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.

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

Schedule a discovery call

Awards won by Elevate Destinations.

What our travelers are saying

  • A smiling family in the Azores.

    “Elevate Destinations did an incredible job at planning our Azores trip so that way our group of all ages (from 1 years old to 78!) enjoyed it! We created new family memories that we will cherish forever!”

    – Cassandra McIntosh, Azores

  • A couple riding bicycles in Vietnam.

    “Dominique and Emily always design our trips with such thought and care with our hobbies and interests and traveling needs in mind! Couldn’t ask for better! This was our 6th trip with Elevate, and we couldn’t be more elated with the thought and care that goes into every detail.”

    – Donna Natrajan, Vietnam

  • Travelers in front of Torii gates in Japan.

    “An amazing journey with wonderful guides and exceptional accommodations, Elevate Destinations understood our vision for this special trip and architected an adventure filled with lifelong memories.”

    – Thane Kreiner, Japan

  • Travelers kayak through the fjords in Norway.

    “Elevate Desitantions is responsive, communicative and thoughtful. The itinerary was designed beautifully, allowing us to enter a new country with a thorough introduction then complemented with unique and tailored experiences. All accompanying services and arrangements were orchestrated with amazing accuracy.”

    – Andrea Keenan, Norway

  • Four people smiling and posing together on a sunny day at Machu Picchu, with ancient stone ruins and green mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

    “The ease of the experience allowed all four of us to soak it all in without the usual planning and logistics stress. Nothing but positive feedback! Thank you to Lana and Emily for creating an inspiring, fun, adventurous, educational trip for us and for doing so with positive energy and contagious enthusiasm for beautiful Peru! We can’t wait to travel with Elevate Destinations again!”

    – Jody Shue and Friends, Peru

  • Two people riding camels in a desert landscape at sunset, both wearing light-colored shirts and sunglasses, with hills and a clear blue sky in the background.

    “Our Morocco trip was the best one I have ever taken. Dominique and her team did an exceptional job with the hotels, drivers, and our guides. The riads, kasbah, and glamping we experienced were amazing!”

    – Jay Pollit, Morocco

  • Silhouetted group of eight people standing side by side on grass at sunset, with a clear sky and orange glow on the horizon in the background.

    “It was truly our trip of a lifetime! Couldn’t have been better!! The only downside of the trip was the 19 hour air travel from Cape Town to Detroit and then the recovery time! Wonderful trip!!!”

    – Ken Green, South Africa

  • Three people wearing helmets and harnesses stand smiling with arms around each other on a mountainside. In the background, transparent pods attached to the cliff are visible.

    “Our trip was the perfect mix of adventure, philanthropy, mystical, extraordinary, and educational. While it was an immense adventure, there was ease all the way through knowing that everything was taken care of for us from transportation to stays.”

    – The Cook Family, Peru

  • Greece: A smiling family of five poses together on a beach at sunset. Two adults stand in the center, surrounded by three children. The ocean and sun setting over distant hills are visible in the background.

    “Dominique helped guide us through Greece seamlessly, making sure to create a stress free trip that was one we will remember for a lifetime. There was always something beautiful to do or see. Our trip was nothing short of magic.”

    – The Smith Family, Greece

  • Two people in outdoor gear sit on rocks in a mountainous, green landscape, smiling and holding metal mugs. Both wear sunglasses and caps, enjoying a sunny day outdoors.

    “I just wanted to thank you again for arranging such an unforgettable trip. We had an absolute blast. Javier, our guide, was amazing. His depth of knowledge, relationships and hospitality were first class. We are already excited to return to Africa next summer with Elevate!”

    – Kevin Samuelson, Norway

  • Morocco: Two women smiling, standing side by side in front of an ornate, patterned wooden door and decorative wall.

    “We will continue to plan our trips with Elevate Destinations! They create such an exceptional personalized service and provide unique insights into whatever destination you are going to.”

    – Stacey Keare, Morocco

  • A family of four, holding walking sticks, stands on a rocky trail with misty mountains and greenery in the background.

    “Elevate Destinations planned an amazing trip for my family to Guatemala. Their itinerary was thoughtful and diverse. It included something for everybody. Their local partners were reliable and amazing! Service was exceptional. It made for a memorable and stress free vacation!”

