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City/State: Merida - Playa Colorada and travelling |
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Country: VENEZUELA
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Program description: |
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Plan your Gap year now! The Adventure Travelling Classroom is a unique blend of learning Spanish and traveling adventures. It is based in beautiful Venezuela, a country of huge diversity with golden palm fringed beaches, exotic jungles, spectacular and mysterious mountains, ancient indigenous cultures and the beat of exotic Latino!
From our bases at one of Venezuela’s best beaches Playa Colorada (the red beach!), and Merida (a vibrant, safe, student city) you take adventure travel expeditions while learning Spanish. You can have jeep safaris to the amazing Gran Sabana, walk to the top of Roriama (The lost world), leisurely sea kayak beautiful Caribbean islands and the exotic Orinoco Delta Jungle, and visit remote untouched areas. You can experience the culture of the Warao and Pemon Indians, and see incredible jungle and savannah wildlife. Your Spanish classes won’t be in stuffy classrooms but in the ‘open air’ of the real South America!
You don’t have to be very fit – just have a sense of adventure and want to experience life! All these trips and more are included in the program price. Join us, learn Spanish, make lifetime friends, and start the traveling adventure of your life.
Language Travel & Adventure offers one week to Six month options. Please also see Prices and Dates for more details
One and/or Two Weeks: Based at Merida. this is a combination of intensive Language in small groups (normally 1-4 persons) and a customised Adventure and Eco-Adventure programs that can include a 4 day wildlife eco-adventure, paragliding, Canyoning, Rafting, Horse riding, Mountain Biking etc.
Three and/or Four Weeks: Two weeks are based at Merida intensive Spanish and having the huge choice of the adventure activities listed above, plus more intensive Spanish, Mountain-Biking, Waterfall Abseil, fishing, overnight Sea Kayak to a Caribbean island or overnight wildlife hike
One Month: Playa Colorada (the red beach). Intensive Spanish (4 hours per day) at either beginner or advanced levels. Activities (included in the price of the program) include a 3 day leisurely Sea Kayak to nearby sun drenched islands (Spanish classes on the beach) and Dolphin encounter. There is an introduction to rock climbing and waterfall rappelling. Plus two expeditions to visit the real and the remote Venezuela. Spanish each day continues even while on expedition. One week traveling to Caripe (Guachero Cave – one of the largest in the world, coffee plantations, local markets and a mountain camp). The next 10-12 days is a kayaking trip into the remote Orinoco Delta. Exploring the waterways and jungles where there is a amazing abundance of wildlife and flora. Try fishing for pirahas', gathering foods and indeed traveling and living as the Waraos have done for over 20,000 years.
Two Months: The first 5 we program and Spanish classes continue at Playa Colorada where you enjoy some Spanish history and culture classes with visits to historical sites in Barcelona and Cumana. There is also some Beach volley ball or football tournaments with locals, Cooking classes, and Snorkeling. Then it’s a two week expedition including a week Jeep Safari to the Mystical highlands of Venezuela, visiting various indigenous settlements, and finally a week hiking to the top of Roriama (the lost world). Spanish classes are for first week only.
Three months: The first two months of Spanish and expeditions plus this month we dedicate to working on a community project. Working with local people we try to give something back to our host in this under developed country. Spanish classes in the morning, volunteer project in the afternoon.
Six months: (Based in Merida) The first 3 months program plus work experience and an expedition to Angel Falls. One of the best ways to practice your Spanish is to get out there and work with the locals (see work experience). You can choose two programs for 4 weeks each e.g. teaching English, National Park Programs, farm working, zoo helper, marine biology, tour guiding, adventure sports training, journalism, tourism, bar, restaurant and hotel management and many more. You will live with a host family or in a camp or posada. The final month is we spend one week walking to Canaima from la Paragua stopping at isolated villages along the way and sleeping in the wilderness. Second week in the Village of Canaima ( Spanish classes), and an optional day trip to see the Angel Falls, the world highest water fall. You finish with a week back in Playa Colorada with relaxing time to work on your sun, polish of your Spanish skills, and say farewell to your new lifetime friends.
