#1: Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park in New Zealand

Aoraki / Mount Cook towers over the Southern Alps of New Zealand, its snow-covered peak reflecting in glacier-fed lakes below. The park is a sanctuary for alpine plants and birds, and a sacred place in Māori tradition. Its dramatic trails and night skies offer an unforgettable connection to both nature and culture.

Experience it for Yourself: Kiwi Complete Explorer

This comprehensive itinerary includes Aoraki/Mount Cook along with other must-see destinations across the North and South Islands. Walk on glaciers, soak in geothermal pools, and connect with Māori culture in a landscape that feels both epic and intimate.

Best for: Outdoor enthusiasts who want to experience New Zealand’s most iconic natural wonders with cultural depth.

#2: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda

Hidden in the southwestern hills of Uganda, Bwindi is a dense, ancient rainforest teeming with life. It’s home to nearly half the world’s mountain gorilla population and a sanctuary for hundreds of bird and butterfly species. Trekking here is challenging and humbling, and one of the most meaningful wildlife encounters on Earth.

Experience it for Yourself: Primates & Parrots in Uganda

Join expert trackers to observe gorillas in their natural habitat, bird alongside seasoned guides, and learn how conservation and community efforts are working hand in hand in this biodiverse region.

Best for: Wildlife lovers, birders, and travelers looking for profound connection through nature.

#3: Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica

Located on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, Corcovado is often called the most biologically intense place on the planet. Its lowland rainforests, rivers, and beaches are home to tapirs, scarlet macaws, monkeys, and even elusive jaguars. Remote and rugged, it offers a rare glimpse into one of Earth’s last truly wild places.

Experience it for Yourself: Costa Rica for the Natural Explorer

We’ll work with you to craft a custom journey into this pristine rainforest, complete with guided hikes, wildlife tracking, and eco-lodge stays that support ongoing conservation.

Best for: Nature enthusiasts seeking an immersive, off-the-beaten-path wilderness experience.

#4: Isla Bastimentos in Panama

Isla Bastimentos, part of Panama’s Bocas del Toro archipelago, is where lush rainforest meets crystal-clear Caribbean water. Coral reefs, mangrove forests, and island trails create a playground for wildlife and exploration. It’s a perfect setting for learning through play for both kids and adults.

Experience it for Yourself: Pure Panama for Families

This active, engaging journey includes snorkeling in marine parks, jungle wildlife walks, and cultural experiences designed to spark curiosity in young travelers and their families.

Best for: Families who love discovery, wildlife, and sharing nature-based adventures together.

#5: Torres del Paine in Chilean Patagonia

Torres del Paine is Patagonia at its most dramatic—jagged peaks, sweeping valleys, glacier-fed lakes, and skies that stretch forever. It’s a land shaped by wind and ice, where guanacos graze beneath condors in flight. Every viewpoint feels cinematic, and every moment invites reflection.

Experience it for Yourself: Patagonia Discovery Safari

Explore the park and its surroundings by vehicle and foot, with flexible days, knowledgeable guides, and welcoming lodges that let you experience Patagonia’s majesty without the need for rigorous trekking.

Best for: Active travelers who want to take in Patagonia’s iconic landscapes with some flexibility and comfort.

#6: Udawalawe National Park in Sri Lanka

Udawalawe is one of the best places in Asia to see wild elephants and much more. Open grasslands and forested wetlands provide habitat for hundreds of bird species, crocodiles, water buffalo, and leopards. The park also borders vital community-based conservation work that supports both wildlife and local livelihoods.

Experience it for Yourself: Wild & Sacred Sanctuaries

This itinerary blends safari-style wildlife watching in Udawalawe with visits to ancient temples, hill country towns, and coastal villages—offering a rich mix of ecology, culture, and history.

Best for: Travelers who want to explore the connections between nature, culture, and spiritual tradition.

Every trip with Journeys International contributes to the well-being of the places we visit. We proudly give to 1% for the Planet, and through the Earth Preservation Fund, we support grassroots conservation and community projects led by local partners around the world.

