Volunteer and Travel in South America with Youth International

Youth International is now accepting applications for the Fall 2013 programs in South America and Asia. Youth International is an experiential learning program that combines international travel, inter-cultural exchange, outdoor adventure, volunteer community service work, and homestays with local famillies. For a full 3-month semester, the teams travel together and explore three different countries.  The Asia program visits Thailand, India, and Nepal.  The South America program visits Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador, including the Galapagos Islands. All programs begin with a group orientation session at a camp in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. 

Youth International has been sending groups on learning adventures abroad since 1997.  Through a balanced combination of experiences, each team member is set up for an intense and dynamic first-hand education about the region in which they are traveling. At the same time, they are presented with a unique environment and opportunity for self-discovery. (*Youth International does not affiliate with, or adhere to, any specific religious or philosophical doctrine, and has no political affiliations or agenda).

A full daily itinerary for the Fall 2013 South America program follows:

Colorado, USA: September 14 to 17

Sept. 14 to 17: Rocky Mountains:
For three days team members will live together in residence at the YMCA of the Rockies Conference Centre in Estes Park, Colorado. In the midst of this spectacular Rocky Mountain setting they will take part in a series of orientation workshops covering topics such as team building, health and safety, cultural sensitivity, and more, in preparation for their time abroad.
*A detailed orientation schedule will be handed out upon arrival in Colorado.

Fly from Colorado to Bolivia: September 17 to 18

Sept. 17 to 18: Flight to South America: The team will depart Colorado's Rocky Mountains on the morning of Sept. 17. They will fly together from Denver, south to La Paz, Bolivia.
*Flight details will be specified at a later date.

Bolivia: September 18 to October 18

Sept. 18 to 19: La Paz:
Time to begin exploring Bolivia’s largest, and perhaps its most colorful, city. Individual and group site seeing and exploration of La Paz’s lively streets, extensive bustling markets, and many museums.
On the morning of Sept. 19, the team will travel by bus from La Paz to Cochabamba.

Sept. 19 to 25: Cochabamba:
For one week the team will live in the city of Cochabamba, tucked in a picturesque valley in Bolivia’s beautiful central highlands. Everyone will live with a host family and will attend intensive Spanish language lessons. Outings will also be taken to explore the many interesting sides of this lively Bolivian city.
On Sept. 25, the team will move to Malcorancho, about 45 minutes outside of Cochabamba.

Sept. 25- Oct. 7: Malcorancho:
For a week and a half the team will live with host families in this small rural village just beyond the outskirts of Cochabamba. Days will be spent helping to build a local school, as well as doing some teaching of the school children. Outings will also be taken to visit nearby sites of interest.
Travel by bus from Malcorancho/Cochabamba to Uyuni on Oct. 7.

Oct. 7 to 11: Uyuni and the Southern Altiplano:
The team will arrive at the outpost town of Uyuni and then set out on a safari into Bolivia’s remote southern Altiplano. For four days they will ride jeeps across spectacular salt plains and high mountain deserts, visiting volcanoes and flamingo lakes scattered about one of South America’s most rugged landscapes.
Overnight travel north from Uyuni to La Paz on Oct. 11.

Oct. 12 to 14: La Paz:
The team will have time to continue exploring La Paz. There will also be an optional day trip to visit the nearby ancients ruins of Tiahuanaco.
On the morning of the Oct. 14, the team will fly from La Paz, in the high mountain planes, down to the lush Amazon River Basin and the town of Rurrenabaque.

Oct. 14 to 18: Rurrenabaque and the Amazon River Basin:
A day to explore Bolivia’s northern frontier town of Rurrenabaque, followed by a three-day safari in which the team will travel together in simple wooden boats along rivers in the Amazon Basin searching for wildlife. Hikes will also be taken into the pampas. The group will camp overnight in cabins along the banks of the river.
Fly from Rurrenabaque back to La Paz on Oct. 18, and continue by bus to Copacabana.

Oct. 18 to 19: Copacabana:
Arrive by bus on the afternoon of Oct. 17 in Copacabana on the shores of Lake Titicaca. The balance of the day on Oct. 18 and the morning of Oct. 19 will be available to explore this pretty little pilgrimage town by the border of Peru.
Continue west by bus from Copacabana across the border to Puno, Peru on Oct. 19.
*Flight details will be specified at a later date.

Peru: October 19 to November 8

Oct. 19 to Oct.27: Puno:
For a week and a half the team will live with host families in the small city of Puno, on the shores of one the world’s highest navigable bodies of water, Lake Titicaca. They will learn about typical life in Peru, by living it themselves. Days will be spent volunteering on a community project. A two-day boat trip will also be taken out on Lake Titicaca. During that outing the team will learn about island life and will stay overnight with host families on the small island of Amantani.
Travel by bus northwest from Puno to Cuzco on Oct. 27.

