao culture and visiting the settlements, interacting the families and seeing how they live is a truly wonderful experience.
When it comes to the kayaking you’ll cover quite a few kilometres, but you’ll be so in awe of the wildlife and scenery that you won’t even notice sore muscles. There is also plenty of freshly caught fish for dinner to keep your energy levels up – that’s if you can catch any ;0), but don’t worry, your Warao guides will show you what to do. They’ll also be teaching you how to put up make-shift camps – a few nights are spent sleeping in hammocks, which all adds to the experience of an authentic jungle adventure.
You’re back at the fabulous base at Playa Colorada for week 6, which involves getting back into the Spanish lessons. You’ll also have some classes on history and culture, plus the chance to visit Cumaná, said to be the first city in South America, dating back to the 1500′s. Unfortunately, due to a number of earthquakes, very little of the original architecture survived but you can still see two old forts, Castillo de San Antonio de la Eminencia and Castillo de Santa Maria de la Cabeza, and some great examples of colonial buildings.
Other activities this week include rustling up some Venezuelan delights in the cookery classes and plenty of free time to do some snorkelling and play some beach volleyball. Tournaments with the locals are unheard of so you might want to get some practice in – it’s all in the name of fun though. If you don’t feel that energetic after all of the kayaking then you can just lay on the gorgeous Caribbean beach and admire the scenery; tanned bods or vibrant blue sea, the choice is yours ;0)
During this section of the 6 month adventure you’ll move away from the main base at Playa Colorada to spend time in a town inhabited by the Pemon people, learning about their culture and taking more Spanish classes, before embarking on a week-long hike to ‘The Lost World’.
The journey to the Pemon town of Santa Elena, situated on the Brazilian border, is a fun Jeep safari that takes you through the stunning landscape of the Gran Sabana area, with its crystal clear rivers, tumbling waterfalls and the dramatic Tepuis. These towering table-top mountains, known to the local people as ‘The Houses of the Gods’, seem to spring up out of the rolling savannah and forest, the highest of which is Mount Roraima at around 2,800 metres. You’ll spend one week here receiving lessons, going on some short excursions and preparing for the mountain hike the following week.
Although the hike is tough it is most definitely worth doing. Sure, you can take helicopter trips over Mount Roraima and no doubt get some great photos, but to truly appreciate this fascinating and mysterious place you need to get up close and personal. Over the 5 – 6 days that it takes to reach the summit you’ll start to understand how it inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘The Lost World’. Surreal rock formations, carnivorous plants and crystal laden valleys are just some of the sights you’ll see and to ensure that you experience the magical times of dawn and dusk you’ll stay in tents on the summit for two nights. This gives you the chance to watch how the light moves across the mountains during daylight hours and to stare at the incredible star-filled night sky once the sun goes down. Your local Pemon guide keeps you on the right track and makes the trek seem like fun rather than a chore.
This is definitely one of those once-in-a-lifetime activities that will impress your mates (or make them very jealous). Just make sure you get someone to take your photo at the summit to prove you were there!
Following a long journey back to base camp after the hike it’s time to embark on a month-long community project, which not only gives you the opportunity to participate in important work that helps the locals but also to practice all that Spanish you’ve been learning. There are still classes in the mornings, but by this point in the adventure you’ll learn as much from interacting with the local community as you will in a classroom.
There are a number of different types of projects available, including:
Teaching in local schools – This involves teaching subjects such as English, sport and geography to school children, so you may find yourself running around a football pitch or playing word games.
Assisting at the new community centre – classes for both adults and children take at the newly built centre (completed by volunteers like you) and as well as academic subjects topics like health & safety and the environment are included.
Marine conservation – this involves working in groups to tackle a particular problem that is affecting the coastline and/or marine life. Cleaning beaches, repair of local shelters and raising awareness of marine conservation to visitors and local boat owners are just some of the things volunteers have participated in.
Forest conservation – This project is all about educating the local community about the dangers of deforestation as well as transferring trees from the nursery to plant in the natural environment and maintaining walkways in the area.
During the Adventure Travel Classroom trip you have many opportunities to get involved with the local community through various social and environmental projects and during weeks 13 – 20 you can choose two placements (4 weeks each) from a number of worthwhile causes. These are detailed below, including where they are based, which is either Playa Colorada or Mérida.
Street Kids’ Fundacion Don Bosco (Mérida) – this is a fantastic programme that helps disadvantaged kids, usually those on the streets, get into a safe and supportive environment. There are three stages, starting with the provision of shelter and food, then moving onto education and activities and finally the opportunity for them to be fostered by a family.
ABANSA (Mérida) – This is a Christian charity that assists abandoned children, orphans and those living in difficult and even dangerous circumstances. They seek to prevent juvenile delinquency, provide support and help these children to be able to live better quality lives.
Zoo/Animal Sanctuary (Mérida) – Originally just a tourist attraction, this zoo has now been turned into an animal sanctuary providing care for sick and injured animals, with a view to returning them to their natural environment.
