World Challenge

12/09/2024

"My favourite part was the Marine conservation work and the scuba trip at Vilanculos, getting to see turtles, humpback dolphins and humpback whales and swimming with whale sharks was a truly amazing experience and one I will never forget, and that can be said about the trip as a whole, while challenging it was a truly incredible and life changing three weeks." Charley, Student 2023

10/09/2024

We're now offering Curriculum Adventures!
Here's a snippet from our new Culture & Self-Discovery in Morocco itinerary:
Get set, go! You’re off through ‘the Red City’ with its pinky-red buildings. Seek out special landmarks, like Djemaa El Fna Square, home to storytellers, musicians and medicine men.
Navigate the labyrinth of souks together and find the next checkpoint, asking locals for help along the way. The city’s streets are a feast for the senses, with palaces, mosques, mopeds and donkey carts. To finish the race, you’ll need to draw on your skills and ideas. This is an opportunity to develop your ability to think outside the box, work collaboratively and get immersed in local culture.
Find out more about our incredible new Morocco Culture Trips here: https://bit.ly/4dTxklt

05/09/2024

Did you see that we’ve been shortlisted as a finalist for the Best Sustainable Tour Operator at the Global Youth Travel Awards 2024? 🎉🏆

This incredible recognition highlights our unwavering commitment to creating meaningful and sustainable travel experiences for young adventurers around the globe. 🌱✈️

Find out more about our journey and our action plan in our latest blog: https://bit.ly/3X9ZmCJ

A huge THANK YOU to our amazing team and the incredible young travelers who inspire us every day. Together, we’re making a difference, one adventure at a time!

Stay tuned for the awards ceremony, and let’s continue to champion sustainable travel! 🌟🤝

WYSE Travel Confederation

04/09/2024

We’re proud to be the travel partner of the International Coalition of Girls' Schools. Oli, Pete and Troy look forward to meeting and inspiring girls’ schools across Aotearoa at the ICGS Educating Girls Symposium hosted by Westlake Girls’ High School on Friday!

03/09/2024

We're now offering Curriculum Adventures!
Here's a snippet from our new Golden Circle Geography Immersion:
Thingvellir National Park is where two tectonic plates meet. You can actually stand in between the plates – a gap that grows by around 2cm each year! When we reach Gullfoss Waterfall, hear the sound of glacial waters crashing down and watch rainbows form over the falls.
Stop by a tomato farm for lunch. As you eat delicious soups and salads, discover how Iceland’s geothermal energy is used to cultivate these crops sustainably year-round, despite the naturally cool climate.
Find out more about our incredible new Geography Field Trips here: https://bit.ly/3Mc4RLU

30/08/2024

We’re thrilled to announce that World Challenge has been named a finalist in the Global Youth Travel Awards 2024 in the Best Sustainable Tour Operator category!

This category recognises tour operators that provide outstanding travel experiences for young people. Being one of just five finalists is a huge honour and a testament to our commitment to impactful student travel. A massive thank you to our incredible team, partners, and schools who make this possible. We’re excited to attend the WYSE Travel Confederation Conference in September, where the winner will be announced. Stay tuned!

GYTA Finalists: https://bit.ly/3YZO7zn

29/08/2024

Thriving in an AI-Powered Future: How World Challenge is Equipping the Next Generation

Have you ever stopped to think about how much technology has transformed our everyday experiences? The relentless pace of technological advancement is no longer just a topic for sci-fi novels; it’s our current reality!

Find out more: https://bit.ly/3SZEkp6

Explore how World Challenge school trips are equipping the next generation to thrive in an AI-powered future with essential skills and experiences.

27/08/2024

We're now offering Curriculum Adventures!
Here's a snippet from our new Language Immersion, Adventure & Self-Discovery in Spain:
You’ll need to bring your A-game as you take on a life skills discovery quest through Barcelona’s urban oasis. In teams, you’ll race through Ciutadella Park, using clues to solve puzzles along the way. To finish the race, you’ll need to work as a team, think creatively and use the language skills you’ve refined so far. This is an opportunity to develop your ability to think outside the box, work collaboratively and get immersed in local culture.
Find out more about our incredible new Spanish Language Trips here: https://bit.ly/3WVqSDH

22/08/2024

What have you gained from this experience which will influence you in the future?
"During my group's stay at the turtle project, I absolutely adored the 'turtle patrols' at night, the welcoming atmosphere and the surrounding nature. I enjoyed it so much that I applied to become a research assistant there; the day that I got back from my trip, for next years green turtle season after my A-levels. I may also potentially change my career path into turtle and animal psychology rather than education psychology depending on how I find my time there next year.
I would like to continue to help others and the environment through community fundraisers beach cleanups etc. I would also like to continue keeping up with my own fitness, going on more hikes across the world and helping others to do the same." Emily, Student 2023

20/08/2024

Trekking through Tanzania with the legendary Maasai tribe is a one-off experience that you’ll never forget.
Spend three days exploring a cluster of Maasai villages beneath a breathtaking mountain range and the volcanic peak, known locally as ‘Mountain of God’.
Take on the role of team leader and get to know your Maasai guides. Set off from a sacred volcanic crater, then steer the group through Maasai farmland and rainforest back to their village. As you trek, you’ll see rare glimpses of Maasai life. Your guides have grown up here, so grab this opportunity to ask them all about it.

