The Travel Corporation and the TreadRight Foundation are launching a new partnership with Me to We aimed at helping travelers make a difference on the road. Luxury Travel Advisor got a chance to attend the launch event to learn more.
The partnership, which includes seven Travel Corporation brands — Trafalgar, Contiki Holidays, Insight Vacations, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, Lion World Travel, African Travel, Inc. and Adventure World — will offer immersive volunteer trips in India, the Ecuadorian Amazon and Kenya.
In conjunction with The Travel Corporation’s seven brands’ guided vacations, luxury river cruises and safaris, guests can book ME to WE Immersive Volunteer Trips extensions on upcoming set departure dates or as a requested custom trip in these three destinations. As part of the culturally immersive experience, travelers will stay among local communities in comfortable lodges, fully owned and operated by ME to WE. All meals, ground transfers, transportation and local sightseeing excursions hosted by an expert facilitator are included.
Each ME to WE Trip takes place in a community where ME to WE’s charitable partner puts its 20-year history of holistic, sustainable development to work through its WE Villages program. Half of ME to WE’s net profits are donated to its charitable partner. The other half is reinvested to grow the enterprise and its social mission.
On a journey to Ecuador, travelers will enjoy a rainforest adventure in the Amazon jungle at ME to WE’s Minga Lodge and join community members to work on a sustainable development project while learning about the indigenous Kichwa culture. They will also be invited to the home of a local shaman to experience a traditional cleansing ceremony and blessing. In India, guests will stay at Araveli Cottages and Tented Camp in Rajasthan, surrounded by the pink-hued Aravalli Mountains. Travelers will have the chance to help local women collect water for their families, learn to make chapatti bread or build a classroom. In Kenya, guests will stay at Bogani Cottages and Tented Camp in the Maasai Mara. They will join the women of the Maasai and Kispigis communities to learn the craft of beading, a tradition passed down through generations that empowers these women to earn a sustainable income and provide for their families.
The ME to WE travel team will handle any volunteer trip extension inquiries and all custom ME to WE Immersive Volunteer Trip bookings. Travelers can view these Travel Corporation trips at:
www.trafalgar.com/metowe
www.contiki.com/contikicares/me-to-we.html
www.metowe.com/insightvacations
www.metowe.com/uniworld
www.lionworldtravel.com/safari/me-to-we-kenya
www.africantravelinc.com/safari/me-to-we-kenya
www.adventureworld.com/metowe