South America

Trek in the Andes, surf on the coast, learn Spanish, go fruit-tasting, make your own chocolate, go canoeing, kayaking and rafting, visit the Inca ruins, practise salsa dancing and volunteer on the Galapagos Islands – leaving might be hard!

The exotic creatures that inhabit the waters of Ecuador’s underwater world need protecting as marine resources are increasingly becoming under pressure from the fishing industry. Plunge deep into the waters and identify vulnerability within the presence of species to help preserve this marine environment for generations to come.

A rewarding programme that will see you help build stronger homes for families having to make do with cardboard and dirt floors. Their smiles when you hand them the keys will be more than enough compensation for your efforts.

The ultimate Galapagos experience where you can island hop, volunteer and travel all in one trip!

Change the lives of children and young adults who live in some of Peru's poorest areas by volunteering on one of four excellent social programmes. You will work in schools, orphanages or day-care centres and will help make a considerable difference to their lives through teaching, activities and games.
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Teach English and other activities to underprivileged children on two of the most remote and beautiful islands in the world. The help you give them will greatly improve their chances of working in tourism or other industries.

Learn one of the most rhythmic languages in the world and experience the culture of some of the friendliest people on earth! One-to-one teaching and activities such as salsa lessons make for progreso rápido.

Escort baby turtles to the sea, take part in patrols to protect the eggs and observe turtle behaviour. Working next to the Pacific Ocean, you’ll be part of a highly successful conservation project.

Experience Ecuador through Spanish lessons, cooking classes, trips around Quito, community and conservation projects in the Andes and the Amazon, horseback rides, sunbathing on the beaches, surfing, scuba diving, a night forest walk and lots more!

Volunteer in the Amazon and help with the day-to-day care and rehabilitation of animals that have been abused or injured. These might include monkeys, jaguars, lions, parrots and other native species.

Organise fun activities that allow the vulnerable children of Bolivia to enjoy themselves and be children again. Run painting, dancing, drawing, music or sport sessions, and help out with cooking, cleaning and feeding the children.

Take a unique and memorable trip around Peru - trek to Machu Picchu, learn the lingo and dance the dance, haggle at the markets, visit an alpaca farm, work with local children, sail around Lake Titicaca and more.

Give orphaned and injured sloths the TLC they need. You’ll help out at a centre dedicated to the protection of these endangered creatures, feeding them and helping them return to the wild.

There is no better place to learn a new language and completely immerse yourself in South American culture than in Buenos Aires. Where the nightlife never stops, football is a religion and tango is a way of life. It is one of the most lively and diverse cities in the world and often referred to as the “Paris of the South”, voted in the top ten destinations for European travellers.

A hugely rewarding programme, where you will be able to help in building new homes for people living in some of the poorest rural communities of Costa Rica. Live and work with the local people to get a real feel for what life in this wonderfully diverse country is really like.

Help give children in Quito a better future by working with them on the streets or in a special summer school. Your work improving parent-child relationships or planning activities will make a difference.
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Make a difference from heart of the Amazon Jungle by teaching English and other subjects to local children – vital if they want a job in the future. Help preserve the traditional values of Ecuadorian tribes too.

Nurse injured and confiscated wildlife back to health. You might care for monkeys, parrots, ocelots, taras or kinkajous, carry out wildlife surveys or get see the animals released. Take a trip to the Mayan ruins, too.

The perfect combination of sport and conservation. Help look after turtle eggs and the baby turtles - not difficult when they’re so sweet! Then learn to surf or improve your technique at a nearby beach.

Pick up the phrases that’ll make travelling round South America more enjoyable or equip you for our Spanish-speaking programme. You’ll enjoy individual tuition, excellent facilities and activities such as craft sessions and meringue classes.

Be amazed and humbled at the spirit of Guatemala’s poorest communities. You’ll play a vital role in improving their lives by teaching English and other lessons, or by helping to look after the health of local children.

You’ll be invaluable to the over-worked leaders of one of two adoption/foster centres. By helping out at these homes you will be providing these abused, neglected and orphan children the chance to smile again by giving them the care and attention they deserve, while you’ll also get a rare insight into Costa Rican life.

