Rein Teen Tours Blog

Travel Type: International Travel Programs

Project Ecuador, The Amazon & Galapagos Islands

Join us this summer for a once-in-a-lifetime experience on our Project Ecuador program. Experience the joy of volunteering your time while also traveling throughout this beautiful country, participating in fun adventures and exploring the rich, local culture. Our teen participants volunteer throughout their time in Quito and the Amazon Jungle, earning a total of 40 hours of community service. Our time in the Galapagos Islands is spent participating in exciting activities while exploring these unique islands.

The goal of our Project Ecuador program is for our participants to not only help the local communities but to also learn about themselves and to grow through their experiences. Upon completion of Project Ecuador, each participant will receive a certificate recognizing 40 HOURS of SUMMER COMMUNITY SERVICE. Our projects are designed to create meaningful bonds between our volunteers and those they are helping. Participants volunteer Monday – Friday while in Quito, and throughout their stay while in the Amazon.

Our first week in Ecuador is spent living, volunteering, and experiencing all the capital city of Quito has to offer. Weekdays are spent volunteering each morning, participating in fun local activities in the afternoons, and enjoying great evenings throughout this historic city. Our second week is spent in the awe-inspiring Galapagos Islands, traveling throughout the islands learning about this most unique destination. Days are spent swimming, snorkeling, and hiking our way past exotic animals such as giant tortoises, Galapagos penguins, and Blue-footed Boobies. During our third and final week, we head into the exotic Amazon Jungle. Days are spent volunteering, participating in adventurous activities, and experiencing the local culture at night.

Project Ecuador is an incredible opportunity to experience the different peoples and cultures of a unique part of the world. You should come to the program with an open mind and positive attitude, excited about new experiences, ready to fully participate in volunteer work and cultural exploration, and willing to challenge yourself to step outside of your comfort zone. Each one of our teenagers is a partner in making our trip through Ecuador a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

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Itinerary Map for Project Ecuador & Galapagos Islands Project

All of our teenagers participate in the following Community Service Projects:

Volunteer at a Pre-School in Quito
Volunteer with the Kichwa Tribe
Group Size
The Project Ecuador program accommodates up to 26 participants, which fosters expanded social interactions and friendships within the group during all of our activities.
Accommodations
During the Project Ecuador program, our participants stay in safe, secure, and centrally located hotels and lodges that reflect the local character of each part of the country that we visit. All of our accommodations provide amenities and facilities that allow for comfort and a good night’s sleep.
Meals
While in Quito, our group enjoys the great full breakfast buffet at the JW Marriott, and lunch and dinner are eaten at various restaurants throughout the city. While in the Amazon, we eat our meals in the lodges’ restaurants, with the option of always sampling the local cuisine. In the Galapagos Islands, we eat breakfast and dinner (served family-style) at our hotel, and lunch is enjoyed while on our daily excursions throughout the islands. No matter where we are, there is always an option for every type of diet.
Staff
Our staff members are teachers and graduate school students who are committed to Project Ecuador’s ideals of volunteering, exploring, and learning from different cultures. Rein Community Service staff members are always present at each service site. All staff members attend our professional training workshops where the emphasis is placed on the safety and well-being of our teenage participants. Program leaders are trained in Basic First Aid and CPR. All service sites are additionally staffed by local bi-lingual volunteer coordinators.
Transportation
While in Quito and the Amazon, Project Ecuador uses professionally driven buses and vans to transport our participants to their various projects and activities. The flights between Quito and the Galapagos Islands are on regularly scheduled, full-size jet planes. During the Galapagos Islands portion of the program, we utilize professionally captained charter boats to explore the islands.
Communication
The Rein Communication Center is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week throughout the program. Teenagers are permitted to bring their cell phones.

Project Costa Rica

Our teenagers spend either 14 or 20 days living, volunteering, and experiencing all the Arenal area has to offer. Weekdays are spent volunteering each morning, participating in fun electives and local activities in the afternoons, and enjoying great evenings together. Weekends are spent traveling to incredible locations throughout Costa Rica.

