Bolivia
Summer 2009
Proposed Itinerary                                              

Jun 28th: Arrive in Miami. Introduction to the program and overnight flight to La Paz.

Jun 29th – July 1st: Arrive in La Paz and travel to Coroico by bus, a small town in the rain forest (2.5 hours from La Paz). Begin orientation in a beautiful, inspiring place. During the orientation: welcome celebration and workshops on group dynamics, culture and norms of the Andes and Amazon, red rules, do’s and don’ts, etc.
 
July 2th - 11th: Travel to Sorata. Welcome ceremony at the program house. Our time here, in this stunning mountain village, will be defined by: homestays, language study, development work and Independent Study Pprojects. There are opportunities to study weaving, Andean music, culture, dance and politics. We will also have the opportunity to hike in the surrounding countryside. In our time here we will become a part of this community and immerse ourselves in this magical and challenging mountain lifestyle.

July 12th - 14th: Travel by bus to Santiago de Okola (with La Paz a Pie), on the Lake Titicaca and students take lead in planning the time in the community. Great opportunities for spend time fishing with local fishermen, hiking, learning about local agricultural systems and participating in service learning. Home stays with local families.

 July 15 th-20 th: Bus from Santiago de Okola to Apolobamba. Students begin to take lead in planning for upcoming expedition. There are a good opportunities to hike to the Apolobamba area, visit some remote farming communities, learn about Kallawayas culture and ecology of the region.

July 21th 24th : Travel from Charazani to lowlands by bus. Prep for travel by boat to the Amazon. Expedition on the river by boat for three days. Throughout this river journey, we will have great opportunities to learn about environmental issues, culture and ecology.

July 24th- 28th: Arrival at Asuncion del Quiquibey (small indigenous community in the amazon). We will spend most of our time here on a service project for the community, but also there are great opportunities to continue exploring the region, examining the different development challenges faced by the Amazon communities, compared to those of the highlands, and of course, meeting locals and immersing ourselves in the community.

July 29th : Arrival in Rurrenabaque, a larger lowlands town to relax and recharge after a long, eventful journey!  

July 30th- 31th:  Arrival back in La Paz. City time: recharge, relax, acclimate and planning day for Student Expedition. Some of the potential activities are: hike around La Paz, travel to los yungas (or Chapare), visit museums, visit the penitentiary in San Pedro. Visit the valle de la luna, las Animas or Rio abajo.

August 1th- 4th:  It’s time for the students to take lead in planning the activities for the coming days. Students will have the chance to design and lead an expedition. Location: To be determined!

August 5th- 6 th: Return to Sorata for disorientation and lSP presentations, visit home stay families, hike to the Caves

August 7th: Travel one last time to La Paz Closing student-led activities in La Paz, participating in local theaters and visiting ruins, local markets and purchasing of gifts, etc.

August 8th: Fly home early am!