10 Thrilling Journeys That Will Revitalize Your Spirit

What an exhilarating experience it has been to travel vicariously through the captivating words and stunning visuals from my colleagues over the past six months, as they ventured to some of the most remote corners of the world—and their imaginations—to share these narratives. This series of Thrilling Journeys began with a suggestion from Dinogo's photo editor, Michelle Heimerman, who proposed an expedition to one of the planet’s most significant archaeological sites in the historic land of Mesopotamia, located at the northern edge of the Fertile Crescent (commonly known as Türkiye). At first glance, it seemed we were sending her to a desolate area, but as she wisely points out in her photo essay on ancient Göbekli Tepe, “You’re truly in the heart of somewhere, circa 9500 B.C.” With the assistance of leading archaeologists and professors, she explored “the realms of our ancient ancestors, creating room for the unknown. To use travel as a means to reflect on who we once were.”

This sparked my imagination. What if we could traverse deserts, ascend mountains, navigate rapid rivers, sail uncharted seas, and even graze the edge of space to deepen our understanding of our history? To assess the influence humanity has had on the Earth—from various perspectives—and envision a future where we can appreciate the world’s breathtaking landscapes in a sustainable manner?

Guided by knowledgeable local experts, Dinogo editors and contributors . . .

• Biked among the kangaroos and koalas of Kangaroo Island, often referred to as the Galápagos of Australia. This narrative highlights the recovery following the devastating bushfires of 2020 that ravaged over half of Australia’s natural beauty.
• Sailed to Svalbard in the High Arctic, where polar bears currently roam. Witnessing this delicate balance firsthand serves as the ultimate lesson in conservation.
• Contributed to the conservation of jaguars in Brazil’s largest wetland and learned to tread lightly along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu under the guidance of local experts.
• Explored the future of space tourism through hot air balloon adventures.

And that's just the beginning. We also partnered with companies like Lindblad, Modern Adventure—a certified B Corp—and Exceptional Kangaroo Island, a vital local enterprise, to ensure these trips positively impacted the places we explored. It's about more than just a getaway. How's that for a contemporary take on epic?

Continue reading for this year's lineup of Epic Trips spanning the Arctic, Australia, Brazil, British Columbia, western Montana, the Nile in Uganda, Peru, Türkiye, throughout Europe, and even to the edge of the atmosphere.

• 25 Days, 9 Countries, 1,959 Miles: Exploring Europe by Train
• A Cruise to the Remote Arctic, Where Polar Bears Currently Roam
• Embarking on an Adventure on Kangaroo Island, the Galapagos of Australia
• “Hold On!” White Water Rafting on the Nile
• Exploring One of the World’s Most Significant Archaeological Sites in Türkiye
• 13 Years Later: Experiencing Machu Picchu from a Fresh Perspective
• Bears, Trees, and No Coffee: What a Week-Long Wilderness Retreat Truly Involves
• SDinogoi in Your Time Zone
• An Adults-Only Treehouse Adventure Awaits in Montana
• The Hopes and Challenges of Space Tourism