Unearthed Education launches bespoke overland expeditions for high schools

Unearthed Education has launched in New Zealand with a model for designing custom international overland trips for high schools worldwide. The company says it will pair schools with experienced expedition teams to build programs around learning goals, safety standards, and student outcomes.

Why it matters: - Unearthed Education is targeting a gap in school travel: custom expeditions built around learning goals instead of fixed tour packages. - The model could give high schools a more tailored option for leadership development, service learning, curriculum-aligned fieldwork, and student growth. - The company is entering the market with a long safety and operations track record, which may matter to school administrators and families weighing international travel.

What happened: - Unearthed Education, a New Zealand-based experiential education company, officially launched on September 23, 2026. - The company will design bespoke overland journeys abroad for high schools worldwide. - Founder Zach Johnston said the company was built to serve schools that want a partner, not an off-the-shelf package. - The launch took place in Queenstown, Otago, New Zealand.

The details: - Unearthed Education says each program starts with a discovery conversation with school staff. - The planning process covers learning objectives, leadership outcomes, destination preferences, and timeline. - Schools then review a formal proposal before the program reaches students and families. - Early programs already span Southeast Asia, South America, and Australasia. - Planned itineraries include service learning, marine and environmental conservation, cultural immersion, and student leadership development. - The company says its work is backed by more than 25 years of experiential travel experience. - That experience comes through ties to Pacific Discovery and Pure Exploration, which run gap year, expedition, and adventure guide training programs across Southeast Asia, Central and South America, Africa, and the Pacific and Oceania regions. - Unearthed Education says its programs are supported by accreditation and safety standards recognized by The Gap Year Association, AdventureMark, and Year Out Group. - The company says it has a 25-plus-year safety record across 27 countries with zero serious harm incidents. - Unearthed Education says experienced professionals lead every stage of a program, from itinerary design to on-the-ground expedition delivery. - The company says it does not hand programs off to local subcontractors or rotating guides. - Each expedition is supervised end to end by leaders with formal outdoor education and wilderness training, alongside staff trained in experiential learning. - A quote from Sandra Findlay, senior dean at Mount Aspiring College, said the Nepal program delivered worldly skills, peer connection, and resilience, while Unearthed Education's planning made the process seamless. - The company listed contact details for Kaila LeMaitre and said schools can reach out directly. - Unearthed Education included social links on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

Between the lines: - The launch positions Unearthed Education as a specialized school travel provider rather than a general student-tour operator. - The emphasis on safety, accreditation, and direct program control suggests the company is trying to reduce a major concern for schools considering overseas trips. - The focus on bespoke design also signals a push toward deeper alignment with school curriculum and student development goals.

What's next: - Unearthed Education is now accepting inquiries from high schools worldwide for current and upcoming academic year programs. - Schools interested in a custom overland expedition can begin discussions with the Unearthed Education team. - The company will likely use its early school partnerships to build momentum for additional programs across more regions.