Rustic Pathways Reviews

Our daughter had a blast in Tanzania! She just returned home late last night, and has lots of adventures to share with our family. She has a sincere appreciation of the little things, like electricity, hot and cold running water and a toilet in our house. What an experience for 17 days...with bucket showers, squatty potties and all the new and exciting foods she tried and enjoyed.

Our children have travelled to Thailand, Costa Rica, Tanzania, and off to the Dominican Republic in August, all with Rustic Pathways. We love Rustic Pathways, from our Travel Consultant, Carrina C. to all the exciting adventures that they will remember and enjoy for an entire lifetime.

We would recommend Rustic Pathways for all of your future trips, you will be so happy you chose this organization for your students.

The first year of high school took a bit of a toll on our 15 year old and the confident, happy-go-lucky middle schooler we knew was hard to find by the end of the school year. Her Rustic Pathways trip to the Australian outback was just what she needed. Going on her own, for the first time, on the other side of the world without knowing anyone was a little daunting at first. What she found was a fantastic group of peers and inspiring group leaders that offered a unique opportunity to establish new bonds, regain her free spirit, put life into context, challenge herself in so many ways, build confidence and self-esteem and so much more. She came back full of positive energy and love for herself and the world around her and told us it was "the best two weeks of her life." We could not be happier. Thank you, Rustic Pathways!

I left for Thailand with a duffel bag of clothing and return plane ticket for a week later. When I arrived at the Ricefields Base, I knew that neither one of those was going to be enough. I set aside some money for laundry, and called my mom to let her know that I needed to be in Thailand for not one week, but two.
I made that call to my mom only 3 days after I got to Ricefields. In just 3 days, I had fallen in love with the Base, with my new friends, with the entire rustic staff, and of course, with Thailand. After we set up my extension, I was off to Bangkok on a side trip with some of my new friends. Little did I know, that side trip would bring me so close to them that I would be buying plane tickets to New York to visit them when I got home. When I parted ways with my friends in the Bangkok airport, I cried until after I got on the plane alone. Then I opened up my envelope of notes that they had written to me the night before and cried again. Sincerest apologies to the flight attendant that had to keep bringing me tissues.
I only spent 2 weeks in Thailand, but it felt like 3 months, and honestly, it wasn't quite long enough. I completed 4 different community service projects, and received my Wilderness First Aid Certification, and I still feel like there's more that I could have done.
In the end, it's good to be home and eating something other than the amazing Thai food from base (a white girl misses her Starbucks!), but next summer, my friends from Bangkok and I will be running wild in Cuba, making more memories together, and falling in love with Rustic Pathways just a little bit more.

I extremely enjoyed my time in Costa Rica on this trip. I loved the service that we did and the locals that we worked with. It was especially empowering when you got to see a project from start to finish. Adventure activites like zip lining and rafting were also a blast. I will say that it is the rainy season, so be prepared to get wet and maybe muddy. I suggest bringing closed toe shoes that aren't brand new, maybe rain boots? And be prepared to eat lots of rice and beans at every meal. I loved every experience I encountered on this trip because it was the perfect balance between adventure and service, I highly recommend it for anyone.

My daughter just returned from her RP Costa Rica Summer Camp trip for two weeks. I can say without a doubt this company took excellent care of my child. We were supported effortlessly prior to the trip and updated during the trip. Her travel adviser was always available to me. All of the accommodations were nice and clean and safe. Airport travel was well coordinated. All of the activities were well planned and very fun!!! She loved them!!! Plenty of food, and time for friend bonding. The time with the children in the summer camp was life changing. I can certainly recommend this organization.

My son had so much fun and he learned so much. He matured and grew in his confidence so much. This company kept in touch and even sent a few pics to let me know how the trip was going. They were so helpful and I felt my son was safe the whole time. He will definitely be returning.

Our daughter is 14, a rising 9th grader, and just completed the Seven Wonders of Austalia program with Rustic Pathways. She had the most incredible experience. Every place they stayed was rated number 1 or 2 on Trip Advisor (with exception of the base camp). The staff was energetic, fun and caring. The community service work was both inspiring and humbling. They program itself was top-notch. She loved the program, the people and the staff...she made so many new friends and they all became very close. It was a great group of kids and they all got along so well together. She went knowing only one person and came back having made thirteen lifelong friends. I can't say enough good things about the program and how organized they were- from meeting her at the airport, to activities, experiences, group activities, dining, etc and it was very safe. They were well cared for & looked after the entire time. I highly recommend Rustic Parhways and the Seven Wonders of Australia. It was an amazing experience that will forever change and shape who our daughter is.

My 14 year old son went to Peru on his first Rustic Pathways trip. He had a great time, and learned a lot both about his own independence and about helping others. As soon as he got home, he started talking about what trip he wants to go on next year. Overall, a great experience.

Peru was absolutely phenomenal. For our service we were working on a clean water project that will eventually benefit over 1,000 individuals around the area. My group was the inaugural group, so our job was digging the lines that another group would later come through and insert the pipes. Working alongside the locals was an amazing experience you don't get to try anywhere else. The Peruvians were so hardworking and grateful for our hard work as well.

I decided early in my sophomore year that I would spend a part of my summer in a different country helping people I didn't know. I chose to go to Costa Rica on the Heart of the Jungle trip, alone. The idea was daunting and I spent the rest of the year mildly freaking out about the decision I had made. When I got to Costa Rica I instantly made three friends who I know will be in my life for a long time. The trip was good for me because it mixed service, which I was pretty excited about, and adventure, which I was very excited for. My leaders were nice, but one stood out above all. If you ever get to go on a trip with Katherine, you'll know instantaneously that she's the kind of person you want to be around. She's super upbeat and funny and I was lucky to have spent two weeks with her leading me through this beautiful country. If you're considering this program, I would highly recommend it and if you choose it, I'm positive you'll have an amazing time!