Youth International - South America

- Multi-Country

• Other Cities in - Multi-Country: 
Various cities in each country

  Bolivia

• Other Cities in Bolivia: 
Cochabamba,  La Paz,  Rural Areas

  Ecuador

• Quito: 
Quito
• Galapagos Islands: 
Galapagos Islands
• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Tena,  Rural Areas

  Peru

• Cusco: 
Cusco
• Lima: 
Lima
• All Other Areas in Peru: 
Puno,  Amantani Island,  Machu Picchu,  Rural Areas

Durations of Program: 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Dates: September 17 to December 9, 2009, and February 11 to May 5, 2010

Description: The world becomes your classroom and experience your greatest teacher!

Through a combination of volunteer community service work, homestays, outdoor adventure, and intense developing world travel, each Youth International participant is set up for a dynamic first-hand learning experience about the region in which they are traveling. At the same time, they are presented with a unique environment and opportunity for self-discovery.

Teams of up to 14 people between the ages of 18 and 25 travel together, with two group leaders. For a full 12 week semester they explore three different countries in one region of the world.

Youth International has been sending groups on learning adventures abroad since 1997, and offers three separate trips: Asia (Thailand, India, and Vietnam), South America (Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador), and Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, and Namibia).

All three trips are offered twice each year: once in the fall semester which runs from September to December, and once in the spring semester which runs from February to May.

(*Youth International does not affiliate with, or adhere to, any specific religious or philosophical doctrine, and has no political affiliations or agenda.)

Highlights: Help to build an orphanage in Bolivia, learn to speak Spanish while living with local families, hike the Inca trail through the Peruvian Andes to Machu Picchu, do conservation work in the Ecuadorian rainforest, search for wildlife while sailing through the Galapagos Islands, and much more... These are just a few highlights on a trip that holds new adventures around every corner!

Youth International sends teams to South America every year from Sept. to Dec. and Feb. to May. Each team travels together for 12 weeks through Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador.

The next available South America program is in the spring of 2010. The full tentative itinerary for that trip is as follows:

Colorado, USA (Feb. 11 to 14)

Rocky Mountains in Estes Park, Colorado (February 11 to 14):   

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.

Flight to South America (February 14 to 15):

The Team will depart Colorado's Rocky mountains on the morning of Feb. 14. They will fly together from Denver to La Paz, Bolivia.

*Participants will receive a detailed flight itinerary before the start of the program.

Bolivia (February 15 to March 21):

La Paz (Feb. 15 to 16):

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, endless bustling markets, and many museums.
On the afternoon of the 16th, the team will depart La Paz, and travel south by bus and/or train to Uyuni.

Uyuni and the Southern Altiplano (Feb. 17 to 21):

The team will have a day to explore the outpost town of Uyuni and prepare for their safari into Bolivias remote southern Altiplano. For three days they will ride jeeps across spectacular salt plains and high mountain deserts, visiting volcanoes and flamingo lakes scattered about one of South Americas most rugged landscapes.

Overnight travel north by train and/or bus from Uyuni to Cochabamba on the 21st.

Cochabamba (Feb. 22 to 28):

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 Feb. 28th, the team will move to Malcorancho, about 45 minutes outside of Cochabamba.

Malcorancho (Feb. 28 to Mar. 11):

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. A day trip will also be taken to visit a nearby rainforest.

Travel by bus from Cochabamba back to La Paz on the 11th.

La Paz: (Mar. 11 to 14):

The team will have some more time to continue exploring La Paz. There will also be a day trip to visit the nearby ancients ruins of Tiahuanaco.

On the morning of the 14th, the team will fly from La Paz, in the high mountain planes, down to the rainforests of the Amazon River Basin and the town of Rurrenabaque.

Rurrenabaque and the Amazon River Basin (Mar. 14 to 20):

A day to explore Bolivia's northern frontier town of Rurrenabaque, followed by a five 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 and rainforest. The group will camp overnight in tents and cabins along the banks of the river, and inside the rainforest.

Fly from Rurrenabaque back to La Paz on the morning of 20th, and continue directly to Copacabana.

Copacabana (Mar. 20 to 21):

Travel by bus from La Paz west to Copacabana on the shores of Lake Titicaca. The balance of the day on the 20th and the morning of the 21st 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 the 21st.

Peru (March 21 to April 12):

Puno (Mar. 21 to 31):

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. (The project is still to be finalized, but will most likely involve both construction work and child education. Final project details will be given to team members before the start of the program.)

A weekend boat trip will also be taken out on Lake Titicaca. During that weekend 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 Mar. 31.

Cuzco (Mar. 31 to Apr. 2):

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

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (Apr. 2 to 5):

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.

Overnight on the 5th in the village of Aguas Calientes near Machu Picchu.

Cuzco (Apr. 6 to 7):

Return to Cuzco by train and bus on the morning of the 6th. Remainder of the day in Cuzco to rest and recover from the trek.

On the 7th the team will fly from Cuzco west across the Andes to Lima.

Lima (Apr. 7 to 8):

Site seeing and free time to explore Peru's capital city, and such as the Church of San Francisco & Catacombs, the Central Market, and the National Museum.
Depart Lima on the evening of the 8th, traveling by bus up the north coast to Trujillo.

Trujillo (Apr. 9 to 10):

A day to explore this large city on Peru's northern coast, including nearby "Chan Chan", the ruins of the Chimu Empire's capital city.

Travel by bus from Trujillo to Mancora on the 10th.

Mancora (Apr. 11 to 12):

The team will have a much-deserved day to relax on one of Peru's most beautiful northern beaches. Overnight for two nights in a hostel near the beach.

Continue traveling by bus on Apr. 12th north up the coast from Mancora into Ecuador, and on to the city of Cuenca.

Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands (April 12 to May 5):

Cuenca (Apr. 12 to 14):

The team will have more than two full days to explore this beautiful colonial city.

On Apr. 14th, they will travel to Banos.

Banos (Apr. 14 to 17):

Time for outdoor adventure and 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 Apr. 17th.

Rainforest (Apr. 17 to 24):

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 from the rainforest back to Otavalo on the 24th.

Otavalo (Apr. 24 to 26):

Time to explore the bustling craft, food, and animal markets in this small town north of Quito. The group will also do a day-hike around the perimeter of Laguna de Cuicocha, a specatcular volcanic lake located in a nature reserve.

On the afternoon of Apr. 26th, the group will travel to Quito.

Quito (Apr. 26 to 28):

Time for group and individual exploration of Ecuador's beautiful capital city. On the morning of Apr. 28th, the team will fly from Quito to the Galapagos Islands.

Galapagos Islands (Apr. 28 to May 3):

On the equator, in the Pacific Ocean, 1000 Kms off the coast of Ecuador, the group will do a four day boating safari through several islands within Ecuadors 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 of array of mammals, birds, and marine life... from swimming with Seals and Penguins to walking within a few feet of Giant Tortoises, Pelicans, and Blue-Footed Boobies.

After their boating safari the team will stay in the town of Puerto Ayora, on the Galapagos Island of Santa Cruz, and will have some time to enjoy the spectacular beaches, rest up, and begin reflecting on the entire trip and preparing for their return home.

Fly from the Galapagos Islands back to Quito on May 3rd.

Quito (May 3 to 5):

Time in Quito for final exploration, for program wrap-up, and preparation for returning home on May 5th.

Flight back to the USA (May 5):

The team will fly together from Quito to Denver, Colorado. The group's journey will be finished upon arrival back in Denver.

*Participants will receive a detailed flight itinerary before the start of the program.