CUSTOM IMMERSIONS
ABOUT CUSTOM IMMERSIONS
No two groups of travelers are curious about the same things, and Custom Immersions are built around exactly that idea. Working closely with you before the experience, Deliberate Detour designs a tailored itinerary around your group’s specific interests, pace, and learning styles, drawing on the same deep local knowledge and connections that undergird all of our programs.
Whatever your starting point, Custom Immersion takes it seriously and builds something around it that you won’t find anywhere else.
CUSTOMIZABLE PIECES
We begin with Signature Immersions, our flagship programs, and tailor from there. The destination is your next determination — Peru, Hungary, Mexico, or London — and from there, the itinerary can be constructed.
You may change as much or as little as you’d like.
The pace is yours to set; some groups want full, rich days while others need room to wander and rest. The balance between structured experiences and play, length of the program, and the amount of parent involvement are all part of the conversation.
Even the learning goals can be tailored. Perhaps you request daily language tutoring or weave in a theme such as sport, nature, or art. Whether you’re supplementing a school curriculum, supporting a homeschool program, or simply following your group’s collective curiosity, we work in tandem to fulfill your wishes.
YOUR PASSIONS, EXPLORED
With deep connections in our host communities, knowledgeable contacts, and more activities in our back pockets then we can squeeze into our standard program, you have options! Here are some ideas groups are exploring for their Custom Immersions:
- With a fascination of ancient civilizations, you go deeper into the archaeology of Peru than any standard itinerary allows.
- Hungary’s remarkable art and craft history is what pulls you in, and you add multiple opportunities to create alongside local artisans.
- You’re drawn to the culinary traditions of Mexico and want to spend real time learning from the families who carry them forward.
- Nature and the outdoors nourishes your mind and bodies, so you add more movement, hikes, and countryside visits to your Custom Immersion.
Reach out, and we can discuss the possibilities.
GETTING STARTED
Deliberate Detour’s Custom Immersions are designed for groups ready to turn the world into their classroom on their own terms.
To get started, here’s what you need:
A group of at least 10 participants — children, adults, or a mix of both
Your destination — currently available in London, England, Budapest, Hungary, Oaxaca, Mexico and Cusco, Peru
A departure date at least 4–6 months out — this gives us the time to build something exceptional. Reach out with a shorter timeline and simpler customization
A vision — as simple or as complex as you have
CUSTOM IDEAS
We start with our Signature Immersion templates and build from there. These are some of the ideas groups are exploring… What do you want to see?
Language-heavy: a daily dose of language tutoring, with practice with local people
Epic adventures: Fancy an Inca Trail hike or a couple of overnights? Let’s see what we can do!
Whole family: Drop-off not of interest? Join your children in exploration and learning.
Art theme: Let’s go heavy on craft, art, and mediums that are culturally connected.
Nature Theme: Let’s explore ecology, geology, resource management
Outdoor Adventure: Integrate paddling, kayaking, epic hikes
Sport Theme. Got a crew of soccer players? Children want to run around each morning? Let’s discuss?
Writing Prompts: Supported journaling, essay-writing, and written reflection
CUSTOMIZATION PROCESS
UNDERSTAND THE COLLABORATION
Be sure you’re on board with the process. Customized Immersions are for intact groups of travelers. This might be a group of your friends, a homeschool co-op, families from your charter school, or whomever you’d love to explore with. As point person, you’re a Parent Liaison who is incentivized with financial discounts to do this work.
FAMIILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH WHAT’S POSSIBLE
All customizations stem from the options already created in Cusco, Oaxaca, London, and Budapest. Read about these itineraries and gain a sense of what you like and what you want to change. Check with your group to collect their ideas too. Read the ideas above to learn how others are envisioning their Custom Immersion.
BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL
Contact us to set up a call to discuss your ideas, timeline, dates, and wishes. We generally require four months from our first call to the start of the program to get everything prepared, which allows you ample time to purchase airfare. After our discovery call, we get to work on your first draft. When you receive it, you’ll see a price range for what we’ve drafted. Final pricing will be delivered once the itinerary is agreed-upon and confirmed.
FINE TUNE YOUR IMMERSION
Once a draft is in place and the vision is generally acceptable, we’ll require a deposit. Upon receipt, we’ll collaborate to fine tune the details, merging what your group desires and what Deliberate Detour can provide until we emerge with something phenomenal for your group.
RECEIVE PRE-DEPARTURE SUPPORT
Prior to departing home, we hold Zoom call to help your group prepare for the journey and experiences and to get all questions answered. You and the children meet our program leaders on that call. You also receive documents to help you plan your travel, orient you to the city, explore other opportunities nearby, and more.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How much time do we need for the process?
A: If the changes are simple, we only need to agree on dates. This could be three or even two months before departure if convenient for all parties. For more complex tailoring, we prefer four months or more.
Q: Who would we be working with to customize?
A: You start the process with our founder, Stephanie Tolk, who brings in our Country Directors to dial in the details. Local people organize and facilitate your experiences.
Q: I don’t have 10 participants lined up. Can you help with this piece?
A: If you want your program to be private, then you’ll reach out to people you know. If you have at least 8 participants three months prior to the start date, we can help find at least 2 more, though the group won’t be private. We charge a fee for additional marketing needed to make this happen.
Q: What will our Custom Immersion cost?
A: That totally depends on what you choose. For example, if we agree to arrange a three-week program, that will be more expensive than something shorter. More free time and play will be less expensive than a highly-structured program. We communicate often and transparently on this piece throughout the program development process, and when you receive your first draft, you’ll have a good idea of the cost per person.
Q: What fees should we expect?
A: We provide a total cost per person so you know exactly what you’ll pay. That fee will include a customization charge for additional work on our end and may include charges for new elements we need to coordinate for your group alone. If we’re helping you fill the program, we have a marketing fee, as mentioned above. We strive to be completely transparent about all of this and welcome questions.
Q: Can we still do a Machu Picchu visit and other day-long or weekend excursions?
A: Yes! We’d discuss all of these wishes in your discovery call and weave them into your program plan.
Q: Can you arrange other outings for our group like an Inca Trail hike?
A: Most likely. Again, we would explore these ideas in the discovery call and be clear with you on the cost of organizing elements we don’t normally offer.
Q: Can you make our Custom Immersion more academic?
A: Possibly. We can work in simple exercises like writing prompts and reflections, and we can create worksheets for museum visits, for example. We’re not classroom teachers and cannot align to state standards, administer tests, teach academic content, or grade work. We teach the significance of the activities we agree upon when creating your Custom Immersion.
Q: Can I pick any dates I want?
A: We try our best to be flexible. Our teams in each country have rich lives and other projects, so the earlier your reach out, the more likely it is we can plan around your desired dats.