My wife and I are both educators (social studies & health) and after learning about the GEEO program we thought it would be both a different and interesting way to travel. We have long wanted to go to Peru and as outdoor enthusiasts, hike the Inca trail. The GEEO Peru trip was without a doubt, one of the coolest, most interesting and thoughtful trips we have ever taken. (I should note that we have long been independent travelers and had some reservations about a guided tour with a group. Having travelled throughout the United States, Central America and Europe independently, we had some reservations about South America. So as a guided trip, it made sense for us.) The GEEO Peru trip was excellent. This is travelling at its finest. Learning about the culture of another people, exploring sights and ruins of another time and truly immersing oneself in another place. This trip is not designed for someone that wishes to take a traditional vacation, as it is jam-packed with activities and exploration. There is plenty of free time for one to explore on his or her own or relax, however the trip is geared toward immersing oneself in the culture and splendor of Peru. The trip itself is created with several big experiences in mind. The Inca trail hike is in and of itself and completely awe-inspiring event. Top-notch guides, porters, food and camping make for 4 days of some of the most breath-taking natural wonders in the world. The time in/around the city of Cuzco is also a wonderful way to explore a bustling city nestled high in the Andes. The time spent in Ccaccaccollo, a small village about an hour or so from Cuzco was definitely the most interesting and rewarding part the trip for us. The idea of cultural immersion is something that appealed to us when we chose to take this trip and the time spent with our host family living and working, as the people do was an experience that we will not soon forget. Although challenging at times, this part of the trip was without a doubt the most meaningful allowing time for self-reflection. (Consider it a Peace Corps sampler if you will). GEEO really thinks though the planning for the traveler. The guides that GAP assigns for GEEO are thoughtful, intelligent and well prepared, with an understanding that the group is educators looking to build upon the experience for their classroom. GEEO also was helpful in answering all of our questions in preparation before the trip and worked with us to help add on days before and after the planned GEEO trip (an extra day to explore the city of Lima and 4 days in Posadas Amazonas). On our flight home we already started discussing our next GEEO trip and would highly recommend this for anyone curious about Peru, even non-educators. read more

GEEO is a great way to see the world and experience the true flavor of a foreign culture while also catching the major tourist sites. They generally avoid the Americanized hotels; opting for more local accommodations that not only save you money but, gives you an opportunity to interact more closely with the local people in a more authentic way. I also like the fact that they give you a lot of freedom to plan much of your own time. You may opt to take-in one of their recommended activities or just go off on your own. The tour guides really know their stuff and do a great job of looking after your safety while encouraging you to be adventurous. GEEO is also very helpul as you prepare for your trip. They recommend good books to read before hand and they setup a facebook event which allows you to get to know your fellow travelers before you actually meet face-to-face. Many of us stay in touch after the trip and even plan future GEEO trips together. The first time I booked a trip with GEEO, I ended up getting a Fulbright-Hays award to Senegal and I was unable to take the GEEO adventure I had planned to China. Fortunately, I notified them in time and they allowed me to apply my deposit to a later trip. They were very easy to work with. I have been on two of their programs and I have already booked another trip for next summer. My only complaint is that the summer went too fast. I can't wait for my next GEEO adventure. read more

My experience with GEEO's Costa Rica Adventure trip (16 days) was fantastic. Traveling with other teachers was enlightening and fun. As a life science teacher, I brought back hundreds of photos and stories I can use to infuse a personal touch to my teaching. GEEO took care of so many of the details that all I had to do was enjoy myself. Hotels were booked, meals planned (by our guide), and transportation arranged. I am very new to international travel, and this was the perfect introduction. I felt safe at all times. The variety of activities was vast - some travelers made choices like extreme hikes and rappelling, but others were able to enjoy the hotel pool or take a more serene butterfly garden tour. We also visited a local school and watched their talented dance team perform. We looked into their classrooms, as well. I was pleasantly surprised by our accommodations; I went in expecting a more rugged experience. Our guide was excellent. She consistently provided us with background information about the culture and history of the country and was also just very fun to be around. She even managed to rescue my laptop that I left at a hotel only reachable by boat! It magically reappeared in our origin city when we got back from our journey around the country. In sum, GEEO is a great way to travel. It is easy, versatile, informative, and most of all - tons of fun! read more

I took the GEEO.org Costa Rica Adventure trip and it was an amazing experience. Everything was well thought out and the packing list we were given ensured i was well prepared. The hotels we stayed at were very nice, some with amazing views of the ocean, volcanos, etc. The transportation was very comfortable between cities and all guides were extremely courteous and accomodating. The tour guide that Geeo hired was excellent, very informative, and very entertaining. All but two of us in our group travelled alone, and i beleive everyone felt completely safe throughout the whole trip. Geeo also did a great job in dividing 2 Costa Rica groups along age lines so the group i went with had a lot in common and usually agreed on the adventures/excursions to participate in. I will definintely be participating in another Geeo.org adventure next summer and for many summers after that. read more

Over the past 3 summers, I have traveled to Tunisia, Costa Rica, Russia, Mongolia and China with GEEO. This organization has been amazing to work with. Being a teacher, I love to travel however many of my friends do not have the time to take off in the summer. With GEEO, even though I might be traveling by myself, I am with an amazing group of teachers from all across the country. I have met so many teachers from all across the country and even collaborated with some around the globe. Traveling has opened up my eyes to different cultures and how students that are entering US schools for the first time might feel. Everything is extremely organized and reasonably priced. I will continue to travel with GEEO to meet new people, see new things and embrace new cultures! read more

I've been on two excursions with GEEO, China and Egypt. Working with Jesse at GEEO has been wonderful. He gives personalized service, calls back rapidly with answers and smoothes things over. The adventures he assembles have met all expectations. He does his research and ensures that guides and tour companies are top-notched. And how can you beat the price? These adventures give a person the true sense of a culture. You ride by train, boat or whatever; the guide always ensures your safety. If you're a teacher, you'd especially be interested as GEEO works in school visits when possible. That's a learning experience in itself. So bravo. Look into GEEO. You can't go wrong! read more

I had a great summer with GEEO in Russia, Mongolia and China! Jesse made sure we were well informed and prepared for the trip, booking and planning was easy with the information provided. The guides were wonderful and the itineraries were well planned. Our experiences covered all bases--tourist, local, adventure and time to explore on our own. Being a single traveler, I still felt comfortable and welcome with the groups. As teachers, we always find a common thread. Looking forward to traveling with GEEO again next summer! read more

I went on the Argentina/Uruguay/Brazil trip this summer. They call it "green travel", and I believe they accomplished that well. Public transportation, a knowledgeable guide in all areas where we were, and, through the wonders of Facebook, a chance meeting with some ex-pats in Montevideo who gave us a really helpful understanding of life in Montevideo! I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone who wants to see the world and learn new things. A great group of people made the experience that much more valuable. read more

My wife and I are both teachers and traveled with GEEO to South America this past summer. We had a great time and think this a really worthwhile program. For some reason yelp is filtering out most of GEEO's positive reviews. They have an algorithm that tries to catch fake reviews and it seems to be accidentally filtering out the glowing reviews that real GEEO participants have been giving. It's worthwhile to take a look at the filtered reviews. read more