Scuba Diving for gap year and career break divers

Programme Summary

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

Over 11 weeks your 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 Roraima. 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!!

Programme Itinerary / Details

Arrival
Transfer from Puerto La Cruz (Barcelona Airport) to Playa Colorada (c.45 mins depending on traffic). Briefing, orientation and health and safety talk.

Weeks 1 - 2: PADI Diver training / familiarisation
You jump straight in and focus on the diver training courses! Doing the courses in these first couple of weeks will mean that you can enjoy the recreational diving during the rest of your stay.

Courses done in these first few weeks include:
PADI Open Water
PADI Advanced Open Water
NB: If already qualfiied we can arrange alternative courses during this time.

Weeks 3 -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 it’s inhabitants as well as visit coffee plantations, fruit and vegetable farms and local markets. Other activities include mountain trekking, horseriding, 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 dicing, 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!

End
Transfer back to Puerto La Cruz / Barcelona (BLA) for your return flight

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Flights

Flights are not included and they need to be arranged by you. The best way to get to where you need to be is by travelling via Miami. We recommend an International flight to Miami where you board a direct flight to a city called Barcelona (airport code BLA). It's right next to Puerto la Cruz and about 45 minutes from Playa Colorada.

Transfers

All customers are met at Barcelona (BLA) Airport and taken to the lodge by jeep. It takes about 45 minutes. Transport is also provided from time-to-time when you are at the lodge, but this largely depends if the jeeps are going into town. Other than that, there are loads of local buses and taxis to get you from A to B whilst you are there...and they're cheap!

Accommodation

The lodge is situated in a perfect location with a distinct local flavour and you 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 there are Spanish lessons.

When on tour...
...you sleep in hammocks and tents - so be prepared to rough it a little when you're exploring the country!

Meals - provided

2 to 3 three meals are provided each day. Some of the time you may be on tour or at a diving lesson when meals are served, so you may have to get your own meals from time-to-time from the local shops.

Spanish

Due to the remote location of Playa Colorada, Spanish lessons are essential in order for you to communicate with the locals and are therefore integrated into the programme. The classes are informal and given in the open air: on Caribbean beaches, in steaming jungles and even on top of eerie Tepuys. The teaching will encourage you to develop five basic skills: listening, comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. The idea is for you to learn Spanish in a natural and spontaneous way so you fully enjoy your time in Venezuela.

PADI Materials and Fees

All PADI materials and fees are included

Requirements

1. Physically fit and active
2. Over 18
3. Confident swimmer
4. No diving or Spanish experience necessary

Prices

Dates for all options