Wandering With Wonder — And a Lighter Footprint
- Expert-Led Conservation: Connect with local environments through on-the-ground learning guided by certified naturalists, biological experts, and conservancy partners in destinations like the Galápagos, Yosemite, and Africa.
- Supporting Protected Ecosystems: We demonstrate a tangible commitment to sustainability by exploring and supporting protected spaces—from the Ramsar wetland sites of Costa Rica to practicing strictly guided “Leave No Trace” principles on the Appalachian Trail.
- Responsible Wildlife Encounters: Observe iconic species in their pristine, natural habitats. Our wildlife-focused journeys prioritize safety and conservation, allowing you to learn directly from the experts actively working to preserve these beautiful creatures.
If you’re ready to wander — and want to do so with care — these learning adventures may spark your curiosity. Each one is designed to tread a little more lightly on the places we explore, while still offering the rich learning, discovery and meaningful connections that make every Road Scholar experience so memorable.
From the wild wonders of the Galápagos to the quiet beauty of the Appalachian Trail, these thoughtfully curated experiences reveal the awe and richness of our natural world. Along the way, you’ll encounter remarkable wildlife, breathtaking landscapes and passionate experts who help bring each place to life — inspiring a deeper appreciation for all that Mother Earth has to offer.
Marine iguana.
1. The Galápagos Islands
Wild, wondrous — and thoughtfully protected. All Road Scholar programs in the Galápagos, like Galápagos Islands: Natural Treasures and Amazing Wonders, put conservation first — exploring only with certified naturalists and respecting wildlife at every step. The reward? Extraordinary learning moments with iconic species like Blue-footed Boobies, land and marine iguanas, Darwin’s finches and Galápagos penguins — thriving in pristine habitats we’re committed to preserving.
2. Costa Rica
Birding in Northern Costa Rica for Women: Tanagers to Toucans welcomes Road Scholars into the lush wetlands of Caño Negro National Park, where local experts illuminate this Ramsar Convention-protected world of color, song and conservation in action.
Barred owl.
3. The Appalachian Trail
On the new Choose Your Pace: A Hiking Adventure on the Appalachian Trail for Women, learning moves with you — led by experts and Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center naturalists who bring “Leave No Trace” principles and wildlife survival stories to life.
4. Yosemite National Park
Learning adventures in Yosemite, including Off the Beaten Path: Yosemite National Park, spark curiosity through engaging talks by Yosemite Conservancy naturalists, whose research and insight help participants connect more deeply with this iconic landscape.
5. Africa
African Safari: A Close-Up on Wildlife takes participants straight to the heart of conservation — visiting the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust with a local expert to witness how bold, hands-on work is shaping a future for wildlife across Zimbabwe’s Kavango-Zambezi Conservation Area.
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
“We’re committed to improving sustainability on all our programs instead of just providing a handful of perfectly sustainable programs,” says Bryn Geddes, Senior Manager, Program Sustainability. “Every region that we work in offers unique sustainability challenges and opportunities. This will take time, but we are already working to address issues like food waste and plastic use.” She adds, “We’re also looking at our field trips to ensure that we have set standards to ensure we minimize our negative impact on the people and environments we visit and maximize our positive impacts.”
Byn notes, “We’ve made a commitment to animal welfare and biodiversity protection. As we make progress on this next step in our sustainability initiative, we will share more details and information on our approach and the results.”
We invite you to join us on one or more of these journeys, where discovery goes hand in hand with care — exploring the world with a deep appreciation for its natural beauty and wildlife, and inspiring us to protect the remarkable places that make each experience possible.