    – Dr. Sonal Patel, Guatemala

  • Tanzania: Two smiling women stand arm in arm in front of partially inflated hot air balloons with green and tan stripes on a grassy field at sunrise.

    “We were blown away by the attention to detail and by how smoothly everything went. The combination of ‘nature’ and ‘community’ activities was perfect.”

    – Tonnie Cummings, Tanzania and Uganda

  • Costa Rica: Two people stand together outdoors near a stream, both wearing caps and casual hiking clothing.

    “You were the only company to reply to my request for a vacation plan on such short notice. We had a 1-hour conversation and you were able to plan the exact type of vacation we were looking for. You were all extremely organized, clear, and helpful at every point of the trip from planning all the way through to return.”

    – Amelia Juhl, Costa Rica

  • Portugal: Four people wearing yellow shirts stand on a beach with surfboards, smiling at the camera. The sea and rocks are visible in the background. Two adults and two children are in the group.

    “Seeing the world and experiencing other cultures helps us understand our place in it and gain understanding and compassion for those different than ourselves. We took the kids out of school for two weeks and they learned more during those two weeks than they would have in two months of school. Travel is the education we all need and makes us better in every way.”

    – Sarah Sindell, Portugal

  • Iceland: A group of five people stand together smiling on a metal platform overlooking a moss-covered cliff with lush greenery in the background.

    “We had the most exciting adventures in Iceland. This is a trip we will never forget. It was perfectly planned and executed by Lana and Emily at Elevate Destinations. I highly recommend!”

    – Kathy Sharpe, Iceland

  • Spain: Two people sit at a small round table with drinks in an art gallery, with colorful paintings displayed on the wall behind them.

    “Being immersed in another culture was deeply moving for me. Reacquainting myself with the things that matter most to me — the earth, animals, history and dance — was transformative. Taking this trip was exactly what I needed.”

    – Sanja DeGarmo, Spain

  • Portugal: A person wearing a white bicycle helmet looks out over a coastal scene with historic buildings and a striped lighthouse by the sea under a partly cloudy sky.

    “Lana and Emily have been a true delight to work with. We were a challenging group for many reasons, and they kept working to make everything absolutely perfect for our little entourage. Honestly, I can’t imagine having a better experience with travel helpers!! Thank you so much!!!!”

    – Robin Giddings, The Azores and Portugal

Your Questions Answered

What to know about Charity Challenges

What is a charity challenge and how can it benefit my organization?

A charity challenge combines adventure travel with peer-to-peer fundraising. Participants take on a meaningful trek while raising funds and awareness for your cause. These programs can help generate revenue, engage donors, attract new supporters, and build a stronger community around your mission.

What locations do you recommend for charity challenges?

We recommend bucket-list destinations that inspire participation and fundraising while delivering an unforgettable travel experience. Popular options include Kilimanjaro, the Inca Trail, Mount Kenya, and Torres del Paine, along with other iconic trekking destinations around the world.

Will it cost my organization anything to set up a charity challenge?

In most cases, no. We work with organizations to develop a fundraising and pricing model that minimizes or eliminates upfront costs while creating a meaningful fundraising opportunity.

How many people can we invite on our trip? Do they have to raise money?

We typically recommend group sizes of 8–20 participants to create the best experience for both fundraising and group dynamics. Fundraising requirements can be customized to fit your goals, and not every traveler must fundraise. Many organizations include donors, staff, board members, friends, and family members on their trips.

How physically fit should my travelers be on the charity challenge?

Fitness requirements vary by destination. We rate our challenges on a 1–5 difficulty scale, with most of our treks falling between 3 and 5. Participants do not need to be elite athletes, but they should be prepared to train appropriately for the physical demands of their chosen challenge.

What types of charity challenges do you offer?

We specialize exclusively in multi-day trekking challenges. Our programs are designed around iconic trails and mountain adventures that combine personal accomplishment, cultural immersion, and fundraising impact.

What destinations are the most fun for travelers while still offering a solid challenge?

Our most popular trips combine incredible scenery, cultural immersion, and a rewarding physical challenge. Kilimanjaro, the Inca Trail, Mount Kenya, and Torres del Paine consistently rank among participants’ favorite experiences.