transformative adventures | MORAL COMPASS: Great Places to Go Where the Going Does Good

A market in Kahna, India. Would-be Indiana Jones-types, adventurous Nellie Bly hopefuls and Amazing Race wannabes have their six-month notice and can now submit applications for the around the world travel adventure ‘Global Scavenger Hunt” that is limited to just fifteen teams of two © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

SANTA MONICA, USA – Would-be Indiana Jones-types, adventurous Nellie Bly hopefuls and Amazing Race wannabes are invited to apply to become one of 15 teams of two selected for The Global Scavenger Hunt, the world’s only real-life international travel adventure competition, April 13-May 5, 2018.

The 14th edition of the world travel championship event will once again match clever international travelers against each other in a challenging circumnavigation of the globe over 23-days visiting ten secret countries—it is A Blind Date with the World after all—while completing a series of culturally-oriented site-doing scavenges. Travel savvy teams will use their acquired travel IQ in an effort to earn the rights to the crystal trophy and The World’s Greatest Traveler™ 2018 crown.

“It took Phileas Fogg 80 days to travel around the world, we do it in 23 days! And our participants see and do more than he ever did.” says author and event CEO (that’s Chief Experience Officer), William D. Chalmers. “We annually turn the entire globe into a traveler’s dream where they visit hidden destination gems, uncover cryptic clues, carry out secret missions, hunt masterpieces, sample extraordinary cuisines, employ pre-industrial modes of transport and overcome life-enhancing challenges. It is indeed a highly hands-on and transformative adventure with a high wow factor for jaded eyes and busy people.”

The annual experience is designed to allow travelers to see their surroundings, and themselves, in an innovative way. Truly an international event, it attracts travelers from all over the globe while having visited over 75 nations to date. Previous world champions have hailed from: Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, the Bahamas and the United States. The Global Scavenger Hunt is not a reality TV game show, it is all about authentic, challenging and participatory travel—life-changing travel.

Life-changing because participants are occasionally given opportunities to do good with half-day volunteering breaks scattered around the globe. Equally important, the event also serves as a platform to raise funds for interest-free micro loans, the building of medical clinics, and co-ed elementary schools in places of need. So far, event proceeds have helped thousands of families, built eleven schools and a medical clinic, in places like: Kenya, Sierra Leone, Ecuador, Niger, India, Haiti and Sri Lanka.

The 23-day around the world event is limited to 15 teams of two with a $25,000 per team entry fee that includes: all international airfare, first class hotels, 40% of meals, and special event-sponsored travel gear. Single travelers are welcome to apply and all travelers are interviewed for suitability. Contact GreatEscape Adventures at 310-281-7809 or apply online at GlobalScavengerHunt.com. (CST#2071053-40)

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*You get to train with Russian cosmonauts on this transformative adventure.*

A new study by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) revealed that, more than any other motivating factor, adventure travelers are seeking out transformative experiences while on holiday. An expanded worldview, nature, mental health, and learning opportunities were other motivating factors revealed in the study. What could be more transformative than training with Russian cosmonauts?

Below are seven “Transformative Adventures” we like for 2017.

Track Endangered Black Rhino – Explore the Sand Dunes of Sossusvlei, track the endangered black rhino on foot, and participate in traditional game drives in Etosha National Park. This Adventure Life tour of Namibia also spends two nights walking the Tok Tokkie Trail and interacting with the isolated Himba people.

Train with Russian Cosmonauts – On this exclusive Russian space tour offered by MIR Corporation, witness the manned launch of the Soyuz spacecraft, tour Russia’s premier cosmonaut training facility where you can participate in optional cosmonaut training, and experience the live Soyuz-International Space Station docking.

Hangout with Mountain Gorillas – Encounter some of the last remaining mountain gorillas in the world by trekking into the lush forests of Rwanda with Gondwana EcoTours. Track chimpanzees and the beautiful golden monkey, and keep an eye out for elephants and buffalo.

Visit Isolated Tribes of Ethiopia – Encounter the unique and diverse cultures of Ethiopia’s Omo Valley and learn about the rich traditions tribes there have maintained for centuries on a new tour from Adventure Life. On the Isolated Tribes of Ethiopia tour, see the fossilized remains of the early hominid “Lucy” and learn about the region’s cultures in museums before traveling out long dirt roads to meet and interact with the Hamer, Mursi, Karo, Arbore and Konso people in their villages.

Bike from London to Rome – Ride & Seek has created a cycling tour of historical proportions, tracing the footsteps of Julius Caesar on a 33-day, 2,929 km journey from London to Rome. Crossing waterways, vine-clad hills and mountain passes, this is the only tour of its kind being offered today. Participants will never be the same.

Trek Glaciers with Climate Change Scientist– Big Chill Adventures offers an opportunity to explore the southern part of Iceland, known for its glaciers, icebergs and black sand beaches. Highlights include dogsledding, trekking glaciers, snowmobiling, spelunking, and soaking in geothermal hot springs.

Sip Tea with Mongolian Nomads – Explore the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar and then fly to the red sands of the Gobi Desert to celebrate the Naadam Festival with parades and sporting competitions, such as archery, horse riding and wrestling.