8 Transformational Travel Experiences to Nourish Your Soul

In a climate saturated with division, political unrest, and technological burnt out, the need to escape our fast-paced life is real. It’s no surprise that travelers are seeking out experiences beyond a typical getaway—we want trips that will inspire us, teach, us, transform us. Whether it’s a powerful spiritual journey or physical change to feed your soul, then transformational travel may be the conscious-shifting adventure you’ve been needing in your life.

Traveling with intention, a deep need for change, and using that change to affect the world are the pillars of the transformational travel movement. According to Michael Bennett, co-founder of the Transformational Travel Council (TTC) and Explorer X, “the key is for travel to have a positive personal impact on travelers that continues past the trip. They come home and use the experience as a tool for growth and learning. If travel shifts our perspectives of the world, of our self and others, then we will shift our behavior.”

We researched some of the top transformational trips (at various price points) from adrenalin-fueled excursions and experiential learning adventures to spiritual retreats and cultural vacations with a purpose. Here’s a curated list of organizations offering intentional travel experiences designed to take a deep-dive in re-charging your spirit and deliver a life-changing adventure.

PURPOSEFUL NOMAD

Purposeful Nomad’s co-founder, Jessica Scranton’s life was changed 12 years ago when she traveled to Rajasthan, India. The trip made her realize that women’s rights and photography were her passion and purpose. Today, Scranton and co-founder Caitlin Murray carry this understanding of how transformative travel can be and created Purposeful Nomad to inspire, challenge and bring together women from around the globe. Each trip offers adventure, relaxation, and community engagement by combining deep self-care and socially responsible service.

Why We Love It

Murray and Scranton research and plan each tour beforehand by meeting with local community leaders, establishing relationships, and designing each trip to be as authentic and adventurous as possible. Scranton discussed one of their up-coming adventures to India with Rogue Habits and why she believes in the trip’s transformative power, “Our 2019 trip to Rasjasthan, India goes deep into a culture that sometimes as a tourist is hard to penetrate and can remain elusive. For example, one of my favorite parts [of the India trip] is when we stay at our tour guide, Govind Rathore’s ancestral village deep in the Thar desert. Here, we make dinner with his Auntie over a fire and learn to dance with Kalbelya gypsies. In the morning, we do group yoga while the sun rises over the dunes. It’s simply magical.” Rathore is the founder of Sambhali Trust, a foundation that empowers and educates more than 1000 women in Jodhpur, India. Rathore provides, “rare insights into India’s rich culture, their complex caste system, and women’s rights in India.”

Their next adventure? Visit Purposeful Nomad for more details on their 2019 India trip.

 

 

THE VACATION PROJECT

The Vacation Project is the brainchild of Lindsay Bradley (Co-Founder and CEO), Charlotte Bergin (Co-Founder), and Mitchell Roy (Co-Founder) which combines fun, relaxing and unique social experiences enjoyed with a sustainable service project that fills a need for the communities they visit.

Why We Love It

These vacations offer meeting like-minded travelers, eco-friendly accommodations, completing a much-needed service project, and enjoying a super relaxing vacation – all in one package. Recently, The Vacation Project held a trip to Nepal which truly highlighted the uniqueness of their holistic adventures. Travelers built a school’s infrastructure in the Himalayas, took a charter flight tour of Mt. Everest, experienced the tallest Zip Line in the world, and spent a night in a Monastery with Buddhist Monks – not all at once – but you get the idea.

Their next adventure? The Osa Peninsula Costa Rica  2019, check website for more details.

 

 

CHOSEN

Launched in 2013, Chosen offers immersive week-long programs designed for “a global community, exploring the world, and embracing the spirit of personal evolution in the planet’s most rewarding destinations.”

Why We Love It

Trips are crafted to promote experiential learning and mindfulness through a plethora of adventurous and fitness-based activities such as white-water rafting in Iceland, volcano hiking in Guatemala, or helicopter ice-climbing in New Zealand. Daily yoga and meditative breathing workshops complement the rigorous activities with programs designed by Chosen’s ‘Life Optimization’ experts which include Olympic medalists, nutritionists, and personal coaches.

Their next adventure? A trip to Bali February 2019. Check website for the full itinerary.

 

WANDERFULSOUL

Wanderfulsoul’s curated retreats teach travelers how to combine Eastern mindfulness traditions and healing practices into the reality of their modern Western lifestyle. Offering “deep-dive” spiritual trips and signature programs, Wanderfulsoul’s founder Vitina states, “My passion remains firmly focused on the intersection between well-being and creating unforgettable, transformational experiences.”

