Backpacking Programs in Multiple Countries

This was an amazing experience in which I learnt a lot about the world around me and myself. The trip has the perfect balance of Independence and being led as well as a balance of adventure and chill time, all amazing to bond with team mates. The trip has a nice mix of urban areas and countery side and beautiful views. Would definitely recommend. There are so many awesome opportunities to take part in and range of activities keeping you on your toes.

This was my first travel experience and it was great. Starting in Cusco was a great place to meet everyone and the city is amazing. The Salkantay trek was some of the best days of my life with Machu Picchu capping it off. So the whole trip with Quilatoa,the activities in Baños, the wildlife volunteering and the otovalo market it’s overall a great trip. I would also say though if you are going bring a bit of soap unless you’re ok with 3in1 :) and pack a bit of variety in your clothing as you will be trekking but there are opportunities to go out at night with the others on the trip.

I was nervous about the decision to take a gap year. Pacific Discovery facilitated a life changing experience that not only made me a better person but connected me with life long friends. I’ll recommend this program to anyone who will listen.

Pacific Discovery gave me one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. The 10-week gap year program was a perfect mix of adventure, learning, and personal growth. The staff were very knowledgeable, and always there to encourage us. I left with lifelong friends and memories, plus a newfound appreciation for nature and different cultures. If you're looking for a meaningful, eye opening adventure, I can't recommend Pacific Discovery enough!

The Australia and New Zealand semester was the most amazing trip I’ve ever been on! From the beautiful beaches of AUS to the stunning southern alps of New Zealand, every single activity and view on this trip was amazing. There is nowhere I would rather have spent the last 70 days, and no group I would rather have been with!

Pacific Discovery was recommended to us by parents of a PD alumni (Aus/NZ) and it made a huge difference to us in our review of alternative programs. The points highlighted by the parents that appealed to us centered around personal growth, world/cultural/travel experience, great planning, and excellent guides; our student's experience was terrific in all these aspects, and we so appreciate the guidance he received during the program to help contextualize all of the amazing and mundane experiences he had on the progam. The opportunities and emphasis on the 'discovery' aspect of the program particularly for his individual development, was, for us, the main reason for selecting PD, and we couldn't be more pleased with how that purpose was achieved.

We loved the communication between Pacific Discovery and parents. The portal offered detailed information and forms prior to the trip. During the trip, the weekly summaries gave us a window into the activities and the spontaneous discoveries the group was making in their towns, service sites, and local hosts.

I had an amazing time with amazing people on the Australia New Zealand Gap semester! It was an incredible program that showed us how to live and travel more sustainably, make the most of our time with every experience, and learn from others we meet along the way! I definitely recommend this program!!

The South America Gap Semester pushed me out of my comfort zone both mentally, physically, and socially. Pushing my body beyond what I thought it could do, opening up to - and being vulnerable with- a new group of people, and communicating in a different language in a place so vastly different than I’m used to, were all challenging and rewarding experiences. I feel like I’ve grown a lot and learned a lot about myself from stepping out of my comfort zone and opening myself up to new opportunities and possibilities.

Going into this trip I was so nervous and had little idea of what to expect, but it truly was the best two months of my life! I’ve come away with the most wonderful memories, experiences and friends for life, I’d go back and do it all again tomorrow. The day trips, volunteering, and cultural experiences were really second to none and fulfilled everything anyone would hope to do when travelling to South East Asia- it’s a really great way to see that part of the world without the added stress of organising and planning everything yourself. Our guide, Stefan, was great with leading us around for the eight weeks, making us feel safe but still independent to do our own thing, no activities were ever forced or expected of us. Overall this trip has the perfect balance of experiences, culture, adventure, relaxing and fun. I’d recommend it to anyone and can’t thank Stefan and Gapforce enough!

I enjoyed it, we did a lot over the two months, the people we interact with and work with in the counties; elephant sanctuary and volunteer building are great. It’s a varied trip with good amounts of independence, doing different things. Stephan was good and the group also. Being 1 of 2 guys in a group of girls made it difficult to connect at time, but I did eventually. Also the switching up of rooms and living arrangements helps, cos it changes the dynamics. Overall good, hot, amazing, nice people, food :), great variety within the trip. Would definitely recommend.

