Elevate Destinations

Experts in socially responsible luxury travel. We design travel experiences that support conservation and local communities without skimping on comfort.

Give Back Travel & Volunteer Vacations

Luxury adventures with purposeful change and lasting connection

At its core, travel is about connection: with your travel companions, the local communities you meet, and the landscapes you explore. Elevate Destinations facilitates community engagement experiences that forge these bonds while generating a positive social and environmental impact. Our philanthropic travel programs are customized for travelers of all ages, with a focus on experiential learning.

Your luxury give back vacation will be tailored to your own values, skills, and time frame. Most experiences last anywhere from a day or two to a week. We work with dedicated ground partners who facilitate ethically and meaningfully driven experiences, with community interactions and service elements added as appropriate. Giving back to destination communities is where adventure and kindness intersect.

Browse our luxury philanthropic travel adventures below, and get in touch with a specialist.

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Sample Itineraries

Inspiration for your custom adventure

What our travelers are saying

  • A group of nine people, including Kathy Sharpe, pose together indoors, smiling at the camera. Some are kneeling in front, while others stand behind them. Casual clothing and hats are worn by several individuals.

    “Our highlights were musicians playing with the founder, the cocoa farm, rafting, the hike, and the accommodations. It was the perfect mixture of cultural education and adventure.”

    –Kathy Sharpe, Colombia

  • Bhutan: A monastery with white walls and golden roofs is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, surrounded by green forested mountains under a clear blue sky.

    “The adventures and accommodations in Punakha, Thimphu and Paro were great. We particularly like the nunnery we visited, exploring Thimphu city, hiking Tiger's Nest, and tree planting. Thunder was one of the best guides we've had, and we travel a lot.”

    –Anu Menon, Bhutan

  • “Everyday was a highlight. From Machu Picchu to painting at a Peruvian Hearts scholar home - we just did not want to leave a country with so much passion for its people and heritage. The girls we met at Chicuchas Wasi and Peruvian Hearts gave us so much more than we gave them. Our scaling the cliff and zip lining down was just the thing to push our comfort zone. Our hearts will forever be left in Peru. So what can we do next year to match this year? Can't wait!”

    –Julie Marchese, Peru

  • “Lana and Elevate Destinations had the wisdom, insight, knowledge, experience and compassion to guide me down the path to the perfect trip to match where I was in my life. She paired me with the perfect hotels and excursions and the volunteer work that filled my soul in ways I didn’t know possible.”

    –Stefanie Lerner, Costa Rica

  • “I did not know how much this journey would change me. Being surrounded by beauty, witnessing all that nature has to offer and knowing that this place is so deeply connected to spirituality fed my soul so much that it overflowed. I will never forget my time in Ladakh. It is something I will cherish forever.”

    –Jessica Dolan, India

  • “Everything was seamless and yet adjustable based on our desires to explore. We did not just witness the cultural differences, we experienced and left with them ingrained in our soul. Thank you Elevate Destinations and Lana, this trip will continue to live in our lives.”

    –Shannon Plumstead, India

  • India: A group of women and men sit closely together on the floor inside a brick building, smiling at the camera. Some women wear headscarves, while others do not. The mood appears friendly and relaxed.

    “We were extremely pleased with Elevate in putting together an amazing trip to India! We had a number of specific requests outside of the usual travel plan. Dominique was unfazed, working hard to put together something that met our many needs. It’s hard to talk about the highlights – because the entire trip was so awesome – but our recommendations would be to go off the beaten path as well as seeing major sights. ”

    –Jan Goldstein and Shereen Arendt, India

  • Belize: Four people smile while serving food outdoors under a canopy. Two women and a man hold serving spoons over large yellow buckets, with plates of food in front of them. Another young woman stands to the side holding her plate.

    “The most amazing trip! We will never forget and never be the same. And we will be back! Elevate Destinations was the perfect partner for our adventure and will be planning our future travels.”

    –Leslie Hsu Besner and Family, Belize

  • “The trip was phenomenal, the guides were incredibly helpful, knowledgeable and great with the kids, the people were warm and welcoming, the hotels were great. Via Ferrate and the zip line was a highlight for the kids; I loved the social experience in the mountains, and the high activity level of the entire trip. We really felt like we got to understand the people and the culture.”

    –Betsy Fishbone, Peru

  • “It was satisfying to know that the money we were spending was directly fostering conservancy and the Samburu people. Each place we stayed was both lovely and utterly dedicated to the animals and the community. One highlight was how playful and funny the guides were with our kids and us. Thanks Dominique, for pointing us to Kenya and devising our fantastic trip.”

    –Laura Solinger and Family, Kenya

  • “I was so pleased with the planning and execution of this trip for fourteen women.  We were treated with courtesy and respect by everyone we met.  Our guides added immensely to our understanding of the culture of the country.”

