Description

Located at the very tip of South America and covering parts of both Argentina and Chile, Patagonia is a land of contrasting terrain, from the dramatic peaks of the Andes to the awe-inspiring glaciers of the south. In some places the raw, unspoiled land has a population of just one person per square kilometre making it an area perfect for exploration.

Cultural Introduction & Language School (Weeks 1-2 + 9)
Your experience begins in Cusco, where you'll learn Spanish in one-to-one lessons while living with a local Peruvian family, absorbing their culture. These friendly hosts will show you the sites and sounds of their town, giving you the chance to practice your Spanish as they improve their English. In week nine, a Spanish refresher course takes place in the outdoors activity town of Pucon in Chile. Your weekends are free to white-water raft in the stunning Sacred Valley, mountain bike in the high Andes or shop at any of Cusco's many markets.

Volunteer Project (Weeks 3-5)
A variety of conservation projects take place in the Andes, from tagging and recording wildlife populations, to reforestation projects, to constructing centres for the local community. You'll get the chance to work alongside community members and put your Spanish into practice as you help out on these varied conservation efforts.

Adventure & Exploration (Weeks 6-8 + 10-12)
Explore the length of South America from Peru's ancient city of Machu Picchu to Tierra del Fuego at the southernmost tip of the continent - the "end of the earth". You'll cross the Uyuni salt flats, a surreal ten metre thick sea of solid salt and sail across the world's highest navigable lake, the sacred Lake Titicaca. The frozen glaciers of Patagonia give way to a breathtaking trek through the wonderland of Torres del Paine, with its snowy peaks, waterfalls, glaciers, forests and lakes. Finally, you'll fly to Buenos Aires, where we can arrange extra nights if you'd like to explore.

Highlights

* Learn Spanish, and put it to good use in Cusco's lively nightlife!
* Live and work closely with Peru's mountain communities on the Polyepis tree conservation project
* Follow the ancient Inca trail to Machu Picchu
* Develop a taste for adrenalin with mountain-biking, ice-climbing and white-water rafting
* Sail across Lake Titicaca, drive across the salt flats of Uyuni, and explore the Atacama desert
* Trek through Torres del Paine to the Patagonian ice-cap

Travel Types

• Off Road / 4X4 Driving
• Camping
• Canoeing
• Cycling (Mountain)
• Hiking
• Homestay
• Overland Tours
• Rafting
• Trekking
• Volunteering
• Language Immersion

Cost in US$:

5,550 USD for 12 weeks

Program Fees Include:

All food, transport and accommodation; language tuition x 2, cultural orientation and expedition activities as per itinerary. Full project funding via the Trust.

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of maximum of 16

Application Process Involves

• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

7 days

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

VentureCo Worldwide's Mission Statement

To travel to adventurous destinations is a privilege: the opportunity to work closely with indigenous communities is a revelation: the experiences you earn and memories you return with will become part of who you are. In 1999, a group of people came together to found a travel company for all those who believe that travelling is about more than simply flying to a foreign country. VentureCo was created out of a need to get under the skin of the cultures we encounter, for those who seek to genuinely understand our world and the part we play in it thorough a spirit of adventure, exploration and cooperation. VentureCo was set up by current directors Mark Davison and David Gordon. A chance conversation between Dave and Mark in a back street ceviche bar in Quito, Ecuador in 1998 gave rise to the idea of combining our experience and creating VentureCo.

Year Founded

1999