Program Reviews

As a group leader with Walking Tree Travel and the Smithsonian Student Adventure, I can see the immense reward the students get from participating in our Service Adventure trips. The challenges build character and leadership skills, the beautiful landscapes instill gratitude and stewardship and the friendships create joy and confidence. Vacation is one thing and a student travel program with Smithsonian Student Adventure is a completely different type of nourishment.

I am blessed to have taken part in this experience as the program leader. The trip itinerary and overall mission is designed with a wonderful balance between tourism and travel, all while emphasizing the importance of cross-cultural connections with local communities. As such, it attracted an incredible group of conscientious, adventurous students who were willing to push themselves in a variety of ways.

The group had the opportunity to experience many aspects of Peruvian culture first hand. The students visited archeological ruins where they learned about the unique influences of Incan history on the country. They tasted local cuisines, toured cities, and hiked and biked the Andes in the Sacred Valley.

Most impressively, the group worked collaboratively on a development project with the Ollantaytambo community, where they were hosted by kind, caring families for about half of the trip. This experience is what truly makes this program life-changing. The students were able to immerse themselves in the culture and the language while in the homestay community. There were countless conversations and exchanges of ideas, peaceful moments and shared meals together, and lots of fútbol! This resulted in the students establishing life-long connections with their host families and memories that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

The program's variety is what made it so special for its participants. There were many times throughout the program where an opportunity would arise that was not part of the itinerary. Whether it was watching public demonstrations in the Plaza de Armas in Cusco or surfing waves in Lima when we had time to kill before our flight, students and teachers alike appreciated the program's flexibility while still adhering to the safety and well-being of the group.

I would strongly recommend this program to anyone who desires a unique blend of service and adventure, meaningful relationships with local communities, and an overall authentic travel experience in Peru.

I recently returned from leading a group of 25 students on a 10 day conservation service adventure in Costa Rica. The program itself was immaculately organized and had an adventure twist to almost every day's activities. The students enjoyed engaging with our natural surroundings, learning about Costa Rican culture and being involved in local enrichments. As a leader, I may sound bias, but Walking Tree Travel is one of the most authentic travel companies I have ever experienced.

I have traveled with Walking Tree several times now, as a student participant, alumni and a junior leader and I love each trip. However, Thailand was my absolute favorite place I have been and Walking Tree made the experience so special. I loved that we travel as more than just tourists. We are able to experience the country and the culture in a very unique way. I feel like I learned a lot about the country, the people and the elephants through the wonderful community service project. I loved the trip so much, I recently returned to Thailand on my own and volunteered at the same place again!

Walking Tree Travel/Smithsonian Student Adventures is everything you want a high school student travel company to be. The company is small, intimate, and makes students and staff alike feel valued. This also means they have developed close knit connections between cross-national/cross-cultural partners. The founders of the company know the families students stay with -- it feels like one big family! Their approach to programming aims to breakdown stereotypes, increase global curiosity/knowledge, and get students excited about global citizenship. Highly highly recommend.

Guatemala was a country like non other that I had traveled to before. I was looking forward to being in a tropical country, mingling with the locals, drinking amazing coffee and doing some sort of community service while I was there. I did all those things, but the impact that this program had on me and the other students on this program is one that could not have been anticipated. We saw a variety of places in Guatemala from beautiful and rural communities playing soccer in the town square, to volcano views at the calm and silver Lake Atilan. I became apart of the host family that I stayed with, talking about a variety of topics, learning a new language and helping to even cook! I felt safe and included throughout the entire program. The service project was sustainable and meaningful. We worked along side the locals to build a house. It was hard hard work but it was all worth it. I loved my program leaders who were able to answer any questions I had about Guatemala, Spanish, the culture, the economy etc. They were always so supportive and energetic.

I went on a trip with Walking Tree 3 1/2 years ago, and I can only say great things about my experience with this company! Peru was amazing, but without the planning and guidance from the leaders, the trip wouldn't have been as rich in culture and having a more local experience rather than just being a tourist! We had times where we could go off and explore by ourselves, and times to bond with the group. Definitely would recommend this company for any future travels!

I went to Costa Rica with Walking Tree and its founder Paul after my Sophomore summer. I met so many amazing people on the trip and learned so much. To this day (3 years later) I reminisce about the great times I had in Costa Rica. It was an awesome experience and I learned so much about myself and the world. I still stay in touch with my host family and hope to visit them again.

In all, best experience of my life. It sparked my desire to travel. Nowadays, traveling and learning about culture is my passion and it would have never happened if it weren't for Walking Tree.