Both Project Costa Rica programs are incredible opportunities to experience a different world amidst the beautiful natural setting of this magnificent country. You should come to the program with an open mind and positive attitude, excited about new experiences, ready to fully participate in volunteer work and our exciting adventures, and willing to challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone. Each one of our teenagers is a partner in making our trip through Costa Rica a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

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20 Day Program

July 2 – July 21, 2023
$6899
Learn more about our 20 day trip

14 Day Program

July 16 – July 29, 2023
$5899
Learn more about our 14 day trip

Project Costa Rica

European Adventure

European Adventure begins as we travel together to Reykjavik, Iceland. Make lots of new friends and start bonding with fun Introductions and Ice Breakers at our orientation. We will explore the natural beauty of Iceland during our famous Golden Circle Tour where we’ll tour Thingvellier National Park and see the Great Geyser and Gullfoss Waterfall. Our expert rafting guides will sail through magnificent landscapes as we raft down Gullfoss Canyon. Enjoy the world famous Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa where we will soak in the Hot Springs and reap the benefits of the mineral-rich waters. Get your cameras ready when we put on headlamps for our exciting and beautiful Lava Tube Trek! Our journey continues as we take our non-stop flight to Paris.

Bienvenue — Welcome to Paris! We’ll go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, view the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, and see the works of Monet and Van Gogh at Musee d’Orsay. Next we’ll hear the chimes at Notre Dame and drive along the Champs-Elysées to see the Arc de Triomphe. Take an evening cruise down the Seine River and visit Sacre Coeur in the bohemian artist village of Montmartre. After roaming the vast gardens at the Palace of Versailles our student European teen tour is off to Switzerland.

Our time in Switzerland begins as our teen tour drives to the majestic Swiss Alps to reach the village of Zermatt, nestled amongst beautiful alpine lakes and enchanting ice-blue glaciers. The teens will have Professionally Guided Summer Snow Skiing and Snowboarding on the Matterhorn or will take an Alpine Gondola Ride to experience a personal breathtaking view of this serene environment.

Benvenuti in Italia – Welcome to Italy! Our first stop is Venice, a breathtaking city built on 118 small islands that are separated by canals and linked by over 400 bridges. Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime moonlit gondola ride along Venice’s canals and cross the Bridge of Sighs. Visit St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace and enjoy a late night of Gelato and people watching in Piazza san Marco.

As they say…When in Rome…we’ll set foot in the Colosseum where gladiators once fought and stroll down The Ancient Roman Forum, the center of Roman commerce during ancient times. We’ll see Circus Maximus, step inside the Pantheon, walk down the Spanish Steps, toss coins over your shoulder into the Trevi Fountain, and then spend the evening in the charming Piazza Navonna. Walk through Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basillica on our guided tour, and marvel at Michelangelo’s artwork in the Sistine Chapel.

Excitement abounds as we take in the stunning views of cliffs, grottos and shimmering bays as we reach Sorrento, our beautiful resort town spread along the terraces that rise above the sea. Step onto our Hydrofoil Boat Ride as we head to the Island of Capri, where we’ll take a boat ride to the Blue Grotto, swim in the crystal clear sea, and enjoy a relaxing beach day. Sorrento is so fabulous, you’ll never want to leave. On our way to Florence, we will check out the archeologic ruins of Pompeii, a Roman town frozen in time from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D.

Florence is a city bustling with industry, craft, commerce, culture, art, and science. Some sights on our Guided City Tour include Ghiberti’s Bronze Doors, Michelangelo’s "David," the Duomo, and the Ponte Vechio. Our teenagers will hear the best mixes of international dance music at our two-level International Dance Club. Enjoy delicious Italian Pasta Dinners that will tempt your palate and wake your taste buds. As we leave Florence we’ll stop at the Leaning Tower of Pisa, then it is off to the French Riviera.

Next, Rein Teen Tours European Adventure travelers are in store for glitz and glamour as we head to Monte Carlo, Monaco, where we’ll stay at the world-famous Fairmont Monte Carlo. Here we’ll enjoy our resort’s opulent pool overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Enjoy a beach day along the beautiful blue-green waters of the French Riviera, also known as the Cote d’Azur. We will experience the unique vibe of Riviera Night Life in Monaco as we and indulge in delicious gourmet meals and soak up the vibe at this international playground of the rich and famous!

Our last seven days will be spent in Spain. Barcelona, the host city of the 1992 Olympics will be our home as we take in the cool fresh air of the Mediterranean coast and this epicenter of cultural energy. Tour Salvador Dali’s Museum in Figueras and enjoy a traditional paella dinner followed by an authentic Flamenco Dance Show. We’ll explore La Rambla, Barcelona’s most vibrant avenue with inviting shops, food markets, and unique performers. On our visit to Park Guell we’ll see one of the most colorful and playful works of the famous artist Antoni Gaudí, then we’ll walk around La Sagrada Familia to see Gaudí’s masterpiece basilica.

Relax and reminisce on the beach in Costa Brava as we swim and play on the sun drenched white sand beaches of the Spanish Riviera, along the sparkling blue Mediterranean Sea. Conquer Dragon Kahn, the only 8 loop roller coaster in the World, as we spend the day at Port Aventura & Ferrari Land, Spain’s largest theme park.

