Adventure & Expedition · Ages 14–18 · 2027
Rustic Pathways Adventure & Expedition Student Travel Programs are supervised 8- to 23-day trips for students ages 14 to 18. Activities include hiking, snorkeling, surfing, rafting, rock climbing, zip lining, and biking.
Choose from 11 programs in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Fiji, Peru, Thailand, Hawaii, Bali, and Germany and Austria. 2027 Adventure & Expedition program tuition ranges from $1,995 to $6,995, excluding flights to and from the program, and most itineraries include a service component.
From $1,995 Program Tuition12 programs · 8–23 days
See programs
Community service in the Caribbean
Flights to and from the program aren't included.
Flight options include: Chaperoned Group Flight, Independent Flight with Support, or Self-Managed Airfare. You'll choose with your advisor after enrolling.
Island splendor and eco-service
Flights to and from the program aren't included.
Flight options include: Chaperoned Group Flight, Independent Flight with Support, or Self-Managed Airfare. You'll choose with your advisor after enrolling.
Fieldwork to save sea turtles
Flights to and from the program aren't included.
Flight options include: Chaperoned Group Flight, Independent Flight with Support, or Self-Managed Airfare. You'll choose with your advisor after enrolling.
Perfect start to service adventures
Flights to and from the program aren't included.
Flight options include: Chaperoned Group Flight, Independent Flight with Support, or Self-Managed Airfare. You'll choose with your advisor after enrolling.
Village service and island life
Flights to and from the program aren't included.
Flight options include: Chaperoned Group Flight, Independent Flight with Support, or Self-Managed Airfare. You'll choose with your advisor after enrolling.
Temples, beaches & elephants
Flights to and from the program aren't included.
Flight options include: Chaperoned Group Flight, Independent Flight with Support, or Self-Managed Airfare. You'll choose with your advisor after enrolling.
Adventure and outdoor sports in the Alps
Flights to and from the program aren't included.
Flight options include: Chaperoned Group Flight, Independent Flight with Support, or Self-Managed Airfare. You'll choose with your advisor after enrolling.
Remote village service expedition
Flights to and from the program aren't included.
Flight options include: Chaperoned Group Flight, Independent Flight with Support, or Self-Managed Airfare. You'll choose with your advisor after enrolling.
Village life, temples and a volcano climb
Flights to and from the program aren't included.
Flight options include: Chaperoned Group Flight, Independent Flight with Support, or Self-Managed Airfare. You'll choose with your advisor after enrolling.
Catch waves and make an impact
Flights to and from the program aren't included.
Flight options include: Chaperoned Group Flight, Independent Flight with Support, or Self-Managed Airfare. You'll choose with your advisor after enrolling.
Culture, cities and coast: Portugal & Spain
Flights to and from the program aren't included.
Flight options include: Chaperoned Group Flight, Independent Flight with Support, or Self-Managed Airfare. You'll choose with your advisor after enrolling.
Service and immersion in the Andes
Flights to and from the program aren't included.
Flight options include: Chaperoned Group Flight, Independent Flight with Support, or Self-Managed Airfare. You'll choose with your advisor after enrolling.
Compare all 11 of Rustic Pathways’ 2027 adventure student travel programs by their primary activities, service commitment, duration, and tuition.
| Program and what students do | Days | Service hours | Program Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dominican Republic: Beachside ServiceSurf at Playa El Encuentro, snorkel in Sosúa Bay, and visit Isabel de Torres National Park. | 8 | 15 | $1,995 |
| Costa Rica: Pura Vida ServiceRaft the Sarapiquí River, zip line through the rainforest, and maintain trails near Arenal Volcano. | 8 | 16 | $2,495 |
| Costa Rica: Turtle Conservation ProjectComplete nighttime sea turtle patrols, take surf lessons, and go snorkeling. | 8 | 26 | $2,895 |
| Hawaii: Surf, Snorkel, and ServiceSurf on the Kona coast, snorkel from a catamaran, and stargaze from Mauna Kea. | 8 | 12 | $3,395 |
| Costa Rica: Surf and ServiceLearn to surf at Playa Avellanas, zip line through the rainforest, and complete beach cleanups. | 8 | 12 | $3,495 |
| Bali: Culture and AdventureStay a night with a Balinese host family, climb Mount Batur before sunrise, raft the Ayung River and snorkel near Padang Bai. | 10 | — | $2,195 |
| Germany & Austria: Alpine AdventureHike the Bavarian Alps, raft the Saalach River, climb a via ferrata, and complete a day of trail service. | 10 | — | $4,450 |
| Peru: Sacred Valley ServiceVisit Machu Picchu and go mountain biking, paddleboarding, and zip lining in the Sacred Valley. | 12 | 20 | $4,195 |
| Portugal & Spain: Culture & CoastTake a surf lesson near Lisbon, spend a boat day on the Arrábida coast, explore Barcelona and hike to Tossa de Mar. | 12 | — | $5,395 |
| Fiji: Sun, Sand, and Island ServiceHike the Sigatoka Sand Dunes, snorkel during coral conservation work, and travel to the Yasawa Islands. | 16 | 45 | $3,995 |
| Thailand AdventurerRock climb in Krabi, raft the Mae Taeng River, swim at the Sticky Waterfall, and snorkel from a longtail boat. | 16 | 8 | $5,495 |
| Thailand: Come With NothingRaft the Mae Taeng River, train in Muay Thai, and complete infrastructure projects in northern Thailand. | 23 | 60 | $6,995 |
Sorted by length, then Program Tuition. Program Tuition excludes flights to and from the program and the enrollment fee. A dash means the program page does not list a service-hour total.
