Gap Year Scuba Diving | Venezuela Explorer

Venezuela Explorer
Playa Colorada, Venezuela

Last updated: 18 February 2013

This programme is totally unique and combines PADI diver training courses with recreational diving in Mochima National Park and adventure tours through Venezuela.

You are based at a remote Venezuelan beach location called 'Playa Colorada'. From there you venture off as a group kayaking down the Orinoco Delta, living with Waroe Indian tribes and hiking in Roraima (the highlands). Spanish lessons are held most mornings so you learn the language quickly and you experience a range of diving experiences in Mochima National Park around your excursions.

During the programme you immerse yourself in Venezuelan culture and get a real taste of ‘off the beaten track’ Latino culture and travel.

The trip is action-packed and would suit anyone looking for a REAL adventure!!

Essentials

Country:	Playa Colorada, Venezuela
Meals:	3 meals a day
Trip duration	8 - 11 weeks depending on dive level
Suitability	All diving abilities welcome including beginners
Getting there:	London Heathrow - USA (Miami / Houston) - Caracas - Barcelona (BLA)

What diving courses are availble to you?

Please click the course name for more information about that particular course.

Details and Itinerary

Programme content and guideline itinerary

Weeks 1 - 2: PADI Diver training

You jump straight in and focus on the diver training courses and recreational diving! Doing the courses in these first couple of weeks will mean that you can enjoy the recreational diving during the rest of your stay.

Depending on your current dive level the following dive courses/recreational diving are available in this programme:

Beginner: PADI Open Water, PADI Advanced Open Water, PADI EFR & PADI Rescue Diver
Qualified PADI Open Water Diver: PADI Advanced Open Water, EFR and PADI Rescue Diver
Qualified Advanced Open Water Diver: PADI EFR and PADI Rescue Diver
Qualified Rescue Diver +: PADI EFR (refresher) and recreational diving
Recreational diving: We offer either 10 dives or 20 dives. Make your selection when customising your trip.

NB: Depending on the courses you choose, it might be the case that diver training continues after the first two weeks.

Weeks 3 to 4 – Playa Colorada & Recreational diving

You’ll spend two more weeks based around Playa Colorada, getting accustomed to the pace of life and the local culture. Intensive Spanish classes should establish the language basics quickly. We’ll introduce you to kayaking and then take you for a 3 day expedition to the offshore islands where you’ll encounter dolphins, snorkel on spectacular reefs, enjoy beach games like volleyball and try fishing to catch dinner. There are also some great hikes to the top of the islands for spectacular views of the park and the chance to try sport-climbing or rappelling.

On the islands you’ll learn how to make a shelter, a fire, find food and water and learn to tie a few simple knots as well. You’ll also have an introduction to local cooking, visit neighbouring villages and waterfalls, try your hand at Salsa and Merengue dancing and get some diving done in Mochima National Park.

Weeks 5 to 6 – Caripe & Recreational Diving

Just a few hours drive away is the ‘Eden of the East’, the lush and mountainous Caripe region famous for its coffee plantations and farming culture. There you’ll explore the Guachero cave and its inhabitants as well as visit coffee plantations, fruit and vegetable farms and local markets. Other activities include mountain trekking, horse riding, camping and recreational diving when you get back to Playa Colorada at the end of the week.

Weeks 7 to 8 – Orinoco Delta Kayaking expedition

Your kayaking in Mochima prepares you for one of the real highlights of your trip. You’ll travel and live as the Waraos have done for over 20,000 years - exploring the waterways, jungles and sabanas where you’ll be amongst an amazing abundance of wildlife and flora. You’ll learn about the Ancient Warao culture, artesania (including Moriche weaving and wood sculpture), visit Warao families, live in a Waroe home for a night, construct your own bush camp and even go horse riding through a Savannah.

Weeks 9 to 10 – Gran Sabana, the Lost World and Roraima

A jeep safari to the mystical and ancient highlands of Venezuela visiting various indigenous Pemon settlements and spectacular waterfalls along the way is part of your itinerary. The climax of the trip is a round-trip hiking expedition to the top of Roraima.

Week 11 - Optional diving courses / fun diving

Scheduled as free time for a little R&R! Most of the time people do a bit of recreational diving, venture off into town, swim, snorkel, play beach volleyball and generally just chill out and relax! We also arrange an end of tour party at the end of this week!

Itinerary

Guideline itinerary based on 11-week trip. The trip can be cut to 9 weeks if required and possibly even 8 weeks if absolutely necessary (and depending on current dive level). If you change your trip duration then the start date will change as well.

Week 1: Orientation, safety briefing and PADI training
Week 2: Local activities and PADI training
Week 3: Start Spanish lessons and 3 day kayaking trip
Week 4: Intensive Spanish, local trips to villages & fun diving
Week 5 & 6: Caripe (caves, plantations, farms & markets) & fun diving
Weeks 7 & 8: Orinoco Delta kayaking - Warao Indian Tribe experience
Weeks 9 & 10: Gran Sabana, Roraima and Lost World
Week 11: Free-time for farwell parties, diving, snorkelling and games
##END##
Notes: majority of dive training done in weeks 1 and 2. Recreational
diving and additional dive courses done in weeks 3, 4, 5 and 11.

Included and Not Included

A guide to what you see and what you get!

