Explore the Cultural and Natural Riches of Nepal

Nepal is a South Asian country that is home to some of the highest mountain peaks in the world including Mount Everest (the tallest) and Kangchenjunga (the third-tallest). The “Nepal Cultural Tour” trip lets visitors engage in enriching cultural activities, experience stunning views and encounter rare animals. The trip covers the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal’s most populous area and home to several pilgrimage sites, the Swayambhunath monkey temple, and the historic city of Patan. This trip, run by Off Season Adventures, lasts 10 days and costs $1,960 per person including meals, lodging and in-country transportation. 

Off Season Adventures ensures that its trips create economic stability by running tours during the offseason. This ensures that local communities can continue to bring in tourism revenue during a time when they are usually deprived of income.The group also promotes the conservation of local forests and closely follows environmentally-friendly practices. 

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Off Season Adventures 

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Experience the Nomadic Life in Rugged Mongolia

Known for Genghis Khan and the military might of the Mongol Empire, today’s Mongolia remains a proud and stunning land. The “Local Living Mongolia—Nomadic Life” trip provides travelers with an adventurous stay in the country and a chance to experience its beautiful landscapes. The journey begins in the capital of Ulaanbaatar but quickly moves on to the countryside for stays with three nomadic families. Key moments include trips to the Orkhon Valley and Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. On this adventure, expect to take tea with neighbors, ride Mongolia’s famed horses, learn archery and practice making garments. Travelers must be at least 12 to participate in this 10-day-long, $1,189 trip.

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G Adventures

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Teach English Through Japanese Village Life

There are many aspects of Japanese culture that differ from Western ways, providing an eye-opening experience for many who visit. The “Japan - English Exchange” trip allows enrollees to volunteer in a Japanese village and immerse themselves in its traditions. Through daily interactions with local Japanese, participants will help improve their conversational English skills. Trip highlights include sushi-making, trekking, origami crafts and visiting hot springs. Furthermore, plan to visit a snow monkey park, the exquisite Matsumoto Castle and the Zenkoji Buddhist Temple. This program requires an advanced level of English and a minimum age of 18. The trip lasts anywhere from one to 12 weeks and starts at $890. 

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Go Eco

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Float Along the Mekong River in Laos

The “Meandering the Mekong” trip allows visitors to float down the iconic river through Laos, a Southeast Asian country known for its mountainous terrain, French colonial architecture and Buddhist monasteries. The trip begins with a leisurely trip along the river toward Luang Prabang, the well-preserved former capital which is well known for its temples. There are frequent stops to explore villages, nature sites and remote temples along the river. The trip ends in Vientiane, the current capital of Laos. The guide for the expedition speaks fluent English and is acquainted with many of the local people along the river. Other fascinating opportunities include visiting local villages, attending cooking classes and enjoying remote waterfalls. The trip lasts for nine days at a cost of $2,900, though a necessary flight from Luang Prabang to Vientiane is not included.

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Journeys International

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Experience Papua New Guinea’s Famed ‘Goroka Show’

Papua New Guinea is an intriguing destination that mixes cultural experiences with hiking opportunities and beautiful beaches. The “Classic Goroka Show Tour” allows travelers to experience the Goroka Show, one of the most exciting sing-sings in Papua New Guinea. A “sing-sing” is a lively gathering of different tribes and villages set up to show off each group’s particular dances and music. Additionally, visitors will have firsthand encounters with Papua New Guinea’s traditional Sepik people. Other highlights include traveling to the Waghi Valley, seeing Mount Hagen and journeying along the Sepik River, the longest river in the country. The trip lasts for 13 days and land costs come out to $8,180 per person. An additional $3,000 should be added to account for necessary flights within the country.

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Journeys International

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Visit Tribal Festivals in Remote Northeast India

Manipur and Nagaland are states in northeast India known for their mountainous landscapes and diversity of Indigenous tribes. The “Festivals of Nagaland and Manipur” trip allows visitors to experience tribal life through festivals in these two culturally diverse states. The Sangai Festival in Manipur is named for Eld’s deer, an endangered species that can only be sighted in the state. The next festival is the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland, which is held the first week of every December. It showcases the state’s wide array of cultural traditions and includes performances, music, crafts, games, contests and fashion shows. In between festivals, plan to visit out of the way villages to learn more about the local way of life. The duration of the trip is 15 days and it costs $6,195.

