Roadtrip California and Experience Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park set the model for all national parks in the United States. Known for its giant Sequoia trees, Yosemite covers an area of more than 750,000 acres and almost 95% of the park is restricted as wilderness and home to a large variety of plants and animals. In addition, the park is home to one of the tallest waterfalls in North America: Yosemite Falls, reaching 2,425 feet. One of the most popular hikes in Yosemite is the Half Dome Hike, which is a 12-hour, 14-mile round trip hike with huge elevation gain, cables, and exposed terrain. At Santa Monica, everyone can cruise the shoreline and shop at the local farmers market (for some last-minute necessities). Highway 1 has a lot to offer for everyone, including the sights of Santa Margarita, Carmel, Monterey and Santa Cruz. After a visit in San Francisco, everyone will go to the main event. Upon visiting Yosemite, travelers can purchase produce in the central valley. Once in the park, everyone can hike to Tuolumne Grove, home of the iconic Sequoias. Everyone will be in the park for about three days. This gives the group a chance to see sights like El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, the Half Dome,  Nevada Falls and more! Departing Yosemite, everyone will go back to Socal to relax at Hermosa Beach. The trip ends upon arrival in Los Angeles.

This is a G Adventures 18-to-Thirtysomethings trip catering to 18–39-year-old travelers. 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. Starting at $2106 per person, this experience lasts over the course of 9 days. Transportation between destinations, some meals and accommodation will be included.

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Adventure in Alaska

Alaska, the last frontier, is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, including vast glaciers, towering mountains, diverse wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes. It's a top destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The 49th state is also home to rich Indigenous cultures, like the Aleut, rich history, and prime spots to witness and experience Northern Lights. Travelers will arrive in Anchorage and get acquainted with each other and their leaders. The journey begins with a drive through the iconic Seward Highway on the Kenai Peninsula. In Kenai Fjords National Park, travelers will hike the Harding Icefield Trail and enjoy a scenic boat cruise through the fjords to see glaciers and marine life. In Talkeetna, participants will learn about local flora, take a scenic flight over the area, and visit the Iditarod Sled Dog Museum. Denali National Park offers stunning sights, including moose, bears, and caribou.  Before departing from Anchorage on the final day, travelers can join the group for a farewell dinner.

This is an eight day trip and costs $1,934. 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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Experience History and Cuisine in Mexico

The Yucatán Peninsula lies between the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, and is famous for the stunning beauty of its tropical setting and the awe-inspiring remnants of the Mayan civilization. On this trip, travelers will immerse themselves in the wealth of history and culture embedded in the region, while also enjoying the beaches and nightlife of Mexico. The trip will begin in Mérida, the largest city in southeastern Mexico and one possessing a rich cultural history. The city was founded in 1542 by Spanish conquistadors on the site of the Mayan city of T’hó, and many of its historic buildings, including the famous Cathedral of Mérida, are constructed using stone from Mayan ruins. Here, travelers will be able to adventure through the city and explore nearby cenotes, large natural sinkholes filled with water. The Mayans believed that the cenotes were the entrance to Xibalba, or the underworld, and used them for ceremonial purposes as well as water sources. After leaving Mérida, travelers will visit the ancient ruins of Chichen Itzá, a city whose towering pyramids and temples have remained well preserved for nearly 1,500 years. Afterward, travelers will arrive in Valladolid, where they can enjoy traditional Mayan dishes and rest for a night before venturing on to the pristine beaches of the Mayan Riviera. The next few days will be spent in Tulum, the site of the only Mayan ruins built next to the ocean. The Mayan city of Tulum was a prominent trading center between the 13th and 15th centuries, and it remains one of the best-preserved ruins in Mexico. While in Tulum, travelers will also have the opportunity to relax on the beaches, go snorkeling, swim in more nearby cenotes, and indulge in the local cuisine. The final stop will be Cancún, where travelers can spend the last few days of their trip enjoying the stunning coast, warm water, and vibrant nightlife of the city. Included is also a day trip into the jungles of the Yucatán to visit a small local community that will teach travelers how to prepare their mouth-watering traditional dishes. Travelers can spend their final nights partying in Cancún’s exciting bars and clubs or discovering excellent restaurants before the end of the trip. This 9-day Roamie trip starts at $735 and includes accommodations, 12 meals, transportation, and various activities. G Adventures partners with Hostelworld to organize Roamies, which are flexible small-group trips for travelers ages 18-35, who stay in hostels and receive an immersive travel experience. All G Adventures trips are led by a local guide, a CEO (Chief Experience Officer) and the company focuses on giving back revenue to local communities.

