Inca Venture

  Ecuador

• Quito: 
Quito

  Peru

• Cusco: 
Cusco
• All Other Areas in Peru: 
Arequipa,  Sacred Valley of the Incas,  Machu Picchu,  Incan ruins

Dates: Please enquire

Description: The Inca sun-god, Inti, was finally eclipsed when the Spanish conquistadors killed the last Inca Emperor, Atahualpa, in 1532. Inca Venture explores the jungles, desert and high Andes between Atahualpa's northern outpost, Quito and his southern capital, Cusco, the "Naval of the Universe".

Quito Language School & Project, Ecuador:

VentureCo's local language school staff take great delight in introducing you to the essentials of local living as well as the ins and outs of Spanish verbs! There's still plenty of time to unwind in the pavement cafes, visit a vivarium full of snakes and after a bit of salsa dancing you'll be learning a whole new body language too!

Our projects in Ecuador vary, from renovation work on old Spanish colonial houses now used as shelters for street kids, to helping local communities build greenhouses to provide year-round fruit. Weekends are a time to rejuvenate; visit a cloud-forest to see the dinner-plate sized butterflies; try your hand at "tubing" and develop field-craft skills vital to the expedition.

The Expedition & Mountain Project, Ecuador & Peru:

We start with mountain bikes descend from the Andes to the Amazon where we swap bikes for dugouts, to explore the jungle. Travelling via the Pacific coast we reach Peru's Cordillera Blanca for a four-day trek amongst 6,000m peaks. We meet our project partners in the mountain town Huaraz and spend two weeks contributing to their conservation projects in the Quechua communities.

Back on the road we reach Lima, "City of Kings", before entering Peru's southern desert: we see marine wildlife on the Ballestas Islands, check out the mysterious Nazca lines and trek in the Colca Canyon (home to the Giant Condor), and explore Lake Titicaca's island communities.

Cusco Language School & Project, Peru:

Our refresher Spanish course takes place in Cusco, the Incas' capital, high in the Andes. In the afternoons we join the Amigos project which works closely with disadvantaged youngsters.

Expedition, Peru:

The trek known as "The Inca Trail" is but one of many trails built by the Incas. Our final trek crosses the Apurimac river to the Inca citadel Choquequirao from where we take little-known trails to reach its twin citadel, Machu Picchu. It's a challenging trek that takes you into indigenous lands inaccessible by vehicle: a fitting climax to the Venture.

Highlights:
* Learn conversational Spanish
* Mountain bike across the Andes and canoe through the Amazon jungle
* Trek through Peru's Cordillera Blanca
* Spend a fortnight working alongside the Quechua communities on a conservation project
* Explore the world's highest navigable lake; Titicaca
* Take a quieter, but equally scenic route, up to the awe-inspiring Macchu Picchu

Qualifications: No qualifications are required.

Cost in US$: $7376 for 12 weeks

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of maximum of 16

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

VentureCo Worldwide's Mission Statement: To provide 3-phase travel experiences that are inovative, imaginative and enjoyable. Phase 1: Language school and cultural orientation. That leads to: Phase 2: the volunteer developement project That leads to: Phase 3: the expedition that explores the neighbouring lands and environments of the host region.

Year Founded: 1999