Full details of exact inclusions, exclusions and local payments will be sent to you when you request a quotation. As a general guideline you can expect the following:

Included

Meet and greet at Airport (Peurto la Cruz), transfers to lodge, 2 meals a day at lodge and 3 meals a day when on tour (kitchen to prepare lunch at lodge if required), approx 100 hours of Spanish lessons, dive courses (as selected by you), escorted trips and guides, English speaking staff, accommodation*, all Spanish learning aids, all PADI materials (as required), all recreational PADI fees (as required), full kit hire (or as required)**, 24 hour UK support, pre-departure advice and info pack, tanks, weights and air.

* When at the lodge there are some beds and hammocks. Whilst on tour tents are provided on some expeditions whilst the remainder of the time it is in hammocks. Each student must have his/her own hammock. They can be purchased beforehand or upon arrival at $25.

** We suggest bringing your own mask, fins and snorkel to use when kayaking and swimming in Mochima National Park. When you're diving full equipment hire (excluding dive computer) is provided.

Not Included

International Flights, domestic flights, visas, vaccinations, personal travel insurance, airport taxes, personal spending money, personal travel kit^ and National Parks / Museum entrance fees.

^ We provide a kit list after booking a place. If you would like to know more about the kit required for the trip before booking a place, please contact us .

Local Payments

Entrance fees to museums and National Parks.

Extra Information

A few things you should know and trip downloads

Guideline Pricing Information

All prices are per person and exclude flights unless otherwise stated. The guideline prices shown are designed to provide you with an indication of how much to budget for your trip. You need to be aware that there are a number of factors which can influence the price; these include the duration of trip, the time of year, exchange rates, board basis and the amount of diving you require. For an accurate price you must submit a quote request.

Accommodation

The lodge is situated in a perfect location with a distinct local flavour and you will have the choice of beds or hammocks. Your accommodation includes a breakfast of fresh fruits and cereal and a main meal of national and international dishes each evening. Lunch is also included when you are having Spanish lessons. When you're on tour it's normally hammocks and tents.

Flights

The best way to get here is via the USA. Book a flight to a US airport with flights to Caracas. It's then a 1 hour flight to Barcelona / Puerto La Cruz. Alternatively, there is also a direct flight with Avior Airlines from Miami direct to Barcelona / Puerto La Cruz. This flight is not as frequent and costs more. We can also quote / arrange flights from the UK.

Requirements

- Fit to dive (medical form sent to you before departure)
- Physically fit for adventure tours
- Confident swimmer

Note: Spanish not essential as you are taught when there.

Dive Training

You choose the PADI training. Training is done around the Spanish and tours in Mochima National Park.

PADI Materials

All PADI materials are included with all PADI courses.

PADI Fees

All PADI fees are included with all PADI courses.

What next?

Happy with what you have seen and read? To get an exact price please click the 'tailor-made button' (located on the 'prices, dates and booking' tab) to request a quotation as this trip is tailor-made. Following the link will open our online quotation system. Simply follow the steps and make your selections. A formal quotation will be sent to you via e-mail once we have received your request.

Prices, Booking and Dates

Guideline prices, trip dates and how to book!

Guideline Price Table

Request a Quotation

Current Dive Level	As a guide...
Current Dive Level	Duration	Price
Beginner	9 - 11 weeks	From £2,225From £2,225 for 9 weeks with PADI Open Water only and no recreational diving.
Open Water	9 - 11 weeks	From £2,180From £2,180 for 9 weeks with PADI Advanced Open Water only and no recreational diving.
Advanced	8 - 11 weeks	From £2,135From £2,135 for 8 weeks with 10 recreational dives and no PADI training.
Rescue Diver	8 - 11 weeks	From £2,135From £2,135 for 8 weeks with 10 recreational dives and no PADI training.
Divemaster	8 - 11 weeks	From £2,135From £2,135 for 8 weeks with 10 recreational dives and no PADI training.

Booking a tailor-made trip

This trip is tailor-made. Please to start customising your own trip. Our quotation system is easy to use and it allows you to get an idea of price according to your dive level. If you wish to book then you must complete the quotation form, add your details and we will e-mail you a formal quotation with all the booking details. You can also call us on 0845 257 3292 to discuss this trip and to book a place.

Booking Instructions

Step 1: This trip is tailor-made! Request a quote so that we can check availability and provide an accurate price based on your travel dates and diving requirements.
Step 2: We will review your request. A quote will be sent to your e-mail address with a link to follow should you decide to book.
Step 3: If you wish to proceed with the booking; follow the link in the e-mail and pay the deposit for the trip. Please note that quotes have an expiry date.
Step 4: You will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your booking request along with login details so that you can manage your booking.
Step 5: We will send you all your travel documents and be at-hand to answer any questions relating to your trip.

Trip Dates

This trip starts 5 - 7 times a year. Please request a quote to see all dates.

Financial Protection

TTA Your money is secure with us! We have TTA Financial protection under licence Q0621. The protection means that you can book your holiday secure in the knowledge that the Travel Trust Association will protect you in the unlikely event of a us becoming insolvent. Should we for any reason financially fail or cease trading, the Travel Trust Association will liaise with the suppliers to ensure that your holiday goes ahead unaffected. If for any reason this is not possible, the TTA will administer a claim for a refund of money that you have paid to us for your holiday. Read more about how your money is protected.

Deposit and Balance Payments

We request a £250 deposit to secure a place. All balance payments are due 60 days before the start of the trip. If you book within 60 days of departure then full payment must be made at the time of booking.