Exploring Bolivia's Untamed Wilderness: Where Dragons Roam

Where There Be Dragons is an educational travel company that offers immersive and challenging trips to remote areas in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The company was founded in 1993 by Chris Yager, inspired by his own experience studying in China in the 1980s. The company has worked with over 6,000 participants, offering travel experiences ranging from four-week summer programs to three-month gap year and college study abroad programs. One of their notable programs is the South America Gap Year program, which includes an extended home-stay in a small agricultural community in central Bolivia, rugged treks, and intensive Spanish language courses. The program aims to provide a transformative experience for students, challenging them to reflect on their values and gain a deeper understanding of different cultures and lifestyles.

Spanish language immersion in the Andes

Overview

Bolivia is a land of extremes, boasting staggering cultural and ecological diversity. It is home to 36 distinct ethnic and language groups, vast mountain ranges, dense Amazon jungle, and a shifting socio-political landscape. The country provides a captivating panorama for exploring the connections between the past and present in the heart of South America.

Immersion

The 4-week summer program offers an immersive experience in the Andes, including a ritual ceremony for Pachamama, trekking over snow-covered passes, and discussions with local communities about large-scale resource extraction. Students will integrate into a local community through an extended homestay in a Quechua farming community on the outskirts of Cochabamba, where they will receive personalized Spanish language instruction and learn about the area's history of grassroots mobilization and resistance.

Trekking

The journey then takes students into the high Andes for a mountain trek, where they will engage with the realities of rural communities, which make up the majority of Bolivia's population. The trek begins in the glittering snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Real range and descends along an Incan trail into the dense cloud forest of the Amazon basin. Throughout the trek, students will observe and discuss ecological transitions, conservation, and resource management in one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth.

Learning

The program offers a unique opportunity to deepen Spanish language skills through personalized instruction and cultural immersion. Students will also gain insight into the Andean religious worldview, traditional healing practices, and the spiritual syncretism between pre-colonial belief systems and Christianity. They will engage with issues such as resource management, globalization, indigenous rights and representation, urbanization, environmental conservation, and sustainable development.

Homestay

Students will spend 10 days in a homestay outside of Cochabamba, with possible shorter homestays in rural mountain communities. This allows for a deeper connection to the local culture and community and provides a valuable opportunity for language immersion.

Independent Study

The program encourages independent study projects, with topics including indigenous politics, Andean music and folklore, agricultural practices, weaving, Bolivian cooking, and medicinal plants.

The Where There Be Dragons program in Bolivia offers a comprehensive and immersive experience for students seeking to deepen their Spanish language skills and gain a broader understanding of the country's culture, history, and social dynamics. Through homestays, language immersion, and workshops, students develop valuable skills and insights into the complicated dynamics of Bolivia and Latin America.

Trekking in the Amazon rainforest

The journey begins in the high Andes, with a mountain trek that takes travellers through remote villages and offers a glimpse into the realities of rural communities that comprise the majority of Bolivia's population. From the glittering, snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Real range, the descent begins along an Incan trail into the dense cloud forest of the Amazon basin.

The ecological transitions along this route are striking, and the trek provides an excellent opportunity to discuss issues in conservation and resource management in one of the most biodiverse regions of the planet. The journey concludes in the Yungas region, known for its production of chocolate, coffee, and coca, and home to Bolivia's Afro-Bolivian population.

The Amazon portion of the trip is an integral part of the program's focus on exploring the links between land and people, past and present. It offers a unique perspective on the region's political trends, social movements, and environmental conservation efforts. The dense and remote Amazon jungle provides a challenging and immersive experience, allowing travellers to connect intimately with the natural world and gain a deeper understanding of the issues facing this critical ecosystem.

The program also includes a three to four-week homestay outside of Cochabamba, with potential shorter stays in the Amazon and remote mountain communities, providing a well-rounded cultural experience.

Social movements and environmental conservation efforts

The South America Gap Year program offered by Where There Be Dragons includes an examination of social movements and environmental conservation efforts in Bolivia and Peru. The program is based in the town of Tiquipaya, where students live with local families of largely Quechua descent, connecting with a local community and developing critical language and leadership skills.

The program offers an immersive experience in the Andes and the Amazon, exploring the links between land and people, past and present. Students have the opportunity to trek through the Andes Mountains, travel by canoe along tropical waterways in the Amazon Rainforest, and engage with local communities and indigenous elders. They also learn about the political change and social transformation occurring in the region, including the context of the ancient Land of the Incas.

In Bolivia, the program focuses on the country's staggering cultural and ecological diversity, with 36 distinct ethnic and language groups, vast mountain ranges, and dense Amazon jungle. Students can expect to engage with issues of resource management, globalization, indigenous rights and representation, urbanization, environmental conservation, and sustainable development. They will also learn about the vibrant history of grassroots mobilization and resistance in the Andes and connect with scholars, activists, journalists, and local organizations in Cochabamba.

The journey takes students into the high Andes for a mountain trek, where they engage with the realities of rural communities, which comprise the majority of Bolivia's population. They will discuss issues in conservation and resource management in one of the most biodiverse regions of the planet, observing the ecological transitions from the snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Real range to the dense cloud forest of the Amazon basin.

Indigenous rights and identity

The Where There Be Dragons program in Bolivia offers a unique opportunity to explore and engage with the country's indigenous rights and identity. With 36 distinct ethnic and language groups, Bolivia provides an immersive experience for students to connect with local communities and deepen their understanding of indigenous culture and issues.

One of the key aspects of the program is the extended homestay in a Quechua farming community on the outskirts of Cochabamba. Students not only gain daily Spanish language instruction but also delve into the vibrant history of grassroots mobilization and resistance in the Andes. This includes interactions with scholars, activists, journalists, and local organizations, allowing for a deeper understanding of the social and political activism that shapes indigenous identity.

The journey then takes students into the high Andes for a mountain trek, where they engage with the realities of rural communities, which comprise the majority of Bolivia's population. This provides a perspective on land use and relationships that are integral to understanding indigenous rights and representation. The trek also offers insights into ecological transitions and resource management, as students discuss conservation issues in one of the most biodiverse regions of the planet.

The program further explores indigenous identity through an examination of pre-Incan and Incan history and culture, the coca leaf, sustainable agriculture, and the arts. Students have the opportunity to participate in traditional ceremonies, such as the ritual for Pachamama, and learn about the Andean religious worldview, traditional healing, and the syncretism between pre-colonial belief systems and Christianity.

By engaging with indigenous leaders and communities, students gain a deeper understanding of the efforts to preserve linguistic and cultural diversity, as well as the social and environmental justice issues facing indigenous populations in Bolivia. The program's focus on indigenous rights and identity empowers students to explore the complexities of representation, activism, and the preservation of cultural heritage in a modern context of political and social transformation.

Homestays in small agricultural communities

The 4-week summer program includes an extended homestay in a Quechua farming community on the outskirts of Cochabamba. Students stay with local families and engage intimately with the community, taking part in daily Spanish language instruction and learning about the history of grassroots mobilization and resistance in the Andes.

The 3-month gap year program is based in the agricultural town of Tiquipaya, where students live with local families of largely Quechua descent. The town is situated on an organic farm, providing unique opportunities to engage with local food systems and agricultural practices.

The 2-week summer program includes a 14-18 day homestay in a farming community outside of Cochabamba, with additional shorter homestays in the Amazon and a remote mountain community.

Through these homestays, students have the opportunity to deepen their language skills, connect with local families, and gain a deeper understanding of daily life and cultural traditions in Bolivia.

Frequently asked questions