Oct. 27 to Oct. 30: Cuzco:
This capital city of the old Inca Empire is tucked beautifully in an Andean Mountain valley in southern Peru. The team will have two full days as a group, and individually, to explore Inca ruins in and around the city while resting up and preparing for their upcoming trek.

Oct. 30 to Nov. 3: Inca Trail to Machu Picchu:
From near Cuzco the team will set out on the famous Inca Trail. For three days they will hike along the remains of this stone paved path created by the Inca people. They will follow it deep into the Andes mountains, past small contemporary villages, and the remains of old Inca forts, through lush vegetation and over snow covered passes.
On the fourth morning the team will journey the final hours of the path to Machu Picchu. The remainder of this day will be spent exploring this “Lost City of the Incas,” the most incredible, and deservedly most famous, site in South America.
Return back to Cuzco by train and bus at the end of the day on Nov. 3.

Nov. 3 to 4: Cuzco:
Overnight back in Cuzco on Nov. 3. On Nov .4, the team will fly from Cuzco west across the Andes to Lima.

Nov. 4 to 5: Lima:
Site seeing and free time to explore Peru’s capital city, and sites such as the Church of San Francisco & Catacombs, the Central Market, and the National Museum.
Depart Lima the evening of Nov. 5, traveling by bus up the north coast to Mancora.

Nov. 6 to 8: Mancora:
The team will have some much-deserved time to relax on one of Peru’s most beautiful northern beaches, staying 2 nights in a beach-side hostel.
Continue traveling by bus on Nov. 8 north up the coast from Mancora into Ecuador and on to the city of Cuenca.

Ecuador (and Galapagos Islands): Nov. 8 to Dec. 6

Nov. 8 to 10: Cuenca:
The team will have time to explore the many museums, busy markets, and bustling streets, of this beautiful colonial city.
On Nov. 10, travel by bus to Banos.

Nov. 10 to 12: Banos:
A day long white water rafting trip. Time for exploration of this pretty little town, set in lush surroundings at the base of a volcano.
Continue by bus from Banos to the rainforest on Nov. 12.

Nov. 12 to 19: Campo Cocha Village:
For one week the team will live with host families, in very simple conditions, in this small village on the edge of the rain forest. Team members will learn about village life in the Ecuadorian rain forest, by living it themselves. Days will be spent helping host families with regular daily work and chores, as well as running educational activities for village children.
On Nov. 19, the team will travel about 15 minutes up river into a rainforest reserve, where they will live for the following week.

Nov. 19 to 26: Rainforest Reserve:
During this week, the team will live in small cabins in the middle of the Ecuadorian rainforest. Here they will work on a variety of conservation projects with the Arajuno Foundation. Some recreational and educational outings will also be taken into the rainforest and along nearby rivers.
Travel by bus from the rainforest to Otavalo on Nov. 26.

Nov. 26 to 28: Otavalo:
Time to explore the bustling craft, food, and animal markets in this small city north of Quito. The group will also do a day-hike around the perimeter of Laguna de Cuicocha, a spectacular volcanic lake located in a nature reserve.
On the afternoon of Nov. 28, the group will travel back south by bus to Quito.

Nov. 28 to 30: Quito:
Time for group, and individual, exploration of Ecuador’s beautiful capital city.
On the morning of Nov. 30, the team will fly from Quito to the Galapagos Islands.

Nov. 30 to Dec.5: Galapagos Islands:
On the equator, in the Pacific Ocean, 1000 kms off the coast of Ecuador, the group will explore several islands within Ecuador’s Galapagos Archipelago. This is the spot where Charles Darwin found some of the most important evidence in the development of his theory of evolution. Here, in one of the most diverse and dynamic wildlife habitats on the planet, the team will search for and observe an endless array of mammals, birds, and marine life... from swimming with Sea Lions and Penguins to walking within a few feet of Giant Tortoises, Pelicans, and Blue-Footed Boobies. The team will also have some time to enjoy the areas spectacular beaches, and begin reflecting on the entire trip and preparing for their return home.
Fly from the Galapagos Islands back to Quito on Dec. 5.

Dec. 5 to 6: Quito:
Time for more group, and individual, exploration of Ecuador’s beautiful capital city. Final program wrap-up and preparation for returning home on Dec. 6.

Dec. 6: Flight back to the U.S.A.:
The team will fly together from Quito to Denver, Colorado. The group’s journey will be finished upon arrival back in Denver.
*Flight details will be specified at a later date.