Compare surfing, snorkeling, rock climbing and alpine via ferrata.
Water programs involve swimming; Peru adds altitude.
Check each program’s fitness and participation requirements.
Nine programs list 8 to 60 service hours.
Bali, Germany & Austria and Portugal & Spain don’t list service hours.
Programs run 8 to 23 days; five last eight days.
Come With Nothing is longest at 23 days.
Program Tuition includes accommodation, scheduled meals, program transport and activities, gratuities and donations.
See the full guide to what is included and not included in Rustic Pathways programs.
After the program, students take over the Rustic Pathways Instagram with their own photos and stories. Here are three from adventure & expedition programs in summer 2025 and 2026.
“Surfing at Avellanas every day was so amazing.” Isabelle B., on Instagram
“Hi! My name is Isabelle and I went on the Costa Rica Surf and Service trip! This trip was 100% my favorite trip i’ve ever been on.
I was so nervous about meeting new people at first but I gained amazing new friends who I can’t wait to visit! From smoothie runs after surfing to the catamaran was all so so fun!
Surfing at Avellanas every day was so amazing. The beach is incredible and the instructors were always willing to help and were so kind!
For service, we cleaned up trash at a nearby soccer field. Although we didn’t have much time to help, knowing that kids will now have somewhere cleaner and safer to play makes the experience so meaningful.
Overall, I learned and gained so much more from this trip than I had going into it. Thank you to the Program Leaders, surf instructors, chefs, Clean Wave, and new friends for making this such a memorable trip!!
Pura Vida ☀️🌺”
Isabelle B., Costa Rica: Surf and Service, summer 2026
“Some of my favorite memories were pool nights, beach days, long bus rides, sunrise yoga, and interacting with Dominican kids.” Samantha M., on Instagram
“Hi! My name is [Samantha M.], and I went on the Dominican Republic: Beachside Service Rustic Pathways trip this summer!
I cannot express how grateful I am to have had the opportunity to go on this once in a lifetime adventure! This trip will stay with me forever. All the memories, amazing friends I’ve made, the perfect leaders (Tara, Gipsy, Kenzie), and welcoming locals.
We spent time helping Dominican communities as well as surfing, snorkeling, shopping, and so much more. Some of my favorite memories were pool nights, beach days, long bus rides, sunrise yoga, and interacting with Dominican kids.
I strongly suggest this trip to anyone looking to create lasting, unforgettable memories.”
Samantha M., Dominican Republic: Beachside Service, summer 2025
“I gained so much independence—and had an absolute blast along the way.” Riya P., on Instagram
“Hi! My name is [Riya P.], and this summer I joined the Thailand Adventurer program with Rustic Pathways. I don’t think it’s possible to fully express how incredible this trip was!
Exploring the most beautiful parts of Thailand, meeting amazing new people, and immersing myself in the local culture was truly unforgettable. I gained so much independence—and had an absolute blast along the way.
I already miss the friends I made from all over the world, our endless inside jokes, $3 massages, spontaneous adventures, and (of course) my favorite part… seeing ELEPHANTS!!!
Thank you so much, @rusticpathways, for giving me an experience I’ll cherish forever!”
Riya P., Thailand Adventurer, summer 2025
Tell us a little about your teen and our admissions team will email you two or three adventure & expedition programs that fit, with dates.
Scott IngramDirector of Admissions
Prefer to talk now? Call +1 (440) 975-9691.
Our admissions team will reply to . In the meantime, you can browse the programs.
Adventure and expedition programs include surfing, snorkeling, hiking, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, zip lining, biking, wildlife monitoring and marine conservation. Activities vary by program.
Adventure and expedition programs have itinerary-specific requirements for swimming, mobility, fitness and certain activities. Check each program page for applicable requirements.
Rustic Pathways manages safety during adventure activities through trained Program Leaders and carefully vetted third-party providers. Program Leaders supervise students, while specialists lead technical activities. Rustic Pathways staff members completed Viristar’s month-long Risk Management for Outdoor Programs certification course. Read our safety information.
Yes, Rustic Pathways publishes quarterly safety reports documenting reported medical and behavioral incidents.
Adventure Student Travel Programs cost $1,995–$6,995 in Program Tuition for 2027. See what tuition includes for details.
Yes, 9 of the 12 adventure and expedition programs include community service or conservation components. Bali: Culture and Adventure, Germany & Austria: Alpine Adventure and Portugal & Spain: Culture & Coast do not list service-hour totals.
Adventure and expedition programs last 8–23 days. Five programs run for 8 days, while Thailand: Come With Nothing is the longest at 23 days.
12 adventure & expedition programs with 2027 dates.
See all 12 programs
