ULTIMATE GAP YEAR ADVENTURE
Spend 8 months of adventure, learning and personal growth while traveling around the world.
QUICK FACTS
$ 20,308
ABOUT THIS PROGRAM
Overview
Get ready for an exhilarating adventure with our Ultimate Gap Year Adventure program! Join us as we embark on a life-changing journey through multiple countries in Asia, Africa and South America where you’ll make a positive impact and create lasting memories. This incredible experience will not only boost your resume but also broaden your horizons and shape your international perspectives in the most unique and diverse way possible.
Get a headstart in Nepal traversing the monumental Himalayas, then cross the borders to Cambodia to help with community building which will then lead you to South Africa for wildlife conservation projects. The last stop in your journey is in Costa Rica where you will spend your time contributing to alleviating social and economic challenges of the local communities.
Get ready for this extraordinary adventure, as you make a positive impact and create lifelong memories in each country you visit. This program is your ticket to an incredible journey filled with excitement, personal growth, and a chance to leave your mark on the world.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
ITINERARY | NEPAL
ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP TREKKING AND VOLUNTEERING
Let’s kickstart your gap year in Nepal, where you will dive (or climb!) into a world of rich culture and history. Get to know local traditions, religion and customs while trekking into the mountains overlooking the Kathmandu Valley. After 2 weeks of ascent and descent through the picturesque Kathmandu, you will lend your hand and contribute your time supporting volunteer projects. Get ready to teach at local schools, work with rescued dogs at a canine shelter or be an integral part of workshops and educational programs that promote understanding and inclusivity.
Project Highlights
- Learn more about Nepali culture by participating in historical tours, rituals and ceremonies.
- Join yoga and meditation sessions and language classes.
- Adventures are filled with trekking, hiking and crossing river beds and terraced hillsides.
Accommodation
You will stay in a shared volunteer house and stay in shared rooms by gender. Three meals a day on weekdays (2 on weekends) are served during your stay. The meals offered are a blend of Western and Nepalese cuisine, with a focus on vegetarian options like rice and vegetables.
ITINERARY | CAMBODIA
BUILDING AND GARDEN VOLUNTEER WORK
Head on to Asia where you’ll immerse yourself in the heart of community building. Cambodia needs volunteers who are ready to support their construction and gardening projects. As a volunteer, you’ll be at the forefront of sustainable farming and construction practices. Together with local organizations and community members, you’ll plant, tend to crops, weed, and harvest. On top of that – you’ll also get your hands dirty building classrooms and community structures, ensuring a brighter future for the youth while leaving a positive footprint on the environment.
Project Highlights
- Work alongside local organizations and community members to create and restore community buildings.
- Participate in activities such as planting seeds, tending to crops, and maintaining the gardens.
- Contribute to promoting food security, self-sufficiency, and environmental consciousness within the community.
Accommodation
You’ll stay in a guest house offering single rooms with private bathrooms. This cozy and comfortable accommodation provides a peaceful retreat for volunteers. You’ll also have the opportunity to bond with fellow participants in the communal dining area while enjoying delicious meals prepared for you.
ITINERARY | SOUTH AFRICA
AFRICAN BIG 5 AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
Ready for an adrenaline-pumping experience? Next stop: South Africa! Join experienced conservationists in a Big 5 reserve, where you’ll track and monitor the majestic lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffalos. As you immerse yourself in habitat restoration and animal welfare initiatives, you’ll become a guardian of wildlife conservation, contributing directly to the preservation of these incredible creatures and their habitats.
Project Highlights
- Contribute to the research and monitoring of these iconic species, collecting valuable data to aid in their protection and conservation.
- Assist in habitat restoration and management projects to create a sustainable environment for the “Big 5” and other wildlife species.
- Collaborate with experienced researchers and local communities to raise awareness about the importance of conserving these magnificent animals and their ecosystems.
Accommodation
You’ll be staying in spacious dorm rooms with stunning views of the Olifants River. Each room is equipped with air conditioning and a private bathroom, ensuring your comfort throughout your stay. In your downtime, take a refreshing dip in the swimming pool or gather around the outdoor fire pit.
