Bolivia: An Undiscovered Gem for Volunteer Travel and Trekking

Dates
June 28 - July 9, 2008

Cost
$1395US

Summary

We’ll spend one week enjoying Sucre, Bolivia, the intellectual capital of the country as the hub of university life for over 400 years. With its white adobe walls and ceramic tile roofs, it’s easy to forget you’re not in Spain, the country which ruled the region from the mid-1500’s for 300 years. Picturesque, compact and easy to navigate, Sucre is a highlight for travellers in South America, and well worth more than a few day’s visit. Our mornings will be on the yoga mat, and enjoying the company of our hosts over breakfast, while in the afternoons we’ll have the opportunity to play with, feed, and love the children of a local orphanage, ages 3 weeks to 6 years. In the evenings, we’ll hit the town and get a taste of all the best restaurants, including two French, one Swiss, one German, and even some Bolivian! All have vegetarian options. Spanish lessons are also available for a small additional fee, Monday through Friday. Included are all lodging and meals, daily yoga classes, and ground transportation. Limited to 10 participants.

Retreat Location

The home of Mama Vicky and Papa Lucho in Sucre, Bolivia. This open, friendly, loving couple, and their extended family and friends, will soon become your Bolivian relatives! We will live in their home, which is several small houses surrounding a courtyard with fruit trees and hammocks, the central meeting place of all who live there. Each morning we will be treated to breakfast with the family, and you’ll get to try my favorite Bolivian food, api, made from scratch by Mama Vicky. And, yes, you’ll be speaking and understanding Spanish, even if you didn’t know you could, as Mama Vicky’s slow, clear speech will convince you you can!

Daily Schedule

June 28 - July 3: Sucre

7:30 - 8am Morning Quiet Time, Meditation
8 - 9am Light Breakfast and Conversation with the Family
9 - 11:30am Yoga
11:30 - 12:30pm Vegetarian Buffet full of salads, fresh fruit, and homemade soups
12:30 - 2:30pm Optional Spanish Classes (Mon - Fri), or Free Time exploring Sucre, relaxing
3 - 6pm Volunteering at Tata San Juan de Dios Orphanage (Mon - Sat)
6 - 7pm Free Time
7 - 9pm Dinner at one of Sucre’s best restaurants
9 - 10pm Evening Group or Solo Reflection Sunday Afternoon excursion to a remote village and pools for swimming

July 4 - 9: Lake Titicaca and the Cordillera Real

After spending a week in Sucre adjusting to life at 9,000 feet (2700 m), we’ll fly to La Paz at 11,000feet, to start a week of incredible exploring and optional trekking in northern Bolivia with yoga daily.

July 4 Airplane from Sucre to La Paz, Taxi to Copacabana on Lake Titicaca
July 5 Walking north 1/2 day (optional) to catch a row boat to Isla del Sol
June 6 Exploring Isla Del Sol
June 7 Boat to Copacabana, Taxi to Sorata
June 8 Day Hike from or exploring Sorata
June 9 Depart for Home, or stay for 4 days more…

Optional Extension: The Choro Trail, The Biodiverse Yungas

Descent
July 10 - 14, 2008

Cost
$390US

If you haven’t had enough yet, you’ve gotta experience this four-day trek from the highlands at 15,290 feet down into charming Coroico at 5,770 feet. The change in climate, flora, and fauna is dramatic on this trek, as is the descent! We will have two yoga classes daily, in the mornings and afternoons. We finish with an afternoon and night at a beautiful resort, soaking in the hot tub and jumping in the pool when not sampling the local tropical fruits. Que bueno es el paradiso! All lodging, meals, and ground transport included.

July 10 - 13 Four day trek to Coroico from near La Paz
July 14 Bus to La Paz in afternoon
July 15 Depart for home

Trip Coordinator and Yoga Guide
Jennifer