Experience Life as a Mongolian Nomad

Mongolia is known for its beautiful and varied landscapes, nomadic culture, and rich history. On this trip, travelers. From the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar, this trip takes travelers from the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar through the Mongolian plains, from steppes to the Gobi desert by horseback or oxcart to the realm of 21st century nomads. Within Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, nomadic families continue to live in gers, a round, portable dwelling, ride horses and make their own garments. The group will experience these parts of life in the steppes, living with a local host family and get a taste for nomadic life on the Mongolian plains. Travelers will visit a natural history museum to learn about the natural environs, hike through sand dunes, listen to Mongolian throat singing, and visit monastery ruins while immersing themselves in a different way of life.

This is a 14 day trip and costs $2,699. This trip is led by the sustainable travel company G Adventures. All G Adventures trips are led by a local guide, a CEO, Chief Experience Officer, and trip revenue is driven to help the local community.

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Search for Gorillas in Uganda

East Africa’s Uganda is considered one of the most beautiful countries in the world, home to many mountainous and forested national parks, as well as the largest freshwater lake on the continent. This trip begins in the capital, Kampala, called “the city of seven hills.” Travelers will also visit Lake Bunyonyi, a “place of many little birds,” known for its green terraced hills and twenty-nine islands, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a guided mountain gorilla trek, and the Kalinzu Forest Reserve. This trip creates opportunities for the group to take a motorboat tour, go birdwatching, paddle in canoes, or to go swimming at Crater Lake. Finishing in the city of Jinja, the source of the Nile River, travelers can bike in the Mabira Forest, kayak in the Nile, or even go bungee jumping.

This is a nine-day trip and costs $2,949. This trip is led by the sustainable travel company G Adventures. All G Adventures trips are led by a local guide, a CEO, Chief Experience Officer, and trip revenue is driven to help the local community.  This trip caters to travelers 18 to 30-something with plenty of free time to make new friends and go with the flow.

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Adventure Through Costa Rica

Costa Rica, a country in Central America with coastlines on the Caribbean and the Pacific, is renowned for its lush rainforests and rugged volcanoes. During this experience, travelers will hop from one hostel to another in search of greater and more thrilling adventures. After a relaxing first day in San José, the capital of Costa Rica, the group will travel to La Fortuna, a small town putatively considered the gateway to Arenal Volcano National Park. Along the way, travelers will stop by the Poás Volcano, an active stratovolcano in central Costa Rica, and visit a community coffee project to learn about coffee production. Once the group arrives at La Fortuna, the real adventure will begin. From rappelling down waterfalls to whitewater rafting and paddleboarding on Lake Arenal, there is no shortage of adrenaline-inducing activities for travelers to experience. From La Fortuna, the group will then head to the cloud forest of Monteverde, where they will fly across the canopy on ziplines. Other activities on offer include visiting the butterfly garden, horseback riding and checking out the hanging bridges in the canopy to look for birds and other wildlife. 

This 6-day experience starts at $391 per person and includes accommodation, 5 breakfasts and 1 lunch and transportation. This trip is part of G Adventures’ and Hostelworld’s Roamies collection: a series of immersive small-group trips for 18 to 35-year-old travelers.

Experience the Amazon with a Host Family in Ecuador

The Amazon Rainforest, the world’s largest tropical rainforest, is home to over 3 million species and covers much of Brazil and Peru, as well as Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and Ecuador. During this experience, travelers will have the unique opportunity to live with the Quechua people, the Indigenous people of South America who speak the Quechua language, and learn more about both the rainforest and the people themselves. Beginning their journey in Quito, Ecuador, travelers will go by bus and truck into the Amazon Rainforest where they will spend the next four nights with a local Quechua family in the small town of Tena. In the town, travelers will be able to learn about medicinal plants as they explore the rainforest, go on a canoe ride to the amaZOOnico Animal Rescue Center, experience a shamanic healing ceremony and participate in a blowgun contest. Other activities include a natural mud face mask treatment and a cacao culinary experience and tasting. At the village, travelers will get to know the Quechua people on a personal level, sharing meals with them and learning about the secrets of the rainforest with local community members as their guides.

This is a seven day trip and costs $559. This trip is led by the sustainable travel company G Adventures. All G Adventures trips are led by a local guide, a CEO, Chief Experience Officer, and trip revenue is driven to help the local community.

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Take a Trek with Northern Thailand’s Hill Tribes

Thailand is celebrated for its unique mix of modern culture and historical roots. Take part in this hands-on immersion experience by spending five days with members of the Black Lahu and Karen tribes. Thailand’s bustling cities will seem far away as visitors take part in the daily customs and rituals of the country’s northern hill tribes. Those enrolled on this trip can learn about traditional farming techniques, sample regional delicacies, explore stunning jungle scenery and test their artistic abilities through bamboo weaving. The cost of this trip includes all scheduled activities and accommodations along with most meals and in-country transport. This five-day experience starts at $369 per person. 

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Volunteer With Marine Conservation in the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef, located just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is considered to be one of the most diverse and spectacular marine features in the world. However, the Great Barrier Reef is also under immense threat. Climate change is threatening the future of the reef, and all the species that call it home. Yet, there is still a lot that humans can do to protect this pristine underwater environment. This volunteer opportunity brings travelers to Cairns in the north of Queensland. Once there, volunteers begin their marine conservation project where they will collect data on the reef, gather marine debris and help rehabilitate sea turtles. All these efforts contribute to research on the Great Barrier Reef, as well as help to protect Earth’s great wonders. 

This volunteer opportunity is offered by International Volunteer HQ. Packages are offered at either 1 or 2 weeks of volunteering, with one week costing $1,010 per person. Volunteers must be adept at swimming in the ocean. International Volunteer HQ focuses on providing volunteer travel opportunities around the world by partnering with local community organizations focused on long-term positive impacts.  

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Embrace Sustainability in Tropical Costa Rica

This Costa Rican adventure offers a strong mix of activity and relaxation, requiring moderate physical activity. Travelers can choose from plenty of other adventures: hiking, surfing, zip-lining, and rafting, experiencing the best Costa Rica has to offer. With 25% of its land protected from development, Costa Rica's dense rainforests provide the perfect backdrop for this journey. The “Costa Rica Extended” trip includes staying at an eco-lodge, hiking through jungles, eating organic meals grown on-site, relaxing in natural springs, and experiencing impressive waterfalls.

Under30Experiences brings together thirty people looking to learn about themselves and the world through a shared experience that builds lifelong friendships. This Costa Rica trip is a 2-in-1 affordable, diverse, and epic adventure. Participants will enjoy the country's best beach and immerse themselves in the rainforest, staying at a famous eco-lodge where food is grown on-site.

Travelers should expect to be on their feet for three to four hours most days, so an active lifestyle is helpful. The trip lasts for nine days, with a cost of $1,495 for early sign-ups and $1,695 for regular sign-ups.