There’s something transformative about stepping away from the usual summer routine and into a world of adventure, challenge, and connection. With a teen-focused summer travel program, young students get a unique opportunity to grow, explore, and make lifelong memories in inspiring places across the globe.
So, what are the best summer travel programs for teens?
- Rocky Mountain Explorer
- Northwest Explorer
- Alpine Challenge
- Pyrenees Expedition
- Teton Challenge
- Alpine Explorer
- Yellowstone Teton Explorer
- Norway Expedition
- Maine Coast Explorer
- Sierra Explorer
- Alaska Expedition
Each of these high-quality summer travel programs for teens offers something completely different from the next, from summit hikes to river rafting to immersive cultural exploration. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at each trip, how to choose the right program for your teen, and what makes Overland Summers a trusted name in youth travel experiences.
1. Rocky Mountain Explorer
| Rocky Mountain Explorer | |
| Duration | 2 Weeks |
| Start/End Location | Denver, Colorado |
| Grades | 6-9 |
| Full Trip Details | View Here |
Great for teens who are ready to embrace the outdoors, the Rocky Mountain Explorer trip delivers a big adventure smack dab in the middle of Colorado’s most breathtaking scenery.
The trip starts off in Denver before heading to Rocky Mountain National Park for scenic day hikes, followed by hikes in the Colorado State Forest State Park.
One of the highlights of the trip is the chance to summit Mt. Elbert, the highest peak in Colorado. The trip also features a thrilling two-day whitewater rafting adventure through Brown’s Canyon.
With a mix of frontcountry and backcountry camping in one of the most beautiful corners of the American West, this journey is both fun and challenging.
2. Northwest Explorer
| Northwest Explorer | |
| Duration | 2 Weeks |
| Start/End Location | Seattle, Washington |
| Grades | 6-9 |
| Full Trip Details | View Here |
Northwest Explorer is perfect for students who want a rugged yet beautiful coastal adventure.
Starting in Seattle, the trip features day hikes in both Mount Rainier and Olympic National Parks, two icons of the Pacific Northwest. The backpacking expedition in Olympic National Park offers a chance to bond, unplug, and take in the region’s natural splendor.
After trekking, the group trades boots for paddles on a kayaking journey through the San Juan Islands. With a combination of frontcountry, backcountry, and on-island camping, this trip offers a well-rounded mix of challenge and teamwork, with unforgettable scenery included.
3. Alpine Challenge
| Alpine Challenge | |
| Duration | 3 Weeks |
| Start/End Location | Zurich, Switzerland |
| Grades | 10-12 |
| Full Trip Details | View Here |
Designed for older high schoolers seeking a true test of endurance, Alpine Challenge is one of Overland’s most ambitious summer travel programs for teens.
Starting off in Zurich, the group heads to the Gstaad region for day hikes through the iconic peaks of Giferspitz and Geltenhütte. From there, they embark on a nine-day thru-hike along Switzerland’s famed Alpine Pass Route, culminating in a two-day trek from Saint Niklaus to Zermatt.
Weather permitting, students will get the chance to summit the Mettelhorn at 11,175 feet. Accommodations include a mix of frontcountry camps, cozy alpine huts, and a night in a youth hostel. With stunning views and peak physical challenges, this is a once-in-a-lifetime European trekking experience.
4. Pyrenees Expedition
| Pyrenees Expedition | |
| Duration | 3 Weeks |
| Start/End Location | Barcelona, Spain |
| Grades | 9-11 |
| Full Trip Details | View Here |
Teens who want to explore something beyond the typical should look into our Pyrenees Expedition, which is a jaw-dropping trek across northern Spain’s rugged mountain range.
The journey includes hikes near Espot, which lead up to quiet hamlets and summits with panoramic views. The heart of the trip, however, is a 12-day thru-hike along Spain’s famed GR-11 trail, split into three hiking blocks with rest and resupply days in Benasque, Bielsa, and Vielha.
Along the way, students will ascend Collado de Añisclo at 8,005 feet. With a mix of frontcountry campsites, alpine huts, backcountry overnights, and hostels, there’s just as much cultural exploration as there are challenges.
5. Teton Challenge
| Teton Challenge | |
| Duration | 3 Weeks |
| Start/End Location | Bozeman, Montana |
| Grades | 10-12 |
| Full Trip Details | View Here |
Teton Challenge is one of Overland’s most challenging summer travel programs for teens. It’s perfect for older teens ready to push their limits in some of the West’s most famed wilderness areas.