16/08/2024

What have you gained from this experience which will influence you in the future?
"Confidence, seeing Borneo from a different angle which normal tourists wouldn’t, which was eye opening and made me appreciate our normal lives. It inspired me to travel more and bonded us as a group." Pacey, Student 2023

14/08/2024

Travel into the countryside, south of the High Atlas Mountains.
You’ll spend the next four days living alongside a Berber community and contributing to a local initiative. Their school is in need of better infrastructure but it’s held back by the threat of flooding, soil erosion, and a lack of government funding. Find out about the innovative solutions used to overcome this.
What materials do they use? What skills are needed? Visit the hardware store to buy some tools, sharpen your skills and help out where you can.
Experience community life by organising a volleyball tournament, visiting a local hammam (steam bath) and practising your Darija (Moroccan Arabic) with the villagers. This is a side of Morocco that few tourists see. Rural life can be tough, and you’ll have none of the comforts you’re used to back home. Grab this opportunity to connect with the locals and learn about their lives.

09/08/2024

Step out of the classroom and into history with a History Tour like no other! Imagine walking in the footsteps of gladiators, exploring underground tunnels once used by guerilla troops, or running in the birthplace of the Olympic Games. The passion for bygone days is sure to ignite when you experience history firsthand.

We offer a variety of History Tours that provide an experiential learning experience like no other, find out more: https://bit.ly/4fzG6H8

Explore the past with our history tours. Experience iconic landmarks, learn fascinating stories, and immerse yourself in historical adventures.

01/08/2024

And relax. North of Tofo, the little town of Vilanculos is the perfect base for discovering Mozambique’s best beaches. It’s up to you how you spend your time here, so chat with the ground team and make a plan. You could go horseback riding on the beach, or join a boat trip to the nearby Bazaruto Archipelago – a beautiful chain of islands in a protected marine park. Or you could or simply swing in a hammock and reflect on everything you’ve experienced.

30/07/2024

"I learned a lot about how to travel sustainably and how to give back to the places I visit as a global citizen. Also, I feel a lot more confident talking to strangers and feel more secure about my future. I really enjoyed trekking and going on safari in Kruger. Moreover I loved spending time with team members, getting to know everyone better, and growing as a team." Charles, Student 2023

29/07/2024

In today's digital era, almost everyone owns a smartphone, but constantly being connected can take a toll on our mental health. Take a break from the digital world and experience the benefits of unplugging on your next school expedition. Trust us, you won't regret it. Find out more - https://bit.ly/3WgVBLi

Discover the benefits of unplugging on a school expedition: improved teamwork and personal growth through immersive outdoor experiences.

25/07/2024

Watch a very different world go by as you travel to Tofo in Mozambique. Gaze out of the window at coconut palms, granite mountains and roadside stalls piled high with fruit. With its white sand beach, tropical palm trees and turquoise waters, Tofo is the perfect beach town. It’s a good place to buy souvenirs, so change some money into Mozambican metical and head out to the vibrant markets. You could also book a snorkelling trip in the Tofo Estuary – sink beneath the surface to spot seahorses, frogfish, cowfish and more. Or how about sailing to a nearby island on a traditional wooden ‘dhow’? Cruise across the blue, then step ashore to meet the island community.

23/07/2024

"This trip has helped me understand other people better and has reduced my anxiety a lot and made me feel more confident not only in myself but around other people. This will influence me to leave my comfort zone more often and allow me to try new things without hesitation." Jessica, Student 2023

19/07/2024

Embarking on a school expedition? Remember the old saying: “Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance”. At World Challenge, we take this to heart. Our team works tirelessly to make sure every trip is thrilling, safe, and meticulously organised. Find out more in our latest blog post: https://bit.ly/3WsJaxa
🌍

Discover the meticulous planning and exciting details behind organizing a school expedition, from logistics to educational goals, in our latest blog.

18/07/2024

We love receiving messages like this!:

Hello! I’m Soph from London and back in 2016 I went to Ecuador with World Challenge. Taking part in World Challenge gave me a real bug for the outdoors and I’ve just come back from a 3,000km / 5 month thru-hike known as Te Araroa - hiking the length of NZ.

