Travel and contribute on Caribbean Islands, pineapple plantations and high in the Andes, learning Spanish and getting stuck into conservation and community projects along the way.
Travel & Contribute | Caribbean + Plantations + Trekking
Your Journey…
Starting at the coast, you'll spend your first 5 weeks working on two volunteer projects – renovating a famous palm-fringed beach called ‘Playa Melisa’ located on the beautiful island of Arapito, and running an after-school fun club for local kids. Then you'll move upland into Caripe, where you’ll help to restore mountain trails and breathtaking bat caves whilst working on a reforestation project to protect indigenous tree species.
Finally, you’ll tackle the challenge of a 2 week expedition to La Gran Sabana, in the South- Eastern corner of Venezuela bordering Brazil and Guyana. These mystical highlands are one of the oldest rock formations in the world and the remains of when the South American continent was still attached to Africa. Scale these spectacular table-top mountains, called the Tepuis, dive into the waterfalls and trek through pristine jungle to encounter the primitive and spiritual Pemon Indians.
To brush up your language skills and help you on the projects, 10 hours per week intensive group Spanish lessons will kick off as soon as you arrive.
Project breakdown for a 10 week placement
5 wks conservation + community projects on Caribbean beaches
3 wks conservation projects inland near Caripe.
2 wks Gran Saban Expedition
Your Accommodation and Meals
At the coast you'll be staying in a gorgeous beach-side lodge in dorms or double rooms with shared shower and bathroom facilities – but the hub of the lodge is the dining and recreational area which includes a popular bar, popular for all at the end of the day! Accommodation in Caripe will be in a basic Hacienda and in the Gran Sabana expect camping or local hostels.
Price
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£2090 (6 weeks) - £3050 (full 10 weeks)
Start Dates
Jan, April, July and Sept for 6 or 10 weeks.
Costs / Benefits
Costs Include:
Selection and briefing on all aspects of the scheme
24-hour emergency back-up, management and support by UK team and in-country Placement Manager, with reliable communications and infrastructure.
Safety and induction course on arrival
Barcelona Airport pick up and transfer to and from the placements. Transport between project phases.
Donation to the project communities – currently £80, will go directly towards materials for the projects you are working on.
Park fees whilst carrying out project work.
Spanish lessons
Not included:
International flights, internal flights, airport taxes, travel insurance, visas (not required for 90 days), medical expenses (reclaimable through travel insurance), soft drinks/beer etc. Volunteers will be responsible for any independent/weekend travel expenses e.g. food and accommodation whilst away from the placement location and any excursions not listed above. We are happy to arrange flights for you.
Donation To The Community
Included in the cost of the scheme is a donation set at the level indicated above. The donation is sent directly to the communities who will decide in conjunction with your host what it is to be spent on. It helps, alongside other funding, to pay for the materials they need to continue project work. This will be done in a transparent way ensuring you leave a lasting legacy. Given the average monthly wage is approximately £80 per month the donations do actually go far and in the past Leapers have paid for second hand computers, first aid supplies, children’s clothing, developing health care etc.
