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136 Wilderness Gap Year Programs
International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]
9.86
21
Work on a private African game reserve dedicated to protecting endangered species and preserving natural habitat. You will support vital conservation and research activities such as removing invasive plants, controlling soil erosion, maintaining waterholes, helping repair reserve infrastructure, and
See All 2 ProgramsGoEco - Top Volunteer Organization
9.77
77
GoEco offers more than 60 wildlife and animal conservation volunteer opportunities and internships worldwide! Our programs focus on the welfare and conservation of various species, both wildlife and domestic animals. We offer volunteer opportunities and internships at wildlife rescue centers, wildli
See All 17 ProgramsMAXIMO NIVEL
9
8
In three of the world's most beautiful countries—Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru—Maximo Nivel offers its unique Native Spanish Program. Join our "Country Jumper" program and begin your GAP Year in one of our countries and then jump to another and another. Experience different aspects of each countr
See All 5 ProgramsSeamester Study Abroad at Sea
9.76
51
Seamester is the educational adventure of a lifetime! For more than 40 years, we have offered unparalleled educational voyages where students spend a semester at sea sailing between islands, countries, and even continents. We design our programs to provide engaging learning experiences with real out
Gapforce
9.22
23
Visit two of South America’s most iconic countries—Peru and Ecuador—and discover the lost lands of the Incas! Start your adventure in South America with intensive Spanish lessons, then step up the adventure with an epic trek across the Andes to Machu Picchu on the remote Salkantay route—over icy m
See All 4 ProgramsPacific Discovery
9.43
40
Experience an unforgettable 10-week Gap Year Semester through New Zealand and Australia, two of the world’s most amazing travel destinations. This Pacific Discovery program is designed for students taking a gap year, seeking an alternative study abroad, or looking to combine travel with purpose. Jo
See All 12 ProgramsCarpe Diem Education
9.19
26
Venture through Guatemala and Costa Rica, exploring lush tropical rainforests, towering volcanoes, steep-sided mountains, and extended coastlines. Embrace the spirit of "pura vida" and learn from the unique crossover of individuals who call these nations home. Living alongside Indigenous communities
See All 4 ProgramsGo Abroad China Ltd.
9.54
13
Designed for high school students (ages 13-18), Go Abroad China's Cultural Immersion Program offers a safe, structured way to master Mandarin and understand China. -Summer Camp (2–8 weeks): Morning Mandarin classes, afternoon cultural workshops (calligraphy, cooking, Tai Chi), weekend excursions to
Raleigh International
0
0
Take urgent action and immerse yourself in one of the world's most ecologically and culturally diverse places by joining a Raleigh Expedition to Borneo. If you're passionate about ecology and wildlife, eager for an unforgettable adventure, and interested in truly immersive travel, then Raleigh Born
Quest
9.5
14
This is not a pause. It is a complete reset. The Quest Men's Core is our flagship 7-month journey for young men ready to answer the question, "What am I truly capable of?" This is a profound, hands-on immersion into the real world, designed to forge the character, skills, and unshakeable self-belie
See All 3 ProgramsINTERNeX Pacific
9.23
22
Work, live, and play in Canada's tourism playgrounds. We work with hundreds of hotels, summer and winter resorts, restaurants, activity providers, retail outlets, and other hospitality and tourism businesses throughout the country. Get a job and accommodation before you depart and help with your vis
See All 3 ProgramsEA Ski and Snowboard Training
9.43
7
Final Places Remaining for 2026/27 Ski & Snowboard Internships! Do you have a passion for travel, adventure, and skiing? Do you want to earn internationally recognized qualifications and travel the world with the coolest job on the planet? Become a ski instructor in Canada with EA Ski and Snowboa
Tidelines Institute
0
0
The Glacier Bay Semester offers an unparalleled opportunity for young people aged 18-24 to develop as leaders, community members, and global citizens. Based at our twin campuses, students will explore a mossy old-growth forest, paddle through icy fjords, and climb the rugged alpine summits of Glacie
High Mountain Institute
10
17
