| According to recent research by the Year Out Group | | | | volunteer on any one of the available social welfare |
| the Top 5 most popular gap year destinations have | | | | programmes; you are sure to leave with the most |
| changed over the past few months. A higher number | | | | amazing memories. |
| of people are now taking a gap year later in life and | | | | Tanzania |
| looking for a little more from their time off. People | | | | This East African country offers visitors the |
| taking a year out, or a career break, are heading to | | | | opportunity to climb Africa's highest mountain, Mount |
| countries which offer more value for their money | | | | Kilimanjaro, or sail across the continent's largest lake, |
| and time. | | | | Lake Victoria. Travellers can immerse themselves in |
| According to the group's UK focused research the | | | | the culture of the Maasai tribe and observe wild |
| five most popular gap year countries are now India, | | | | animals in the world famous Serengeti. If it's sea, sun |
| Peru, Tanzania, South Africa and China. All offer an | | | | and sand you are after, head to the Indian Ocean |
| experience unlike any to be found in Europe while still | | | | coastline and the exotic islands of Zanzibar. |
| being safe. They also offer semi-reliable transport and | | | | Volunteers can join a number of local projects geared |
| healthcare systems. | | | | towards the preservation and rehabilitation of wildlife, |
| Endsleigh, a leading provider of gap year travel | | | | or get involved in volunteer teaching programmes. |
| insurance in the UK, provides a brief outline of each | | | | South Africa |
| country on the list: | | | | South Africa has a memorable experience in store |
| India | | | | for every traveller. The 'rainbow nation' is hosting the |
| Intense, noisy, spiritual - and cheap. The bustle and | | | | World Cup this year and is now more ready than |
| beauty of the Indian subcontinent attracts thousands | | | | ever to provide a warm welcome to international |
| of visitors every year. The country is a Mecca for | | | | visitors. Climb the iconic Table Mountain, visit the |
| celebrities, spiritual pilgrims and yoga fanatics alike. | | | | popular Kruger Park or dive with sharks off the |
| Whether you choose to attend a silent retreat or | | | | warm coast of Durban. Help out while you travel by |
| volunteer at local hospitals, orphanages or old age | | | | joining a volunteer group to teach disadvantaged |
| homes, India holds a rewarding experience for young | | | | children to surf, or why rehabilitate rescued lion cubs? |
| and old. From the cold Himalayas in the north east to | | | | China |
| the vibrant party beaches of Goa in the south, India | | | | China is undeniably huge. The country boasts areas of |
| has something for everyone. | | | | remote and wild beauty, bustling cities and an |
| Peru | | | | expansive coastline. From the ancient city of Beijing |
| Peru is home to a number of the world's greatest | | | | to the modern mayhem of Shanghai, China offers |
| archaeological treasures. No visit to the country | | | | the famous Great Wall, iconic rice paddies and |
| would be complete without a trip to Machu Picchu. | | | | internationally popular cuisine as draw cards. Visitors |
| Trek the Inca Trail to reach the most famous 'lost | | | | can volunteer to teach English, get firsthand |
| city' in South America, or take an easier route to the | | | | experience in Chinese traditional medicine or get |
| city of Cusco, the former capital city of the Incan | | | | involved in Panda bear conservation. In fact, it will be |
| Empire. Learn Spanish, volunteer on a river turtle | | | | hard enough to choose which city to fly to, let alone |
| conservation project based in the Amazon or | | | | define an itinerary. |