It’s an impossible feeling to describe, reaching the finish line of New Zealand’s 3,000km trail after 145 gruelling yet beautiful days hiking such a rugged landscape.

What started as a World Challenge expedition to the Northern Andes in Ecuador back in 2016, quickly became an obsession with the outdoors. I love the simplicity of hiking; feeling dwarfed by the landscape and empowered by the trail.

Before World Challenge I’d never even put up a tent and now it’s hard to picture life in a real bed! So yes, just a big thank you from me for all you guys do and for granting me that first glimpse into life outdoors.

16/07/2024

"There is so much of the world to see! We should be grateful for everything that we have, even the basics like a fresh running tap, multiple food options, waste collection, good hygiene etc. It is an amazing experience that you get to share with incredible friends. As well as learning to go through an airport, being responsible for your own documents. Really important life skills." Grace, Student 2023

11/07/2024

Delve deeper into the underwater world by contributing to a marine conservation initiative. Meet the experts who protect Mozambique’s marine life and learn about the challenges faced by whales and sharks worldwide. Your task is to gather data on whale sharks, humpback whales and other marine life. When conditions are good, you’ll head out on the project boat for snorkelling surveys, and you’ll record your discoveries in the database. You could also get involved in humpback monitoring from the shore. Go one step further by organising a beach clean and categorising the litter – this helps local conservationists to target those responsible and choose the best solutions.

09/07/2024

"One of my favourite parts was probably just the beauty of the nature. One day, I woke up to watch the sunrise over lake Malawi and it was so incredibly beautiful. I also loved bonding with and meeting different people in my group. I've only known them for 3 weeks but we're so close now after going through difficult moments together and I've definitely made some lifelong friends." Georgia, Student 2023

04/07/2024

Discover the reality of local life when you join a Neighbourhood Care Point (NCP) in rural eSwatini. These community-driven centres support vulnerable children with meals, education and more. Help out with the NCP’s work and get immersed in village life. Take guided walks, learn about cattle herding and have a go at lutindzi grass weaving – a traditional way of making mats, the grass is harvested high in the mountains. If you’re here on a Sunday, you could join the whole village in church – it’s an important element of local life. This is a side of eSwatini that few tourists see. You’ll be using bucket showers and pit latrines, with none of the comforts you’re used to back home. Leap outside your comfort zone, stay open-minded and embrace every opportunity.

02/07/2024

"We saw a sea turtle nest that had hatched so the volunteers showed us how they count all the eggs from the nest. While digging through the nest we found 2 baby turtles that hadn't made it to the sea so we got to watch them crawl from the beach and swim away!" Sasha, Student 2023

28/06/2024

Get ready to tackle a series of epic trails through the Dabarski Kukovi area – a range of rocky peaks that rise above pristine forests and grassy sinkholes in Northern Velebit National Park. The ascents are tough but totally worth it – surrounded by wilderness, you’ll have views over the Adriatic Sea and the island of Pag. As you trek, you’ll pass remote mountain huts, where you can stop to refill your water bottles. The park is home to rare flowers, elusive lynx and wild boar. If you’re lucky, you may see a golden eagle circling above.

25/06/2024

"The community work left me speechless - their culture was so strong and beautiful, their unbreakable optimism gave me a new sense of purpose and it was incredible to see the difference which we had made by the end. It allowed me to appreciate everything I have at home so much more, and I felt so unbelievably fortunate to have been welcomed into their community for a few days. The trip has opened my eyes to a whole new way of life which I would love to continue to explore throughout my life - this experience has given me the confidence to pursue this!" Bethan, Student 2023

21/06/2024

What have you gained from this experience?
"New friendships. Gained independence and reassurance that I am capable of handling new situations and being away from my parents, but more than anything, I was able to observe, be aware of and appreciate my surroundings more than ever before as I did not have the distraction of my phone." Alison, Student 2023

19/06/2024

Kayak over the crystal waters of the Adriatic Sea, past cliffs and sandy beaches. When it’s time for a break, trail your hand in the turquoise sea and spot spiky urchins on the seabed. Back at camp, fire up your stoves and get creative with your food supplies. Typical Croatian cuisine includes black risotto, fish stew and fresh seafood. Stay up until the stars come out, then crawl into your tent and get some rest for tomorrow’s trek.

13/06/2024

🔬🌿 STEM is all around us, whether we realise it or not! From the classroom to the great outdoors and the far reaches of the globe, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths play a crucial role in shaping our everyday lives. Let's make STEM education more engaging, interactive, and hands-on. 🚀

Check out our top five destinations that bring to life:
https://bit.ly/3VCvdfE