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Journeys International

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Hike the Portuguese Way on the Camino

On this trip, explore and hike the less-traveled Portuguese Spiritual Way on the famous Camino de Santiago from Portugal to Spain. The ancient path includes amazing views of the ocean and allows you to experience the European countryside. Activities include traditional cooking classes, Albarino white wine tasting and an opportunity to earn a certificate from the Pilgrim Office after completing the walk and reaching the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. You will see sights such as Foz de Douro Lighthouse, Galician church of Santa Eulalia del Monte, 16th-century Cistercian Monastery of Armenteira and Apostle Saint James’s remains. The activity level recommended for this trip is high energy and it costs $3,990. This trip is run by women for women.

adventurewomen

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Take a Social Justice Tour in New York City

Social Justice Tours offer a variety of day trip tours mostly concentrated around New York City and surrounding areas that allow people to engage in critical discourse regarding relevant issues around the city. Examples of these tours are the Queer History of the Village tour, where you explore the LGBTQ history of West Village, New York. Another example tour is the Gentrification of Downtown Brooklyn, which highlights the development of downtown Brooklyn. Other example tours are Women’s History of the Village, Environmental Justice in Gowanus, Trump Tour, Vegan Food of the Lower East Side, People's History of Lower Manhattan and Gentrification in Williamsburg. All tours cost $10 per person.

Social Justice Tours

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Volunteer in Peru with Indigenous Communities

Peru is known for Machu Picchu, an ancient Incan city in the Andes Mountains, and the nearby colonial city of Cusco. Maximo Nivel’s “Volunteer with Indigenous Communities” trip gives enrollees the opportunity to experience local culture and traditions as they serve. Participants are placed in small communities, where they live with an Indigenous Andean family. Volunteer work includes caring for animals and livestock, helping with agricultural work, weaving, creating textiles, learning to prepare traditional dishes, assisting with local construction projects and working with children at the local school. The program’s duration has a one-week minimum and participants must be at least 18 years old. One week of volunteering costs $665. 

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Bring a Better Education to Peruvian Students

During the 1980s, political terrorism was rife through Peru’s countryside, causing the rural people to flock to urban areas for protection. Though the terrorism has since ended, Peru is suffering from the damage done to both its people and infrastructure, leaving the cities’ resources strained by the influx of people. As a volunteer on this trip, you can help bring better education to Peruvians living on the outskirts of the urban centers by encouraging school attendance, helping in the classroom and teaching the students. Based in Lima, Peru, this trip includes opportunities to become immersed in Peruvian culture, take Spanish classes, sample the food and enjoy living like a local. During free time, volunteers can shop the historic streets of Cuzco, hike the Colca Canyon and explore the ancient city of Machu Picchu. The minimum length for this trip is 1 week for $2,654, with a maximum stay of 3 months for $9,574.   

CROSS-CULTURAL SOLUTIONS

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Teach English to an Italian Family

Volunteer for 15 hours each week teaching English, in exchange for room and board, with a host family in Italy. Volunteers will be provided approved training materials to teach a family, who they will “meet” in advance through emails and phone calls. This program also allows volunteers to experience the country’s language, culture, and cuisine. This is a total-immersion trip that allows one to quickly learn, or brush up, on Italian skills. Weekends are often open for day trips and jaunts around the countryside or one of the 44 Unesco World Heritage Sites, allowing you to see and do more on your trip.  The min length for this trip is 1 month, with a max stay of 3 months, for a flat fee of $1,389 regardless of trip length. Arrival date will be arranged between you and your host family.

GeoVisions

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Teach English to a French Family

Volunteer for 15 hours a week teaching English, in exchange for room and board, with a host family in France.  Volunteers will be provided approved training materials to teach a family, who they will “meet” in advance through emails and phone calls. This program also allows volunteers to experience the country’s language, culture, and cuisine.  This is a total-immersion trip that allows one to quickly learn, or brush up, on French skills. Weekends are often open for day trips and jaunts around the countryside or neighboring cities. The min length for this trip is 2 month for $2,039, with a max stay of 3 months for $2,259.  Upcoming Departures: Anytime Oct-May.

GEOVISIONS

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Teach English to a Host Family in Spain

Volunteer for up to 15 hours per week teaching English to a host family on this Spanish homestay program. Participants will receive appropriate training materials for their selected family, which they will “meet” in advance through emails and phone calls. The homestay allows volunteers to fully experience Spain’s dynamic culture and rich cuisine. It also offers travelers a chance to quickly learn, or polish, their Spanish skills. Enrollees must stay for at least one month and can continue for up to three. The trip costs $799 for the first month with an additional $100 fee for the following ones.

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GeoVisions

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