Our summer European teen tour ends with an incredible finale in Madrid, the capital metropolis of Spain. We’ll visit the Prado Museum and walk along the grounds of Palacio Real, the largest palace in Europe. Race your friends to the bottom of the hill at our indoor snow-tubing park, and tour Bernabeú Stadium, home of International Fútbol team, Real Madrid. Spend the last night with your summer teen tour group enjoying fun skits and songs at our farewell party that continues late into the night. Then it is time to board our regularly scheduled jet for our flight home, with new friends and unforgettable memories of our journey through Iceland, France, Switzerland, Italy and Spain.

Costa Rica Adventure

Costa Rica Adventure introduces our teenagers to many of the highlights of this beautiful country. We will explore the magnificent mountainous interior and the palm-tree lined beaches of this slice of paradise. We begin our adventure in the vibrant city of San Jose and the beautiful lush Central Valley. We jump right into the action with a visit to one of the world’s most active craters, Poas Volcano, and make our way to the other-worldly La Paz Waterfall Gardens.

Next, we head north to the town of La Fortuna and one of Costa Rica’s must-see destinations, the Arenal Volcano. Hike to the lava rocks in Arenal National Park and spot monkeys and sloths on our excursion through the rainforest on the famous Hanging Bridges. Sit back and relax in soothing natural hot springs after our exhilarating waterfall rappelling adventure. Our journey continues to our next stop, magical Monteverde, home to mysterious cloud forests and jaw-dropping natural beauty. Get psyched for our exciting zip-line tour as you cruise from tree-top to tree-top!

Next up is Rincon de la Vieja, home to the awesome Jungle Water Slide, exciting canopy tours, and bubbling volcanic mud baths. After a stop in Palo Verde National Park, we continue to the beautiful blue Pacific Ocean and Playa Tamarindo, home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. It’s time to “hang ten” during our professional surf lessons and enjoy the gorgeous sunset during our catamaran cruise.

The adventure continues as we head to the Central Pacific Coast. We’ll drive to postcard-perfect Playa Herradura for an incredible snorkel cruise to pristine Isla Tortuga. Manuel Antonio National Park is next, famous for its magnificent beaches, teeming wildlife, and unspoiled rainforests. Grab your paddle and get ready for our thrilling white-water rafting trip on the Rio Savegre.

We’ll head back to San Jose for our farewell dinner as we reminisce with our new friends about our incredible summer memories and awesome experiences on Costa Rica Adventure.

Adventure Thailand

Our 21-day program in Thailand and Cambodia introduces our teenagers to the people and cultures of these two unique countries through travel, cultural exploration, and community service. You should come to this program with an open mind and positive attitude, excited about new experiences, ready to fully participate in cultural activities and service work, and willing to challenge yourself to step outside of your comfort zone. Each one of our teenagers is a partner in making Adventure Thailand a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Our adventure begins as we travel to Bangkok, the mesmerizing capital of Thailand and one of the most exciting cities in the world. We will marvel at the golden palaces and magnificent grand temples as we cruise through the city’s famous canals. Next, we’ll head to northern Thailand and the town of Chiang Rai, where we’ll bike through small villages and rice fields and take in the awe-inspiring white temple, Wat Rong Khun. Next our journey takes us to the vibrant city of Chiang Mai, where we’ll find unlimited opportunities for exciting adventure and enriching cultural exploration. Learn the art of Muay Thai kick-boxing, brave the rapids as we white-water raft on the Mae Taeng River, learn to cook local food at our Thai cooking school, and hike to the top of Doi Suthep for unparalleled views of the city and beyond. Our next stop is the enchanting island of Phuket, home to gorgeous beaches and magnificent sunsets. Trek through the lush jungle and receive a monk’s blessing, visit the Big Buddha on Mount Nagakerd, take in the award-winning Phuket Fantasea show, and bask in the sunshine in this tropical paradise. Throughout our stay we will feel the warmth and welcoming hospitality of the Thai people, which has earned Thailand the nickname “The Land of Smiles.”

Next, we board our flight and head to Siem Reap, Cambodia – the gateway to mystical and mysterious ancient worlds. We will marvel at one of the awe-inspiring Seven Wonders of the World, the Temple City of Angkor Wat, where the power of the encroaching jungle and the beauty of the architecture have made this one of the world’s most celebrated ancient sites. We’ll hike through deep forests as we come upon Angkor Thom, the Tomb Raider Temple, home to the mysterious smiling statues of Bayon. Walk through Ta Prohm, a city slowly being reclaimed by Mother Nature. Get ready for an adrenaline-packed adventure as we zoom over the jungle canopy on our exciting zip-line course! Experience the amazing energy of the world-renowned Cambodian Circus, Phare. We’ll finish this amazing journey through Thailand and Cambodia as we take our sunset cruise in the vibrant city of Phnom Penh.