ITINERARY | COSTA RICA
IMMERSIVE EXPEDITION IN COSTA RICA
Last but not least, you’ll whisk away to Costa Rica, where you’ll be immersed in the world of agriculture, conservation, community development and leadership activities. You will be trekking through a rainforest, hiking through a volcano and immersing yourself in the heart of Costa Rican ecosystem. Working alongside community leaders, you’ll help in the development of sustainable economic alternatives in order to improve their quality of life through managing their natural resources. Through these initiatives, you’ll play a vital role in promoting efficient strategies and ensuring a thriving and sustainable future for these communities.
Project Highlights
- Immerse yourself in the stunning biodiversity of Costa Rica’s rainforests and coastal ecosystems.
- Participate in hands-on conservation projects, trail construction, and sustainable community development initiatives.
- Experience Costa Rican traditions and customs by working with social development programs.
Accommodation
Depending on the specific project, you may have the opportunity to stay in a school, a camping site, or a community building. Each option offers its own unique charm and ensures that you have a comfortable and enjoyable living experience throughout your volunteer journey.
What You Pay For:
- Airport welcome and transfers
- Meals:
- 2 meals a day (South Africa)
- 3 meals on weekdays and 2 meals on weekends (Nepal)
- Accommodation
- Bicycle for personal use (Cambodia)
- 24/7 emergency travel assistance
- Safety expertise
- Extensive pre-departure information and support
- Pre and post arrival orientation
- Local onsite coordinator with 24/7 availability
- Local orientation, project training & equipment
Exclusions:
- Flights
- Visa expenses
- Vaccinations
- Personal expenses
- Medical and travel insurance
- Costs for additional excursions or activities
- Police/government background check
- Entrance to historical monuments such as the Taj Mahal (India)
- Mandatory contribution of $25 that is donated to the African Impact Sustainability Fund
Program Reviews
What our past alumni say
Frequently asked questions
What types of work will I do in the Ultimate Gap Year Adventure program?
In Nepal, you will volunteer in disadvantaged communities and in a canine shelter. While in Cambodia, you will help the local team with local construction and agricultural practices and in South Africa you will participate in wildlife conservation efforts. Lastly in Costa Rica, you will get involved in community development and conservation among the local communities in the rainforest region.
How to prepare for the Annapurna Base Camp trek?
The best way to prepare is to participate in cardio-vascular activities including cycling or swimming so you can trek with ease. Although it is a moderate trek, it is best if you are physically fit.
Where is the Big 5 conservation project located?
The Greater Kruger Area consists of over 20 private wildlife reserves adjacent to the Kruger National Park in South Africa, forming one large reserve. Covering almost 5.5 million acres of unfenced land, it serves as a crucial wildlife conservation effort, protecting one of the world’s last remaining wildlife strongholds. This area is a significant hotspot for conservation, providing abundant opportunities to observe endangered or vulnerable animals like elephants, lions, rhinos, and wild dogs roaming freely in the wild savannah.
What will I be doing in a wildlife conservation project in South Africa?
Participants get to be part of valuable research on the iconic African Big 5 and other wildlife in the stunning Greater Kruger Area. Through regular game drives and research, volunteers contribute to understanding the health, behavior, and populations of these creatures, ultimately aiding in conservation strategies to protect South Africa’s wildlife effectively.
What animals are in Africa’s Big 5?
You will be working with other volunteers on the conservation of lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo.
What is the building and garden volunteer work?
NGOs in Cambodia seek volunteers for various manual tasks like building, gardening, and agriculture due to limited funds for paid labor. Volunteers are needed to assist with gardening and agriculture projects, involving tasks like digging, weeding, and planting. Additionally, some projects require support in preparing, decorating, or constructing structures under the guidance of the local team.
What can I expect in the Costa Rica expedition?
You will be assigned into 3 phases of your Costa Rica experience: community (helping with community projects), environment (helping with environment preservation) and adventure leadership (trekking through rainforests).
We are here to help
We are here to guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.
Need more information?
Find out all about Impact Gap Year and your gap year experiences in out information guide.
Contact
At Impact Gap Year, we are committed to creating a world where individuals are empowered to lead. where ethical practices prevail, and where young people are equipped to create positive change. Join us on this journey of growth, collaboration, and impact.
3015 E Franklin Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55406, USA
+1 970-399-9968 
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