Adventurous group gap travel at its best in South America. Join us and the rest of the team and travel through South America on 7 glorious weeks. Featuring two of the most epic backpacking destinations in the South American continent: Ecuador and Peru. Brush up on your Spanish and trek to Machu Picchu before getting involved in the jungle animal sanctuary. All the while you will be immersed in ancient Incan culture. Option: Add on a week on the Galapagos! 90% of our travellers travel alone so this is a great way to join a group travel programme in South America.
Like the continent it is set in, the South America Xplorer programme has it all.
A 7 week South American Adventure combining Spanish lessons, a Trek to Machu Picchu, volunteering at a jungle animal sanctuary and an optional visit to the Galapagos!
The South America Xplorer is fully guided, so you will have the backup and support of an English-speaking Xtreme Gap representatives throughout.
We start the adventure with a much-needed crash course in Spanish. This takes place in Cuzco one of the coolest backpacking spots in South America. Then we hit the trails around the Andean landscapes near Machu Picchu, a legendary adventure to Machu Picchu ancient lost city of the Incas. After the trekking it’s not quite time to hang up your adventurous boots. We will travel through Peru checking out the pacific beaches and legendary surf before staying in a jungle animal sanctuary. From here you’ll travel deeper into the jungle and live with a remote Shuar tribe before returning to Ecuador’s capital city: Quito to get involved in a cultural immersion project. For those interested in pushing this further you can finish this incredible adventure with a visit to the Galapagos Islands (5 days / 4 nights).
The South America Xplorer is divided into different phases and they go like this:
On arrival
You need to fly into Cuzco airport in Peru. This is the gateway to the Inca Trail as an incredibly beautiful old colonial city located high in the Andes. On arrival an Xtreme Gap representative will meet you and transfer you to your accommodation. You will then meet the rest of the group and be prepared for your welcome briefing and orientation.
Location: Cuzco, 1 week
The first part of the South America Xplorer eases you into the travel seemed perfectly. Set high in the mountains, Cuzco is a stunning location with an incredible blend of Spanish colonial and ancient Incan cultures. It was the old capital city of the Incan empire, so as you would expect it’s pretty impressive. This is a great way to acclimatise not only to the altitude but to the different cultures surrounding you. In your first week you will have plenty of time to explore Cusco (and its great nightlife) plus learn some much-needed Spanish!
Spanish Lessons:
We include loads of activities in your first week, and you will also have individual Spanish lessons for 4 hours per day, usually in the mornings, with plenty of time to practice what you’ve learned in the fantastic and quirky markets and many tourist sites around Cuzco.
A fantastic student teacher ratio will ensure you learn the essentials quickly and easily. If you already have an understanding or even advanced level of Spanish it will certainly improve as all lessons are tailored to you.
Free Time:
Throughout your first week, your afternoons will be free to explore the fascinating city streets, museums and local ruins with the rest of the group. Cusco has incredible night life as well, as the main travellers hub to people about to start having completed the Inca Trail it attracts people from all over the world. Nights out in night clubs like Mama Africa or even hanging out at the Cross Keys pub in the Placa De Armas you are sure to meet interesting people from all over the world.
After the first week it’s time to begin trekking! We leave early from Cusco by bus to the start of our trek, Mollepata. This will be an incredible mind blowing experience. The views of the Andes Mountains, with the associated steep valleys and jaw-dropping landscapes will remain with you for ever. It’s no walk in the park however, you will be trekking at altitude for about 5 to 7 hours a day.
Snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, llamas and condors. On the fourth day we will take the train to Aguas Calientes overnight.
Early in the morning, we take the bus to Machu Picchu, following steep mountain paths eventually arriving at the ancient lost city of Machu Picchu. You can explore the site, and there is a lot to explore! You will be surprised how advanced culturally the Incas were and there is plenty of evidence still left in the city.
You can visit the sun gate for the postcard picture and also an option to climb the famous hill of Huayna Picchu should you wish to (must be pre-booked in advance). In the afternoon, we return to Aguas Calientes where we catch the train back to Cusco.
Leaving Cuzco and the Andes mountains behind we set off on an exciting overland journey along the northern coastline of Peru into Ecuador! Our first stop will be the bustling Peruvian capital of Lima to discover the city’s streets, parks and plazas and get a feel for the rich history of the country.
Next we depart Lima and follow the coastline until we reach Huanchaco, once the capital of the ancient Peruvian Moche civilisation. Huanchaco is a small town with epic surf beaches. There are also a number of fascinating ruins to explore in the local area. Onward to Punta Sal for pure beach chill time where there are a number of optional activities to chose from or just kick back and relax and hang out with the group.
From Punta Sal we cross the border into Ecuador for our first stop in Cuenca, Ecuador’s third largest city. It’s a global heritage site and a great place to explore. From there we continue our journey inland past stunning scenery to the start point of your next phase of the expedition, Puyo.
During this part of the programme you get to interact with some of the incredible indigenous wildlife in South America. Our Animal Rescue Centre helps wild animals that have been rescued from mistreatment and abuse and focuses on saving lives, helping them to recover and, if possible, letting them return to the wild.
You can expect the following types of animals there: Capuchin, Wooly, Spider and Tamarind monkeys. Ocelots and Margays, Kinkajous, Coatis and Tayras. Ant Eaters and Porcupines, White lipped Peccaries, Macaws and various parrots, Spectacled Caiman and Boa Constrictors.