If you’re dreaming of your next adventure, Earth Month is the perfect time to choose a journey that aligns with your values. Whether it’s hiking among glaciers, tracking wildlife through the rainforest, or sharing quiet moments with your family in a place that feels worlds away, the right trip can deepen your connection to the planet, and leave a lasting impact. Our team is here to help you plan an experience that’s not only unforgettable, but meaningful. Please email or call an Adventure Specialist to chat more.

The post Earth Month: Six Inspiring Destinations for Outdoor Adventure appeared first on Journeys International.

Our Conservation Story

The founders of Journeys International, Will and Joan Weber (then Joan Schwartz), first met on a campus organizing committee for the first Earth Day in 1970. In many ways, this momentous global event – the start of Earth Day and the birth of the environmental movement – planted the seed for Journeys International’s eventual creation, although Will and Joan had no idea at the time that they would spend their lives as partners in life, business, and conservation.

After graduating from college, Will and Joan moved to Nepal for work in the Peace Corps and schools. In their final year in Kathmandu, Will helped the team working to establish a National Parks system in Nepal. Upon returning to the United States, they encouraged friends to visit the Himalayas. However, they realized how difficult it was for American travelers to visit Nepal in ways ways that included cultural connection and contributions to conservation and they began planning trips themselves.

When Will and Joan planned their first trips in 1978 and 1979, one of the goals was to support local people and the conservation of their culture through income from tourism. A second goal was to leverage tourism to support conservation. Journeys International has been committed to sustainable travel since the very beginning. Honoring Earth has been one of our company values since the start.

Roots in Ecotourism

Our founders understood the profound impact of culturally-respectful and environmentally-sensitive travel. Rather than merely extracting resources from the places we were visiting, we believed, and continue to believe, in leaving a positive mark. This philosophy laid the groundwork for the concept of ecotourism.

Over the years, the team at Journeys International has worked to identify specific ways to connect across cultures, nurture natural environments, and care for the world around us. We have prioritized partnerships with ground operators owned locally in the destinations where we travel. We craft itineraries intentionally to include as much cultural interaction as possible, and to minimize the negative environmental impact. As collective knowledge improves about how to manage and travel sustainably, we aim to learn and improve.

Alongside Journeys International, Will and Joan started a non-profit grant-making organization called the Earth Preservation Fund (EPF).  The EPF channels contributions from Journeys travelers to projects in our destinations where relatively small amounts of money can go a long way to support conservation and development. This is a prime example of the benefits that travel can deliver to local communities – ecotourism in action.

A Journey Through Time

As we reflect on our journey from the early Nepal trips to our current extensive trip offerings, one thing remains constant—the unwavering commitment to our founding principles. Today, Journeys International stands as a testament to over 45 years of ecotourism evolution in action.

Under the leadership of second-generation owner Robin Weber Pollak, we have expanded our destinations and honed our skills, yet our core values persist. Our growth has been deliberate, with new destinations added only after establishing personal relationships and gaining a deep understanding of the local cultures and environments.

Our team continues to consider how to care for the planet and its people as responsibly as possible. In the past decade, we have eliminated printed marketing and internal printed documents. We have shifted to remote operations and eliminated the carbon footprint of commuting. We offset the full carbon footprint of all travel. We are now embarking on the process to become a B Corporation, but in the meantime….

Another Step: Joining 1% for the Planet

The natural next step for Journeys International is formalizing our commitment to environmental and cultural sustainability and regeneration. 1% for the Planet is a global network of businesses and nonprofits committed to addressing the planet’s challenges. The principle is simple but powerful: participating businesses pledge to donate 1% of their annual sales to conservation causes through the network. This collective effort aims to drive positive change and support organizations actively working towards the conservation and restoration of our planet. By aligning ourselves with 1% for the Planet, Journeys International solidifies its commitment to responsible travel and environmental stewardship, formalizing the commitment that a portion of our proceeds will directly contribute to the well-being of the places we explore and cherish.

This commitment reinforces our dedication to sustainability and environmental conservation. For 2024, 1% of our annual sales will be donated to environmental causes through this global network of businesses and nonprofits. Excitingly, the EPF is now an environmental partner in the network, and we will continue to support and nurture the work of that longstanding partner. We also plan to support our commitment with team volunteer work for environmental partners within the 1% for the Planet network. The International team has pledged to complete a total of 100 volunteer hours in honor of Earth Day and our new partnership.