Jakera Club (Playa Colorada) – This organisation runs many different types of projects, all of which involve working closely with the local community. Replanting trees, marine conservation and working in a wild animal sanctuary are just some of the activities volunteers have undertaken, as well as organising games and events on the beach, building a small baseball stadium and maintaining the local football pitch.
Warao Indian School (Playa Colorada/Orinoco Delta) – This project starts in Playa Colorada but then moves to the school in the Orinoco Delta, where volunteers assist teachers with daily activities and lessons. The aim is to give children living in this area the chance to a more structured education, integration with the local community and also to teach them about their own Warao culture.
All of the projects available are well established and run by genuine organisations/charities – they are not just ‘token’ projects set up specifically for tourism, but are extremely important schemes that provide a beneficial experience for both local and the volunteers, so you will really feel like you’re making a difference!
It’s trek time again in week 21, which involves walking from La Paragua to the village of Canaima. Along the way you’ll pass through tiny settlements, where you’ll have another chance to see the Pemon Indians and learn some more about their culture. There will also be an abundance of wildlife to see along the way and come night-time you can listen to the nocturnal soundtrack as you sleep in the wilderness.
You’ll spend week 22 based in Canaima, taking Spanish classes in the mornings (you’ll be pretty advanced by now!) and heading out to explore the national park in the afternoons. The highlight of this week has to be the day trip to see the breathtaking Angel Falls – the world’s highest waterfall. This excursion is optional, but you would be crazy to miss out. It’s difficult to put into words just how amazing it is, so have a look at our video for a taster.
At the end of the week a flight takes you back to La Paragua, giving you the chance to see some stunning aerial views of the area, not to mention saving another week long trek to get back. Your feet will thank us.
The last two weeks of your trip-of-a-lifetime are spent back at base – the Caribbean lodge at Playa Colorada. Essentially this is chill-out time, with the chance to lie on the warm sand, go snorkelling in the inviting blue sea and explore some more of the surrounding islands by kayak. Beach and water activities are endless! There will also be Spanish classes in the mornings, giving you the opportunity to get in some final practice before you wow everyone at home with your language skills.
Night-times are just as fun, with plenty of parties, salsa dancing and good times with all the new friends you’ve made over the last 6 months. Don’t forget to get emails, facebook names, phone numbers, etc., as we guarantee that you’ll want to stay in touch with your fellow adventurers – you’ll need someone to reminisce with when everyone else at home gets bored (translation – too jealous to listen anymore) with your exciting stories!
This adventure will leave you feeling not just like a visitor but like one of the locals.
There are approximately the following numbers of hours of Spanish included with the programme:
The programme includes so many adventures, travel after this experience will never be the same again! Jeep safari´s, hiking, kayaking, dolphin encounters, cultural immersion and so on…By the time you return home your experiences, knowledge and social skills will have advanced way beyond your expectations, getting you prepped for what ever lies ahead.
We are talking about jeep safaris to the amazing Gran Sabana, Hiking up the top of Roraima (Think Sir Arthur Conan Doyles The Lost World), and leisurely sea kayaking amongst pristine Caribbean islands with Dolphin encounters and amazing beaches. The adventures continue with the exotic Orinoco Delta Jungle: remote untouched areas where tourism is non existent, you will meet local Indians: we will introduce you to the culture of the Warao and Pemon indigenous Indians, and you will live in lush primary jungle and savannah terrain.
Other activities like cultural immersion projects are included as well as more active adventures like rock climbing and beach volley ball tournaments, if that is not your thing you might get your body moving in some Latin dance classes! Trips to national parks, guided by local guides and Indians set against some of the most beautiful backdrops in South America will give you a lasting impression of just how amazing the real world can be.
All the while you will be learning, practising and improving Spanish, one of the worlds most widely spoken languages, classes won‟t be in stuffy classrooms but in the open air of the real South America!
Accommodation will be split between a beautiful Lodge on Playa Colorada and a cool Jungle Camp in the Orinoco Delta and depending on the length of stay also at Posada.
The beautiful Lodge on Playa Colorada has been developed over a number of years and the main accommodation and recreational space comprises a magnificent ‘Chawata’ (in the style of a Warao Indian commune).
Students have a choice of sleeping in specially designed sleeping hammocks (recommended as it is hot here!) or in beds. This is a stunning location and a stunning traditional styled lodge with many open communal areas all in traditional tropical gardens. It has a 12 metre high climbing wall and is a front line property to the beach.
The Orinoco Delta is a vast unspoilt ecosystem of some 25,000kms. Home to some 20,000 nomadic Warao Indians, these peoples live simply by the water, travelling by dugout canoes and have had very little contact with the outside world for over 20,000 years. The wildlife and scenery is simply spectacular and encounters with wildlife including River Dolphins, Jaguars, Pumas, Perro de Agua, Anacondas, Pythons, Howler and Cappuccino Monkeys and prolific bird life including, Macaws, Tucans, Parrots, Storks, Kingfishers and Woodpeckers are virtually the norm.