It was amazing, the activities were amazing, the volunteering of was amazing, the leader (Stefan Ivanovic) was amazing. It was so much fun. I loved every moment. I would absolutely recommend it, and I would definitely do it again if I had the time and money.

Amazing experience. A good mix of adventure activities and volunteering. The leader was great and made sure everything was fun and safe. One of the best experiences of my life. This last sentence is just to hit the 200 mark

I really liked how we basically had a new adventure every week but it didn’t feel rushed either. All of the activities were very fun and we had enough free time to explore each town or city we stayed in.

The SEA 8 week programme is a great trip full of activities to experience new cultures, foods and people! I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment, especially because I have been surrounded by a great group of friends and an amazing leader, Magnus. He has been very organised and supportive whilst providing us with the freedom to do what we want in our free time. If any one of us were ill, he was quick to respond and provide the necessary measures to support us. The only criticism I have is that the itinerary in Thailand was a bit up and down meaning we had to visit Bangkok 3 times which was a bit tiring. Also, if you want to have flexibility during the trip (e.g. extend your stay in a certain area) then this programme won’t be suited for you as the itinerary is fixed from the start. Overall, I would highly recommend this trip to anyone wanting to travel and be adventurous in their gap year- you definitely won’t regret it!

I volunteered at Nakavango in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, as part of the IVHQ Wildlife Conservation Project. It truly was one of the highlights of my life. And I’ve had some pretty remarkable experiences so that says a lot. The staff a Nakavango was incredible and extremely knowledgeable. They create the perfect balance of hard work and joyous moments playing with the children at Masuwe School, observing wildlife in the bush, and taking in the sights of one of the seven wonders of the world. We each had our own room, were provided three yummy meals a day with great care to accommodate those who have special diets. Highlights of my stay included morning and evening game drives, sitting around the fire pit under the stars, camping out in the bush, and completing a work task feeling that we had made progress on a project. Yet, the most outstanding aspect of this experience for me, was bonding with my fellow volunteers. Prior to arriving at Nakavango, I thought I’d be the senior member of the crew so I was a bit apprehensive even though I had worked for weeks to get in shape physically so I could contribute equally. Well, I wasn’t the most senior. In fact, we had a wonderful range of ages, nationalities, and personalities. We became a family, caring for and respectful of all. That truly blew me away. And now, we continue to stay in touch. I am so grateful for the IVHQ program at Nakavango. It changed my life!

Since the moment the 8 weeks started, the group leaders mad an active effort to include and welcome all the participants. For anyone who's thinking of going travelling for the first time and are unsure what company to go with or where to go, gapforce will support you in every step and have a good range of trips if you're uncertain of where to go. All accommodation, food and activities were inclusive and I'd do the whole 8 weeks again.

I had a great time on the South American Explorer program. I only did the 4-weeks, but I really enjoyed everything in the program. I’d have to say my favorite activity was the Salkantay trek to Macchu Pichu, despite it getting hard at times, it was a great experience and very rewarding once you stood overlooking Macchu Pichu. The culture is so different from my own and it’s very humbling and exciting to be immersed in the indigenous culture here. The people are very nice and I would one hundred percent recommend it for anyone looking to do it.

When I went into this semester I was expecting things to be easy breezy and for us to just travel around look at some kangaroos and laugh. While that did make up a lot of the time this semester, I was happily surprised at the challenges that were presented to me during this semester. I was challenged physically through backpacking in Nelson Lakes in the middle of a wind and rain storm, I was challenged mentally with learning how to coexist with 14 other people who I had never meet before. Through all these challenges I learned so much about myself and my limits and about other people and how to respect but also push there limits a bit. I met some people on this trip who continue to impact my life, I stay in touch with lots of them and have even traveled to visit them here in the US. My instructors, Richard and Karlee, have also continued to influence me even after leaving the program. The Australia and New Zealand semester really brought me down to my raw form and the help rebuild me into someone who I wanted to be and I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to meet all these people and see all these things because without that experience I know I wouldn't have the courage to go after the things I want now.

Going to keep this short. I am now 32 and went on this trip when I was 23 or 24. It remains one of the greatest moments in my life. I have traveled a lot since then, largely because this trip made me very comfortable with international travel. I made a lot of friends and have countless memories of the couple of months I spent in Asia. To anyone considering a trip with Pacific Discovery I encourage you to do it. They are well organized and it is very clear they care deeply about everyone having a good experience.