Case Studies

We had our first expedition to Borneo with STC this summer and wow - what an amazing time we had. Chris and his team have been exceptional throughout the process. From our first enquiry right through to our return, they have been there to answer all our questions. Travelling as a group across multiple schools we haven't been a straight forward 'case' however nothing has been too much of a problem. Whilst on our expedition, the itinerary was varied and interesting and the 'in-country' staff second to none. We can't wait for our next expedition which we are already planning with STC. It is great to be able to discuss such big adventures like these with a team of 'like-minded' people who are so knowledgable but also understand the aims and ethos we are trying to achieve. Thanks to everyone at STC

STC were fantastic from the start with organising our school trip to Costa Rica in October 2024. Their bespoke online platform allows parents to log in and update passport and medical information right up to departure which STC checked regularly, chasing parents for renewed passport information which allowed me more time for other tasks. STC collated this information, sending me an extensive departure pack which even included medications which may be required for the trip. There was regular contact from the moment I enquired to the trip departure and of course throughout; the support I received was outstanding. Harry led a wonderfully knowledgeable pre-departure workshop on ethical and sustainable tourism which allowed the pupils to think about how to minimise any negative impacts of their travels. STC work with excellent tour guides and our driver was sensational as he navigated the roads and made us feel very safe (in a very comfortable and shiny coach). I can't wait to continue working with STC on our trip to Borneo for 2025, who have already shown such commitment to ensuring our trip is tailored and includes everything we wish.

Once again, STC organised a superb expedition - from planning through to our time in India. The expedition was shaped around a fixed itinerary with my own preferences added in, something that makes the experience for more appropriate for our students and what they want (and need!). Huge variety in three weeks and a remarkable, unforgettable experience for all concerned. Probably the single biggest factor once we were out there (as opposed to the 20+ months of meticulous STC planning) was a superb guide. Flexible, knowledgeable, aware and unassuming yet in charge.

Queen Elizabeths enjoyed another fabulous trip with STC this year, this time to Borneo. There was a high level of personalised professional support in the organisation of the trip and the actual trip itself was a fantastic concoction of exciting and informative activities. The diving in particular was spectacular. The trekking in the mountains was eye opening and experiential and the homestay visit provided many of our students with their favourite memories. I couldn't recommend STC enough.

We have just returned from a sensational trip to Peru with 20 13-18 year old boys. From the moment we started looking into a trip to the post
trip debrief, the service has been exceptional. I have been on many school trips and can safely say that our experience with STC was outstanding. Our itinerary was a combination of local experiences combined with adventure activities and felt bespoke to our needs. All of our accommodation and food were flawless and our on-site guide was knowledgeable and caring. Whilst in Peru, STC were available to support with any queries that we had - a particular thank you to Meg who was extremely helpful. I would highly recommend this organisation and we are now in the process of planning our next trip - thank you to all at STC!

Exceptional communication by STC Expeditions at all times which made planning and executing our trip to Morocco even more enjoyable. No query
was ever too small to address and the entire team in the STC offices amazingly responsive. As a veteran running school trips for more than 20 years, I can honestly say that STC have been the best to deal with in my considerable experience. Cannot recommend highly enough. STC also seek holistic feedback in the post-trip phase and I feel confident that what little reflection I have shared is listened to and where small critiques have been raised, these suggestions will be reviewed and possibly actioned for future trips which is fantastic. Five star service - hope to work with them again on future trips!

STC have, once again, been a fantastic company to work with for our school expedition to Borneo. The UK based staff are friendly, patient and so knowledgeable and the planning process was seamless. Our expedition in Borneo was amazing and the students (and staff!) got so much from the experience and have memories which will last a lifetime. Thanks STC!

I have to say, I was very impressed with STC as a first time user of the company. They planed our first ever school trip to South America and it was incredible. Students and teachers both noted how professional and on hand the staff were and had a truly unforgettable experience. We are already considering them for future trips and would highly recommend for any school group wanting to create their own package tour.

Excellent experience from beginning to end in organising a school scuba diving trip to Egypt. Helpful staff, rigorous attention to detail and consideration of health and safety for all stakeholders. Thank you team STC! :)

Wow - what a perfectly balanced expedition of adventure & volunteering to Sri Lanka. From challenging bike rides, hikes and surfing to cultural immersion of sharing food with locals. Outstanding, down-to-earth and highly knowledgeable guides who immerse and steer you through their vast culture. Volunteering was a safe yet humbling experience - one that taught empathy without preaching. Well done STC! Highly recommend.

We returned last night from India, at the end of an outstanding 4-week expedition to the Himalayas. For all who went from Exeter School, it was both very challenging and immensely rewarding. The work of Adrian at The STC was integral to the success of our expedition, with his untiring support and guidance priceless in the build up to departure. I, and 32 other expeditioners and staff, are most grateful to him.

Just a quick email to say we arrived home all safe last night. The trip was absolutely INCREDIBLE. A life-changer for a lot of kids and a dream come true for me. Our guide was a total God. So sad to come home. Thanks to everything you did in the planning, none of us staff felt as though we were on a school trip - probably the biggest compliment I can give! Thank you so much!