Traveling through Patagonia, Colorado, and Utah, you'll develop your backpacking or rock climbing skills, leadership style, and personal environmental ethic. You'll investigate critical local issues and volunteer as an environmental steward. Living with a small group of peers and instructors, you'll
African Conservation Experience
9.78
9
Are you looking for an epic adventure that will change your life forever? Then look no further! This Ultimate Gap Year Experience is unique; you will be transported to four different projects across southern Africa, working on the front lines of conservation and connecting with local and expert prof
Where There Be Dragons
10
1
Experience the westernmost outpost of the Arab world. Travel from forested mountains to the Sahara Desert while studying different languages, faiths, and cultures across the Straits of Gibraltar. From the rise and fall of empires to the cross-cultural exchanges that have left an indelible mark on b
Linguistic Horizons
10
1
Take a life-changing gap year abroad with Linguistic Horizons! We offer internships in various fields, volunteer, study abroad programs, foreign language immersion, nutrition, and alternative medicine programs. Our program destinations include South America, Europe, and Oceania. Choose from Spain,
Volunteer World
8.76
17
Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller g
See All 24 ProgramsIntern Abroad HQ
9.73
33
Are you an aspiring Environmental Conservationist or Marine Biologist? Intern Abroad HQ offers the most flexible, valuable, and affordable Environmental Science internships around South Africa, starting from just 2 weeks duration. Choose from 4 unique internship placements: - GIS Specialization for
Kaya Responsible Travel
0
0
Spend 7 to 10 weeks in a valley off the beaten path, surrounded by lush scenery, and in an indigenous area. Join the Community and Conservation Gap Year in Costa Rica if you want to reflect on the best next steps in your life. While doing so, make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of indigenou
See All 2 ProgramsA Guide to Taking Wilderness Gap Year
Popular Locations
The type of activity you’re interested in will also determine and narrow down the locations to choose from. Get your nose out of your compass! Here are some of the most popular locations for wilderness gappers.
Alaska, USA. America’s northernmost state is the epitome of the term “wilderness.” Its mighty mountains, forging waters, and abundant wildlife help it easily live up to its nickname, the Last Frontier. Having such a mixed geography, Alaska has tons on offer for outdoor gap years. Skiing or snowboarding, mountaineering, ice climbing (on glaciers!), sea kayaking, backpacking in boreal forests, crossing rocky alpine terrain, rafting down rivers, the list goes on! Doing a wilderness semester or year here will be an utterly life changing experience.
Patagonia, Argentina. This southernmost tip of the American continent is home to some of the most pristine mountains, rivers, and remarkable wilderness landscapes in the world. Go on expeditions to volcanoes, waterfalls, hotsprings, jungles, or and deserts. In such diversity, you’ll not only develop your trekking, kayaking, mountaineering, and whitewater rafting skills, but also the knowledge about environmental and civic surroundings, leadership and teamwork, communication and survival. What more could you want from programs like Outward Bound?
Pro tip: The Andes are the perfect location for a wilderness medicine and rescue semester, where you can learn the art of rock and river rescue, winter travel and avalanche rescue, as well as medicine and survival skills for this kind of extreme environment.
Nepal, South Asia. Earth’s highest peaks can be found in this landlocked country, with endless opportunities for gappers that are in love with the heights. Nepal is a perfect outdoor classroom where you can study while backpacking the Everest, learn from the best teachers and improve your mountaineering and rafting skills, or become the new Dr. House of outdoor activities with mountain medicine programs. A wilderness gap year in Nepal is the perfect chance to reconnect with nature.
Latest Interviews

Luisa Rulfo
Baret Scholars
What inspired me to go abroad was a mix of restlessness and curiosity—a need to understand the world beyond my small orbit. I always sensed that life ...

Alisa Regassa
Tidelines Institute
I knew that Alaska was a place I'd wanted to visit—and visit meaningfully. I saw this opportunity, and it seemed like it was the perfect time and plac...
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