There are different areas in need of help and the exact work you will be doing will depend on your personal interests but could include: Preparing animals’ food, daily feeding and cleaning, assisting in construction and maintenance work to improve animal living conditions, providing care and support to animals, monitoring behaviour and reporting any unusual situations you notice regarding the animals to one of the supervisors.
Living with an indigenous Shuar tribe in the rainforest
After two weeks of the animal sanctuary it’s time to head deeper into the rainforest. You will live and work with The Shuar Tribe, a remote community whose traditional way of life is threatened by deforestation. During your time with the Shuar you will learn about their fascinating culture and contribute to efforts to sustain their way of life. Past groups have built traditional Shuar huts, taught local children, planted a vegetable garden at the daycare and reforested medicinal plants and trees.
The community will also be keen for you to experience their traditional customs and culture and you will be involved with a number of activities such as face painting with natural Suar, bracelet making, learning traditional Shuar Dance, jungle hikes and attending local pageants or parades
Free Time: Weekend optional activities in the jungle are varied and abundant – options include rope swings, mountain biking, hot springs, jungle tours, shopping and white water rafting.
For the final part of the programme we leave the jungle and head to the city. Out of the Jungle and into the city; you’ll make a quick stop in Quito before beginning your final week of volunteering on one of our many community outreach project in and around Quito.
Past groups have done teaching, painted classrooms, designed murals and floor games, fixed up walls or windows and built entire playgrounds in schools from rubble. There’s also plenty of time for playing with the kids and teaching English.
This phase is a chance to really get to know an Ecuadorian community and you’ll come away with many new friends. It’s also a last chance to make trips to Ecuador’s must-see sights like Cotopaxi volcano and the Quilotoa crater lake before your final party night in Quito!
Free time
Explore the wonders of Quito including meeting the locals, relaxing, sightseeing and shopping…and some crazy nights out!
Due to the diverse nature of this trip, the accommodation will vary throughout. For example, in towns and cities we use local hotels and guesthouses, camping on the Trek, in the Amazon we use a volunteer guesthouse and traditional stilted huts in the Shuar community. In the Galapagos (optional) you will be staying in hostels.
Accommodation in Quito will be in our centrally located volunteer house. All meals are included and will consist of typical Ecuadorian fare. Rooms will be dorm style, 4-6 per room.
All of our gap year holidays are completely customised to your needs and prices will therefore vary based on things like the time of year and level of accommodation; but we want to give you as good an idea of how much this itinerary will cost.
The majority of foreign nationals do not require a visa for Peru or Ecuador. However, those with criminal records in Ecuador may still be denied entry. On arrival in the country, the immigration police will normally allow a stay of up to 90 days
There is a National Park entrance fee to the Galapagos Islands of $110 for all foreign nationals. This fee is not included.
If possible, it would be best to get the flight arriving at 11:00.(Iberia/LAN from Lima to Cusco) So arrive on the start date of the trip at 11 am, or earlier in the morning, in Cusco.
You can arrive 1 day early if that’s more convenient, the price is £30 for an extra night (incl food)
The arrival airport is Cuzco (CUZ) and departure airport is Quito (UIO) You are responsible for booking your own flights/transport to the start point of the expedition (at the in-country airport). Information and advice about booking flights will be provided upon booking but please do not hesitate to contact us if you need further assistance. Do not forget to upload your flights details on your personal pages before you go! Call us if you have any questions or need any advice.You will also need to book return flights from Quito to the Galapagos Islands. These flights are approximately $450 USD and although not included, we can help you can book these flights for you.
Weather Ecuador: The highland dry season is June through until the end of September. In the Oriente, it rains during most months, but August and December through March are usually the driest. In the Galápagos, the wildlife is there year-round. The dry season (June to December) is also cool and often misty. On the coast, the wet season (roughly January to May) sees sunny days with daily afternoon downpours, but it’s the best beach weather. The dry season (roughly June to December) is cooler.
Peru: From June to August is the dry season in the mountains and altiplano (Andean plateau); the wettest months are from December to March. It rains all the time in the hot and humid rainforest, but the driest months there are from June to September. However, even during the wettest months from December to May, it rarely rains for more than a few hours at a time.
Even though you will be provided with food and accommodation in-country, you will need money to do your own travelling if you wish and for any activities not on the itinerary. There will be plenty of things do! Depending on the duration of your stay, we advise you to budget for $60 – $80 or £40-£50 a week.
We can cater for vegetarians. Meals are normally locally sourced and include rice, beans, pulses and some meat (if you want it!).
Upon booking you will be provided with a recommend kit list. You will also have a kit briefing before you go out on expedition and you are welcome to call us with any kit related queries before you go!
Don’t be! By joining our group you will be meeting loads of like-minded adventurers so don’t be put off travelling if you don’t have any mates to come with you. You’re guaranteed to make loads of friends and have an incredible time on this adventure!
06th April
06th July
05th October
Start dates 2019
18th January 2019
The Galapagos tour starts on a Monday after and ends on Friday
Adventurous group gap travel at its best in South America. Join us and the rest of the team and travel through South America and eight glorious weeks. Featuring two of the most epic backpacking destinations in the South American continent Ecuador and Peru. Brush up on your Spanish and trek to Machu Picchu before getting involved in the jungle animal sanctuary. All the while you will be immersed in ancient Incan culture. 90% of our travellers travel alone so this is a great way to join a group travel programme in South America.
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