Our Partners have pioneered kayaking in the delta and there really is no other way to immerse yourself in the world of the Warao. During your expedition to the Delta – during which you will continue to receive daily language classes (‘travelling classroom’) – you’ll stay in a Warao home, construct your own bush camp and even stay at a luxurious lodge. Sleeping is in hammocks in true expedition style!
Free time – lots of free time which is why we have a beach side location. Would be rather cruel of us to not factor this in! Certainly there will be regular trips into town (Puerto La Cruz is quite a big city for those who need their city fix!)
|
||||||||||
As above but also includes:
As Above but also includes:
Pickup from Barcelona airport in Venezuela and transfer to Caribbean Lodge upon arrival are included. Please let us know if you want help with flights.
There are set start dates but these dates are flexible – students are welcome to arrive a day or two early for free if this helps with international flight arrangements… we are open 365 days a year and will arrange pick up from our local airport – Barcelona – for free!
Please note if you start in a group we can make exceptions to the start dates!
“I had a great time here. I spent my time learning Salsa, horse riding, rafting, paragliding and had an amazingwildlife trip to Los Llanos. Merida is a fun, and safe city, with many students enjoying themselves. Thank you!”Frankie Wood
” I went on the 6 month travelling classroom program. It was awesome. We did so much – sea kayaked to remote Carribean islands, Jeep safari to the Gran Sabana, went to Angel Falls, kayaked the Orinoco Delta and met the Waor Indians. Highly Recommended. “Taras Moor
The post Venezuela Adventure Class Room appeared first on Xtreme Gap Year UK.
]]>The post Xtreme Reporter – With Work Experience appeared first on Xtreme Gap Year UK.
]]>
How would you like to get a diploma, spend four weeks travelling somewhere exotic with the possibility to get paid for your efforts at the end of it. Sound too good to be true? Well it isn’t.
Not only can you do all that, you will get mentored by one of the top journalists in the country Beci Wood who spent 10 years at the biggest newspaper in the UK. Get assistance publishing your piece and sending out through news channels with the aim of it being picked up as newsworthy. This will give you an amazing exposure and a genuine opportunity to try out and launch a new career in journalism.
On this program you can either undertake the diploma only and use it to boost your qualifications whilst you undertake any of our gap year programs, or you can involve yourself On our Xtreme journalism assignments. Set in 2 locations where you can study and learn more about journalism.
For the assignments, you can choose either Thailand, or Mexico and you have four weeks to complete the course and we throw in some adventure activities along the way. What they are depends on the time of year, we do not keep it set so we can react to any newsworthy stories or events.
The course involves quite a bit of coursework, so where better to undertake some investigative journalism, or get inspired than abroad by paradise beaches.
You have full backup and support of our UK-based tutors, who have considerable experience in the industry. You can actually study anywhere as long as you have an Internet connection and a laptop.
Once you have completed the course and have written your final piece we will assist you in sending this out to our media houses who may or may not pick up on the story. If you do get published you will receive 60 percent of your royalty fees which could be enough to cover the cost of the entire course.
What you report on is up to you, but you will have the full back up and support and guidance of professional journalists (including the head mentor on the programme – Beci Wood with 10 years experience on staff at the UK´s biggest newspaper).
Not only is journalism and exciting career, it’s something you can take with you to your next stage after travelling, whether that be a part-time job at University, or something you do on the side or launch phone into as a career.
So whether you want to do something genuinely rewarding while you travel, or want to have something that not only looks amazing – really is amazing on your CV then the Xtreme reporter as you.
On the Thailand option we have a completely unique and very exciting work experience attachment to this program. You will work in a genuine media Company that produces monthly magazines all over Asia. Working from their offices in Phuket, you will put your newfound skills to use: tasked With writing articles and uncovering stories as a reporter. You will go out develop and write stories and make a valued contribution to the magazine and online websites. Working under the CEO and his media team this is a genuinely unique opportunity to gain work experience and do a really fun job which will build your resume and give you an insight into an exciting industry as you travel.
The company is called think media and is American run running various different franchises of popular magazines, what’s on guides and delivers local news and features in and around Phuket.
The work experience option can either last two weeks or four weeks, depending on your preference and includes all accommodation.
In Mexico you will stay in Playa del Carmen, a short walk from the beach at our base the Bendito Rancho. This is based on a dormitory (shared accommodation).
In Thailand you will stay in Phuket where you will also be involved in a work experience module with think media. You will stay on a bungalow either your own or shared with one other person the same sex. The bungalow is located close to the officers.
Journalism needs specialists. People with knowledge and passion for their subject. We provide a range of courses in specialist subjects ranging from health to the environment through to investigative and travel journalism.
Journalism courses currently available:
Yes our courses are accredited by third party organisations
Our diploma is widely recognised in the UK and overseas. It is a vocational award, equivalent to an NVQ level 1 or 2.
The Open and Distance Learning Quality Council (ODLQC) and the ABCC validate it.
The post Xtreme Reporter – With Work Experience appeared first on Xtreme Gap Year UK.
]]>
