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GYC3392 - Costa Rica and Nicaragua 10 week Country: Costa Rica,Nicaragua Cost: £2995.00 Please note: 7 weeks, £2250, 5 weeks £1750, 4 weeks £1500 Cost Includes: The price includes insurance, accommodation, food, kit and pickup from airport but does not include flight or visas       Duration: 10 weeks (7 and 5 and 4 week programmes also available) Company Rep Nearby: All the time 0845 344 7600 or

 

	This placement would suit... anyone aged 17-24 with a thirst for team-based adventure and volunteering projects off the beaten track. You’ll contribute to diverse community and environment projects across two countries and experience a unique adventure trekking phase which takes in stunning rainforest, river and mountain landscapes. Raleigh International is a charity that provides adventure and challenge expeditions for people from all backgrounds, nationalities and ages, especially young people. Expedition life in Costa Rica and Nicaragua Our unique expedition to Costa Rica and Nicaragua offers the opportunity to visit and contribute to the communities of two very different Central American countries. You will combine first hand experience of remote community life in Nicaragua, one of the region’s poorest countries, with the rewards of worthwhile environmental projects and challenging treks in the amazing bio diversity of Costa Rica. Our 10 week expedition consists of three distinct project phases, each lasting three weeks. An in-country induction and training week before the first phase prepares venturers for Raleigh life and a review at the end of the final phase allows time for reflection before departing for onward travel or home. Whether part of your summer vacation, career break or gap year, Raleigh’s 10 week programme is a worthwhile and unforgettable experience. A taste of what’s ahead on the 10 week expedition Community: Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Western hemisphere and natural disasters have contributed to a severe lack of community infrastructure. Raleigh is helping improve living standards in some of its remotest communities by constructing fresh water systems and local school facilities. You will be living with villagers in the beautiful subsistence farming communities of the Miraflor reserve, learning Spanish and enjoying a unique cross cultural experience. In Costa Rica you will be working in partnership with indigenous communities to improve the health and educational services in the Indigenous Reserves. Environment: With an amazing bio diversity and over 27% of the country designated a protected territory, Costa Rica offers projects which are designed to preserve the local habitat and make it more accessible. You could help build trails and bridges across the country’s National Parks network, help transform the former penal island of San Lucas, a stunning tropical expanse, into a wildlife refuge, or build a ranger station in the jungle terrain of Piedras Bancas. On the Caribbean coast you could help to preserve the migration place of the endangered leather backed turtle. After a rewarding day’s work, retiring to hand-made bashers will complete the memorable experience. Adventure: Rise to the challenge of extended treks through lowland tropical forests to mountain peaks and beaches. An amazing experience that will test both mental and physical stamina, challenge preconceptions and forge lifelong friendships. Slay the beast of the 270km Dragon trek and experience Costa Rica’s friendly culture as villages welcome you to stay at the end of a long day’s trekking. Alternatively, choose the 17 day Coast to Coast trek, taking in rainforest, rivers and mountains on your route from the Pacific to the Caribbean. A few words from an ex-venturer Anna Gribble talks about her time on expedition in Costa Rica: "The experiences that Raleigh’s Overseas Programme offered were unique and made complete by my fellow participants’ different backgrounds. The expedition gave me a purpose that I have never felt in normal life. Completing the Dragon Trek made me realise that you can do anything if you want it badly enough. I have come away from a truly memorable experience with much improved confidence, leadership skills and sense of team-work." Short of time? If you’re short of time, Raleigh also offers shorter expeditions: four weeks (your choice of one of the above project phases) and seven weeks (your choice of two of the above project phases). You can also opt for our new five week option which combines a community or environmental project with an exhilarating, team-based adventure challenge. We run four to 10 week expeditions in Malaysia, Costa Rica and Nicaragua and India throughout the year. Why choose Raleigh International? Worthwhile and sustainable projects : Our permanent field base in country enables us to build long-term partnerships with the government, NGOs and local communities and thus deliver projects that meet a genuine need and are sustainable. Access to remote areas: Thanks to our partnerships we often work in national parks and areas which other tourists don’t have access to. Safety in everything we do: We have 23 years experience in running expeditions and have represented the industry in developing safety standards. A cross-cultural experience: Venturers on expedition are at different life stages and come from a range of backgrounds and nationalities, including the host country, so you’ll experience a unique exchange of cultures and develop social and global awareness. Valuable life skills to help you stand out from the crowd: test your leadership, teamwork, adaptability, leadership and problem solving skills and increase your self confidence. Expedition costs Raleigh International is a registered charity, solely dependent on fundraising activities to cover the cost of its overseas programmes and field bases We ask venturers to make the contributions detailed above and fund their own international flight, vaccinations and personal kit Raleigh provides medical and travel insurance, pre-departure support and training, all food and accommodation, specialist equipment and in country transport We offer support and advice on fundraising at every step of the way. Visit our website for fundraising ideas and remember you can claim Gift Aid on any donation made. 0845 344 7600 Raleigh International – is a charity that provides adventure and challenge expeditions for people from all backgrounds, nationalities and ages, especially young people. In the past 23 years, over 30,000 young people and volunteer managers have participated in our unique overseas programmes of sustainable community and environmental projects combined with adventure. We currently operate all year round in Malaysia, Costa Rica and Nicaragua and India. A varied and challenging experience in remote destinations where you will be contributing to local communities, making new friends and developing life skills. Be part of something amazing!