Design the Perfect Custom Group Travel Program for Your Students Creating your perfect private group travel experience doesn’t have to be a challenge. The perfect itinerary is not the one that works on paper or checks all of the boxes, but the one that takes your students or group on an unforgettable journey. We help both small groups and entire schoolwide groups make tailor-made trips with competitive pricing and your personal touch. Think of your Rustic Pathways Program Coordinator (PC) as a travel concierge who will help you identify the right type of program and destination, connect you with our country teams to customize the experience for your students, and provide the pre-trip support you’ll need to promote, recruit, and enroll students in your program. Your PC will be with you every step of the way. We’ll help make your trip vision a reality, matching your curriculum, your students, and your vision. Start Your Program Assessment
Rustic Programs are Designed to Align With: The mission and values of your school Your vision and purpose for traveling with students Your school’s curriculum, including International Baccalaureate Middle Years and Diploma programs incorporating meaningful and impactful CAS experiences Coursework or a specific content area, including Advanced Placement or Honors programs Your school’s service-learning goals or external programs like Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Program
What You Need to Prepare for Custom Group Travel Component Travel with Rustic Pathways Do it Yourself Itinerary Creation ✓ ✗ Safety and Risk Management Planning ✓ ✗ Local Connections ✓ ✗ Marketing Materials ✓ ✗ Parent/Teacher Info Meetings ✓ ✗ Budget Planning and Support ✓ ✗ Native Language Speakers and Guides ✓ ✗ In Country Support ✓ ✗ Updates to parents and Administrators ✓ ✗ 24/7 support ✓ ✗ Debriefing activities/ Group Discussion ✓ ✗ Post Trip Debrief ✓ ✗ Student Impact Measurement ✓ ✗ Passports and Visas ✓ ✗ Booking Accommodation and Carefully Selected Hotels ✓ ✗ Arrange All Meals and Activities ✓ ✗ Land Transportation ✓ ✗ Airport Arrivals and Departures ✓ ✗ Travel Insurance ✓ ✗ Travel Documents Assistance ✓ ✗ Group Leader/Tour Leader & Local Staff ✓ ✗
Take Our Program Finder Quiz to Get Started on Building Your Group Trip Find Your Perfect Program Take our 30-second quiz to discover ideal Rustic Pathways trips for you. START QUIZ
How to Get Started Planning Your Private Group Travel Step 1: Partner with your Rustic Program Coordinator Connect to discuss program options and customization. Receive custom program proposals within a few days. Work with your PC to adjust the itinerary to meet your needs. Get classroom activities and other lessons to help prepare students for their program.
Step 2: Recruit students to join your program (but we’ll do most of the work!) Receive a custom program webpage, posters, flyers, email templates, and other materials to distribute to students and their families. Encourage students and their parents to attend an information night in your school community, hosted by Rustic—we’ll provide recruitment resources. Get full support from our administrative team for student enrollment, flight booking, and payment assistance.
Step 3: Travel on the Adventure of a Lifetime! Arrive in country, meet your Program Leaders, immerse in local culture, participate in meaningful service, make new friends, and create lasting memories. Process experiences during and after your trip through guided discussions and reflection activities facilitated by trained Program Leaders. Apply those lessons to the classroom with educational resources to support student projects and classroom activities. Get Started
How Pasadena Waldorf School Brought Biology to Life in Costa Rica Curriculum Alignment: The itinerary was designed with the teacher to cover core topics like evolution and zoology. Hands-on Learning: Students engaged in field research, wildlife observation, and meaningful conservation work. Real-World Impact: Students developed a deeper understanding of biology concepts and lasting excitement for science. Rustic Pathways turned my classroom curriculum into a living, breathing experience. Our students got to study evolution, ecology, and conservation first hand. It’s something textbooks just can’t match. Bas van Schooten, Biology Teacher Pasadena Waldorf School, Altadena, California Read the full case study