Throughout our journey we will have meaningful opportunities for community service and enriching cultural experiences. We will spend time with the children at a pre-school for underprivileged chindren in Bangkok, sponsor a meal and play with kids at a group home in Northern Thailand, and participate in a cultural exchange with school children in Chiang Mai. Travel to the countryside to feed, bathe, and care for elephants, learn about Buddhism and exchange ideas with novice monks, visit with a Hill Tribe in northern Thailand, and take in a traditional Thai dance presentation. Upon completion of the program, each participant will receive a certificate recognizing 20 hours of community service.

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Itinerary Map for Adventure Thailand

All of our teenagers participate in the following Community Service Projects:

Volunteering with Thai Children
Volunteer at an Elephant Camp

All of our teenagers will also participate in the following cultural activities:

Group Size
Our Adventure Thailand summer program can accommodate up to 24 participants, which fosters expanded social interactions and friendships within the group during all of our activities.
Accomodations
During Adventure Thailand, our group stays in safe, secure, and centrally located hotels that reflect the local character and culture of each part of Thailand and Cambodia that we visit. All of our accommodations provide amenities and facilities that allow for comfort and a good night’s sleep.
Meals
Throughout Adventure Thailand we will enjoy the local cuisine in these culturally rich locations. Thai meals are known for their amazing complexity, combining sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and spicy ingredients, with each part of Thailand being known for its own local style. In Cambodia we will be introduced to Khmer food, which traditionally consists of contrasting flavors, textures, and temperatures along with herbs, vegetables, and dipping sauces. Sometimes comfort food is just what you need, so we will also have the opportunity to dine at Western-style restaurants during the program. Enjoy breakfast at our various hotels and lunch and dinner in local restaurants.
Staff
Our staff members are teachers and graduate school students who are committed to Adventure Thailand’s ideals of volunteering, exploring, and learning from different cultures. Rein Community Service staff members are always present at each service site and each activity. All staff members attend our professional training workshops where the emphasis is placed on the safety and well-being of our teenager participants. All staff members are certified in Basic First Aid and CPR. All service sites are additionally staffed by local bilingual guides.
Transportation
Adventure Thailand uses professionally driven vans and buses to transfer our participants to their various projects and activities. All internal flights in Thailand and between Thailand and Cambodia are on regularly scheduled commercial jets.
Communication
The Rein Communication Center is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week throughout the program. Teenagers are permitted to bring their cell phones and can use wifi when available.

Hawaiian / Alaskan Adventure

Hawaiian / Alaskan Adventure is the ultimate summer teen tour adventure. Our journey to the Lands of Ice and Tropical Paradise begins as we jet to San Francisco. In San Francisco it’s cable car rides, Fisherman’s Wharf, Lombard Street and Ghirardelli ice cream sundaes.

The action continues as summer teen tour travelers enjoy action-packed days water-skiing and tubing in Lake Tahoe. Next, we’ll visit the beautiful campus of the University of Oregon, take an outrageous Sandrail Dune Buggy Ride across the sand dunes of Oregon, and share a thrilling jet boat trip down the Rogue River.

Next, your teen tour adventure heads to Seattle for Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, and the Museum of Pop Culture. From there we take in the sights of Vancouver and Whistler, including the Capilano Suspension Bridge, Granville, and a high-speed Zipline Canopy tour in the mountains.

After several power-packed days on the Pacific Coast, our teen tour flies to Alaska where we’ll enjoy the beauty, grandeur, and excitement of the 49th state. Our time in the “land of the midnight sun” includes Fairbanks, Denali National Park, and Anchorage. In Denali National Park and Fairbanks, we’ll raft the most popular whitewater river in Alaska, visit a dogsledding base camp, and find gold on our gold panning adventure. In Anchorage we’ll see glaciers and icebergs up close on our glacier boat trip, kayak on a stunning turquoise lake, reach new heights at the top of Mt. Alyeska, and tour a wildlife conservation center. During our time in Alaska, we’ll be mesmerized by the abundant beauty and wildlife all around us, including bear, moose, caribou, dall sheep, and whales.