As you embark on your next adventure with Journeys International, know that you are not only exploring hidden worlds but also contributing to the preservation of our planet. Your goals for exploration align with our commitment to environmental stewardship, and together, we can create a positive impact on the places we visit. Thank you for being a part of the Journeys International family and our vision. Here’s to more adventures, discoveries, and a sustainable future for all.

The post Journeys Joins 1% for the Planet appeared first on Journeys International.

How did the Earth Preservation Fund start?

Travelers on Journeys International trips saw things that moved them and they wanted to make donations to help. The EPF started as a way to help let that feeling last beyond the trips. In the beginning travelers used to carry goods to donate, but with luggage restrictions and security questions that ended, so we started to look for something else that was tangible for people to give back other than just good feelings and photographs. Supporting EPF is a positive statement in favor of helping people do better in their home countries and also supporting globally-interconnected communities.

Were other travel companies doing the same thing 40 years ago?

The EPF was registered as a non-profit corporation in Michigan [where the EPF and Journeys International are based] in 1979 and, I think, received 501(c)(3) status in 1980. Journeys was on the leading edge of the eco-travel and eco-tourism movement and it is possible that Journeys was the first travel company to start a non-profit and make this kind of a statement. If not the first, then we were one of the first.

Was it particularly relevant that Journeys was a travel company supporting the EPF? Or could it have been any business supporting a good cause?

We had contact with energetic and idealistic local guides who were dreamers for ways that could help their communities. Our most successful projects have been when Journeys guides took personal notice of situations and wanted to help. The guides themselves were volunteers for the EPF, but they were also local people who understood local problems.

Is there an example of a quintessential EPF project?

We have always focused on projects where a relatively small sum – $500 – would make a difference. I know one of Robin’s* favorite stories is that EPF donors paid about $500 a year so that an astrologer could visit Ridzong, Hemishakpatchn, and Temisgam which are small Buddhist villages in Ladakh. The astrologer needed to travel to each specific village to divine the dates for planting and harvesting festivals by making use of ancient texts and obscure traditions that only he could interpret. The villagers didn’t have the money to pay for the astrologer’s travel costs, so without a donation from the EPF, this cultural tradition would presumably have died out.

[Ed. Note: Robin Weber Pollak, Will’s daughter and current owner of Journeys International.]

Any unsuccessful projects that stick out in your memory?

Someone had a plan to bring soil additives that hold moisture to Peru. The idea was that they would be helpful for reforestation. For a while it seemed like this was going to be a great new thing, but in the end the technology just did not work.

What do you see for the future of the EPF?

Combatting climate change. It is becoming an ever bigger problem that all of us need to do more to solve.

Since 1979 the Earth Preservation Fund has supported community-initiated environmental, educational, and cultural preservation projects in adventure travel destinations. To donate, visit www.earthpreservation.org.

The post Celebrating 40 Years of Earth Preservation! Part One. appeared first on Journeys International.

