Volunteer Vacations - Full-Time Travel

Volunteer Vacations

Volunteer Vacations

Altruistic Adventures Around the World

Want to feel less stressed, angry and anxious? Volunteer. That’s the conclusion to countless studies. Even better, take that advice on the road to give your time, ideas and energy to help people, wildlife and the environment all around the world. 

Field Notes

An animal lovers’ guide to helping wildlife around the world:


Pink River Dolphins Board a riverboat in this remote region of the Amazon to survey the area’s animal life — dolphins, caimans, giant river otters — and you’ll help develop conservation strategies for the region and the people who inhabit it.

Sharks Pair with researchers from the World Wide Fund for Nature to help feed, identify and tag sharks in Pacific Harbour, Fiji while earning your PADI diver certification in the process.  
 
Lions, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo and Elephant Track movements, remove invasive plant species and help protect the Big Five from poachers in one of South Africa’s best wildlife hotspots.  
 
Turtles By day, help researchers measure and tag sea turtles in Costa Rica’s Playa Blanca. By night, head to an organic chocolate farm lodge for some well earned R&R.
 
Baby Elephants Walk, feed and bathe baby elephants in a forest river (then shovel their dung) in this small village in Northern Thailand where off-duty activities include river rafting and zip-lining through the jungle.
 
Wolves Help feed, clean and observe wolves rescued from illegal trapping and captivity in this Portuguese conservation area located a mere 45-minute drive from Lisbon.

By the Numbers

28,000 

That's the number of volunteers for Global Volunteers since 1984. The organization specializes in impactful, tax-deductible opportunities to help children and families around the world.

Inn Crowd

Tucked away on a 7,000-acre wildlife reserve in Australia’s Blue Mountains, Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley fuses luxury lodging with a chance to contribute to conservation in an area once explored by Charles Darwin. Three days a week, guests can work alongside conservationists to plant trees, help with wildlife surveys, monitor feral animals and count wombats. The pay off? Return to the uber-secluded, romantic resort (which sees an average of one marriage proposal a week, according to staff). Each of its 41 freestanding villas comes with its own private pool, perfect for watching kangaroos, wallaroos and wallabies.

Sweat Equity

Looking to gain extra cardio points while helping out? Consider digging foundations and installing doors and windows to help build homes in Bolivia. Ride a bike 20k to bring donations to a bookstore in Cuba? That’s the idea with Exchange of Pace, which organizes trips for women that combine philanthropy with fitness. Join forces with WWOOF and bail hay, tend animals and pick produce at organic farms throughout the world and earn your room and board in the process.

 

INTRO: @African Impact

INN CROWD: @One and Only Resorts

SWEAT EQUITY: @WWOOF

"This sculpture is called "Transmission" by artist Daniel Popper. Its a reminder that we are all rooted in love, unity and the divine. She stands a towering 28 feet tall and is located on Mojave Moon Ranch in Joshua Tree. The land is private property, so you can see it from the viewing platform off of Sunfair Road. And take it from me, it's best viewed at sunset."

Reel: @johnofah
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There's more to Greece than the white and blue buildings and the surrounding Mediterranean Sea. If you're planning a visit, check out these places below!

📍Kokkinopilos. Preveza
📍Verliga Dragon lake, Thessaly
📍Ithaca island, lonian Sea
📍Aoos springs lake, Epirus
📍Lake Prespes, Macedonia
📍Balda di Stringa waterfalls, Epirus
📍Meteora, Thessaly
📍Pelion, Thessaly
📍Lake Zorika, Epirus
📍Mt Lakmos
📍Crete island, Aegean Sea
📍Gistova Dragon lake, Macedonia

Reel: @farawayfarers
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Swim or kayak through the limestone cliffs of the Twin Lagoon, a must-visit destination for those traveling to Coron, Palawan, Philippines. It is called "twin" lagoon because it consists of two lagoons separated by a limestone cliff, with one lagoon on top of the other. The water in the inner lagoon is warm and clear, with a stunning turquoise color that makes it popular for swimming and snorkeling.

Reel: @travelifejournal
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Take a dip in a series of seven saltwater lagoons located in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The Lagoons of Baltinache are known for their beautiful turquoise waters and unique geological formations. The high concentration of minerals in the water gives it a unique buoyancy that makes swimming in the lagoons a unique experience.

Reel: @everchanginghorizon
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Watching the sun rise above the clouds at Haleakalā National Park is one of the most memorable experiences you could have. Haleakalā is a Hawaiian name that means “House of the Sun” and is an awesome place to watch the clear night sky and stars fade away as the sun lights up the sky and the earth.

Reel: @girlchill_sunset
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Just 1 hour from Shanghai by train, Cherry Blossom Valley is a popular tourist destination, particularly in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. The valley is named after the thousands of cherry blossom trees that cover the area and create a stunning display of pink and white flowers. The trees were originally planted in the 1980s by a group of Japanese experts who were invited to China to help with reforestation efforts. The best time to visit is typically in late March or early April. Get there early to beat the crowds!

Reel: @cyncynti
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New Zealand is unbelievable. See it for yourself:

1. Fiordland National Park
2. A classic backcountry hut trip
3. Blue Pools walk
4. Hooker Lake
5. Milford Sound
6. Lake Pukaki

Reel: @kylekotajarvi
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Surrounded by lush greenery, towering karst mountains, and the river flowing through, the Detian Waterfall is a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of the close relationship between China and Vietnam. It is the largest waterfall in Asia and the fourth largest cross-border waterfall in the world.

Reel: @sophoebelous
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Escape to a serene and peaceful oasis away from the bustling city of Marrakech at Le Jardin Secret—a beautiful and historic garden where visitors can escape the noise and chaos and enjoy the beauty of nature. The garden was originally built in the 16th century and is home to many different species of plants, including exotic flowers, citrus trees, and palm trees.

Reel: @hypermiggzz
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For a magical moment and bucket list travel experience, visit the end point of the annual monarch butterfly migration. Starting in August, the monarchs travel 2,800 miles south from Canada, making a temporary home amid the towering trees of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Mexico, where the two most popular sanctuaries to view them are el Rosario in the state of Michoacan and Piedra Herrada in Estado de México. Standing in silence while thousands of delicate wings beat in unison is something you'll never forget.

Reel: @juliiathompson
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There's just something beautiful about snow covered landscapes like this popular attraction in southwestern Utah. Known for its unique geology, @brycecanyonnps_gov consists of a series of natural amphitheaters, called "hoodoos," formed by erosion of the rock layers.

Photo: @nathanleeallen
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As we experience a couple more weeks of winter, we can't help but dream of tropical destinations like Hawaii. The warm water, sunny skies, and consistent waves make it an ideal destination for surfers. Hawaii has a vibrant surf culture and community and is also a beautiful place to explore outside of the water, with lush green mountains, stunning beaches, and unique cultural experiences.

Reel: @christopherballadarez
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5 PLACES IN THE U.S. THAT FEEL LIKE ANOTHER PLANET:
1. @sequoiakingsnps, California
2. @canyonlandsnps, Utah
3. @olympic_nps, Washington
4. @whitesandsnps, New Mexico
5. Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona
6. Knik Glacier, Alaska

Reel: @nathanleeallen
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