Xtreme Venezuela Experience
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.
Xtreme Venezuela Experience Highlights Include:
- Spanish classes in style – there are approximately 60 hours included (5 week programme)
- Leisurely sea kayaking amongst pristine Caribbean islands and the exotic Orinoco Delta Jungle, and remote untouched areas
- Swimming with Dolphins, rock climbing & abseiling and waterfall treks
- Serious beach time in the Caribbean
- We will introduce you to the culture of the Warao and Pemon indigenous Indians
- You will live in lush primary jungle and savannah terrain
- Your Spanish classes won´t be in stuffy classrooms but in the open air of the real South America!
- You do not have to be super fit just have a sense of adventure and want to experience life!
Photos
Itinerary by the week
Week 1 and 2
- Location: Playa Colorada
- Culture: Intro to modern Venezuela with emphasis on etiquette and safety. Cassava preparation
- Activities: Intensive Spanish classes. Trips to islands,waterfalls and neighbouring villages. Introduction to culture including Salsa and Merengue dancing. 3-day Kayaking expedition and Dolphin encounter. Introduction to rock climbing/abseiling.
Week 3
- Location: Caripe. Camping in tents
- Culture: Coffee plantations and local fruit and vegetable farming culture
- Activities: Intensive Spanish lessons. Trip to Caripe including Study of Guachero cave and its inhabitants. Visits to coffee plantations, fruit and veg farms, and great local markets. We also do mountain trekking to stunning waterfalls, caves and camping.
Week 4 and 5
- Location: Orinoco delta Kayaking expedition. Sleeping in hammocks.
- Culture: Ancient Warao Indian Culture
- Activities: Now these are exiting weeks! 10 to 12 day kayak trip deep into the Orinoco Delta. Visiting remote Warao families and settlements. Exploring the waterways, jungles and sabanas, and there amazing abundance of wildlife and flora. Fishing, gathering and indeed traveling and living as the Warao have done for over 20,000 years. Learning how to survive in the jungle as the Warao do.
Spanish language programme
There are approximately the 60 hours of Spanish included with the 5 week programme
Activities & Adventures Included
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
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.
Playa Colorada
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.
Jungle Camp, Orinoco Delta
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.
Whilst Kayaking
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
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!)
Trip Frequently Asked Questions
When is the rainy season? And how much does it rain?
I already speak Spanish. Can I join the programme without the Spanish classes?
Is Venezuela dangerous?
Is the political situation dangerous?
How do I stop mosquitoes biting me?
Are there poisonous spiders and snakes in Venezuela?
And what about shark?
Can I sunbathe topless?
Is Venezuela expensive?
Do we have to pay airport tax?
Is it easy to sleep in a hammock and is it bad for my back?
Why can’t I flush toilet roll down the toilet?
Can I drink the water?
Can I catch Malaria?
Do I need to be fit?
What is a gringo?
Price in GBP
|
Included
- Pre departure information
- Spanish language classes:
- 60 hours (5 week program),
- All trips (here) depending on the programme duration (see below)
- Accommodation
- Breakfast and dinner (plus lunches when travelling)
- Pickup from Barcelona airport and transfer to Caribbean Lodge upon arrival
- Use of kitchen facilities at Playa to prepare own lunches and snacks
- Guides and Equipment
Trips included
5 Week Programme
- Playa Colorada excursions to Islands, waterfalls and villages
- Introduction to local culture
- Salsa and Merengue dancing classes
- 3 day Kyacking and Dolphin Encounter
- Rock climbing and Abseiling.
- Trip To Caripe and Guachero Cave
- Visits to coffee plantations and local markets
- Orinoco kayak Expedition
- Visiting Warao tribes
- Trips to cultural sites to learn about the history and culture of Venezuela
Excluded
- Flights
- Lunch except on travel days
- Visas
- Insurance
- Spending Money
- Airport tax when leaving the country. It will be between $10 and $40 depending on how long you have been in the country.
Dates
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!
Start Dates 2014
- January 13, 2014
- March 10, 2014
- April 5, 2014
- May 5, 2014
- June 30, 2014
- July 28, 2014
- October 6, 2014
- December 1, 2014
Please note if you start in a group we can make exceptions to the start dates!
Start Dates 2015:
- Jan 12th
- Mar 9th
- 4th May
- 29th June
- 27th Jul
- 5th Oct
- 30th Nov
“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