Unearthed Education launches bespoke overland trips for high schools

Unearthed Education has launched in New Zealand to help high schools design custom international overland expeditions for students. The company is targeting schools seeking curriculum-linked travel, leadership development and service learning, backed by more than 25 years of experiential travel experience and established safety standards.

Why it matters: - Unearthed Education is entering a niche where schools want travel that supports learning outcomes, not preset tourist itineraries. - The company is aiming at a global high school market that wants safer, custom-built international expeditions tied to curriculum, leadership and student development.

What happened: - Unearthed Education officially launched as a New Zealand-based experiential education company serving high schools worldwide. - The company designs bespoke overland journeys abroad for students. - The launch was announced Sept. 23, 2026, in Queenstown, Otago, New Zealand. - Founder Zach Johnston said the company was built to fill a gap for schools that want custom student travel from day one.

The details: - Unearthed Education works directly with school administration and faculty at the earliest planning stages. - Each program starts with a discovery conversation about learning objectives, leadership outcomes, destination preferences and timeline. - Schools then review a formal proposal before the program reaches students and families. - Early programs already include destinations in Southeast Asia, South America and Australasia. - Program themes include service learning, marine and environmental conservation, cultural immersion and student leadership development. - Unearthed Education draws on more than 25 years of international experiential travel experience through ties to Pacific Discovery and Pure Exploration. - Those affiliated providers operate gap year, expedition and adventure guide training programs across Southeast Asia, Central and South America, Africa, and the Pacific and Oceania regions. - The company says that background provides operational experience, safety infrastructure and destination expertise for its high school programs. - The company said its programs are supported by recognition from The Gap Year Association, AdventureMark and Year Out Group. - Unearthed Education says it has a zero serious harm incident record over 25-plus years and 27 countries. - Each expedition is led by the company’s own team, from itinerary design through on-the-ground execution. - The company says its leaders have formal outdoor education and wilderness training, alongside staff trained in experiential learning.

Between the lines: - Unearthed Education is positioning itself against off-the-shelf school tour operators by selling customization and direct school partnership. - The parent-network connection gives the new brand instant credibility in safety and operations, which matters in student travel. - The model also suggests schools may be buying into a more hands-on education product than a standard trip package. - Mount Aspiring College Senior Dean Sandra Findlay said the Nepal program was an eye-opening experience that helped students build worldly skills, connection and resilience, and that Unearthed Education’s planning made the process seamless.

What's next: - Unearthed Education is now accepting inquiries from high schools worldwide for the current and upcoming academic years. - Schools can contact the team to begin designing custom overland expeditions for their students. - The company expects demand from schools looking for programs aligned with academic goals and student development priorities.

The bottom line: - Unearthed Education is betting that high schools want safer, more purposeful international travel — and are willing to start planning from scratch to get it.