Our Hawaiian/Alaskan Adventure tour finally heads to the land of paradise as we jet to Maui to begin the Hawaiian leg of our summer teen tour adventure. Dive 100 feet below the ocean’s surface on our out-of-this-world Submarine Trip. A great day of snorkeling awaits us as our 65-foot catamaran sails to the Molokini Crater. We’ll enjoy a fun waterslide and superb snorkeling amongst colorful tropical fish and giant sea turtles.

Our short jet flight takes us to the "Big Island" where we will soak up the sun at our outrageous resort. We'll tour the Big Island, visit Volcanoes National Park and run barefoot on the Black Sand Beaches.

The last three nights of your summer teen paradise are spent in Honolulu at the amazing Hyatt Waikiki. Visit Pearl Harbor, enjoy the view from the top of Diamond Head and take a fun trip to the University of Hawaii. Professional Surfing lessons on Waikiki Beach will make the final day of our summer teen tour unforgettable!

You’ll board our regularly scheduled jet for our flight home with your new teen tour friends and unbelievable memories of your summer teen tour adventure to the 49th and 50th states.

Crossroads

Your Crossroads journey begins by traveling to Syracuse, New York and continues to Niagara Falls where we take an action packed jet boat trip on the rapids of the Niagara River. The best roller coasters in the world await us at Cedar Point Amusement Park in Cleveland. We’ll visit the home of the Michigan Wolverines when we stay in the dorms at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Our teen tour continues through the Mid-West as we catch the antics of the Blue Man Group in Chicago, and check out the Mall of America in Minneapolis.

More summer teen tour highlights await us as we enter the Rocky Mountains: the Badlands National Park, Mt. Rushmore, a Wyoming whitewater raft adventure, Yellowstone National Park, Salt Lake City and a taste of the old west in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

The beautiful Southwest unfolds before your eyes as our Crossroads teen tour journeys into Bryce Canyon National Park. We’ll walk along the Rim of the Grand Canyon and then navigate the Broken Arrow Trail on our Pink Jeep Off-Road Adventure in Sedona, Arizona. After our relaxing resort stay in Scottsdale, it’s the bright lights and excitement of Las Vegas.

Sunny California is the next destination on your summer teen tour! Stay at our spectacular resort in San Diego, where we enjoy professional surfing lessons and visit the world-famous San Diego Zoo. We’ll checkout all Los Angeles has to offer before visiting Universal Studios and Disneyland. Next, it’s on to Lake Tahoe for water-skiing and tubing on our beach day. Finally we head to San Francisco for the final stop of your Crossroads teen tour. Teenagers spend three terrific days exploring the city by the bay before traveling home with your new teen tour friends and summer memories from the adventure of a lifetime.

Australia / New Zealand Adventure

Australia / New Zealand Adventure introduces our teenagers to the highlights of these two incredible countries through exciting travel and enriching cultural experiences. We begin our adventure by traveling to Auckland, the captivating capital of New Zealand, and start with a thrilling sail on an actual America’s Cup Yacht on Waitemata Harbour. Next, travel north to the beautiful Bay of Islands where we will explore the Maori Meeting House and Waitangi Treaty House, the birthplace of modern New Zealand. We visit breathtaking 90-Mile Beach located at the northernmost point of New Zealand. We make our way south to the thermal hot-springs of Rotorua and the Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. Take a private tour of Hobbiton, the setting for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies. Next, learn about the proud Maori people at our traditional cultural show and dinner. We’ll tackle the impressive Kaituna River on our white-water rafting adventure. Throughout our stay we will feel the warmth of Kiwi (as New Zealanders are called!) hospitality.

Next, get ready to go Down Under, as we board our flight and head to bustling Brisbane, the exciting center of the Sunshine Coast. No trip to Australia is complete without spending the day at the awesome Australia Zoo, made famous by the incomparable Steve Irwin. Next up is Surfers Paradise located on the Gold Coast of Australia, famous for beautiful beaches and world-class surf. We’ll kayak in the beautiful blue Pacific waters and catch the waves during our professional surf lessons. We’ll board our next flight and head to Cairns, the vibrant and tropical gateway of beautiful northern Australia. We’ll spend a full day snorkeling along the magnificent Great Barrier Reef, visit the Rainforestation Nature Park, and enjoy the views from the scenic Kuranda Skyrail. Our final stop is Sydney, one of the world’s most beautiful and modern cities. Tour the world-renowned Sydney Opera House, cruise through famous Darling Harbour, visit beuatiful Bondi Beach, and finish your trip with an incredible climb to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

View the Australia/New Zealand Adventure Teen Tour Itinerary and list of Activities

For a complete description of the Rein Teen Tours Australia/New Zealand Adventure, Request a Rein Teen Tours Brochure.