Taking a Long-Haul Trip or Expedition: What Schools Need to Know

Want to know how long distance and expedition style trips differ from standard overseas visits, and how to prepare for them?

Planning a school trip abroad is already a logistical task and a half, but when that trip becomes a long-haul or expedition style journey, there are extra layers of preparation and responsibility that you may not have considered. Whether you are heading to a developing country or a remote area, or simply travelling further from the UK than usual, these trips are going to leave a big impression on students. They can give valuable cultural insights that will be limited through a text book, global awareness, and often a real sense of personal challenge and growth.

They also come with additional risks, responsibilities, and some logistical hurdles that school leaders must understand and prepare for. Let's talk about what makes a long-haul or expedition style school trip different from other overseas schools that you may be more familiar with. And discuss some ways you may be able to plan it successfully.

What Counts as a Long-Haul or Expedition Trip?

For the purposes of this article, a long-haul trip involves a flight of more than 6 hours and crosses multiple time zones for example if you travel to Asia, Africa, North or South America, or Australasia. Expedition style trips often go beyond traditional sightseeing and may include:

• Community or volunteering work
• Trekking or outdoor adventure activities
• Travel to rural or undeveloped regions
• Cultural immersion in remote communities
• Environmental or wildlife conservation work

Logistics and Travel Time

Flights for these trips tend to be longer and may involve stopovers, which can extend travel time significantly, but also allow you to see another part of the world. Jet lag often becomes a real factor on longer journeys, affecting both arrival and return, and requires planning for rest periods to prevent your students getting to tired to enjoy the experience. Additionally, baggage limits, transit visas, and entry requirements may vary from standard international travel, so careful logistical planning and preparation are required.

Health and Safety Considerations

Depending on the destination, vaccinations or medication for illnesses like malaria might be necessary to ensure safe travel. Your group could face unfamiliar illnesses, encounter different hygiene standards, or have limited access to medical care. It is crucial to have insurance that covers high-risk activities, emergency evacuation, and remote medical assistance. A comprehensive medical plan should be in place, including clear guidance on how to access hospitals or clinics in the country you are visiting.

Cultural and Language Barriers

Participants are likely to experience greater culture shock due to differing customs, norms, and lifestyles. Language barriers are more common, especially in remote or less touristy areas, assuming your are not a GCSE class, or an A Level or undergraduate Spanish group heading to somewhere like Peru, making use of translation services or local guides could be essential. Religious or traditional practices may influence behaviour expectations, such as dress codes, greetings, or gender roles, which travellers must be respectful of and prepared for. Research your destination as you would anywhere you were travelling to.

Purpose and Educational Focus

These trips often extend beyond mere education to encompass personal development, leadership skills, and giving them a sense of global citizenship. Depending on your learning objectives, your trip may have a strong emphasis on sustainability, or humanitarian efforts. Reflective activities such as keeping a journal, or making presentations become more meaningful, helping your students process their experiences and deepen their understanding of the trip's broader goals.

Additional Planning Tips for Long-Haul School Trips

• Start early: Ideally 12 to 18 months in advance. These trips require more time to arrange logistics, permissions, and fundraising than you may be used to
• Involve parents: Hold multiple information sessions, explain all risks clearly, and provide detailed packing and health guidance. Make sure everyone knows how the trip will work
• Choose a provider: Work with experienced tour operators who specialise in long-haul or expedition trips with schools. There are lots of great companies to choose from
• Prepare students thoroughly: Offer training sessions, cultural briefings, team-building exercises, and even practice hikes if needed
• Allow for post-trip recovery: Plan in a few quiet days after your return from your trip. This gives time for both students and staff to discuss the outcomes of the trip

Common Destinations for Long-Haul or Expedition Trips

• Tanzania or Kenya: Wildlife conservation, community work, or climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
• India or Nepal: Cultural immersion, trekking, or volunteering
• Peru: Machu Picchu hikes, service projects, or Amazon Rainforest exploration
• Vietnam or Cambodia: History, culture, and global development learning
• Costa Rica: Eco-tourism, biodiversity study, and environmental action