G Adventures is a sustainable, small group tour company that has been leading travelers for 35+ years. They have been pioneers in community tourism and their trips directly benefit the local communities they visit. They have a responsible travel effort called G For Good and partner with the nonprofit Planeterra, dedicated to ensuring communities touched by tourism benefit from it. They were rated one of CATALYST PLANET’s  8 Best Sustainable Travel Companies

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Volunteer in Sustainable Farming in Guatemala

Guatemala, the most populous country in Central America, is endowed with an abundance of rich ecosystems and fertile land. However, almost half the population cannot afford the cost of the basic food basket, while food insecurity remains a pressing issue in the country. In recent years, sustainable agriculture has seen a sharp rise in popularity as it simultaneously tackles environmental issues and poverty-induced challenges. However, the introduction of these newer farming practices has also generated a demand for more hands in the field to maintain optimal production. Through this project, volunteers will be able to work with local farmers just outside of Antigua, where they can learn about the sustainable farming of coffee and macadamia nuts and participate in every step of the production process, from picking to weeding, planting, processing, and packaging. At the same time, volunteers will gain a deeper understanding of traditional agricultural techniques that have been practiced for centuries. This project also offers participants the chance to immerse themselves within local Guatemalan life and learn more about the rich history and culture of the region.

This minimum 1-week experience starts at $665 per person and includes airport pick-up, host family accommodations, meals, and 24/7 emergency support. Volunteers will work for 3-4 hours per day from Monday to Friday.

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Adventure Along Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula

The Yucatán Peninsula, lying between the Gulf of Mexico to the west and north and the Caribbean Sea to the east, is renowned for its lush rainforests, tropical beaches and ancient Mayan ruins. On this experience, travelers will hop from one hostel to another as they journey from Mérida to Tulum. To start off their adventure, the group will explore some of the many cenotes – enormous sinkholes resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock – in Mérida; travelers can hop on a bike to cycle between a few of them and then swim in the turquoise waters to evade the heat. From there, the group will head into the jungle to take a guided tour of the Chichén Itzá, one of the most famous ancient Mayan ruins in the world, home to a number of architectural and natural wonders including the Temple of Kukulcán and the Sacred Cenote. Then, at Tulum, the site of an ancient Mayan port city, travelers will be able to explore and admire some more majestic Mayan ruins before heading to the beach to relax. The final day will be spent in Tulum where a variety of activities will be on offer, including snorkeling at the natural waterpark of Xel-Há and visiting some more cenotes. 

This 6-day experience starts at $443 per person and includes accommodations, transportation and 5 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 dinner. 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.

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.

Be A Clean Water Courier

Waves for Water (W4W) provides clean water solutions worldwide through projects funded by the “Clean Water Courier” program. Operating across dozens of countries, W4W’s mission is to provide access to clean water to every single person who needs it.  The nonprofit’s philosophy is to empower people to take initiative, step outside their comfort zones and create unique personal experiences. W4W was born out of a love for discovery, travel and adventure and the group wants its volunteer model to similarly encourage and empower individuals during their trips.

For prospective travelers, Waves for Water has teamed up with surf company Hurley to develop an independent volunteer program called Clean Water Couriers. It is not a traditional volunteer model, but more of a do-it-yourself method meant to be utilized by travelers who want to make a positive contribution to local communities. Each person creates their own travel experience and then crowdfunds on the site to buy water filters to distribute while on their trip. W4W provides the online platform and serves as a resource for information about the filtration systems and how participants may donate them on the ground. Travelers can make a huge difference in the lives of people and communities in distress by packing a few water filters for their trips. The filters are compact and easy to use and can provide up to 100 people with clean water for up to five years. They cost $25 to $50 each.

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Waves for Water

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Join the Hurricane Maria Clean up Cause in Puerto Rico

Sept. 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria tore through the island of Puerto Rico, devastating the community and taking more than 500 lives. The Category 5 storm destroyed agriculture and infrastructure such as power grids and phone lines, leaving mass destruction for the population to rebuild. The island is still working to rebuild and recover from the effects of Maria, and volunteers on this project can help. Based in Yauco, 80 miles from the capital city of San Juan, volunteers work with local initiatives to rebuild and restore the roofs of more than 1,500 homes impacted by the storm. This restoration project is a grassroots effort, and local leaders work with volunteers to develop  the skills needed to complete these construction projects. 

Yauco is a small town stretching from the cobblestone streets of the inland downtown to the shores of the Caribbean Sea. After work is done for the day, volunteers will explore local beaches, markets and restaurants and can enjoy a cup of Yauco’s coffee, one of the area's major exports. This week-long trip will cost volunteers $1,557. 

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GLOBE AWARE 

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