Take the Path Less Travelled with World Expeditions
The wind combs through my hair and the birds spill tea between the trees, their melodic notes drifting up to the perfect blue sky. Despite the jaw-dropping beauty that surrounds me—the woods, valleys and quiet meandering trail—everything is untouched, uncrowded and serene. I take the first deep breath of fresh air I’ve inhaled since leaving my stuffy office back in hectic Vancouver and think, this is why I get outside.
Unfortunately for travellers seeking solitude, everyone wants the same experience—quietness, relaxation, uncrowded hiking bliss—which often leads to the opposite: overtourism and jam-packed outdoor destinations, where the swell of well-meaning travellers threatens to burden, rather than benefit, the locals who live there. After peacefully climbing to the top of a mountain near Vancouver, Canada, I’m confronted with a cluster of polyester so thick and cellphone cameras held so high that the entire vista is blocked.
When we all want to be on the path less travelled, the path can overflow. So how do we find new dirt paths without bootprints? Can we truly embrace unique outdoor experiences in lesser-visited destinations that can benefit from (and handle) an increase in active, outdoorsy travellers?
Yes—with a reputable company.
A global travel company with roots in Nepal dating back to 1975, World Expeditions’ mission is to take travellers to alternate trekking routes and lesser-known locales that can be daunting or difficult to traverse on one’s own.
Their motto, “Take the Path Less Travelled,” is about visiting less touristy, less accessible destinations and experiencing life-changing adventures, such as expert-led treks in Karakoram, Pakistan to the monumental K2 basecamp or immersive, two-week-long cultural journeys in Ghana, Togo and Benin. World Expeditions finds “off-the-beaten-path” places to bring guests to. All the carefully curated trips are exploratory in style, like hiking the challenging 127-kilometre Cordillera Huayhuash circuit in Peru and exploring little-known parks with remote glacial rivers and temperate forests in Patagonia. World Expeditions keeps innovating with different ways of discovering destinations, like their new ethical Horse Treks in Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan and Tibet, where travellers experience the world from the saddle like people have done for millennia.
World Expeditions has unique offerings because they know adventure travellers are increasingly seeking less obvious routes. Choosing less-travelled regions or finding more exploratory routes within well-loved destinations can deliver deeper, richer experiences while addressing the negative impacts of overtourism. By moving away from bucket-list hotspots towards remote wilderness areas and culturally rich regions that benefit from low-impact, small group travel, we don’t just help ourselves—we help the world. Being immersed in new destinations can help us fight preconceived beliefs and have experiences we never would have surrounded by groups of tourists taking selfies.
One major reason to travel with World Expeditions? Safety. I love to explore the world as a solo woman traveller, but I recognize the risks. Travelling in remote or less-touristy areas requires expertise, local knowledge and the right connections for immediate and seamless aid. World Expeditions takes care of all the complex logistics, works with a supportive local crew and breaks down the barriers to entering countries you may have otherwise avoided or been extra cautious visiting. World Expeditions truly opens the world to you.
If you needed another reason to choose World Expeditions, the company is committed to bettering the local destinations they operate within, focusing on mutual benefits, regenerative travel, local employment and travelling responsibly in small groups, which bolsters the economy without overwhelming the destination with a responsible, favourable tourism industry.
These trips are active, ideal for those with adventurous spirits. While you can choose the level of difficulty to suit your needs and desires, every trip comes with a strong connection to nature and the land you’ll be exploring—so you can take the path less travelled your way.
This article is sponsored by World Expeditions
When you travel with World Expeditions, you’re choosing more than an adventure. You’re joining a community of active travellers who choose experience, integrity and a deeper way to explore the world. With experienced leaders, thoughtfully designed itineraries, and like-minded travellers by your side, you’ll be supported every step of the way. This is adventure travel with purpose.
