Peru Gap Years
Peru is a country that demonstrates extremes of landscape. The Amazon basin to the east plays host to dense jungles and remote tribes, while the high Andes mountains, caused by the Nazca plate forcing its way below the South American plate, separate the tropical interior from the Pacific ocean. For the gap year traveller, it is fair to say that Peru has a bit of everything and is rightly a popular choice of destination. Often overlooked in developing countries, environmental conservation is no less important, especially as Peru has some stunning ecological habitats. See our list of affordable gap years below; we have opportunities for you to join habitat conservation surveys, community development programmes, child care projects, as well as lots of different forms of adventure tourism. There is something to suit everyone.
My Peru Trek
By Dan Saul Knight
I had always wanted to visit South America, Peru in particular, and I was lucky enough to get the chance to do so at the end of my course at uni. Unlike most of my friends who immediately hit the job market, I had already had a job waiting for me with the company I had spend my third year working for. I wasn't starting straight away, which meant I could either spend the next six months sitting on the sofa watching mindless daytime television, or I could fulfil my ambition to see Peru.
My parents wanted me to put the money towards a deposit on a flat, but I knew this was probably the only opportunity I was going to get, so I wasn't going to let anyone talk me out of it. Once decided I searched the internet for affordable travel packages to Peru. I already knew that I wanted to get the most out of the trip, so I didn't want to just hop on a plane and wing it. It probably would have been cheaper to do it that way, but I wouldn't have seen as much as I have, nor had the same access to the local communities we visited along the way. A well organised package tour is well worth it.
I'll never forget arriving in Peru, I've never seen so many trees in all my life. We must have been flying over them for hours before we landed in Lima. I had a connecting flight to Cusco and a few days to spare before joining the famous Inca Trail trek. It turned out the reason you have to be there for a few days is so that you get acclimatised to the lack of oxygen from being so high above sea level. There were ten of us doing the trek, quite a few from America but some Europeans too. The company I travelled with arranged everything, from the bus to the start of the trail, to all the kit and food we would need along the way. Seeing all the gear being loaded into the minibus, it soon became clear this wasn't going to be like a day rambling in the Lake District.
Day one was definitely the hardest. We were still getting used to the thin air, to our walking boots, and to the shock of having to spend hours at a time walking uphill. I don't think I have ever slept so well in a tent. Accommodation along the way was split between basic hotels, and camping. We passed through a few villages, but otherwise saw very few people. Mostly Peru is just trees, mountains and sky. The food was really good. Despite a limited kitchen to work with, cook turned out seriously nice meals every day. I'd say he was the most important person in the group – if a Llama had gone crazy I think we'd all have stood in front of cook to make sure the Llama couldn't get to him! The route was breathtakingly beautiful and despite heavy regulation that means only organised tours are allowed to trek the route, much of the trail was seemingly unspoilt, despite the heavy numbers of people who must trek through. In all it took us four days, clocking up some serious miles through terrain that was quite hard going, but we all agreed the experience was amazing. My top tip would be about footwear – everyone's main topic on conversation on the trail! If you are buying a new boots, make sure you've broken them in your boots before you go.
Employer: Love Volunteers
Gap Year Type: Conservation, Farming, Voluntary
Country: Peru
Join Love Volunteers and our partner organizations in working to save our fragile planet. Gain hands on experience in sustainable agriculture, jungle conservation, or protecting our many endangered species from turtles in Costa Rica to the Big 5 in South Africa. Join us and make a difference today... Details: Read more...
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Conservation volunteer Employer: i-to-i Whether you’re an eco-warrior or an animal fanatic there are countless opportunities to do your bit for wildlife and the environment. Care for lion cubs in South Africa, conserve a tropical Thai island or work in rainforests in Ecuador, it’s time to dig out your adventure hat and get going! | Volunteer Abroad Starting £140 Employer: Volunteering Solutions Volunteering Solutions provides reliable, safe and affordable International Volunteer Abroad Programs in 19 countries across Asia, Africa and Latin/South America to serve the local and needy communities. Our mission is to provide meaningful and fully researched volunteer and internship programs. |
Wildlife and Environmental Conservation ProjectsEmployer: Love Volunteers Join Love Volunteers and our partner organizations in working to save our fragile planet. Gain hands on experience in sustainable agriculture, jungle conservation, or protecting our many endangered species from turtles in Costa Rica to the Big 5 in South Africa. Join us and make a difference today | Volunteer Community Projects Employer: Madventurer Spend your GAP year or career break with Madventurer and become part of something special! Based out of Newcastle University Students Union, Madventurer run Award Winning Projects, exciting Charity Treks and Overland Adventures that span the world, all lasting from 2 weeks to 6 months. Volunteers work as part |
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Teaching - Challenging Projects with Underprivileged Communities around the WorldEmployer: Travellers Worldwide Teach children and adults from all backgrounds in Schools, Orphanages, Crèches, Children’s Homes and Social Care Centres. Subjects include English, Arts & Crafts, Drama, Music, Sports, Maths, and IT. We can tailor your experience so you teach what you’re skilled in! | Get Work Experience Abroad on Volunteering PlacementsEmployer: Kaya Responsible Travel Join one of 180 Kaya Projects across Asia, Africa and Latin America to help improve lives and environments in the world’s developing nations, whilst developing your CV |