When I was a college student some 15 years ago, altruistic trips were in vogue. Call it the millennial mission to “save the world,” but we all used a break or two to establish farms, drill wells, or teach English. While this type of travel can lean patronizing, the essence—spending your vacation for the good of someone else—is golden, especially as travel these days seems more about the highlight reel and less about the actual experience. If, like me, you’re ready for a comeback in compassion, check out these five fabulous trips from companies dedicated to responsible, charitable travel.
Volunteer Vacations
Stay in a regenerative ecolodge in the Aysén region of the Chilean Patagonia
If you’re into world-class fly fishing and environmental conservation, Eko Patagonia is right up your alley. Regenerative Travel curates meaningful local connections from its hotels around the world, and this ecolodge is no exception with its community support and environmental advocacy for Chile’s wildest frontier. Immerse yourself in the region’s cuisine with a cooking class at a local farm (yes, you do harvest your own dinner!) and cast your line with an experienced guide, all based from your private cabin—a cozy repurposed shipping container.
Coyhaique, Aysén, Chile. regenerativetravel.com/hotels/eko-patagonia/
Help rehabilitate native forests on Hawaii’s Big Island
Love both land and sea on this nine-day Hawaiian adventure via Give Volunteers. Based on the Big Island, the trip explores the beauty of Waipi‘o Valley, Kohala, and Pahala, all while partnering with local nonprofits to help rehabilitate native forests, remove marine debris, and more. Connect with local guides, cook in a traditional imu, and did we say snorkeling and volcano hikes were included?
Waipi‘o Valley, Kohala, and Pahala, Hawaii. givevolunteers.org/volunteer-locations/hawaii/
Send a child on a travel daytrip while cruising the Southern Croatian coastline
A small cruise boat porting in and out of fishing villages and lavender farmland along the Dalmatian coast sounds like a dream. Knowing your vacation gives an under-resourced kid an inspiring travel daytrip is icing on the cake. Responsible Travel has been committed to supporting local communities and economies since 2000, and their Croatian cruises are no exception. Start in the town of Split and make (or eat) your way across the coast—all the food and wine aboard is locally produced.
Dalmatian Coast, Croatia. responsiblevacation.com/vacation/17914/southern-croatia-cruise-in-comfort
Teach English and career skills while enjoying local wildlife in Tanzania
Partnering with Make a Difference’s Service Learning Program, Elevate Travel provides a two-week trip packed with meaningful experiences. Nestled beneath the iconic peak of Kilimanjaro, volunteers spend a week working with local students, followed by a weeklong safari in Tarangire National Park. Highlights include waterfall hikes, historic farm visits, a sustainable stay at Swala Camp and, of course, creating memorable connections with Tanzanian students.
Moshi, Tarangire National Park, Tanzania. elevatedestinations.com/itineraries/tanzania-service-and-safari/
Support clean water and food pantry projects at a cozy stay in Sonoma County
Experience wine country in good conscience with Kind Traveler’s Every Stay Gives Back. A booking with one of their lodge partners helps fund local charities, and in Sonoma County’s case, that means Farm to Pantry, Russian Riverkeeper, the Sonoma Land Trust, and more. Lodge partners include boutique stays like The Stavrand or Vinarosa Resort. A three-hour gleaning adventure offers the opportunity to harvest extra food, helping farmers reduce waste and bolstering area food banks.
Sonoma County, California. Booking via lodge partners. kindtraveler.com/content/kind-destination-sonoma-county-tourism
