Book now and leap into 2009

Whether you are planning a gap year, seeking a break from the rat race, needing an adventure to kick start your year or if you are simply looking to broadening your horizons then look no further than The Leap.

Offering 3 fantastic adventures in January 2009 and a huge variety of placements throughout the year, The Leap cater to all ages and requirements and are committed to providing life changing projects that equally benefit participants, local communities, wildlife and environment. Set yourself a challenge and experience a once in a lifetime journey whilst hugely contributing to making our planet a better place. Leap into 2009 and start the year as you mean to go on.

GUYANA: PAKARAIMA MOUNTAINS & THE AMAZON 6-10 WEEKS
Feed your spirit of adventure, Guyana is a country visited by only 2,000 tourists every year and this trip will see you explore rarely seen places. Combine conservation, community and eco-tourism projects at three different locations in the Amazon Jungle. Help cowboys on a traditional ranch at Rock View Lodge, riding out and helping with guests, help teach English and sport, assist in a medical centre and help care for orphaned animals such as tapir, laba and agoutis.

Venture deeper into the Amazon jungle to the Amerindian community at Iwokrama, where the jungle walkway allows you to see above the tree canopy to spot exotic birds, wildlife, and hopefully the elusive jaguar. Here you will help with jungle conservation initiatives, assisting with wildlife walks and helping to construct and run a jungle hammock camp. Lastly, up to Surama, a wonderfully vibrant village on the edge of the jungle. This community is virtually unchanged by the modern world, giving you a special insight into the traditions of old. During your free time, visit Kaieteur Falls, the largest single waterfall drop in the world at 741 ft, canoe down the mighty Essequibo River and see the otters at Karanambu Ranch.

2009 Departures, 5th Jan, 1st April, 2nd July and 2nd September

AUSTRALIA: CATTLE STATIONS & CONSERVATION 6-10 WEEKS
If you hanker for the great outdoors and have always dreamt of being a fully fledged jackaroo (or jillaroo for that matter) then look no further. Your time will be split between helping out at a typical Australian farm or outback cattle station, working with horses, livestock and participating in off farm activities such as rural shows, rodeos and camp drafting.

Time will also be spent on a conservation project at the Tropical Wildlife Centre. The area is stunningly beautiful and is home to many species of exotic birds and mammals in addition to being close to the tropical rainforest resorts at Cape Tribulation and to the coast where you can enjoy surfing, sailing and swimming off the magnificent beaches, explore Fraser and Whitsunday Islands or scuba dive on the famous Great Barrier Reef.

2009 Departures, 13th Jan, 7th April, 30th June & 1st September

CAMBODIA: TEACHING, CONSERVATION & ANGKOR WAT 6-10 WEEKS
Immerse yourself in the buzz of Cambodia’s hippest town, Siem Reap, a party place where East fuses with West. Help teach English, sport and dance to children and young adults, work with AIDS orphans, build fresh water systems, assist with effective recycling projects with an artist whose paintings serve to educate local people about rubbish, recycling and keeping the streets clean.

But it’s not all work and The Leap do insist that you have fun too - visit the famous Temples of Angkor Wat, covering an area as large as New York City, trek in the spectacular jungles and relax on the pristine beaches of the Gulf of Thailand.

2009 Departures, 12th Jan, 1st April, 2nd July and 2nd September.

For more information, log on to Theleap.co.uk.