    –Susan Downs, South Africa

  • “My goal for this trip was to have a great adventure with my tween son with a little community service thrown in. Our itinerary was perfectly suited to achieve both of these things. We had a great time ziplining, horse-back riding, searching the trees for monkeys (and sloths!), paddle boarding and just hanging out together. We also got to visit Barrio Planta which reminded both of us that middle schoolers are the same everywhere. Realizing that we have so much in common, even amidst the obvious differences in our cultures and circumstances, is a wonderful life lesson.”

    –Jessica Berry

Your Questions Answered

What to know about Give Back Travel

What are the best luxury volunteer vacations for families?

We work with a variety of partners worldwide who assist with our volunteer vacations for families. There are many countries to choose from, and the best one for your family depends on your travel style, dates, and preferences.

Families looking for an adventure that’s only a short flight away from the United States might consider volunteering at a wildlife rescue center in Costa Rica. For travelers looking for a safari experience, it’s possible to work with conservation projects and wildlife rangers in Kenya and South Africa or visit a local village in Tanzania and Zimbabwe. The possibilities are endless, and we’re happy to work with you to design a volunteer travel experience that's the right fit for your travel group.

Can I customize a luxury family volunteer vacation?

Absolutely! All of our luxury family volunteer vacations are fully customized. We recognize that every family is unique. You might need to travel around school vacation dates, have a wide array of interests, and have dietary restrictions or other specific needs. We’ll work with you to design a personalized journey that caters to every family member. Leave the planning stress to us and enjoy more time together, exactly the way you want.

How does luxury philanthropic travel create a meaningful impact for local communities?

During your philanthropic travel trip, you’ll stay at lodges that pay fair wages, uphold fair employment practices, and are welcomed by the community. We work with local partners equally committed to empowering indigenous communities, hiring women, and providing training and professional development opportunities.

Additionally, our experiential activities tend to be located in less-visited areas within a country, away from the crowds. These activities spread tourist dollars around the country, so that the economic benefits of tourism are more evenly felt. We are also very selective in the immersive experiences and volunteer opportunities that we choose. We work with our partners on the ground to vet these experiences and ensure they are carried out in collaboration with local communities, in line with their vision, so they truly generate a positive, lasting impact.

Are luxury family voluntourism experiences suitable for young children?

Yes, we offer luxury family voluntourism experiences that are suitable for young children. For example, you can journey into the Peruvian Amazon and volunteer at a wildlife rehabilitation center by helping with meal preparation for the animals, cleaning enclosures, creating enrichment toys, and other tasks. This volunteer experience will be complemented by a stay at a luxury lodge, with guides trained to bring the Amazon to life for young kids.

There are also many wonderful family-oriented safari lodges, with activities specifically designed for children and opportunities to work on conservation projects. After having a phone conversation and learning more about your family, we’ll share our top recommendations suitable for you.

Can we include volunteer experiences as part of a luxury family vacation?

Yes, many of our give back vacations are designed to include volunteer experiences as part of a luxury family vacation. We have options for one-day and multi-day volunteer activities. For example, in Belize, you might work in support of and solidarity with a local family by assisting with planting efforts on their farm. Many families in the region are subsistence farmers who will significantly benefit from your shared work. For those with more time, you might spend multiple days working alongside the family to build a fuel-efficient stove to replace an inefficient one.

After volunteering, return to your eco-luxury lodge and unwind in the pool or savor a delicious meal. On the days you’re not volunteering, you can set out on a private catamaran for a snorkeling adventure, explore the famous ATM caves, and zipline through the jungle.

How much time should I set aside for volunteer travel during my vacation?

We offer volunteer travel experiences lasting from one day to a week, and we’ll work with you to customize your vacation itinerary to your preferences. We can also incorporate immersive experiences into your trip that are designed to connect you with community members and learn about their lives without a volunteer component.

For example, you might visit a family living in a nearly abandoned village in Croatia to learn more about local customs and cook a traditional dish together. This experience lasts only a few hours but provides travelers with a richer understanding of local life in this region.

Can a luxury family volunteer vacation be combined with a safari, beach stay, or other adventure?

Yes, our luxury family volunteer vacations are designed to balance time giving back with immersive adventures. For example, you can spend a morning in Rwanda visiting a local organization that works to empower women in the community by providing training in artisanal crafts, textiles, bicycle repair, and English instruction. The next day, venture into the rainforest to spend a precious hour with a troop of mountain gorillas.

In Belize, volunteer with a local family to construct a fuel-efficient stove and learn more about their lives as subsistence farmers. In the evening, return to your luxury hotel and enjoy time swimming in your private plunge pool or sunbathing by the sea.

What types of projects are included in luxury philanthropic travel experiences?

We offer a variety of luxury philanthropic travel experiences tailored to your interests and travel timeframe. Elevate is deeply committed to conservation and community impact. Many of the projects we work with are focused on protecting the local environment and empowering local community members, especially indigenous communities and women. Once you speak with a travel designer and share more about your preferences, we’ll match you with a project that aligns with your interests.

Please note that Elevate Destinations does not work with orphanages. We support the global movement to move away from institutionalizing children and towards strengthening families and communities. #ChangeVolunteering
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