Elevate Destinations

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

Charity Challenge Treks

How it works for your organization

Fundraising

The adventure fundraising trip is often geared around peer-to-peer fundraising. Each institution designs its own fundraising model that is best aligned with its audience and strategy.

Planning

We recommend starting the planning process at least 14 months or more in advance. Many of the world’s most iconic treks require permits that are released one year ahead and often sell out within days. Learn more.

Impact

Donors don’t just write a check— they become champions for your cause. Learn how charity challenge treks create lasting impact.

Suggested itineraries and global destinations

Compare Charity Challenge Treks

Destination Continent Difficulty Duration Highlights
Cotopaxi Volcano Charity Challenge Trek: Ecuador South America Level 4 – Advanced 9 days Summit an active Andean volcano
Ginza Panorama Charity Challenge Trek: Japan Asia Level 4 – Advanced 4 days Japan’s Alps; shorter commitment
Inca Trail Charity Challenge Trek: Peru South America Level 4 – Advanced 10 days Ancient ruins, iconic finish
Julian Alps Charity Challenge Trek: Slovenia Europe Level 3 – Active 5 days Alpine scenery; accessible challenge
Mt. Kenya Charity Challenge Trek: Kenya Africa Level 4 – Advanced 5 days Shorter route; great for first-time groups
Mt. Kilimanjaro Charity Challenge Trek: Tanzania Africa Level 5 – Challenging 10 days Highest peak in Africa; flagship donor challenge
Sierra Norte Charity Challenge Trek: Mexico North America Level 3 – Active 7 days Ancient Zapotec trails; community-rooted
Torres Del Paine Charity Challenge Trek: Chile South America Level 4 – Advanced 7 days Remote Patagonia wilderness
Trekking the Dolomites Charity Challenge: Italy Europe Level 3 – Active 6 days Scenic peaks and villages; moderate difficulty

How does the Charity Challenge process work?

The process is simple and we’ll guide you every step of the way
  1. Schedule a discovery call

    An Elevate travel designer will help you define your goals and plan your trek.

  2. Choose a fundraising trek

    Select a trip that aligns with your goals and audience.

  3. Enter into agreement

    Sign on the dotted line, and pay any advance deposits.

  4. Support participants

    Support participants and support them as they launch fundraising effortsor other campaigns tailored to your organization.

  5. We manage the details

    Elevate manages all registration, pre-departure questions, travel logistics, and preparations.

  6. Trek together

    Elevate handles all logistics and trip support during your adventure.

  7. Celebrate your impact

    Celebrate the impact of knowing your group raised real money for a cause that matters.

  8. Debrief after the trip

    Join a post-trip debrief and share feedback.

Want a more detailed vision of the physical training, fundraising goals and logistical processes that go into planning a perfect charity challenge? Check out this free resource.

Schedule a discovery call

Awards won by Elevate Destinations.

What our clients are saying

  • “I couldn’t have caught a quarter of the details you managed. Having those details captured allowed me to do what I do best and focus on relationship building and connecting with the people on the trip.”

    – Colin Taylor
    World Bicycle Relief

  • “Our guests have had nothing but positive feedback about the experience, and I know that was due largely to Elevate’s meticulous attention to their every need.”

    – Mary Skelton Roberts
    Barr Foundation

  • Travelers in front of Torii gates in Japan.

    “We have organized trips ourselves in the past and after having worked with Elevate Destinations, I can’t ever imagine going back. I would recommend them to anyone, and I can’t wait to plan the next trip.”

    – Pamela Nathenson
    World Connect

Your Questions Answered

What to know about Charity Challenges

Why do Charity Challenge Treks raise more and deepen donor relationships?

A shared physical challenge creates a level of emotional investment that a dinner or auction simply can’t match. When donors climb Kilimanjaro or trek the Inca Trail for your organization, they don’t just give, they become champions for your cause.
On average, each participant is supported by 29 new donors. A group of 15 trekkers can introduce your organization to more than 435 friends, family members, and colleagues, expanding your fundraising reach well beyond your existing donor community.
To go deeper into why a charity challenge trek is a fantastic fundraising trip, explore our article here.

Who should run a Charity Challenge? Ideal organizations and participants?

Charity challenge treks work best for national foundations, medical research institutions, alumni groups, and corporations with engaged donor communities, grateful patient programs, or high-net-worth cultivation needs – typically in groups of 10-20 participants. Your donors don’t need to be athletes: most Elevate participants (ages early 20s to 70s) have limited trekking experience – preparation matters far more than experience.

What does a charity challenge trek cost our organization?

Most organizations must front costs for deposits to hold space, permits and availability for a trek. Elevate will share what these are when quoting for your adventure fundraising trek.
Elevate works with our clients to develop a pricing model that minimizes or eliminates the overall monetary costs to an organization while creating meaningful fundraising opportunities for your organization.
Many health-based philanthropies are able to secure sponsorship for their treks, which underwrites the total cost of the trek.

What is the minimum group size for a charity challenge trek?

Elevate recommends group sizes of 10-20 participants to create the best experience for both fundraising and group dynamics. However, this is also contingent on the amount of permits we can secure for high-demand treks.

How does the participant fundraising minimum work?

Participant fundraising minimums are set by your organization based on your specific fundraising strategy, not by Elevate. Some organizations set minimums to fully cover trek costs, while others set goals to cover only a portion of costs – it’s entirely up to your organization to determine what structure best fits your fundraising and budget goals. Click here for additional information on fundraising models.

How physically fit do participants need to be?

Participants need a moderate level of fitness, not elite athletic ability. Elevate’s adventure fundraising treks are rated by difficulty and don’t require prior trekking experience. Most participants have limited trekking experience, since preparation matters far more than prior experience.Participants need a moderate level of fitness, not elite athletic ability. Elevate’s adventure fundraising treks are rated by difficulty and don’t require prior trekking experience. Most participants have limited trekking experience, since preparation matters far more than prior experience.

Can we choose our own charity or beneficiary?

Charity challenge treks are designed around your organization’s specific fundraising goal, which you set and control. Elevate is a B-to-B company and we build each trek for sponsoring organizations rather than for individuals raising money for a charity of their own choosing, so the beneficiary and fundraising purpose are defined by the organization hosting the challenge, not by individual participants.

Does Elevate handle all the logistics?

Yes, Elevate handles all of the fundraising trek logistics, including accommodations, guides, transportation, meals, and insurance. That way, your organization can focus entirely on your fundraising goals while Elevate manages everything else.

How far in advance should we start planning?

Elevate recommends planning at least 14 months before your fundraising trek departure date. Starting this early gives your organization enough runway to build fundraising momentum, recruit participants, and handle all pre-trek logistics smoothly.

What happens if a participant can’t complete the trek?

If a participant is unable to complete the trek, Elevate’s trekking guides will evacuate them back to the group’s starting location – typically the hotel used before the trek – where they can rejoin the group once the trek concludes. All Elevate guides are certified in emergency response and first aid, and are fully equipped to manage these situations safely in the field.