theleap Guatemala Conservation + Spanish + Culture
Guatemala is a geographical melting pot in Central America. With a foot in both the Caribbean and Pacific oceans, a string of majestic volcanoes running through its core, highlands, rainforests, glorious beaches and the breathtaking Lago Atitlán, frankly it has all Your time here will include a mix of turtle conservation, community development and adventure across National Parks, Mayan rich sites and the neighbouring El Salvador. Programs GUATEMALA Antigua Our programs are typically for 10 or 6 weeks, taking in the sights and experiences described below, with plenty of downtime for you to explore. El Hawaii Beach EL SALVADOR Pacaya Volcano Monterrico El Impossible National Park Travel as part of a Leap team Maximum team size of 18.
Monterrico
Monterrico: A Hip Beachside Town WEEKS 1 4 You ll start the program in the hip coastal town of Monterrico, with its sandy beaches and powerful surf, sitting in the heart of a nature reserve and surrounded by wildliferich mangroves. You ll live in the lively El Delfin Hotel, a cool backpacker hostel right on the beach with delicious food and a swimming pool. From here you will quickly slip into a routine combining volunteering and Spanish lessons. Accommodation Beachside hostel with a swimming pool. Food Breakfast and lunch only.
Your time in Monterrico will include: Spanish Lessons 3 lessons a day tailored to suit all levels. Designed to help you interact with the local community. Beach Clean-ups You ll work with the local kids to remove the debris off the beach. Mangrove Conservation You ll help a forest nursery with mangrove maintenance clearing out the old and re-planting new. School Refurbishment You will either tackle the refurbishment of a classroom or school sport facility. Swimming Lessons Teach local kids to swim in the hostel s pool.
Adventure Week in El Salvador
El Impossible National Park WEEK 5 You ll head over to El Salvador to visit the El Imposible National Park, which covers a volcanic mountain range overlooking the Pacific. Simply stunning. This National Park is one of the country s most important tropical ecosystems, home to diverse flora and fauna, and popular for hiking owing to the outstanding panoramic views. Here you will hike and explore this natural ecosystem, visit a coffee farm and beach hop along El Salvador s magical coast line. Accommodation Dorm style in hostels. Food Breakfast and lunch only.
Hawaii Beach
Protect the Turtles on Hawaii Beach WEEKS 6 + 7 Moving up the coast to Hawaii beach, a famous turtle breeding ground on the Pacific coast. Typical jobs include: hatchery maintenance, nest identification and incubation. Here you will help ARCAS a local NGO who are protecting the nesting sites for the Olive Ridley, Green and Leatherback sea turtles. Additional work will involve helping the rehabilitation of other species including the yellow-naped parrot and iguanas. Projects: You will work at one of the three hatcheries, which can contain up to 200 nests each. Last year 80,000 eggs were incubated of which 80% hatched. Accommodation ARCAS volunteer house, close to the beach. Food All meals included.
Monterrico
Monterrico: Wrap up weeks WEEKS 8 9 Back to Monterrico to complete your conservation and community projects from earlier. Accommodation Beachside hostel with a swimming pool. Food Breakfast and lunch only.
Adventure week in Antigua and Pacaya Volcano
Antigua and Pacaya Volcano WEEKS 10 The grande finale will take you on a tour of the chic city of Antigua, near Guatamala City, before exploring the Pacaya Volcano and the famous Lago Atitlán to learn about Mayan culture. All stunning and a great way to finish this program. Accommodation Dorm style in hostels. Food Breakfast and lunch only.
Top Trips and Time Out
Popular Backpacker Activities WEEKENDS While the majority of your time will be filled with project work, the weekends are yours to do with as you please. Top Trips: Kayaking through the Mangrove Forest. Surfing the big rollers down the coast. Hiking up the Tecuanburro (1,200m) volcano. Whale and dolphin watching. Sunset horse riding along the beach.
Costs and Dates SEE WWW.THELEAP.CO.UK FOR MORE DETAILS From 350 per week. We have 4 departures per year leaving at the start of January, April, July and September. Includes 24-hour emergency back-up. Safety and induction course upon arrival. Accommodation throughout. Breakfast and lunch only at Monterrico and on adventure weeks. All meals at ARCAS. Airport pick-up, drop off and transfers between projects/adventure weeks. Adventure weeks accommodation and transport. Leap T-shirt. Not included International flights, departure taxes, visas. Travel insurance. Soft drinks/beer etc.
theleap Reserve Your Only 1 team of 18, per departure, so places are limited. To reserve your place fill in this form and Jenny or Alice will get back in contact with you to nail the details. Place Name Mobile number Departure month