Our programs are based on the concept of experiential education, and blend cultural immersion, personal and leadership development, volunteer and community service projects, ecotourism and sustainability focus.
They provide opportunities for meaningful connections with local people, pushing personal boundaries, and gaining knowledge of a country or region’s history, societies and environments, facilitated by our knowledgeable program leaders.
If you are looking for an experience that challenges you, broadens your horizons, and merges cultural insights and environmental sensitivity with fun and adventure – come and explore with us!
Our educational travel programs are suitable for high school graduates, gap year students, college students and graduates, ideally 18-24 years. Optional transferable academic credit is available on all programs.
We offer summer programs in: Thailand, Hawaii, West USA Ecuador & Galapagos, and Peru.
This four week summer program offers you an enriching and inspiring experience in Costa Rica. During the four weeks you will get to experience trekking the rim of volcanoes in a National Park, walking through clouds in the world renowned Cloud Forest, exploring coffee plantations and an overnight trek around the Osa Peninsula. After these first two weeks of nature- based learning, you will be involved with a week long service learning project at the Costa Rica Animal Rescue Center. Here, you will get to provide service for those animals who are impacted by the illegal animal trade. After a week of hard work and animal snuggles, head over to Jaco beach where you will get to try your hand at surfing. This is no ordinary surf camp though; you will get one on one coaching with video analysis of how to improve your riding! This journey will end on the idyllic white sands of Esterillos where you will have your program wrap and heartfelt goodbye with group members.
Immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture. Discover Hawaii’s fascinating ocean and mountain landscape and explore incredible jungle, volcanoes, and beaches. Gain skills with lessons in sustainability, conservation, and the environment as well as hiking, surfing, and snorkelling. Join us for a journey in Hawaii, and a pivotal Summer of exploration.
Immerse yourself in Alaskan culture. Discover Alaska’s mountain landscape and explore incredible wildlife parks and preserves. Gain skills with lessons in sustainability, conservation, and the environment as well as hiking, dog sledding, rafting, and kayaking.
Alaska is by far the largest U.S. state by area, comprising more total landmass than the next three largest states of Texas, California, and Montana combined. Its mountainous and wilderness landscape makes it a popular destination for hikers and wildlife enthusiasts. Close to two dozen native languages are spoken here, with the indigenous population the highest of any U.S. state at over 15 percent. Our journey will have us learning about the cultures and history of Alaska, alongside all the incredible species that now call this epic landscape their home. Who doesn’t love a fluffy husky?!
An awe-inspiring month in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands! Get involved in a community-initiated service learning project and immerse yourself in life in an Andean village. Hike, bike and zip-line through the Andes and raft in the Amazon Basin. Follow in Darwin’s footsteps island-hopping through the Galapagos and having amazing wildlife encounters.
Experience an enriching month in Thailand with one week of volunteer service-learning and three weeks of amazing educational adventure travel. Immerse yourself in elephant conservation volunteering at the award-winning Elephant Nature Foundation. Discover Thailand’s fascinating cities and culture. Explore incredible jungle, islands and beaches. Gain skills with lessons in Buddhist meditation, Thai cooking, yoga, Muay Thai, rock climbing, caving, hiking, and snorkeling. Join us on a journey through Thailand and a pivotal summer abroad.
Immerse yourself in Spanish and experience Peru’s incredible cultural and environmental diversity. This program combines a week of conservation focused service-learning and three weeks of amazing educational adventure travel - you'll trek an Inca trail to Machu Picchu, explore the Amazon while on expedition in the Manu Biosphere Reserve, connect with the rhythms of rural life during a community stay on the shores of Lake Titicaca, wander ancient plazas and markets in Cusco and Arequipa, visit the mysterious Nazca Lines, and try sandboarding at Huacachina.
The United States is, in many ways, a country unlike any other, and this experiential travel program offers an amazing immersion into the mountains and deserts of its majestic wild west.
It combines wilderness projects in diverse reserves; outdoor expeditions including backpacking, kayaking, rock climbing, yoga and mountain biking; and educational adventure travel through the west's stunning mountain, forest and desert environments.
Facilitated by our supportive and experienced Program Instructors, this is an excellent opportunity for students wanting to develop personal and leadership skills, have new experiences and challenge themselves, be immersed in unique environments and learn about sustainability - not to mention, have an insane amount of fun!
The program is open to high school graduates, university students and graduates, ideally 18 – 24 years. Optional transferable academic credit is available to all participants.
While travelling domestically may look a little different from Pacific Discovery's other programs, our program design remains unchanged.
The Best of the West Summer program is a journey of discovery, where students are immersed in a facilitated learning environment, designed to maximize the educational and life-skills potential. Students are regularly encouraged to reflect and think about their values, goals, and what they wish to gain from the program experience and from their lives in general. It’s time to explore our own backyard, and there’s a lot of it!
This six-week mini semester program offers you an enriching and inspiring experience in Costa Rica. Welcome to one of the happiest countries on earth, perhaps stemming from the laid back Tico outlook combined with the incredible model of eco-stewardship Costa Rica boasts. During the six weeks you will get to experience hands-on animal conservation, permaculture, trekking through the epic Costa Rican rainforests, relaxing yoga and meditation, and endless beaches.
After a week of hard work and animal snuggles, head over to Jaco beach where you will get to try your hand at surfing. This is no ordinary surf camp though; you will get one on one coaching with video analysis of how to improve your riding! This journey will continue on to a permaculture campsite that we have known and loved for years, followed by a week of adventure in the Golfito area. Take a trip to the windswept and remote Cabo Natural Reserve to give a hand to a turtle or two before taking a much needed moment of decompression with a yoga and meditation retreat. You will move north from here to absorb yourself in neon green beauty to two unmissable rainforest areas.
The United States is, in many ways, a country unlike any other, and this experiential travel semester offers you enriching and insightful fusion of environmental service projects, cultural immersion, personal development, and, of course, the sun, sea, and sand!
This 6-week semester program offers you an enriching and inspiring experience in Hawaii. It combines service-learning and conservation projects with amazing educational adventure travel and heaps of fun in the sun and sea. Immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture and authentic outrigger canoe paddling. Discover Hawaii’s fascinating ocean and mountain landscape and explore incredible jungle, volcanoes, and beaches. Gain skills with lessons in sustainability, conservation, and the environment.
Facilitated by our supportive and experienced Program Instructors, this is an excellent opportunity for students wanting to develop personal and leadership skills, have new experiences and challenge themselves, be immersed in unique environments and learn about sustainability - not to mention, have an insane amount of fun!