1.  Ask questions about what you see.
2.  Practice mindfulness in taking note of your surroundings.
3.  Notice how your feelings vary in different kinds of environments.
4.  Bring children along and teach appreciation for wild places.
5.  Document the beauty of nature, and share it.
6.  Carry a reusable water bottle.
7.  In places without clean drinking water, carry a lightweight water filtration bottle from a company like LifeStraw.
8.  Keep a reusable shopping bag in your daypack.
9.  Decline plastic straws. If you’re worried about the cleanliness of cups, carry a reusable metal straw with you.
10.  Take shorter showers.
11.  Turn the water off while brushing and showering.
12.  Open your curtains, blinds, and windows. Leave the lights off.
13.  Take stairs instead of elevators.
14.  Say “no” to hotel housekeeping.
15.  Keep to marked trails when hiking to let natural plant life flourish.
16.  When snorkeling or diving, keep your feet off the reef.
17.  Pick up litter along your way.
18.  Eat like a local.
19.  Choose vegetarian meals when they’re readily available.
20.  Buy locally produced food and snacks to reduce the transportation footprint of your purchases.
21.  Choose souvenirs made of reused materials.
22.  Ask questions about lodges’ and tour companies’ sustainability programs, and their support for local communities.
23.  Return maps and brochures to be reused by future travelers.
24.  Use public transportation instead of private cars.
25.  Hike, walk, trek, bike, raft, or otherwise travel by people power.
26.  Give a break to over-visited destinations and try lesser-known gems.
27.  Book non-stop flights whenever possible.
28.  Offset your emissions with a contribution to a carbon reduction project (or if you book through Journeys International, we do this for you!)
29.  Plant some trees along the way.
30.  Rethink the necessity of new gear purchases.
31.  Leave your electronics at home.
32.  Unplug all your home appliances while you’re gone.
33.  Leave your make-up at home.
34.  Never feed the wildlife
35.  Never buy animal products as souvenirs.
36.  Never photograph animals being exploited.
37.  Never pay to participate in activities that exploit animals.
38.  Speak up if someone does something harmful to our planet.
39.  Tell locals and fellow travelers about how you honor the earth.
40.  Make a donation to support conservation projects.

There are many, many small but impactful ways to make a difference when you embark on an adventure abroad, and every action is a step in the right direction. Each time you travel with Journeys International, a portion of your trip goes to the Earth Preservation Fund to fund projects that help local communities and conservation efforts. Additional donations can be made to the EPF through our website link below.

The post 40 Simple Ways to Honor the Earth When You Travel appeared first on Journeys International.

The Saraswati School, near the village of Wana, had already begun to deteriorate due to the age of the building when it was further damaged by the severe earthquake and subsequent aftershocks which struck Nepal in April 2015. (See our earlier posts for more on our response in the immediate aftermath of the 2015 Nepal earthquake.) The result was leaky roofs, cracked walls, broken doors and windows, rough dirt floors, and no functioning toilet facilities.

More than 2 years after the earthquake, teachers and administrators were still concerned about their lack of ability to meet the most basic conditions for providing a quality education to the students in the area.

So, beginning in fall 2017, and led by Journeys International travelers, Dave and Marcia Shannon, donors raised funds to make needed repairs to the buildings, pour concrete floors in the classrooms, and even provide a fresh water supply to the school which it never had before.

Meanwhile, the Earth Preservation Fund facilitated the funds transfer while Journeys Nepal director Narayan Shrestha provided oversight and in-country assistance.

The result has been an amazing success! After completing critical infrastructure improvements the project has now turned to a new phase focused on improving the academic program at the Saraswati School by purchasing a new computer for students to use, along with internet access, subscriptions to online curriculum materials, and teacher training.

So far, this project resulted in great progress for the Saraswati School, but the opportunity for further improvements to education in this area remains and is very apparent. As a result the project is being continued into the current school year with current fundraising designated for additional infrastructure and academic programs at the Saraswati School and now also at the area high school where the Saraswati and other students attend when they move to the upper grades.

Many classrooms will receive electricity and lighting for the first time, along with additional classroom computers and access to e-curriculum. The project is also funding a new science teaching lab with curriculum, materials, and teacher training that are consistent with the Nepali national educational standards.  This is a very exciting development that we look forward to seeing implemented.

For students in Midland Public Schools, participating in the project fulfills one of the core themes of their curriculum, to TAKE ACTION when students see a need. Beyond just raising funds for an important purpose, Midland students have learned about Nepal and interacted with students from a culture that is very different from their own while Saraswati students have had a similar experience. The project’s impact on these students has been very significant in creating a better understanding of people in another part of the world and giving them a more global and humanitarian perspective.

To make a donation to support the work of the Earth Preservation Fund visit www.earthpreservation.org. You can choose to designate your donation specifically for “Nepal Earthquake Relief” by making a note on the Paypal form.

It is sometimes possible for Earth Preservation Fund donors to visit Saraswati School. For more information on travel to Nepal contact Journeys International.

The post Nepal Earthquake Relief: Michigan students help rebuild a school in Nepal appeared first on Journeys International.