A collection of Peruvian quirks and attractions from A to Z to give you a window into life in Peru.... Alpaca. Alpaca everything, everywhere. Alpaca socks? You bet. Alpaca leggings? Of course. Alpaca steak? Even better. A common cuisine in the High Andes, alpaca is similar to buffalo in taste. Backpacking. A backpacker’s destination, Peru…
Rustic Pathways supports sustainable development. We work with community partners to develop projects that address important social, health, and environmental needs, enabling our students to take a hands-on role in creating change. If you are traveling with us this summer, we ask that you do not bring general donations for the communities you are visiting…
Being rustic is being your authentic self, putting cliques and stereotypes aside, trying new foods (and toilets!), and having an absolute blast while doing so. Being rustic is not being afraid to get dirty. It’s laughing until your face hurts. It’s putting down your phone and taking in the most stunning views with a mental…
Aam: The Hindi word for mango—also called the “King of Fruits.” Summer is mango season, bringing with it roadside stands overflowing with these sweet, juicy delights and offering fresh juice to beat the grueling heat. Bollywood: It may be named after America’s Hollywood, but Indian cinema has been around since 1913 and has its own…
Avocado: Thought you’d miss creamy avocados and guacamole while traveling in East Africa? Think again. Tanzanian avocados are delicious and abundant. Occasionally, trees drop avocados to the unsuspecting passerby below, so be ready with the rest of your picnic! Bantu People: Long ago, the Bantu people were a homogenous group; however, now the label encompasses millions…
The holidays are quickly approaching, and if you're not done with your holiday shopping, you certainly aren't alone. But don’t panic—we have all the travelers on your list covered. Be a gift-giving hero this year with a curated list from Rustic staff with gift ideas from their own holiday wish lists. Day Packs These smaller…
It's been a month since our 2015 programs wrapped and we are still going through the thousands of images our photographer guides shot over the course of the summer. While we can't officially say these are the absolute best photos of the summer since there are still plenty to go through, these pictures are too good…
Please put your phone away. Your program leaders are going to tell you this on your program, not because they want to be controlling, but because they want you to fully experience and appreciate your Rustic adventure. The spectacular sunset over the highlands of Fiji is not going to wait while you post on Instagram,…
Even though summer trips don’t depart for another 200 days or so, it isn’t too early to get excited and start collecting the things you’ll need for your program, especially with the holidays around the corner. Travelers, show this list to relatives and friends who are looking for birthday or holiday gift ideas. This is…
Travel changes everything. It changes you. The things you see, the stories you hear, and the moments you experience, they change something deep inside of you. You can’t quite pinpoint what it is, but you know it’s there, because after you return home you see, feel, and think about things differently. There’s something beautiful, magical…
As director of community service for Rustic Pathways, I am passionate about working with our local partners to develop sustainable initiatives that have a positive impact for both the community and our students. I am proud to have the opportunity to provide inspiring experiences for our students, to challenge their perception of the world, to…