Service-Learning Trip – Bolivia (Spanish Immersion)

This tour is unique to La Paz city, as well as a traditional service by this wonderful city. The tour focuses on aid for integral support: promoting, strengthening and defending the exercise of the human rights of polished footwear. What makes this tour so unique is it run by local shoeshiners who wanted to change the image of the craft and to help improve motivation and self-esteem.

We will take an internal flight from La Paz to Rurrenabaque Village.

Start a two and half hour boat trip down the Beni River to the Serere Reserve. You will navigate from the last foothills of the Andes into the varzea (floodplain) forest in the headwaters of the Amazon. We take advantage of the breeze from the speed of the boat to have you enjoy the hottest hours of the day viewing the transition. You might see the camps of Bolivia’s last nomads, and even possibly capibaras, caimán, turtles, sloth, and a variety of birds.

Upon arrival at The Serere Reserve, enjoy the 2 Km. walk to the cabins and main lodge. This is the starting location of all activities that take place within the Serere Reserve.

After dinner, enjoy a short night walk looking for insects, amphibians, and other wild life.

This morning, we will go hiking to visit a lake. You may see a variety of monkeys, turtles, wild boar, coati, and others along the way.

The afternoon will be spent helping to conserve local animal species. Your work will help to assist in the rescue of wildlife from poachers. Work could include cleaning cages and feeding the animals.

Today will be spent on an Agroforestry tour where we may run into animals feeding on local food or fruits. During harvest season we could have the opportunity to collect food for the animals and feed them. Service work could include cleaning trails and locals will provide the tools. There are several opportunities for students to help improve the local area.

Lunch will be prepared by someone from the local community and students can participate in helping to prepare local dishes.

We will take an internal flight from Rurrenabaque Village to La Paz. We will have a private coach to transfer us to Chuquiñapi Village.

Transfer to Sunata Island to go trekking for the afternoon. Enjoy a bonfire this evening.

Transfer to Santiago de Huata Village for the day. We'll visit a local school and spend time teaching English to local students-- practicing your Spanish. We suggest bringing a donation such as books, pencils and other school supplies.

Students participate in local farming by working in community gardens.

Visit the local shops where you will find crafts made by area artisans and have the chance to speak with them, as well.