The only thing better than seeing the world? Exploring it in a Pack. 

NC State WolfTreks invites alumni and friends to embark on immersive adventures that bring them face-to-face with breathtaking landscapes, rich cultures and incredible wildlife. In 2024, the program celebrated its biggest year with the most travelers and destinations since the program’s beginning.

Travelers journeyed across all seven continents, experiencing unforgettable moments and strengthening their bond with the Pack.

“You get to go relax and the biggest decision you have to make is what to eat,” one WolfTreks traveler shared.

2024: A Closer Look

• Number of Travelers 501
• Number of Continents Visited 7
• Repeat Travelers 55%
• Means of Travel Plane, train, boat, camel, speedboat, raft, artic crawler and many more
• Traveled with WolfTreks ≥ 5 Times 15%
• Travelers from North Carolina 71%
• College with the Most Travelers College of Engineering

Flink is a seasoned Wolftreks traveler with four trips under his belt and another one planned for the summer. He shared about his most memorable trip, the Kenya Safari. “Kenya Safari was the trip of a lifetime for me. The safari and cultural experiences [were] unforgettable,” he said with a smile.

The Kenya Safari

The Big Five trip takes travelers to the heart of Kenya’s wilderness during an eleven-day journey. Expert guides provide access and insight into Kenya’s national parks, reserves and conservancies. The trip offers the opportunity to observe the Big 5 — endangered black rhino, leopard, elephant, Cape buffalo and lion up close during a safari.

A perk of traveling in a Pack is the opportunity to forge new connections with people who have shared interests: a love for adventure, learning and the Wolfpack. Smaller trip sizes mean participants get to know each other well during the trip. On one journey, four couples met and have since traveled together on four additional WolfTreks adventures.

“People were really supportive of each other and it became a little community while traveling,” Chuck recounted.

Unforgettable Graduation Trip

When Kathy Hart became director of WolfTreks in 2004, the program had just eight destinations catering to alumni ages 55 and over. Fast forward to today, and WolfTreks features 50 destinations with an expanded reach to serve young alumni and recent graduates.

Travel in a Pack

• New Graduates Under 25
• Young Alumni 22-35
• Pack Forever 55+

Every WolfTreks trip is tailored to the needs of its travelers. Young alumni and recent graduate trips are designed with busy schedules in mind. The fast-paced trips allow participants to see eight or nine countries in seven to ten days. Young alumni travelers enjoy days full of sightseeing and exciting activities from camel rides in Dubai’s deserts to hiking Galápagos forests and swimming in Santorini’s turquoise waters. No matter the location, every day is filled with unforgettable experiences.

“Touring Europe is the best graduation celebration, especially with WolfTreks where you don’t have to plan a thing,” Hart nods. “You can focus on graduating and then just grab your passport and go.”

An Engagement with a View

For Sydney Bland ’22, her first international trip became the trip of a lifetime.

Sydney and her boyfriend, Nick, joined WolfTreks for a European adventure — but she never expected how it would end. On the last day of the trip, while hiking the Matterhorn, Nick got down on one knee.

Sydney laughed, “I joke that all the people from the trip will all be in attendance at my wedding because we had such a great time together. They were all so excited about the engagement.”

Travel Smarter, Not Harder

Curiosity and lifelong learning are the heart of the WolfTreks Travel program. Local tour operators carefully vet the guides to ensure they are experts who can provide unforgettable insight into the area and local life.

“The tour guides have been very knowledgeable and deeply caring. I could not believe the level of care,” Flink shared. “Our Tour director, Franco, was fantastic. He poured his heart and soul into sharing his country with us and always made sure the group was well prepared and safe.” 

WolfTreks Travelers rave about the low-stress experience made possible by expert planning.

Flink recounts that during a trip, “one woman shouted out that it was the best trip of her life because she didn’t have to make any decisions. You get to go relax and the biggest decision you have to make is what to eat.”

Your Trip, Your Way

Every WolfTreks experience is customizable to meet your needs.

Travelers can add pre- and post-trip additions to make the most of the experience. For the upcoming Galapagos trip, travelers can explore the cloud forest before and Machu Picchu afterward.

Alan Keith, a member of the Wake County Alumni Network, has joined two WolfTreks trips and recalls the perfect balance of structure and freedom.

“The trips had set schedules, but we had plenty of free time to explore on our own. The tour directors are great with restroom tips, shopping tips and other things to check out,” he said.

Where Will You Go?

It is never too early to start planning your next adventure. Destinations for 2025 and some of 2026 are ready for reservations. WolfTreks trips are open to alumni, friends and family. Travelers should be in good physical and mental health to fully enjoy the experience.

Pack your bags — the world is waiting.

Travel Tips

• Best rate Make your reservation 5 months before the trip
• Typical cost $3,500 to $20,000
• Range of trip length one to three weeks
• NC State Alumni Let’s go Pack!
• Not an Alumnus Your chance to travel with the Pack

Questions: Kathy Hart