Written by The Leap on 23 / 05 / 2018
Gap Year Advice
How to plan your epic summer of travel.
So... you've finished exams, had an awesome leavers holiday with your mates somewhere in the Mediterranean and come home for speech day. What next?
You still have almost 2 months until you start uni and with the exception of the odd festival and maybe a family holiday your summer is looking pretty bland. Don't fear we have the perfect antidote to help you create an EPIC summer of travel.
Leap programs give you the perfect combination of volunteering, travel and adventure all wrapped up in a flexible package that can fit around your plans. You can join for anything from 2 to 6 weeks across Asia, Africa, South and Central America. Not only will you have volunteered your time to help others but you will have boosted your CV and created some epic summer stories ready for freshers week.
Make the end of A level summer everything you’ve dreamed of in one of these 6 ways...
Live in the safari capital of Africa, spend your days working in schools painting and refurbishing classrooms, teaching kids and playing games in the sun and the weekends exploring the heart of Africa. You'll volunteer in Arusha, Lake Manyara and Dar es Salaam meaning you really do get to see all aspects of this diverse country and you might even be able to squeeze in a safari.
What makes it epic:
- The face of the kids when you unveil their fixed-up classroom
- The wildlife
- The chance to explore three of the best locations in Tanzania all in 6 weeks
- That first dip in the Indian Ocean
Ever wanted to live the island life… this is your chance. Live on Nosy Komba, a tiny offshore island and get stuck into community and conservation work.
You’ll be hiking into the forest to collect vital data on endangered species of reptile, bird and lemur whilst working on agroforestry, assisting the local subsistence farmers in sustainability. After a stint of forest conservation you’ll move on to getting involved in the community, teaching English to kids and adults whilst also helping to run environmental education days and school activities.
Let’s not forget the island hopping adventure… Head out on a boat for 10 days, set up camp on the beach, snorkel, meet friendly lemurs and most importantly, spread the Plastic Ocean word to remote communities.
What makes it epic:
- The sunsets
- The unique wildlife
- The amazingly kind-hearted people
- Ultimate fresher’s week bragging rights
The perfect blend of community and conservation. Volunteer in school development, teaching, environmental education, mangrove and beach conservation all in Monterrico. Nipping just up the coast you’ll also protect nesting and hatching turtles with wildlife rehabilitation centre ARCAS.
Two countries in one… we’ll also take you over the border and into El Salvador to explore El Impossible National Park, a hidden gem overlooking the Pacific Ocean. You’ll find all sorts of exotic wildlife and learn about the local coffee trade before beach hopping your way back up to Guatemala.
What makes it epic:
- Knowing that the mangroves you plant will protect the community whilst providing nursery habitat for fish
- The views in El Salvador
- Seeing baby turtles hatch and knowing you helped protect them
A true expedition. Set out into the heart of Malaysian Borneo to volunteer as you travel. Help out with construction in Mentu, explore Mulu National Park, work at Borneo Child Aid, meet the orangutans at Sepilok, improve your jungle survival skills at Lupa Masa, climb mount Kinabalu and finish with conservation on the beach in Kudat… heaven.
What makes it epic:
- Cruising down the Kinabatangan river spotting wild orangutans lounging in the trees
- Singing karaoke with local villagers
- Seeing so much of Borneo all in one adventure
It’s time to step into the Inca empire. Peru is all about community. After some time in Arequipa to learn basic Spanish and get to know your team you’ll be heading off to Lake Titicaca to live and work with the Karina community and then Sacred Valley to join Tierra de los Yachaqs. Think helping on family smallholdings, teaching and learning their traditional culture as just the start of it.
Along the way you’ll explore Cusco, the heart of the Inca empire and of course end with the iconic Machu Picchu. Get the bus or opt for the 4-day trek arriving at sunrise and explore the site in all its glory. Gain ultimate bucket list envy.
What makes it epic:
- Being able to help the Peruvian communities and preserve their traditional way of life
- The alpaca jumpers
- Arriving at Machu Picchu at sunrise
Sun, sea, surf, Spanish and turtles. Holding over 5% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity, Costa Rica has a lot to boast about. Spend your mornings learning Spanish and your afternoons volunteering and surfing. From beach cleans to environmental education and reforestation, the volunteering is all about conservation. You’ll be hands on making the area a cleaner and safer place for wildlife and inspiring the next generation all whilst becoming competent in the local language.
Let’s not forget the two dedicated turtle conservation weeks and adventure into the Monteverde Cloud Forest in search of sloths.
What makes it epic:
- Watching hatchling turtles enter the sea for the very first time
- Spotting a sloth in the wild
- Living the Pura Vida life
What better way to spend your summer than helping people that really need it whilst exploring remote, unique and ultimately breath-taking places.
Complete flexibility to fit around your pre-existing summer plans and itineraries to die for…. Get your Leap booked today or get in touch to find out a little more.
