Join us on our Global Gap Year programme! This organised group trip is designed for students taking some time out before, during or shortly after university. It is Projects Abroad's most comprehensive programme available.
Over the course of 28 weeks, you will circle the globe, travelling to six countries across three continents, with a group of like-minded individuals. We provide 24/7 staff support in each country and take care of all the details from excursions to gap year volunteer programmes. All you need to do is focus on the experience!
The programme begins in September and concludes in March. You'll have some independent travel time over the winter holiday and while travelling from one continent to another. You can explore the region more extensively, go on an independent trip or even take time to visit friends and family.
Global Gap Year Overview:
Peru: 31 August - 27 September 2025
- 2 weeks Conservation work in the Amazon Rainforest
- Visit Machu Picchu
- 2 weeks Community Outreach work around Cusco and the Sacred Valley
Ecuador - Galapagos Islands: 28 September - 25 October 2025
- 2 weeks Giant Tortoise and Sea Lion Conservation
- Weekend trip to Santa Cruz
- 2 weeks Teaching and Community Work
One week independent travel
Kenya: 3 - 15 November 2025
- 2 weeks Giraffe and Lion Conservation at Soysambu Conservancy
Tanzania: 16 November - 14 December 2025
- 2 weeks - your choice of project in Arusha
- 2 weeks - your choice of project in Arusha
- Weekend Safari
Three weeks independent travel
Nepal: 4 January - 7 February 2026
- 3 weeks Building in Kathmandu
- Weekend trip to Pokhara
- Safari in Chitwan National Park
- 2 weeks Conservation Project in Chitwan National Park
Cambodia: 8 February - 14 March 2026
- 2 weeks Childcare in Phnom Penh
- 1 week of exploring and relaxing in Siem Reap
- Tour of Angkor Wat and surrounding temples
- 2 weeks Public Health in Phnom Penh
What will I do on this Global Gap Year programme?
On this organised group gap year, you’ll get the chance to volunteer in six different countries across three continents. You’ll work closely with our local staff members, learning about issues that affect the local community and making a positive impacts everywhere you go. But it’s not all work and no play. You’ll also go sightseeing, have cooking lessons and experience the local culture!
Trip Highlights:
- Join Conservation Projects in the African Savannah and Nepal
- Care for Animals in the Amazon Rainforest and preserve the fragile coastal ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands.
- Explore ancient temples at Angkor Wat and marvel at the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu!
- Go on safaris in East Africa and Nepal
- Learn practical healthcare skills with Public Health outreach work
- Work with children on Teaching Projects and at Community Events
- Visit remote communities with Micro-finance and Human Rights Projects
See below for more details about what you'll do in each country:
What you’ll do in Peru
- 2 weeks Conservation work in the Amazon Rainforest
- Visit Machu Picchu
- 2 weeks Community Outreach work around Cusco and the Sacred Valley
Travel to Puerto Maldonado and then take a boat ride deep into the Amazon Rainforest, where you'll spend the first two weeks living and working at the Taricaya Conservation Project. Care for animals, support their release programme, and help with farming and maintenance. You'll also conduct research and collect turtle eggs from riverbanks.
After two weeks, visit the magnificent lost city of Machu Picchu! After several days of hiking and exploring ruins, your group will travel to depart to the Amazon Rainforest.
For the second two weeks, join our staff in Cusco, Peru. You’ll have daily Spanish lessons and tours of the local sights. At the same time, you'll join community events to teach and care for disadvantaged families. You can help with renovation work for classrooms and local facilities.
What you’ll do in Ecuador - Galapagos Islands
- 2 weeks Giant Tortoise and Sea Lion Conservation
- Weekend trip to Santa Cruz
- 2 weeks Teaching and Community Work
You'll fly to San Cristobal and support the Giant Tortoise and Sea Lion Conservation project in this unique location. Our partnership with the Galapagos National Park gives us exclusive access to the wilderness Darwin once studied. The work is hands-on, with the added benefit of learning from expert conservationists. You’ll do things like:
- Monitor and survey wildlife, including Giant Tortoises at a breeding centre, and sea lions and birds out in the wild
- Help control invasive animal species that threaten the indigenous wildlife, which is critical for environmental stability
- Eradicate alien plant species and help local plants thrive
- Support the community by participating in beach clean-ups and raising awareness of how people can protect animals and the environment
During your final two weeks here, you'll also have the chance to volunteer with children on the island. Help children learn through play, run educational games and teach English. You can also work with small groups of kids in the community for sports coaching.
