Gap year conservation opportunities
Thursday, 12 February 2009 12:00 AM
Backpack around the world
Adventure travel provider Frontier is offering a special discounted rate on its newly launched Fantasy Gap Year experience; ideal for young travellers with a conscience and a budget.
The Fantasy Gap Year programme allows explorers to combine the journey of a lifetime with a group of like-minded travellers, while also contributing to teaching or conservation projects en route.
The journey begins in Bangkok at the start of Frontier's ten week south-east Asia Ethical Adventure Trail. Travelling through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, volunteers will explore the remarkable ancient temples and breathtaking landscape of south-east Asia. White sandy beaches, lush rainforest and extraordinary wildlife are just a selection of the natural marvels explorers will witness on this exciting journey.
As well as adventure, volunteers can combine their tour with a 28-day conservation or teaching project in south-east Asia - offering a chance to interact with local communities and contribute to village projects.
Frontier volunteers may take the opportunity to enjoy some independent travel through Australia and New Zealand before embarking upon the ten week Fiji Diving and Marine Conservation Expedition for underwater adventures.
Discover the irresistible shores and azure waters surrounding the 322 islands that make up the Fiji archipelago and swim with over 1,200 species of reef fish. Working with the University of The South Pacific, Frontier volunteers will help preserve the extensive coral reef and study the marine wildlife using newly learned research skills and scientific techniques.
Participants can gain an internationally recognised BTEC Advanced Diploma or Certificate in Tropical Habitat Conservation. Scuba diving is essential to underwater survey work; all participants undergo a PADI Advanced Open Water training (worth £475) programme at no additional cost.
The journey draws to an end with an unforgettable ten week tour through Central America. Adventurers will travel through Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, Nicaragua and Costa Rica to explore the extraordinary ruins, dense rainforests and breathtaking white sandy beaches. Ride horseback along ancient mountain trails, zip-line through verdant jungles and complete the day with a relaxing night out at one of the lively Salsa Clubs, dancing until dawn.
Volunteers will be given the opportunity to assist with a 28-day teaching project en route, bringing them into intimate contact with indigenous communities, where they can absorb new cultures and experience traditional practices.
Alternatively, combine the trip with a 28-day worthwhile conservation project in the remote forests of Nicaragua or help preserve the sea turtle by collecting eggs and monitoring the beaches. Volunteers can also venture into the exotic jungle to study spider monkeys and other exotic animals at certain months of the year, scaling volcanoes and journeying along the hidden tropical rivers.
No need to worry about your carbon footprint. Frontier's valuable conservation work helps volunteers to offset the carbon generated by their air travels, and volunteers are offered the opportunity of further offsetting by contributing to projects such as tree planting and reforestation.
To find out more about the projects that volunteers can contribute to in order to offset their C02 emissions please see the project section of Frontier for an up-to-date list of available projects.
Frontier is currently offering 20 per cent off when guests book on the Fantasy Gap Year experience, originally from £7,983 now from £6,300, a saving of £1593!
For reservations please visit Frontier.
Chris O'Toole