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General program information: |
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Program open to: Everyone
Age range: 18-35
Travel to site: Independent Travel
Is opportunity more independant or group orientated: Varies
No. in group: 6-10
Living arrangements on the program: Varies, Apartment, Tents/Rustic Accommodation, Group living, Home stays (living with local families), Independent Living
How long does the program last?: Various Durations
What are the dates of this program: Programs for one to four weeks start every Monday
2 - 6 month programs start eight times a year. Please inquire
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Benefits and advantages of the program: |
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Comments from a past student:
Daniel White from New Zealand
Hola! Como estas? That was all my Spanish prior to arriving to Venezuela. I couldn’t even answer it myself! 5 months later I can answer it, and continue the conversation a lot further than I ever thought possible. Living with the language, the culture, the various people who help you succeed in expanding your Spanish language and the locals who give you credit for trying to speak their language. It’s the fastest and easiest way to learn a language.
I learnt German for three years in secondary school. Sitting in a classroom an hour a day, four times a week means you don’t learn enough. You leave the class, and speak English. In Venezuela it’s a whole new playing ground. The teacher understands the whole environment you are in, and works around this to give you the best lessons possible. Perfect English with excellent Spanish combines to make the teachers a true treasure to Jakera.
What makes Language Travel &Adventure even better is the fact while you are in Venezuela you get to do once in a lifetime opportunities with the guides of Jakera.
One of the main trips involved us to sea kayak down the Orinoco Delta River. It runs deep into the jungle far from the cities and roads. There is nothing out there but great wildlife and adventure. Learning the survival of the jungle. Yet always safe with our two guides, and a local Warao Indian to point out the amazing insects and wildlife living in this mixed tropical rainforest. Living with local Indians in the second half of the trip made you realise the life you lead is so much easier than theirs, and you are greatful of the things you have at home. It’s a touching experience to see people live such an interesting lifestyle next to a river, with a few canoes they have made from moriche trees, sleeping in hammocks all their life under a roof of fern leaves and branches. They really survive on nothing out there. Then 10 days later you hop out of the river back to civilisation.
The second main trip and my favourite was the hike up Mt Roraima. Don’t ask why it’s my favourite because sure its tough, but the rewards weep at the top. On top of the world, you can see so far. It really does feel (and looks) like the moon. It’s a fun six days. One trip I will never forget. The two guides and local Pemon Indian guide make it so much better than just a walk up a large 2800m Tepuy.
The 2 months of work experience I chose to spend in Merida taking full opportunity of Merida. It’s a student city, with a ratio of one male to eight females. There are plenty of great bars catering for all types of music and people. But not only that, it has plenty to offer for the tourist industry let me tell you! I went parasailing 1000m up one of the many hills surrounding Merida. I wanted to take a weeklong parasailing course, but time wasn’t on my side. I also went white water rafting a few times down some great rivers. I also went off the course for ten days to visit Colombia.
Staying at the beautiful Jakera Posada in the heart of Merida. There was great food and people once again. Jakera offered us a lot at their Playa Colorada Camp. First, it’s an excellent place to stay and the food is delicious. I now know how to cook a few Spanish dishes and various breads. The beach is located just over the road. There’s plenty of time to catch a tan, or burn for some (me). We went on numerous walks around local hills, the local towns, and also waterfall abseiling and rock climbing in there too.
Overall Jakera offers an excellent way to learn a language that’s different, and while doing so you can have fun, and have so many opportunities to do the things you have always wanted to do. I shall return someday for another taste of Venezuela. Jakera is my first and only choice
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Cost or price of this program: |
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Short Term Customised Language Programs 1 to 4 weeks and Long Term Travelling Program 1 to 6 months
1 week: Language and Adventure Plus! Starting first Monday of the Month in Merida
Language: Five days of 4 lessons per day of Spanish Language classes from your qualified and experienced teacher. These classes fit around the Adventure activities
Accommodation: In the beautiful and centrally located Jakera Posada.
Meals: Includes two meals per day
Service: Includes pick up and drop off from Merida Airport
Adventure Activities:
You can choose three of the following half-day or day activities:
Mountain Biking (Huge down hills!)