Starting in Bozeman, students will make their way south to explore Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks with three introductory hikes, where they’ll get to see geysers, alpine landscapes, and regional wildlife.
Then, it’s seven days of backcountry travel, which either takes place in Yellowstone National Park or the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, depending on group placement.
The trip culminates in a two-day summit attempt of the Grand Teton (13,776 ft), preceded by climbing school with professional guides from Exum. With kayaking on the Snake River and nights spent in wild, remote settings, this is the ultimate test of grit and growth.
6. Alpine Explorer
| Alpine Explorer | |
| Duration | 2 Weeks |
| Start/End Location | Zurich, Switzerland |
| Grades | 7-9 |
| Full Trip Details | View Here |
Alpine Explorer is the perfect European introduction for younger teens who want to hike, explore, and soak in the magic of the Swiss Alps. Based in the storybook town of Gstaad, the trip begins with several day hikes before students embark on a five-day thru-hike through the Bernese Oberland, traveling from Gstaad to Kandersteg.
One of the highlights is the scenic trek to Blüemlisalphütte, which is a gorgeous alpine hut perched high above the valley. After the mountains, the group takes a relaxing train ride to Montreux for a boat cruise across Lake Geneva, stopping in lakeside villages and castle towns.
While it’s designed for students in grades 7–9, select rising 6th graders may be eligible depending on fit.
7. Yellowstone Teton Explorer
| Yellowstone Teton Explorer | |
| Duration | 2 Weeks |
| Start/End Location | Bozeman, Montana |
| Grades | 6-9 |
| Full Trip Details | View Here |
Yellowstone Teton Explorer is an exciting and accessible adventure for younger teens who enjoy hiking, paddling, and wildlife exploring.
The trip begins with three-day hikes in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, where students can see geysers, bison, and elk. That portion of the trip is followed by a three-day backpacking trip in the nearby Caribou-Targhee National Forest.
The other portion of the trip is dedicated to a four-day whitewater kayaking school on the Snake River, where students progress from flat water to Class III rapids. With a 4:1 instructor-to-student ratio, both the frontcountry and backcountry camping have plenty of support!
8. Norway Expedition
| Norway Explorer | |
| Duration | 3 Weeks |
| Start/End Location | Oslo, Norway |
| Grades | 7-9 |
| Full Trip Details | View Here |
Nothing says a true European wilderness experience like the Norway Expedition. The trip begins with three days of hiking in the Beitostølen region, just outside a national park, before heading into Jotunheimen for a four-day backcountry trek that finishes with a breathtaking traverse of the Besseggen Ridge.
After the mountain backpacking trip, the group heads out on a three-day sea kayaking journey through the fjords of Aurlandsfjorden and Nærøyfjord. With a mix of frontcountry and backcountry camping, it’s one of our many high-quality summer travel programs for teens that have both physical challenges and natural beauty.
9. Maine Explorer
| Main Coast Explorer | |
| Duration | 2 Weeks |
| Start/End Location | Portland, Maine |
| Grades | 6-9 |
| Full Trip Details | View Here |
Maine Coast Explorer is the ideal summer adventure for younger teens who want to explore both the mountains and the ocean.
The trip starts off with scenic coastal hikes near Portland and inland trails around Bethel, followed by a three-day backpacking trip in Grafton Notch State Park.
One of the trip’s big highlights is the summit of Mt. Katahdin, which is the highest peak in Maine. Afterwards, students enjoy two days of sea kayaking in Muscongus Bay, including a half-day paddle from Rockport to Camden with a stop on an island to explore..
10. Sierra Explorer
| Sierra Explorer | |
| Duration | 2 Weeks |
| Start/End Location | San Francisco, California |
| Grades | 6-9 |
| Full Trip Details | View Here |
Sierra Explorer brings some of the most iconic California scenery into one action-packed trip for middle schoolers. Starting in San Francisco, the group heads to Yosemite National Park for three day hikes, including a summit of Upper Yosemite Falls at 6,526 feet.
Then it’s off to the Stanislaus National Forest for a three-day backpacking trip. The adventure wraps with a two-day whitewater rafting run down 20 miles of the American River, featuring up to Class III+ rapids.
11. Alaska Expedition
| Alaska Expedition | |
| Duration | 3 Weeks |
| Start/End Location | Anchorage, Alaska |
| Grades | 9-11 |
| Full Trip Details | View Here |
Teens who want to embark on a wild, once-in-a-lifetime adventure should look at the Alaska Expedition. The trip begins with day hikes near Anchorage before launching into back-to-back multi-day treks: a four-day journey along Kesugi Ridge in Denali State Park and a three-day hike in the Chugach Mountains.
