Filtered: Exploring Travel Programs for Animal Lovers

At Rustic Pathways, we believe one of the best ways to give back is to help a country’s native species thrive. Many Rustic programs focus on conservation efforts around the world, such as helping protect Costa Rican turtles, nursing baby kangaroos in Australia, or volunteering at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand,

In addition to learning about new cultures and creating lasting friendships,  Rustic students have been spending the past few months observing and interacting with wildlife all over the world! Take a moment to check out some of our favorite zoological moments.

Even as we enter the last month of summer, keep including #sorustic on all your Instagram photos (this week’s winning photo of Kuang Si Falls in Laos took our breath away). We’re still running our photo contest so don’t miss out on weekly prizes  and a free trip. We’ll also consider including your photo on our blog.

1. Mia Bilezikian, student | Norwell, Massachusetts
Epic Outback

Feed the ‘roos ! #sorustic

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2. Josué Goméz, Program Leader | Costa Rica

Little soldiers ? #rpstafftravels#sorustic

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3. Emily Pickett, Program Leader | Australia

Started off the day with Koala cuddles ?? Super cheesy grin because I’ve never held a koala before and it was awesome and I got to smell like Nitro (a mixture of eucalyptus and pee) for the rest of the day ?
#KoalatyTime #australia #explore #exploreaustralia#happydays #rusticpathways#rpstafftravels #getout #getoutside#explore #koala #koalas #australia#happydays #sunshinecoast #sorustic

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4. Nik Boulanger, student | Hollywood, Florida
Southeast Asian Adventurer

Swimmin w da fishies #sorustic #rpthailand

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5. Ben Parker, student | New York, New York
Advanced Photography Workshop in Morocco
#sorustic

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6. Danielle Moffat, student | Palos Verdes, California
Thai Elephant Conservation Project

This is Pang Jan Daeng her name translates to “red moon” in English. I took care of her while I was in Thailand and here is her story: Elephants are pregnant for approx. 2 years and my elephant had a miscarriage days before she was supposed to give birth… ever since she has become depressed and the rest of the pack does not go around her anymore (including her 2 older sisters), so, she is always by herself. However, now she becomes closer with humans instead and even cried when I had to leave… she now loves to visit the baby elephant sanctuary and tries to run over whenever she hears them too. I miss her so much and definitely plan to visit again soon ??#sorustic

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8. Piper Brooks, student | San Francisco, California
Marine Life and Coastal Restoration

Paradise found #savethereefs #sorustic

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8. Alex Biddle, Program Leader | Dominican Republic

HOLY COW ?
life is beautiful.

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9. Chloe Singer, student | Newton, Massachusetts
Heart of the Jungle

Saw this little sloth in the street on the way from Uvita to San Jose!!! #sorustic #justcostaricathings

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10. Margarita Matta, student | Austin, Texas
Lake Titicaca Service Adventure

llama mamas #sorustic

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Click below to review all Rustic pathways spring break and summer travel programs for high school students.