The holidays are here, and we have a lot to be thankful for. It’s a good time to look back at the blessings we have received throughout the year, and this might be the time where most people plan for vacations. It is good to realize that many people have not received the same gifts as we have and it’s time to think about giving back. Buying toys and donating clothes is one of the favorite ways people give to the less fortunate for a long time but there are many more ways to make someone else smile during this holiday season.
Giving can be made easy when you are improving yourself while doing something for someone else, e.g. learning, gaining new experiences, training and so on. It can also be fun if you include your family and friends in the process. Everyone that will be in your team should share the same interests and goals to get the most out of the experience. There are many interesting travel charity challenges you can undertake as a group to raise money for your favorite organization or cause, and adventure companies that will make it easy for you. With the planning outsourced to the professionals, these won’t seem as daunting:
Climbing Africa’s Highest Mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro
Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro can be a once in a lifetime experience and how better to do it than with family and friends for a good cause. You can join existing group climbs or register your group for a private climb. You can choose any charity that you want to fundraise for as a group and pay a minimum of £100 per person in your group. You will get good rates when you book directly with the operator rather than going through a go-between meaning much more of the money you raise will go to the charity of your choice. You can set up a fundraising page on charity platforms like Just Giving or Virgin Money where you mobilize people to contribute for a cause you choose. It is vital to find an organizer with a highly experienced team will deal with everything else such as planning the best routes you can use and even advice on the best time to prepare your charity challenge on Kilimanjaro.
- Basecamp Treks
You can also plan for challenging walks through Everest base camp, Annapurna Circuit, Mera Peak, Snowman trek in Bhutan, Island Peak, Machu Picchu, and Himalaya while raising money for charity. These are some challenging terrains that will ensure that you earn every cent of the money donated as well as experiencing come of the most thrilling views. Here you will get to meet new people and make new friends and lasting memories. Safety is also important in these trips, and the organizers must ensure to manage risks so that the adventurers have a great time without worrying. The experienced guides know how to deal with emergencies although trekkers and climbers have their health monitored closely.
- Cycling Challenges
We have heard of people pledging to cycle across countries to raise money for a charity which is genius as they also get to see these beautiful places as they interact with different people. You can plan to pedal through the canals of Venice, through the farmhouses and corn and olive fields to the hills of Tuscany and Umbria as you make your way to Rome. The country doesn’t matter, all you need is to pack supplies and get a sturdy bicycle, and you can start your adventure.
- Sport Challenges
You can also plan for sporting competitions in groups to accomplish different goals. You can compete in a dogsledding challenge in Swedish Lapland’s winter wonderland, White-water rafting in Croatia and so on.
- Adventures in Exotic Places
You can traverse the Sahara on camelback on a 78 km (48 miles) trek and camp under the stars in the night, Trekking the Bedouin paths on your way for a dip in the Dead Sea, going through the forests and seeing wildlife in the forests of Costa Rica.
Last thoughts
Whatever you choose to do, all you need to do is create a fundraising channel so that people can contribute to your charity of choice as you complete a challenge. You can do it alone or take a team with you. You can use the many organizations like Kandoo Adventures or Discover Adventures to plan your trip. This helps you to do some good even when you are having fun and experiencing different places and adventures.
