Walk the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain Day Hike

Spend an unforgettable day hiking Peru’s awe-inspiring Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain, a natural marvel painted with vivid hues of red, gold, and turquoise by mineral deposits. Towering at over 16,500 feet above sea level in the Andes, this trek is perfect for adventurers eager to experience one of the world’s most surreal landscapes. This hike is moderately to highly challenging due to the altitude rather than the terrain. While the trail is not technically difficult, a good level of fitness and prior acclimatization to high altitudes is strongly recommended to enjoy the experience safely and comfortably. On the journey, the traveler will pass through remote Andean villages, herds of Alpacas, and breathtaking vistas of snow-capped Ausangate Mountain, a sacred peak in Incan mythology and the highest in the Cusco region. The colors of Rainbow Mountain itself–believed to represent the energy of the Pachamama (Mother of Earth)--are a rare geologic wonder and the ultimate reward at the summit. If seeking dramatic scenery, cultural richness, and a true high-altitude adventure, the Rainbow Mountain day hike is the perfect Andean escape.

This 1-day trip costs $270 per person. The trip is led by Follow Alice, an adventure travel company known for its ethical, community-centered approach to tourism. Founded in 2014 after cofounder Reto climbed Kilimanjaro with local Tanzanian guide Chris, Follow Alice was born out of a shared passion for exploration and cultural connection. Today, all of their guides are local, and 70% of each trip’s cost remains within the local economy, supporting sustainable travel as well as empowering communities.

<< Back to trip search

Explore Lima’s Cuisine and Peruvian History

Bring yourself on a three-day journey through Lima, Peru’s vibrant capital, where colonial charm meets culinary excellence. This low-intensity adventure is perfect for travelers of all ages who love food, culture, and storytelling. Explore the bohemian Barranco district, famous for its colorful street art and the romantic Bridge of Sighs. Wander through Lima’s UNESCO-listed Historic Centre to discover grand colonial landmarks like the cathedral, government palace, and the San Francisco Monastery with its fascinating catacombs. Dive into Peru’s rich food culture with a guided market tour and hands-on cooking class, where travelers will prepare classics such as ceviche, a traditional Latin-American dish made from raw fish or seafood marinated in citrus juice–and lomo saltado, a Peruvian stir-fry with strips of beef sauteed alongside red onions, tomatoes, soy sauce, vinegar, a type of yellow chili pepper native to the land (Aji Amarillo), garlic, and other spices. Additionally, travelers will learn the secrets of Peru’s national drink in a Pisco Sour workshop. Whether sampling exotic fruits, admiring Spanish architecture, or learning local legends, this immersive experience offers a delicious as well as insightful taste of Peru’s past and present–all in the coastal heart of the country.

This 3-day trip costs $485 per person. The trip is led by Follow Alice–an adventure travel company known for its ethical, community-centered approach to tourism. Founded in 2014 after cofounder Reto climbed Kilimanjaro with local Tanzanian guide Chris, Follow Alice was born out of a shared passion for exploration and cultural connection. Today, all of their guides are local, and 70% of each trip’s cost remains within the local economy, supporting sustainable travel as well as empowering communities.

<< Back to trip search

Adventure in Southern Africa

Southern Africa is known for its natural topographical and environmental variety as well as its  linguistic and cultural diversity. This trip, a tour of three countries, largely through camping begins in Zimbabwe, a trading hub known for its riches in gold and iron, and its remarkable and abundant wildlife. Here, travelers will see Victoria Falls, a part of the Zambezi River and one of the world's seven natural wonders. The group will have the opportunity to go whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, or on a helicopter ride. Travelers will then cross into Botswana to the town of Kasane. Here, the group will have the chance to go on a wildlife safari along the Chobe River or visit Chobe National Park, or even camp out near the town of Gweta to catch a glimpse of the fauna. The trip finds its end in Namibia whose capital city of Windhoek has vibrant nightlife, a bustling arts scene, many local breweries, and excellent local cuisine.

This is an eight day trip and costs $1,109. 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.

<< Back to trip search

Explore Central America

Take the road less travelled on the volcano trail in Central America. This trip gives travelers the chance to experience the natural wonders, tropical climate, lush rainforests, and local culture of Central American countries from Guatemala to Costa Rica. Travelers begin in Antigua, a city full of movement with plenty of bars and vibrant marketplaces with views of the nearby volcanoes. From there, the group heads to Honduras to visit the Mayan Copán Ruins and soak in the natural hot springs. Travelers will then cross into El Salvador, visit Suchitoto, and then head to La Libertad Region, an area full of beach towns where the group can relax or take a surf lesson. The next stop in Nicaragua is Granada, a city full of colorful buildings with opportunities to hike and explore, go on a day excursion to Masaya Volcano, or visit Laguna de Apoyo. In Costa Rica, a country known for its biodiversity, the group will visit more beautiful volcanoes and rainforests as well as the Isla de Ometepe, which is known for its petroglyphs and stone idols, and Monteverde’s cloud forests. Travelers can go zip lining, visit a butterfly garden, go horseback riding or take a coffee plantation tour. This trip ends in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, where travelers can explore the city and even go rafting on the Sarapiqui River before departure.

This is a 17-day trip and costs $959. 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.

<< Back to trip search

Volunteer to help in the Peruvian Amazon

Peru is one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world and has a stunning variety of landscapes, from mountains to beaches and rainforests. The country is home to the source of the Amazon River and the historical Incan settlement of Machu Picchu. In fact, the Peruvian Amazon is the second-largest stretch of the Amazon and includes thousands of different animal species. The forest’s tropical climate also has lots of the country’s natural resources. However, construction and commercial mining have led to the deforestation of the Peruvian Amazon, which threatens the unique and endangered species that live there. Volunteers will work to plant trees, monitor animals and remove non-native species to combat deforestation. Additionally, volunteers will get to learn about the tree species of the Peruvian Amazon and its inhabitants. 

This Maximo Nivel volunteer program has the goal of helping communities while giving volunteers a one-in-a-lifetime experience. All Maximo Nivel volunteer programs are supported by professional program managers, multilingual teams, and 24/7 in-country support. This project ranges from one-to-four weeks and  costs $685 for one week and $1295 for four weeks. Airport transfers, breakfast and dinners, four-to-six hours per day (Sunday to Thursday), letter of recommendation, emergency contact number and accommodation are included.

Volunteer to Create Impact in Croatia

Split is a city on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea in Croatia and is known for being a gorgeous coastal town with numerous historical sites. Lots of people visit the city to see the ruins of the Palace of Diocletian, along with other historical residences and churches, with the city’s old architecture beautifully set against the coast. On this trip, volunteers will work with the Content Creator for Impact project to run campaigns and create awareness about important social issues. They will also help local NGOs work to take action on a number of issues, such as women’s rights, marine conservation, and environmental issues. Additionally, volunteers will work with design software to conduct tasks such as creating infographics, designing brochures, editing videos, and building animations. This is a minimum 2-week and maximum 12-week trip offered by International Volunteer HQ. All IVHQ volunteer programs include airport pickup and accommodation, program orientation, and 24-hour IVHQ staff support. This project costs $1100 for two weeks and $5,200 for 12 weeks.

IVHQ is a volunteer travel company with 338 projects in 50 countries, rated #1 Volunteer Travel Company by Go Overseas for 7 years in a row. It is a cost-effective option with some programs as low as $20 per day with accommodation and meals included. They are a Certified B Corporation, 100% carbon neutral, and every project aligns with a UN Sustainable Development Goal.

<<< Back to Trip Search