A trip that combines an incredible variety of sights and experiences: living with an indigenous family, being awed by the world’s biggest salt lake, volunteering on a project, learning to speak Spanish, dancing salsa and much more.

Learn hablar español in record time, with experienced teachers, small classes and lots of opportunities to practise. Activities such as tours of Cusco, cooking lessons, dance classes and parties make it even more fun.

Put yourself at an immediate advantage in South America and take Spanish lessons at whatever level suits you. Cultural activities such as cooking and dancing are included and staying with a family means you can practise at home.

The Youth Outreach programme offers volunteers who are passionate about children’s rights, the opportunity to work with local youth in Argentina who are in need of day to day assistance, health education, and most importantly, who are looking to spend time in a safe and secure environment.

A massively rewarding project that involves helping wash, feed and look after mentally and physically handicapped children, and, if you wish, getting involved in their lessons. Great whether you have care experience or just want to make them smile.

Step back in time in Cusco, once the capital of the Inca civilization. Trek into the Peruvian Andes and explore the ancient pathways the Incas once followed. Marvel at the spectacular ruins of Machu Picchu before enjoying a soak in the hot springs at Aguas Calientes.

A brilliant way to learn enough of the language to take part in a Spanish-speaking project or to travel around South America. Small classes and living as part of a Bolivian family make learning fast and fun.

Join this tour and experience a 6,000km overland adventure! Starting in Ecuador's mountain capital city of Quito, we travel through the Amazon jungle, down the Pan American Highway to Lima and finish in La Paz, the world's highest city.

The Galapass Introduction is the perfect jumpstart to any trip to the Galapagos Islands. We will help you get there and get settled in. You'll then have the freedom to decide on your next adventure with the support of our staff.

Use your background in medicine to assist medical clinics in underdeveloped and impoverished neighbourhoods outside Buenos Aires. The neighbourhoods often lack basic amenities and services and are home to a community of people who do not have access to proper health care of education.

Get totally immersed in Peruvian culture as you’re taken to Lima, Lake Titicaca, Machu Picchu and Huascaran National Park in the Andes. You’ll also study Spanish, stay with a Quechua India family and more besides.

Learn how to identify and photograph dolphins, penguins and other sea creatures. You’ll be working towards making dolphin watching a tourist attraction, and thus persuading fishermen not to kill them for food.

Get up close to jaguars, parrots and other wildlife. The creatures have been held captive, but will hopefully be returned to the wild. Help nurse them back to health and educate the public about the centre’s work.

Embark on a life changing marine odyssey and feast your eyes on rare and beautiful species as you travel from the shores of Mozambique to coast of Costa Rica. Mozambique – Sri Lanka – Peru – Costa Rica

From the busy streets of Quito to the awe-inspiring and tranquil beauty of the ancient Inca ruins, take in the most incredible sights and experiences of South America! Ecuador - Peru - Bolivia

We’ve spiced up our complete South America gap year option with a Galapagos adventure! Combine volunteering with intrepid exploration, a linguistic challenge and a trip to these awe-inspiring islands! Ecuador - Galapagos Islands - Peru – Bolivia

Take part in this incredibly worthwhile project, helping to improve the lives of the local community whilst broadening your own horizons and gaining an insight to another culture and way of life. Based in Rio de Janeiro, you will also have plenty of free time to explore arguably the most beautiful city in South America.

With no previous medical experience necessary, you can help improve and implement new health care programmes in local communities in need. Assist in many areas of health including HIV/AIDS and STD prevention, youth empowerment, nutrition and gender issues. Through active participation, this programme aims to foster strong community leadership initiatives.

Volunteer with needy youths from poor communities and help to fight poverty in various areas around the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Working towards integrated social and economic development through organising events, community support and promoting social studies and research this programme will allow you to give a great deal back whilst experiencing an exciting new culture.

Volunteer on the coast of Ecuador and help with the day-to-day care and rehabilitation of animals that have been abused or injured. These might include monkeys, jaguars, lions, parrots and other native species.