Educational, but fun
When educators envision professional development, they rarely imagine themselves exploring Machu Picchu’s ancient pathways, constructing traditional yurts in Kyrgyzstan’s valleys, or swimming alongside marine life in the Galapagos. Our programs replace conventional classroom lectures with immersive, hands-on learning experiences where the world itself becomes your educational environment. Our expert guides facilitate deeper understanding through direct engagement with diverse places, cultures, and perspectives. In just one week, participants often gain more meaningful insights than an entire semester of traditional professional development—all while enjoying themselves thoroughly. Throughout your journey, you’ll travel with fellow educators, creating a collaborative community where you can exchange ideas about bringing these transformative experiences back to your students.
Inexpensive and full of adventure
Our trips should be affordable to most teachers. Please don’t sign up for our programs expecting luxury, unless you sign up for one of our comfort class trips. Most nights will be spent in a simple yet clean twin-share hotel or lodge room with private facilities, complete with running water and electricity. Sometimes you may have multi-share nights at rustic local guesthouses, with communal bathrooms and the occasional cold shower. Some of our programs even involve camping. Transportation may include a combination of public transport, private buses, and private vehicles. Check the trips’ itineraries for details.
Freedom to explore
Our programs do not typically include many pre-paid meals and activities. We want you to have the freedom to make those decisions. Large group buffet dinners are also not the best way to learn about a country’s cuisine. On a typical day after you arrive at a location, you will be checked into the hotel and have an orientation walk with your tour leader. They will recommend some activities and restaurants, and then the group will break up into smaller groups based on what they want to do. Of course, many programs include major “can’t miss” sites and activities that are built into the price of the trip. Each of our trips clearly list these activities in the trip’s “What’s Included” section.
Structure without hassle
We also try to take the stress out of travel. With GEEO, all of your accommodations and transportation are arranged for you. You will have a tour leader with you escorting you from one place to the next, answering your questions, and helping you explore the region. Our groups are made up of fellow teachers, so you will have 6 to 16 other people with whom to share your adventure.
What our travelers say
I have traveled to 24 different countries on eleven tours with GEEO. This international experience has brought an authenticity to my lessons while enabling me to build a strong foundation of global competencies in my students. These global competencies are vital for any young person hoping to make their way in today’s global society. This global perspective has become a cornerstone in my teaching and resulted in an enthusiastic support from my administration. GEEO and international travel has defined who I am as a teacher.
GEEO is absolutely wonderful! After taking my first trip with them to Ireland, I would recommend them to anyone and will certainly be traveling with GEEO in the future. The experience was absolutely fantastic! The professional yet personal service provided by the GEEO team, the tour itself with partner G-Adventures (phenomenal tour company, btw), and the connections made with other teachers on the trip made for an incredible experience. Also, the way the trip is set up, you are able to learn so much more about the area than if you were to simply plan your own trip. (And why hassle with all that planning when it’s already done for you at a great price?) When I returned to the classroom, I had fellow teachers ask me how I learned so much on a 10-day trip, and my students love hearing about the trip and are much more engaged in lessons when I “sneak” in something from my Ireland GEEO trip. I was able to build a entirely new Myths, Legends, and Tales unit for my Reading class based on Irish myths and legends, and reinforced my Earth Science unit with what I’d learned while visiting the Cliffs of Moher and other sites. My students love it and are always curious to know more. Sharing my experience inspires them to learn about other cultures, encourages them to explore and to be compassionate global citizens. It’s also an added bonus that you receive professional development credit – this is how PD for teachers should be all the time! Plus, the connections you make with fellow teachers is priceless. Thank you GEEO for making travel for teachers not only possible, but an enriching experience!
I have traveled to over 50 countries and have always been hesitant about traveling with tour groups. This past June I took a chance with GEEO to finally go to India and Nepal, both had been on my short list of dream trips for many years. My experience exceeded my expectations. I was very impressed with all aspects of the trip, from the pace of the itinerary to the choice of places to be visited to our wonderful tour guide. I am accustomed to being in control of my travels, but from the first meeting on day 1, I was able to let go and put the trip in the hands of the very capable professionals of GEEO. I hope to have many more experiences with this group in the future.
If you had all the time and money you needed, where would YOU like to travel? I ask this question of people wherever I travel. My wife and I are both teachers and one of the great perks is TIME. A friend recommended we check out GEEO, and in 2016 we went to Iceland. We were impressed. The trip was invigorating, educational, and fulfilling. We have traveled to six continents independently and with several different groups. Wish we had gone with GEEO earlier and plan to again. One is always cautious with “promises on the internet.” With GEEO you get exactly what is promised!
I traveled to India and Nepal on my first trip with GEEO. I am not much of a tour-type traveler, preferring to go my own way and travel off the beaten path. This tour, however, was perfect for me. Traveling with teachers who wanted to know India and Nepal meant that we had instant connections in our group. Nobody had unrealistic expectations, and we all took each unexpected event as a new adventure and a chance to get to know the culture. Everyone in our group, including those who have been on many tours, agreed that our guide was amazing. He was not pushy, met everyone’s needs, remained flexible, and taught us anything we wanted to know about the places we visited. My overall experience with GEEO was outstanding, including the communication before, during, and after the trip. All of my questions were answered promptly. I would highly recommend GEEO.
I have gone on five trips with GEEO: Madagascar, Vietnam, Peru, Morocco, and Israel. I love the balance of being on a tour, yet given the space to be on your own. The guides have all been amazing – knowledgeable and bend-over-backwards accommodating. The trips are a perfect mix of seeing the sites and going off the beaten path. If you have questions or concerns about your trip, emails get answered almost immediately. I always come home in awe of the country I’ve been to and looking forward to booking my next trip.
I’ve been on 2 GEEO tours now (Northern India & Myanmar) and they were both amazing! Saw so much more of each country thanks to the knowledgeable, friendly, and engaging guides. Great itineraries, too, and love the focus on education. I 100% recommend GEEO!
