Expert-led middle school, high school, and college travel programs with 24/7 supervision and proven safety systems worldwide.
Rustic Pathways is a student travel company providing supervised teen travel programs that help students ages 12–22 build friendships, independence, global awareness, and leadership skills. Programs include teen tours with expert-led itineraries, educational travel designed around learning outcomes, service learning programs combining community impact with cultural immersion, and school group travel for 321+ institutional partners. Founded in 1983, Rustic Pathways has guided 155,829 students from 53 countries across 38 destinations worldwide.
Rustic Pathways programs are designed for middle school, high school, and college students from any country who want structured, educational international travel with strong supervision and support. Families from more than 53 countries choose Rustic Pathways for college preparation, leadership development, service learning, cultural immersion, and guided adventure travel.
For Summer 2026, families are choosing Costa Rica, Japan & Korea, and Greece Turtle Conservation most often; all are rated 4.9/5 or higher. Filter by interest or browse all programs below.
Explore Northern Italy’s historic centers before flying to the Greek island of Kefalonia, where students join sea-turtle conservation teams, experience local communities, and complete 25 hours of service.
Explore Tokyo through martial arts, matcha workshops, and modern tech culture before crossing the sea to Seoul for K-pop, street food, and cross-cultural experiences led by Rustic Pathways local experts.
Join conservation leaders on a Greek island to help protect endangered sea turtles while exploring coastal beaches and towns and experiencing traditional island culture.
Rustic Pathways programs are designed to accelerate personal growth, leadership, and global understanding, critical skills for college readiness.
Students navigate new environments and learn more about themselves and connect with a group of like minded global travelers. We can't promise you'll meet your college roommate, but many students do.
Rustic Pathways prioritizes deep interaction with local communities. Students learn to see the world from new perspectives, developing empathy and cross-cultural skills.
Rustic Pathways partnerships with Stanford and Boston College enhance programs to help teens display a global mindset and commitment to action.
Everything you need to choose the right trip from safety to flights to scholarships. Dive into the details below.
Match your interests and age to the perfect trip in 60 seconds. Take a 60-second quiz.
Start the Program Quiz →View available financial aid and scholarships awarded annually to make travel accessible. See travel scholarships.
Apply for scholarships →Secure chaperoned group flights from major US airports with staff support. See group flight options.
View flight pricing →Rustic Pathways 24/7 supervision, emergency protocols, and safety strategies. Review safety standards.
View Rustic Pathways safety protocols →Clear, step-by-step guides for passports, visas, and international travel requirements. Guides for passports & visas.
Passport & visa help →Explore semester and year-long adventures designed for travel before or during college. See gap year programs.
View Gap Year options →43 Years of Excellence • 155,829 Student Travelers • Travelers from 53 Countries
Skift says:
"Rustic Pathways designs each travel itinerary with precision, purpose, passion and adventure in order to transform the ordinary teen travel moments into extraordinary memories."
Wall Street Journal says:
"The real growth may be for the parents who let their kids go."
Rustic Pathways programs cost from USD $1,995, depending on the destination, season, and travel style (such as service-learning travel, adventure programs, or cultural immersion trips). Program tuition includes lodging, all meals, 24/7 supervision, in-country transportation, and scheduled youth travel experiences. Some programs include travel insurance during the program dates. Optional add-ons like extra nights or specialty excursions may increase the price.
⟡ Compare program pricing →
No, you do not have to be from the United States to travel with Rustic Pathways. Students from around the world join programs each year. All trips are led in English, and international students meet staff at the designated arrival airport.
Rustic Pathways offers youth travel programs for students ages 12–22, including middle school, high school, and college-age travelers. Each itinerary is mapped to a specific age band so students participate in activities suited to their interests, maturity, and physical ability. Parents can browse programs by grade level, interests, or travel style (service-learning, immersion, adventure).
⟡ See programs by age →
Absolutely. A large portion of Rustic Pathways students are first-time international travelers. Programs are designed with guided orientation, highly structured schedules, daily leader briefings, and cultural support. Destinations like Costa Rica, Fiji, and the Dominican Republic are especially popular for first-timers due to balanced adventure, comfort, and approachable cultural immersion.
⟡ Families often read next: How Rustic Pathways prepares students for their first international trip →
Rustic Pathways maintains a comprehensive safety and risk-management system built over 43 years of operating teen travel programs. Safety features include:
Safety features:
Rustic Pathways has served over 155,829 students from 53 countries with a 4.9/5 rating across destinations worldwide.
⟡ See full safety standards →
Yes. Rustic Pathways provides multiple scholarship options, including need-based awards, leadership scholarships, and social-impact funding. Applications often require short essays, references, and academic information. Submitting early improves the chance of consideration.
⟡ Apply for scholarships →
⟡ Families often read next: Fundraising ideas for student travel →
