Colombia Gap Year Programme

Your adventure will start in the central highlands, famous for dramatic canyon landscapes, roaring rivers, waterfalls, and a relaxed pace of life.

To reach this area you'll fly into Bucaramanga, where our team will pick you up and whisk you away to the pretty town of Barichara, which is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Throughout your first 2.5 weeks of the programme, you'll become part of the local community, exploring, learning Spanish, and contributing to a range of different projects which are environmentally and community orientated, before heading off to San Gill at the weekends, the adventure capital of Colombia, to embrace all sorts of adrenaline fuelled activities.

Accommodation

Local family run hostel in the town of Barichara.

Food

2 meals a day provided. Dinner will be extra in one of the many cafes in town. Budget about $10 per meal.

During you first your time in Barichara you'll get stuck into a mix of the following community projects:

Family Help
This is part of our social work programme for families who are struggling in the community. Every team will identify a family in need and help in all sorts of areas – from cleaning their home, painting and gardening.

School renovation and teaching
Here you'll work with the local foundation school called Funda Reserve, renovating their sports pitch, teaching English and rugby.

Reforestation
This project helps the Barichara fire brigade who want us to help manage their tree nursery, which is used to reforest community land. Every team helps with the planting out and sowing seeds.

Women's Foundation
This inspiring foundation helps create eco-farms for local ladies who have previously not been able to work. Each farm then sells produce at the local markets, which includes honey, essential oils, teas, vegetables, fruits, and more, bringing wealth, security, and freedom for the women of the foundation. They love to receive a helping hand from our leapers which provides an amazing cultural moment.

In Barichara and San Gill, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to adventure and exploring the authentic cultural experiences in the heart of the local community. So, interwoven into your time:

Culture
Learn how to roll your own cigar on one of the tobacco farms.

Canyon Hikes
Hike along the 300-year-old colonial footpaths known as ‘el camino real’. Think stunning vistas across the Canyon Suarez and the prettiest of towns.

Wilderness Camping
Spend 2 days exploring the Chicamocha Canyon, which is 120 million-years-old and utterly stunning. You'll start by traversing the crest, before hiking the 11km descent, meandering through tobacco and goat farms before cooling off in the river at the base, where you'll camp for the night.

Adrenaline Adventure
San Gill is only 30 mins away and offers all sorts of adrenaline activities to get stuck into, such as white water rafting and bungee jumping.

These lessons are tailored to suit all levels from beginner to advanced, with specific design to help you interact with the local community and enjoy being in a Spanish speaking country. Especially helpful if you are travelling on after the program around South America.

During the first two weeks Monday to Friday there will be 2 x 45 minute Spanish lessons everyday (usually between 15:00-17:00 but subject to change), a total of 20 classes.

Tuition is delivered by accredited and licensed teachers following a short test to establish your level and objectives.

The second phase of your programme (1.5 weeks) takes you north to the Caribbean coast, where you have time for a spot of beach time and tubing down the river at Palomino whilst you prepare for the final challenge of the program which involves a 4-day (3 night) trek to reach the famous Lost City after which you will head to Cartagena to fly home.

The Lost City trek
This is one of those bucket list moments as it takes you through a hot and steamy jungle journey and across the Buritaca river (several times) to reach the famous Lost City of Teyrona, made up of 169 terraces built over 30 hectares.

On your journey you will trek for abut 5 kms a day, cool off in crystal clear rivers, shower under waterfalls, be blessed by the local Koki tribe and rock to sleep in hammocks.

Santa Marta and Cartagena
The final few days will be spent in the hip and cool towns of Santa Marta and Cartagena – everyone’s favorite Caribbean chill out zones.

These are groovy towns, where you'll want to whip out your dancing shoes and get involved with the impromptu salsa dances, order a few cocktails, haggle in the markets, and rest up on the beaches.

Prefect places to end the adventure before travelling on or heading home.

Accommodation

Family run hostels or campsites

Food

2 meals a day provided. All meals on the trek.