Calling all travel veterans and off-the-beaten-path explorers! If the idea of luxury resorts and Westernized cuisine sounds like a bore, read on for three cool trips to add to your bucket list.

Nepal

Maybe Kathmandu is already on your Must Travel list, but what about Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha? Traveling to Nepal could be the adventure of a lifetime, if you do it right!

While high in the Himalayan Mountains be sure to visit Swayambhunath or “the Monkey Temple”, grab a bowl of momo (Nepali dumplings), and swing by Durbar Square. Nepal is still recovering from the 2015 earthquake so be sure to take some time to roll up your sleeves, even if it’s to volunteer at a school to so some art projects with the children. Finally, end things off with a safari ride through the Chitwan National Park. Chitwan is the best wildlife viewing national park in Asia and is home to Bengal tigers, wild elephants, one-horned rhinos, sloth bears, and a plethora of other protected wildlife.

Fiji

When people think of Fiji, they imagine beautiful white sand beaches, coral islets,and tropical azure waters. Fiji has these and so much more. The Fiji Islands (there are more than 300!) are home to some of the most friendly and welcoming people on the planet. Start your trip off at the local market to pick up a colorful sulu, or sarong, which is the national dress of both men and women in Fiji. Eat a meal with the locals (we suggest kokoda, a Fijian staple) before jetting off to one of the many gorgeous hiking trails through lush tropical rain forest. Again, we suggest taking time to connect with the community by volunteering in a village or learning more about the diverse, yet fragile marine ecosystem that surrounds the islands. Before heading back home to shake the sand out of your shoes, make the trek to a waterfall and take in all that the Pacific paradise has to offer.

Guatemala

Ah, Guatemala! There’s no shortage of adventure and authentic charm in this Central American country. Start off slowly in the quaint colonial city of Antigua, strolling down the cobblestone streets with the mountains and volcanoes as your backdrop. It goes without saying, you should venture to the Mayan ruins and immerse yourself in the indigenous culture and community as much as possible. We recommend you connect with locals on community projects before heading off to Lake Atitlán where you can kayak, swim, and support native artisans. If you’re not tired yet, get your heart pumping with a zip lining tour and then end things off with a Guatemalan chocolate class.

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If all of this sounds awesome but you don’t know where to start, let us help! We have trips to all three of these destinations that follow the itineraries above, plus more. Sign up to join the Nepal, Fiji, or Guatemala program today!

Travel With Purpose