Canyoning (Adrenaline activity in amazing natural location)
Paraponting/Paragliding
Horse riding (stunning country side)
You can choose one of the following multi-day activities
Rafting (in season only, minimum numbers apply)
Mountain Biking (min number two persons)
Mountain Trek
Horse riding (min number 2 persons)
Motocross (In the Andes min number 2 persons)
Price: €440
Includes: Language program; activities as chosen from above; 2 meals per day, accommodation; pick-ups from airport
2 weeks: Language plus Eco-adventure Starting first Monday of the Month in Merida
Language: Eight days of 3-hour Spanish Language classes from your qualified and experienced teacher. These classes fit around the Eco-Adventure activities
Accommodation: In the beautiful and centrally located Jakera Lodge.
Meals: Includes two meals per day
Service: Includes pick up and drop off from Merida Airport
Eco-Adventure Activity:
A four-day eco tour of Los Llanos. This is the premier wildlife trip in Venezuela. An exceptional experience
You can choose three of the following half-day/day activities:
Mountain Biking (Huge down hills!)
Canyoning (Adrenaline activity in amazing natural location)
Paraponting/paragliding
Horse riding (stunning country side)
Price: €780 Includes: Language program, activities as chosen from above, 2 meals per day, accommodation, prick ups from airport
1 week: Adventure! Starting 3rd Monday of every month in Playa Colorada
Language: Five days of 3-hour Spanish Language classes from your qualified and experienced teacher. These classes fit around the Adventure activities
Accommodation: In the beautiful Jakera Lodge right beside Playa Colorada (the Red beach).
Meals: Includes three meals per day
Service: Includes pick up and drop off from Barcelona Airport
Adventure Activities:
Included are all of the below activities
Mountain Bike
Waterfall Abseil
Fishing trip
Kayak
Price: €440 Includes: Language program; activities as above; 3 meals per day; accommodation, pick ups from Barcelona airport
2 weeks: Adventure! Starting 3rd Monday of every month in Playa Colorada
Language: Ten days of 3-hour Spanish Language classes from your qualified and experienced teacher. These classes fit around the Adventure activities
Accommodation: In the beautiful Jakera Lodge right beside Playa Colorada (the Red beach).
Meals: Includes three meals per day
Service: Includes pick up and drop off from Barcelona Airport
Adventure Activities:
Included are all of the below activities
Mountain Bike
Waterfall Abseil
Fishing trip
2 Day (over night) Sea Kayak to a Caribbean Island with snorkelling and camping overnight on the island OR
2 Day eco adventure Hike (lots of monkeys and other wildlife!)
Price: €780 Includes: Language program, activities as above above, 3 meals per day, accommodation, pick ups from Barcelona airport
4-Week Combination (starting 1st of 3rd Monday of each month)
This is a combination of the 2 weeks in Merida and the 2 in Playa Colorada
Price: €1400 Includes: Language programs, activities as described above, meals as described above, accommodation, pick/drop off to Merida/Barcelona airports, bus transfer between Merida and Playa Colorada
Long Term Travelling Program 1 to 6 months
In 2005 These programs begin on the following dates: January 5, March 21, April 20th, May16th, July 1, July 20th, August 15th, September 19, October 20th, November 7
2 month, 3 month and 6 month programs of kayaking to Carribean Islands, Jeep Safaris to the Gran Sabana, Hiking Roriam, Orinoco jungle paddling, snorkling, scuba, etc etc. email for specific programs. From €500 to €5500 (for 6 months)
All prices INCLUDE the Spanish Lanaueg Courses, accommodation, meals, and ALL adventure travel trips!
All of above plus Time to work on your suntan and polish of your Spanish skills before going home. Plenty of fun on the beach and farewell parties.
5,652
Please note: We will make all attempts to run the activities listed above. However, very occasionally a trip may not be able to run due to bad weather or other circumstances beyond our control. In these cases we will make all efforts to replace the activity with another suitably good one!
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Terms: |
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Throughout the year
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Typical person for this program: |
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18-29 who want to have an amazing adventure and make lifetime friends!
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