From there, students take to the water for a four-day sea kayaking expedition in Prince William Sound. Paddling in tandem kayaks with a professional guide, the group gets a chance to explore coastal inlets, camp on remote beaches, and get within a mile of glaciers.
How to Choose the Right Summer Travel Program for Your Teen
Overland Summers has a ton of high-quality summer travel programs for teens to choose from, so when looking at the options, it’s important to consider your teen’s personality, goals, and comfort levels.
Each one of our summer teen tours is carefully thought out and completely unique from the next, so whether they’re looking for an international experience thousands of miles from home or a multi-day hike and camp in the nearby wilderness where they can meet a new group of friends, we can help you find an experience that fits.
Start with their interests
Some teens love backcountry camping and long hikes, while others enjoy kayaking and personal growth and development. Give your teen a list of options and see what makes them light up.
Consider the length of the trip
Our summer travel programs for teens range from two to three weeks, with different levels of physical challenge.
Shorter trips like Maine Coast Explorer offer a great intro to travel, while longer expeditions such as Norway or Alaska are better for experienced adventurers.
Budget
With our wide range of trips and locations, our goal is to make meaningful travel more accessible. All trips are all-inclusive once they begin. Meals, activities, and lodging are built into the experience.
Safety and support
These two words are the most important we live by here at Overland Summers. With our experienced trip leaders and guides, you’ll know your teens are in good hands.
Need help deciding which trip is the best?
Use Overland’s Trip Comparison Tool to see each trip side by side and narrow down the best fit!
What Makes Overland Summers Unique
What sets Overland Summers apart is how we do our trips. Every trip is built on decades of thoughtful planning, experience, and a commitment to helping teens grow through travel.
What Makes Overland Summers Truly Special
- Expertly Curated Teen Vacation Programs: Each itinerary is designed with age-appropriate challenges, personal growth, and safety in mind.
- Diverse Destinations: From the Swiss Alps to Alaska’s glaciers, the Maine coast to the Spanish Pyrenees, Overland has programs across the U.S. and Europe.
- Experienced Leadership and Support: Every group is led by carefully selected and trained trip leaders, many of whom are educators and outdoorspeople. During more technical parts of our adventures, like climbing the Grand Teton or kayaking in Norway, we partner with licensed local guides.
- Focus on Personal Growth: Teen adventure trips emphasize teamwork and independence. From learning to pitch a tent to pushing through tough hikes, teens return home more confident and capable.
- Unmatched Outdoor Adventure: With everything from Class III+ rapids to mountain summits, the trips are full of memorable, screen-free nature experiences.
- Small Group Sizes: Each trip has just 12 students and two or three leaders, so every participant gets individual attention and support.
- Safe, Structured Environment: With a 40-year track record and rigorous safety standards, your teens can enjoy freedom and adventure with plenty of oversight.
FAQs
Are summer travel programs safe for teens?
Yes. Overland Summers prioritizes safety with carefully designed itineraries, thorough risk management protocols, experienced leaders, and extensive staff training. Safety is a foundational value of the program structure and philosophy.
What types of activities are included?
Overland programs feature a wide range of activities such as hiking, backpacking, language and cultural immersion, and trail service projects. Each program is designed to match specific age groups and interests.
What is the cost of these programs?
Costs vary by program length, destination, and activities. Generally, prices reflect high-quality staff, logistics, accommodations, and safety standards. For specific pricing, families are encouraged to explore the Overland Summers website or request a catalog.
Can teens travel internationally?
Yes. Overland offers both domestic and international travel programs. International trips are thoughtfully curated, with strong safety and communication protocols, and are appropriate for older students depending on the program.
How can I stay in touch with my teen?
Parents receive regular updates from Overland staff. While direct communication with participants may be limited during trips (to encourage immersion and independence), trip leaders maintain contact with the home office, which relays updates and is available for urgent parent communication.
The Journey Starts Here
Choosing a summer travel program for your teen shouldn’t just be about finding a cool destination. It should be about finding an experience that builds confidence and creates lasting memories. Overland Summers offers all of that and more with expertly designed summer travel programs for teens.
With trips ranging from the coast of Maine to the fjords of Norway, Overland has options for every kind of teen. Each program is led by our experienced, caring leaders and built on a foundation of safety, intention, and fun.
Ready to find the perfect fit for your teen? Request an Overland Summers catalog to learn more.
