Pacific Discovery ~ Insightful Small Group Adventures

Pacific Discovery Experiential Programs ~ combining study abroad, adventure travel, cultural immersion and volunteering.

If you have a thirst for adventure, to explore places you've only dreamt of, learning through real-life experience and making friends for life, then join us...

We offer unique experiential travel programs to the most exciting places on earth, carefully blending adventure, cultural immersion, eco-tourism ideals, personal and leadership development, study abroad opportunities and bundles of fun!

The option to combine one of our programs with US college credit gives you an unbeatable travel studyabroad or gap year experience.

Since its inception, in 2001, Pacific Discovery has taken over 700 students and graduates on our unique experiential travel studyabroad programs, utilizing a staff of experienced and qualified leaders and faculty.

“I hate feeling like a tourist and being that person who just comes to look and take pictures. With Pacific Discovery I really did feel like a 'traveler'.”

K Gaiz, 2007

	Southeast Asia Program ~ Fall Semester (Sept-Nov) or Spring Semester (Jan-Mar): Registration open for 2009 This program travels overland through the diverse and friendly Buddhist countries of Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia, offering fascinating history, welcoming peoples, dramatic landscapes, incredible adventures and cultural insights. The program has a strong experiential education component, comprising hands-on volunteer work, opportunities for meaningful connections with local people, pushing personal boundaries, and gaining knowledge of Southeast Asia’s history, societies and environments, facilitated by our knowledgeable trip leaders. This is an excellent study abroad or gap year option for students wanting to be exposed to and immersed in cultures radically different to their own.
	New Zealand Australia Semester Program (Jan-Mar): Registration Open for 2009 Escape winter and enjoy an amazing summer ‘down under’ on our experiential travel-study program which includes: three week-long volunteer conservation projects in different areas of New Zealand; four multi-day outdoor expeditions including a four-day surfing camp, a five-day canoeing journey, a three-day backpacking trip and a five-day multisport journey; and overland travel through New Zealand and Australia’s stunning mountain, forest and beach environments, engaging in a number of activities from sea kayaking on spectacular Milford Sound, to the annual Waitangi Day concert in Wellington celebrating cultural unity; from evenings around the campfire, to swimming in crystal clear lakes and rivers.
	New Zealand Volunteer Conservation Summer Program (July): Registration Open for 2009 Get out of school, quit the summer job and head away for four weeks of adventure ‘downunder’. First up, you’ll do two weeks of hands-on conservation volunteering in some of the New Zealand’s most interesting national parks and wildlife reserves. Then road-trip through the North Island experiencing culture, welcoming hospitality and unique adventures amidst spectacular landscapes and wide open spaces.
	Peru Summer Program (July): Registration open for 2009 This summer program enables you to experience Peru's incredible cultural, social and environmental diversity. We immerse ourselves in Spanish language, home-stay with local families, walk the spectacular Inca Trail to Machu Pichu, raft the headwaters of the Amazon on the thrilling Apurimac River, explore Mediterranean-like islands at 12,000ft on Lake Titicaca, wander the ancient cobbled stones streets, plazas and markets of Cusco and Arequipa, and trek a challenging route through the spectacular Colca Canyon.
	Vietnam Volunteer Conservation Summer Program (July): Registration open for 2009 Vietnam is an exciting, vibrant country of some 90 million people from 54 different ethnicities. The country was closed to foreign tourists until the 1990s and the people have retained their unique traditions. Whilst a communist country, with the painful scars of war in its recent past, the Vietnamese harbour Westerners no ill feelings. Vietnam has stunning natural landscapes and a fascinating society and culture. Remnants of French colonialism are still observed through architecture, food, tree-lined boulevards and a thriving cafe culture. Joining this trip, you will gain first hand insights into the heart of Vietnam, past and present.

How To Join Our Programs

Our programs are open to anyone aged 18-30 years old from anywhere in the world, students and non-students. 90% of participants are either US university students or recent graduates but we have had participants from Canada, England, Japan, The Netherlands, Norway, Hong Kong and Australia.

We fill programs on a first to register basis. We believe in making our programs accessible to anyone. Therefore we have no minimum GPA requirements etc. To register, simply complete the online booking form and you will receive confirmation of your enrollment.

Pacific Discovery takes a 'challenge by choice' approach to the adventure components of our programs. We have had people from all levels of fitness and experience on our programs, and whilst our activities/instruction is aimed at the novice/beginner level, we are able to facilitate more challenge for people who are experienced in a particular discipline. Generally participants do need to have fitness at a level that they are able to comfortably walk for 2-3 hours with a daypack.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you have about our student programs but please check out our FAQ section first.

I just wanted to thank you guys for offering such a fantastic program. This trip has really been amazing! I feel it has really exposed me to so many things and provided me with so much experiences and memories to last a lifetime. Thank you so much.
L Chan 2007

This program exceeded all expectations, I am so thrilled to be able to walk away from that experience and have those memories. My overall trip experience was...incredible, educational, empowering, moving, Insightful, exhausting and wonderfully beautiful.

This trip was the best decision I have ever made, not only did I gain eight new friends, I walked away with a better understanding of cultures I knew nothing about, and overcame fears by facing real life obstacles. It was by far the most eye opening experience I have ever done and I would recommend it to anyone.
K McCracken 2007

I can honestly say that it was the best vacation I ever had, and one of the best experiences of my life. I'm actually surprised by the quality of the trip that Pacific Discovery put together. I never expected how much I would get out of this vacation. I think I especially enjoyed how non-touristy it was! A lot of people in my group expressed this same sentiment - that we never felt like a tourist while we was there. We felt totally immersed in the environment and the culture, which, in my opinion, is why Pacific Discovery is such an exceptional and successful organization. They really do care about providing a quality, safe, and enjoyable atmosphere for their clients. I never once got the feeling that I was being ripped off or that they're inflating their rates to make more money. They genuinely love what they do, and their main goal is to share the incredible places they've been with other people. I also like how they're small, and casual and friendly. I always felt comfortable contacting them with questions, and there isn't a sort of "faceless corporation" atmosphere, which I find off-putting. I fully intend to recommend them to my friends and family, as well as travel on further trips with them.
M Robinson, 2007

Patrick wonders where he is - Ban Khone Kham village...somewhere in Laos.

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“It was the best 2 months of my life!“
Courtney Roth 2005

“It was incredible and it will forever impact me and my experiences
in life.“
Micah Fletcher 2005

“Everything we did was more meaningful than I had anticipated and every experience I had felt richer and more significant.”
E Laird 2006

“Being with this group of people in these amazing countries has opened my eyes to the world. My perspective has broadened, my heart has opened, and my limits have been tested. I will never forget this experience!“
L Gipson 2006

“It was better than anything I could have imagined. People were nicer, our accommodations were better, the activities were more fun, and everything surpassed all of my expectations. As cool as everything sounded in the brochure when we actually got to doing it was just amazing.“
M Blyth 2003