What you’ll do in Kenya
- 2 weeks Giraffe and Lion Conservation at Soysambu Conservancy
Experience the ultimate African adventure by living and working in the heart of the savannah at Soysambu Conservancy for two weeks. Support Giraffe and Lion Conservation work in Kenya. You’ll get hands-on experience and learn from expert conservationists, while doing things like:
- Research endangered species and monitor local populations
- Set camera traps
- Raise awareness about the importance of protecting the environment
- Remove invasive plant species
- Maintain natural water holes for the animals
- Build hides for bird watching and observing wildlife
Each day, you will get to explore savannah and see wild animals around every corner!
What you’ll do in Tanzania
- 2 weeks - your choice of project in Arusha
- 2 weeks - your choice of project in Arusha
- Weekend Safari
Travel by private bus from Kenya, to Tanzania! You'll live and work around Arusha, at the base of Mt. Meru, for four weeks. The city is located near the world famous Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park.
Join two projects for two weeks each. Choose from:
In addition to your projects, you’ll also enjoy cultural enrichment through a basic Maasai Language Course and be involved in a community development project. This provides a fantastic way to get to know local people and immerse yourself in the culture. Over the weekends you'll visit local markets and spot wild animals on a safari.
What you’ll do in Nepal
- 3 weeks Building in Kathmandu
- Weekend trip to Pokhara
- Safari around Chitwan National Park
- 2 weeks Conservation Project in Chitwan National Park
Start your stay in Nepal by supporting our Building Project in Kathmandu. Help ongoing recovery efforts since the 2015 earthquake that devastated the country. Explore temples and markets, taste new cuisine, and discover a unique culture.
You will have a weekend trip to Pokhara in the foothills of the Himalayas. Visit beautiful lakes and learn about more rural and mountain life in Nepal. Take time to relax.
Afterwards, you’ll join the Conservation Project in Chitwan National Park for your final two weeks. You’ll help conduct wildlife research and protect the local biodiversity. On any given day you’ll get involved in a range of different tasks, from surveying the rhino population, checking camera traps for Bengal tigers, and providing workshops to local communities.
What you’ll do in Cambodia
- 2 weeks Childcare in Phnom Penh
- 1 week of exploring and relaxing in Siem Reap
- Tour of Angkor Wat and surrounding temples
- 2 weeks Public Health in Phnom Penh
You will spend most of your time in Cambodia’s busy capital, Phnom Penh. During your first two weeks, you will join the Childcare Project to support disadvantaged communities in and around the city. The following week will be spent in Siem Reap, where you will visit historic and cultural sites such as the world-famous Angkor Wat! You’ll also visit towns and villages and get involved with community outreach events to highlight various social or environmental issues.
Your final two weeks will be spent back in Phnom Penh with our own Public Health Project. Learn basic health techniques, support check-ups and hygiene workshops. Visit different areas of the city each day!
Throughout your stay, the group will visit various sights such as the Royal Palace. You'll join monks in Buddhist temples for meditation and blessings, learn about the Khmer Rouge Genocide while visiting The Killing Fields, and try new flavours with cooking classes! During your week in Siem Reap, you'll explore the UNESCO temples of Angkor, hidden within a dense jungle.
What's included with the Global Gap Year Abroad?
Your programme fee is all-inclusive and covers:
- Food and accommodation
- All project fees
- Transfers to and from the airport in each country
- All programme-related transportation
- Various sightseeing tours and activities in each country (including entry to Machu Picchu and Angkor Wat)
- Safari in Tanzania and at Chitwan National Park in Nepal
Total Price: €15,250
Apply today with a deposit of only €295
The programme fee does not include flight, visa or insurance costs. However, our staff will provide pre-departure support to assist you with these arrangements.
Looking for a shorter option?
If you love the look of the Global Gap Year Abroad, but the dates or duration don't work for you, then check out our Gap Semester Trips. These split the journey into three shorter adventures:
Can't find what you're looking for?
We’d be happy to talk about creating a custom gap year programme for you. Most of our staff have been volunteers themselves, so they’re well placed to answer your questions, big or small.
or
Request Infoto start planning your project
Our accreditations
