What's included

Every STC trip is quoted as one price per person, built around your group, your dates and what you want to get out of it. That price covers the things below, so you and your bursar know what you're paying for before you commit, and parents aren't hit with surprises later.

Travel, accommodation and food

International flights are included, along with all accommodation, transport and activities in the itinerary. Meals are included as shown on each day of the itinerary, using the codes B (breakfast), L (lunch) and D (dinner). On most trips that means three meals a day once you've arrived. Where a meal isn't marked, it's usually because you're travelling or have free time in a town, and your leader will point you to good, safe options.

Your STC leader and in-country team

A local, bilingual, first-aid qualified STC leader travels with your group throughout. Behind them is a permanent operations team in your destination, and our UK office is on call 24 hours a day while you're away. Teachers stay in charge of their pupils; our leaders handle the logistics, the local relationships and the safety management so that you can concentrate on the group.

Safety management

All our trips are run to BS8848, the British Standard for adventurous activities outside the UK. Risk assessments are included, and we'll share initial risk and threat assessments early on to help with your school's approval process. Each group travels with a comprehensive first aid kit and a prescription medication pack. You can read more on our safety pages.

Financial protection

STC trips are ATOL protected. If we were to stop trading, the money you've paid for flights and the package is protected and you'd be brought home if you were already away. This matters to governors and bursars, so it's worth mentioning early.

Preparing your group

Preparation is part of the trip rather than an add-on. Included as standard:

• A parent and student launch presentation at your school
• Pre-travel information sessions for the group
• Detailed pre-departure information and kit lists
• Comprehensive teacher travel packs
• A responsible tourism workshop covering the impacts of travel, resource use, cultural considerations and ethical volunteering
• Travel safety training, delivered through talks, games and activities, covering health and hygiene, specific hazards for your destination, money, kit and water purification

The extras

A few smaller things that come with every trip: a Fairtrade t-shirt for every participant and teacher, a travel guide book to your destination on request, and a donation on your behalf to two carbon and conservation charities. Every itinerary also carries a carbon label so you can compare the footprint of different trips.

What's not included

A few things need to be budgeted for separately, and we're happy to give guidance on any of them: getting to the UK airport (most schools arrange a coach), tips for guides and drivers (we'll suggest an amount for your destination), visas where they're needed, vaccinations, insurance and personal spending money. The lists below spell it out.

Included and not included, at a glance

How we grade our trips

Each itinerary carries a physical grade and a cultural grade from 1 to 5, so you can match a trip to your group.

Physical grade

• 1. Gentle

  Light activity. Some walking and day trips; suitable for most groups without preparation.

• 2. Easy

  Regular days out and about. A reasonable level of everyday fitness is enough.

• 3. Moderate

  Good health and reasonable fitness matter. Expect some walking at moderate altitude (up to about 2,500m), occasional longer days of five to seven hours, and activities like cycling or rafting. Steady preparation helps.

• 4. Challenging

  Multi-day treks, higher altitude or sustained effort. A training plan before departure is a good idea.

• 5. Demanding

  Serious trekking or expedition conditions; for groups who have prepared properly.

Cultural grade

• 1. Familiar

  The comforts of home are close at hand and English is widely spoken.

• 2. Comfortable

  A few differences in food and customs, but nothing that needs much adjustment.

• 3. Different

  The food, customs and pace of life will feel new, but the trip is well within reach of a typical school group.

• 4. Immersive

  Home comforts become a welcome luxury rather than the norm. English is unlikely to be widely spoken, the food will be quite different, and students will see signs of poverty. Accommodation can be basic in places.

• 5. Remote

  Extended time away from towns and services; for groups who want the full expedition experience.

If there's anything not covered here, get in touch and we'll answer it directly.