In a nutshell, our Midlife Adventures offer you the chance to experience the profound difference between merely 'seeing' a country and truly 'feeling' it - (This was Zoe's gem of the week). We do this by curating genuine, full on culturally immersive experiences, allowing you to connect deeply with the places you visit and people you meet.
Culture (and all it entails) - is just one of our main pillars (the others being contribution and challenge) ... stay with me, and let me explain why and how we do this...
What exactly is a cultural immersion Adventure?
Cultural immersion is so much more than snapping selfies at famous landmarks or ticking off tourist hotspots. It's about diving into the heart and soul of a place, getting to know its people, traditions, and way of life. It is the act of fully engaging with and integrating into a culture that is different from one's own. For us at The Leap, cultural immersion is a key goal for our midlife adventures. These trips are designed to immerse you in the culture from the get-go, transforming you into a traveler, not just a tourist.
How we incorporate cultural immersion in our Midlife Adventures
1. Partnering and Volunteering with Local NGOs
We’ve been organizing volunteering adventures for nearly 20 years with our overseas partners who spearhead inspiring development projects. It’s through their local knowledge that we put together our unique itineraries, allowing us to meet local families, discover hidden gems, and make a life-changing contribution. Volunteering with our NGO partners gets us right into the heart of a community.
For example, our Peru Midlife Adventure is organized by Kerri and her team, who run the Andean Alliance, responsible for finding solutions for high Andean communities to adapt to climate change. Throughout the adventure, you will learn about their projects and roll up your sleeves to help, first at their organic farm called EcoHuella and then with their high-altitude reforestation project.
2. Staying with Local Families
This gives us a front-row seat to daily life in a new culture. We will eat together, share stories, and learn about their traditions and challenges. Our Peru and Sri Lanka adventures are particularly amazing for this.
In
Sri Lanka, we live with trailblazers Charlie and Richard
Pembroke, who built Tekanda and created Gamata Atak, an inspiring
women’s empowerment center. They will take us behind the scenes and
provide access to the loving culture of rural Sri Lanka where we will become part
of the team helping these ladies learn skills to access jobs in tourism.
Cooking, sewing, and speaking English are essential to help them
achieve financial independence, which isn't the traditional norm in
these rural areas.
In addition to this we will be given insights into the history of tea, the famous Galle Fort, and the
gemstone industry – fancy a sapphire?
In Peru Midlife Adventure, we will stay with
the delightful Glenny
, who will nurture us with her 101 ancient herbal
remedies, preparing us for the four-day high Andes trek to Machu Picchu.
Glenny is a very special human being - kind, funny, and resilient.
The benefits of culturally immersive adventures?
Experiencing cultural immersion in midlife offers numerous benefits that can profoundly impact health, outlook, and overall well-being. It has even been said that navigating unfamiliar cultural landscapes can enhance cognitive abilities. Studies have shown that such mental stimulation can improve memory, problem-solving skills, and even delay the onset of age-related cognitive decline. Need I say more.
In addition:
Personal Growth and Self-Discovery: Immersing yourself in a new culture challenges your preconceived notions and broadens your horizons. It pushes you out of your comfort zone, fostering resilience, adaptability, and a deeper understanding of yourself.
Builds Empathy and Understanding: Cultural immersion fosters empathy by providing a deeper understanding of different ways of life. It encourages us to see the world from multiple perspectives, promoting tolerance and reducing cultural prejudices.
Strengthens Relationships: Whether traveling with a partner, friends, or family, the shared experiences of cultural immersion can strengthen bonds. It creates lasting memories and provides a rich tapestry of shared stories and experiences that bring people closer together.
A New Sense of Purpose: Midlife can sometimes bring feelings of stagnation. Cultural immersion introduces new goals and challenges, reigniting a sense of purpose and excitement about life. It can inspire new hobbies, interests, and even career paths
Final Thoughts on our Midlife adventures
So there you have it — the what, why, and how we make this happen. As midlife travelers, these adventures offer more than just travel; they’re about transformation. You’ll return not only with incredible memories but also with a new perspective on the world and your place in it.
Our midlife adventures are crafted to ensure you experience
culture, challenge, and contribution at their finest. So, pack your
bags, leave your comfort zone behind, and get ready to truly discover
the culture of the countries you visit. Remember, it’s not just about
the destination but the journey and the amazing people you’ll meet along
the way. Safe travels and happy immersing.
FAQs
1. How many people are in a team on your Midlife adventures?
Team sizes vary between 8 and 12 Midlifers.
Our Midlifers are typically aged 50-70, many of whom travel solo. We handle logistics so you can focus on the adventure
3. Do people do more than one adventure?
Yes. We have a very high repeat rate, as teams become really close and plan another for the following year. For example - my Peru team in 2023 are all coming back to Colombia in Feb 2025.
