Description

Volunteer and travel through five stunning Central and South American countries, from the highlands of Guatemala, the jungles of Honduras, the valleys of Nicaragua, the Andes of Ecuador to the deserts of Peru. Help teach in the indigenous communities, immerse yourself in the local culture, build an energy efficient stove, learn some Spanish, trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, explore the Nazca Lines and experience many of Central and South Americas most fascinating sites.

Your time will be divided between five of Central and South Americas most spectacular and captivating countries: Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Ecuador and Peru. In each of these countries, you will help to educate children that have modest or no access to schooling, in communities that have requested our assistance. In each of the countries, a multitude of tasks and goals await you, but your main focuses will always be to improve the education of the local children by working to increase, amongst other things, their literacy and numeracy levels. You will spend the initial period in Guatemala, followed Honduras, a stint in Guatemala, then Ecuador and then the final weeks in Peru. By concentrating your volunteering efforts in these five countries, you will be able to gain a real understanding and appreciation of this awe-inspiring region, whilst contributing towards helping improve the development of some of the countries underprivileged communities.

Spanish classes are incorporated into your time volunteering in Central and South America, so you can develop your language skills and ensure you experience all that volunteering in Central and South America has to offer. In order to immerse yourselves fully in the host culture and have ample opportunities to practice your Spanish, you will stay with the welcoming and friendly local families; they will provide you with food and support throughout your time volunteering. You will feast on local cuisine, immerse yourselves in the local culture and interact with the locals on a daily basis. You'll also get plenty of opportunities to visit the nearby attractions, including the adventure excursions to places such as the Guatemalan Lake Atitlan, horse riding in Honduras, the Miraflor Nature Reserve, tubing in Ecuador, touring Peru, flying above the Nazca Lines, exploring Paracas National Reserve and you will even yomp your way along the world famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu!

As a volunteering experience, this Central and South American volunteering trip will provide you with an extraordinarily meaningful and rewarding experience as part of a career break, gap year or adventure travel experience. It gives you the fantastic chance to discover Central and South America, whilst learning the beautiful Spanish language and having a real positive impact on the local people and places.

Please note: all funding for this volunteering trip comes directly from cost of the trip, there is no other outside source of income. Without volunteers contributions, the projects work would not take place.

Highlights

This worthwhile Central and South American volunteering trip takes you to have a variety of exciting experiences and meet some awe-inspiring people. You will gain first-hand experience of the Honduran, Guatemalan, Nicaraguan, Ecuadorian and Peruvian cultures, as you live and work in the countries local communities, and receive Spanish lessons to enhance your ability to interact with the locals. Your time volunteering in Central and South America will directly contribute towards the development of many of the regions underprivileged communities, as you will be teaching in local schools.

Travel Types

• 4th World Studies
• BackPacking Abroad
• Climbing
• Cycling (Mountain)
• Eco Tours
• Environmental Studies
• Homestay
• Language Immersion
• Native Culture Studies
• Volunteering
• Ecology
• Nature Tours
• Summer Camp
• Student Tours
• Tours
• Trekking
• Vacation Packages

Languages

• Spanish

Languages Used as a Medium of Teaching

• English

Cost in US$:

9,260

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad

Program Fees Include:

* Pre-departure support
* All airport transfers
* All transport between countries
* All accommodation included
* A field manual containing information about the project and what to take, plus lots more
* A 24-hour emergency phone line in the UK
* Most Meals
* Your money also contributes towards the daily running costs of the projects, including fruit and food subsidies for the children, school meals when delays occur with government foodstuffs, all learning utensils for the children, birthday celebrations for the children each month and construction / general repairs
* 40 hours of one-on-one Spanish tuition
* Transport to and from the communities
* Scholarships and secondary school funding
* Discounted access to Smugmug services a secure way of storing your photos while traveling.
* Two-day Lake Atitlan adventure
* Guided tour of Copan Ruinas and trip to hot springs
* Day-hike in the surrounding valley
* Guided horse riding trip
* Trips to Guacamaya and butterfly sanctuary
* Weekend trip to Mindo, including white water tubing and canopy tour
* Horse trek and visit to waterfall
* Visit to Mitad del Mundo
* Three day guided trek of the Colca Canyon
* Guided day mountain bike trip
* Guided Salinas tour
* One week adventure to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu, Nazca Lines and Paracas National Reserve.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

18+

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 day

Yomps's Mission Statement

We work hard to ensure you have the experience of a lifetime through responsible adventures off the beaten track. You will learn new skills, meet new friends, experience cultural activities that are just not available to tourists and you will have the time of your life.

Year Founded

2006