Overview
Our extended Venezuela Explorer Programme is designed for beginners as well as those with previous diving experience. Regardless of what diving courses and activites you choose to do, this extended programme focuses on diver training and adventure with Spanish.
Immersing yourself in Venezuelan culture (which is great for your Spanish) you will get a real taste of 'off the beaten track' Latino culture and travel. Living near Playa Colorada, you will have a range of divign experiences in Mochima National Park in between your Spanish lessons and adventure tours.
A large part of the programme is dominated by an 8 week travelling classroom. This is a structured adventure that allows you to see Venezuela and learn Spanish at the same time. Venturing off into the wilderness with your guide and Spanish teacher, you will get to see some of the most renowned sites in Venezuela. Sea Kayaking, camping excursions in Roraima, 4x4 tours in the Gran Sabana and kayaking down the Orinoco Delta are just a few of the activities available on this programme.
Travelling Classroom / Adventure
Depending on the length of your stay you will venture into the wilderness exploring Venezuela between Spanish lessons and diving. GYD offers adventure-travel excursions to all Venezuela’s main destinations whatever your budget. Below are some of the areas you will visit whilst you are there:
Summary:
MOCHIMA NATIONAL PARK – 3 DAYS KAYAKING
ORINOCO DELTA – 3 DAYS BY SPEEDBOAT
ORINOCO DELTA –6 DAYS BY KAYAK
ANGEL FALLS – 4 DAYS
GRAN SABANA – ANGEL FALLS – FLY AND DRIVE – 7 DAYS
RORAIMA – 7 DAYS
LOS ROQUES – 4 DAYS
MERIDA – 3 DAYS INTO TO THE ANDES
Orinoco Delta
The Orinoco Delta is a vast unspoilt ecosystem of some 25,00kms. Home to some 20,000 nomadic Warao Indians, these peoples live simply by the water, travelling by dugout canoes and have had very little contact with the outside world for over 20,000 years. The wildlife and scenery is simply spectacular and encounters with wildlife including River Dolphins, Jaguars, Pumas, Perro de Agua, Anacondas, Pythons, Howler and Cappuccino Monkeys, and prolific birdlife including, Macaws, Tucans, Parrots, Storks, Kingfishers and Woodpeckers are virtually normal. The best way to interact with the Orinoco’s people and wildlife is by water either kayaking or by river boat.
Gran Sabana - The Lost World
The area known as La Gran Sabana is located in the South-eastern corner of Venezuela at the border with Brazil and Guyana. These mystical highlands reveal an abundance of waterfalls, natural springs and "Pemon" Indian settlements. Highlights include the chance to scale the highest tepuy peak of Roraima where one encounters the eerie moonscape plateau of Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Lost World."
Mochima National Park
Occupying virtually 1000sq km of Eastern Venezuela, Parque Nacional Mochima encompasses an endless parade of white-sand, palm-fringed of Caribbean beaches, 32 islands and a significant portion of the adjacent coastal mountain ranges. Trips to the offshore islands for one or more days by kayak, sailing yacht or motorised boat virtually guarantee interacting with dolphins and on the islands you’ll easily spot iguana’s. Fishing, diving and snorkelling are excellent as is the seafood. Inland, abundant waterfalls, natural springs, caves and the culture of Columbus's first port of call, Cumaná.
Angel Falls
The highest waterfall in the world plunges down from the western flank of a gorge in the middle of the Auyan-tepui. With a total height of 979m, and free fall of 807m, it is more than 19 times higher than Niagara. The water that leaves the summit takes fourteen seconds to reach the bottom. This journey to the world's highest waterfall by boat unveils a collage of lush jungle, rampant rapids, serene lagoons and 700 indigenous species of plants.
Amazonas
The vast untouched tropical wilderness of the Amazonas stretches virtually 200,000sq kms. These rainforests, rivers and broad savannahs offer the increasingly rare possibility of real wilderness-adventure. 22 indigenous ethnic groups and 680 different species of birds flourish in a melting pot of coexisting cultures. A chance to encounter the "Yanomami" Indians and explore 3 gargantuan protected National Parks.
Caripe
The way to Caripe, also known as “Humboldt’s Route”- is a picturesque mountain area made up of Haciendas of coffee, orange and pineapple plantations. Caripe is home of the Guacharo Cave and was explored 200 years ago by Alexander von Humboldt. Apart from its size, over 10 kilometers have been explored, there are numerous stalactites and stalagmites. It also has a huge population of the nocturnal Guacharos or oil birds - up to 18,000 have been reported
Spanish Lessons
The classes are informal and given in the open air; on Caribbean beaches, in steaming jungles and even on top of eerie Tepuys. In addition to teaching Spanish in a fun and useful way, we combine local culture, folklore and learn about the local fauna and flora.
During the travelling classroom you venture off into the wilderness with your guide and Spanish teacher. This is an ideal time to focus on your spanish whilst having fun. Most of the time you will return to the lodge where you will have more formal Spanish lessons.
There are typically about 20 hours of Spanish per week as part of the programme. Plus the fact that you will be immersed in a Spanish speaking environment, you will notice how quickly your Spanish improves whilst you are there...
- ideal getaway over the summer holidays to improve your diving and Spanish
For information about the dive centre, accommodation, activities, Playa Colorada , social life etc, please visit the 
15th January 2008