Why We Love It

With their philosophy, “You are your own guru,” Wanderfulsoul allows travelers to decide how they want to re-connect with themselves. From workshops in Toronto like “Vino and Vinyasa,” where participants learn the “sweet balance” between discipline and play resulting in mastering a conscious lifestyle to a current 5-day retreat in Nicaragua where travelers spend time in meditation, yoga adventure hikes, and swimming under the stars to answer one of life’s biggest questions: what does it mean to truly live well?

Their next adventure? Check Wanderfulsoul for upcoming trips.

 

MY CHI JOURNEY

Founded by Michael Dahdal in Australia in 2014, My Chi Journey helps travelers switch off, mentally and physically, from the constant chaotic noise of the electronic world and helps them navigate the difficulties of life more skillfully by cultivating character and establishing clarity and direction. Or as they put it, “Life. Minus the fluff.”

Why We Love It

My Chi Journey offers educational workshops, events, and transformative travel experiences promising to guide participants “towards a simpler way of living.” One of many educational workshops called the “The Intentional Life” asks travelers to review the relationship between their physical and emotional self and shed insights into how daily decisions and human connections can affect the quality of life. Trips offer intense exploration into the food, cultures, healing practices, spirituality, politics, and philosophy of the destination. Travelers also learn how to reconnect with their roots and get back to the heart of what really matters.

Their next adventure? The Bali Intentional Life Retreat April 2019, check website for details.

 

 

THREAD CARAVAN

World traveler, lover of all things creative and founder of Thread Caravan, Caitlin Ahern saw a need to connect newfound artists with communities who’ve been perfecting their craft for generations. By bringing these groups together, Ahern hoped to not only offer educational, environmental, and creative opportunities but also to preserve the cultures of the world during this time of rapid globalization.

Why We Love It

Thread Caravan hosts artisan adventures around the world ranging from weaving and ceramic trips in Mexico to custom trips in multiple locales for designers who want to source materials directly from artisans. Combining education and adventure, the workshops allow travelers to learn about traditional craft production in communities where the craft originated from or has been practiced for generations while also enjoying unique adventures. The company offers travelers several destinations and workshops to choose from and custom group ventures can range from spinning wool and hiking glaciers in Iceland to exploring volcanoes and backstrap weaving in Guatemala.

Their Next Adventure? Oaxaca, Mexico 2019. See website for complete itinerary.

 

 

AND SHES DOPE TOO

Jennifer Killian founded AndShesDopeToo (ASDT) with the intent for it to be a world-wide adventure collective of women. ASDT mission is their, “belief in the strength of community and in the power that nature has to heal us all. To connect people and planet with perspective and purpose. To empower and support all women everywhere, to care for our beautiful earth and protect its wildlife.”

Why We Love It

ASDT helps women break through the stresses of everyday life by creating long-lasting friendships and unforgettable experiences through some of the coolest outdoor adventure retreats, clinics, recreational activities and even a film festival showcasing films from all over the world with strong female leads.

One of their most popular trips offered twice a year, called ASDT Rendezvous, includes 200 women from all walks of life and skill levels to enjoy 3 days and 2 nights of camping in the beautiful outdoors (you bring your own tent and supplies, meals are provided). Day activities include everything from mountain biking and hiking to climbing workshops and other adventure clinics led by ASDT certified ambassadors. Night-time brings inspirational fireside speakers, a Rendezvous party, and making lots of memories with some seriously rad women.

Their next adventure? Next rendezvous takes place in Moab, Utah May 2019. Check website for details.

 

 

OUTESSA

Outessa Retreats, sponsored by REI, are retreats created by women for women. Participants can customize an entire three-day itinerary, “filling it with their choice of activities, discussions, classes and even a glass of wine.” Outessa offers outdoor adventures from paddling and biking to rock climbing and yoga as well as outdoor learning skills, panel discussions, and wellness workshops.

Why We Love It

Outessa provides all the gear and the workshops and adventures are designed for different skill levels. They also offer locally inspired food throughout the three-day retreat and a welcome bag filled with goodies from REI’s partners. Accommodations range from high-end glamping-style tents with showers and private bathrooms to bringing and setting up your own tent and equipment within walking distance from the village (hot showers and bathrooms stocked with amenities are provided). Past adventures included trips to Lake Tahoe Squaw Valley Resort, with their most recent retreat located in the White Mountains of New England.

Their next adventure? Check out Outessa for more information on upcoming adventures.