This trip was simply wonderful and met ALL expectations. I literally CANNOT fault it. An amazing country. I’d be willing to talk to any groups thinking of going – felt very safe. We will be rebooking for a trip in 2 years.

The guide and local operator were excellent as ever. The itinerary was good and had been adapted well. The wedding in Aguersioual was a particular high point and attested to the level of familiarity that we have built up over the last three years. The students loved the experience, notably the cultural interaction in the village and sense of how a simple, more co-operative way of living can be contrasted to our society and its stresses.

This being the second trip we have done with the STC, I knew things were going to run smoothly and I was not disappointed. From the beginning of the planning process right through to the in-expedition help, the team at the STC were quick to respond to anything we needed to make our trip possible. There are very few companies out there willing to tailor-make a trip to some very specific educational ideals, right through to ensuring that our school teachers are the ones teaching at the sites we visited. You are in safe hands with the STC and I would not hesitate to secure their services for any out-of-the-ordinary trip.

The Expedition has been amazing and better than I could possibly have imagined. Undoubtedly a few of the boys have been pushed out of their comfort zone, which of course is partly the aim, but then others have adapted to it like a duck to water! The chief guides we had were excellent and clearly specifically chosen for the age of the children. Between the two of them they had climbed Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro over 700 times....enough said!

A HUGE "thank you" to the STC for a truly memorable trip. My colleague is a seasoned school traveller, and she said she had never been on such a well-organised, hassle-free trip. Apart from one of our students breaking his collarbone in the Wadi Rum, absolutely nothing went wrong. Even that accident provided us with the opportunity to see the efficiency with which our attendant tourist policeman and the local Jordanian doctors dealt with the situation.Worth special mention is our incomparable guide in Jordan, Sam. I cannot now imagine the trip without him. Not only was he delightful, friendly, humorous and excellent at communicating with teens, he also knew everybody in Jordan and his name alone proved to be a talisman when dealing with locals. Maher in Israel was excellent too - tho' Sam was an impossible act to follow. Finally, I would rate every aspect as "excellent" - not just the trip itself, but your patience and guidance during the 16 months of preparation.

Having recently returned from an epic 10 day expedition to Nepal with 42 boys and 6 staff, Dulwich College highly recommends The STC as an excellent independent and responsible tourism operator. Adrian and his team put together a bespoke tour of Nepal, taking in the sights of Kathmandu, 4 days camping and trekking in the Annapurna region and Chitwan National Park. Our boys were able to experience an excellent range of geographical and religious sites from Buddhist Stupas, Hindu Temples, Diwali festival street parties, remote monasteries, breath-taking views of the Himalayan mountain range, glacial landscapes and jungle biodiversity. Absolutely everything was included within the tour price: no hidden extras at all. We ate like kings (having been cooked for most nights by our own team of Sherpas) and the experience was worth every penny.

As a College the Cuba tour that we did was brilliant and far beyond our expectations. The variety of activities, the organisation and the experiences our pupils had were all amazing. The kids are still talking about their trip one week on and many are hoping to return to Cuba. Aside from the quality of the activities, we were incredibly fortunate to have Alex and Eddie as our tour leaders. They were brilliant. They knew so much and they made everything such fun. Our kids were quiet, but Alex and Eddie brought out the best in them and the kids thoroughly enjoyed their company. A really amazing adventure, so thank you very much for the wonderful and memorable experience.

Much better than the expedition I led previously with a different provider. The itinerary was action-packed and having the truck worked really well. The whole expedition was really brilliant…..no-one got sick from the food which was excellent. The vehicle, crew and everything in Kenya was above any expectation. Julius the tour leader was excellent in all respects. He consulted us over important matters and was always flexible so that we could get the most from our expedition.He engaged fully with all members of the group. He got us singing, dancing and seemed to fully appreciate the importance of the school visits to us. He played a vital role in the great success of this expedition. Thank you for a wonderful experience.

I want to start living with less plastic and I would like to start training to go hiking overseas in a few years. This trip has definitely made me more adventurous.

I learnt a lot about myself as a person. I’ve spent time away from my phone which has me realise that face to face interaction is much better than phone to phone.

I would recommend an STC adventure to other students because I had the most amazing experience of my life. Looking back, you don't care about the fact that you didn't shower properly for 3 weeks or that the bathroom was a hole in the ground. You don't remember if the food wasn't your favourite or that all of your hand washed clothes smelt of smoke from the fire. You could care less about all the mosquito bites and huge spiders that you saw because everything else was such an experience. You'll remember the look on the kids faces as they see bubbles being blown and their grins as you give them a new football to replace their worn out one. You'll remember coming around a bend on safari and seeing wild elephants right in front of you and having giraffes walk right in front of your jeep. You'll remember the tiny sleeping puppies and the dogs that just want some small affection. You'll remember all the incredible things you did and saw, like lions eating a water buffalo or the sun rising over Mt Kilimanjaro. And the friends you have made and the memories that you have shared will last a lifetime.