Active Travel Group: What It Is and How to Join

If you ask us, there’s a big difference between being a tourist and really experiencing the places you travel to. That’s why an active travel group is such an amazing idea—it combines adventure, cultural immersion, and a commitment to sustainability. Active travel lets you create meaningful connections with the communities you visit and the natural environment around you. 

But what exactly is an active travel group, and why should you join one? Basically, these groups offer curated travel experiences designed for anyone seeking more than the standard tourist experience. They immerse you in new cultures and enable you to contribute to environmental and social initiatives along the way. In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about active travel groups, including: 

1. The key elements of active travel
2. Who active travel is designed for 
3. The benefits of joining an active travel group
4. Where Further Travel’s active travel can take you 

At Further Travel, we’ve been promoting sustainable, life-changing active travel experiences for years. We take you to some of the world’s most stunning locations and empower you to make a tangible difference in the communities and environments you visit. Whether you’re teaching English to kids in South Africa or helping to protect Bali’s precious sea turtles, we allow you to travel with purpose and volunteer with our pre-planned, action-packed itineraries. 

Where can Further Travel take you? Discover our destinations and start planning your trip today!

The Key Elements of Active Travel

Instead of sticking to tourist hotspots, active travel invites you to dive deeper into the experiences that a region has to offer. These experiences include: 

1. Adventure
2. Cultural immersion 
3. Community support
4. Sustainability

Let’s take a closer look at these key elements that define active travel groups.

Adventure

At the heart of active travel is the thrill of outdoor adventure. Whether you’re kayaking through a secret cave near Thailand’s party islands, skydiving in South Africa, or snorkeling in the pristine waters of the Maldives, the goal is to see the world as you’ve never seen it before. With active travel, adventure isn’t an afterthought—it’s the core of the experience.

Cultural Immersion

One of the most rewarding aspects of active travel is the chance to truly immerse yourself in the local culture. Unlike traditional travel, where interactions with locals may be limited to brief encounters, active travel encourages deeper connections with the people and places you visit. 

Community Support and Sustainability

Many active travel programs are designed to have a positive impact on the places they visit, whether through direct involvement in community projects or through eco-conscious travel practices, like:

• Teaching English to local kids
• Working with animal volunteer organizations at animal shelters or refuges
• Assisting in conservation efforts like beach clean-ups or reforestation 
• Helping to build infrastructure in underserved areas 

These experiences give you the chance to contribute meaningfully while also learning about the local environment and its challenges.

Active Travel at Further Travel

At Further Travel, we’ve made it our mission to offer the most rewarding, unique active travel group experiences. With world-class destinations, adventure-packed global work and travel itineraries, and the chance to make a real impact, there’s no better way to see the world! 

Our intimate, small-group settings help you connect with like-minded travelers, and our local guides ensure you have an immersive travel experience like no other. Plus, you won’t have to plan a thing—we organize your accommodation, itinerary, transport, volunteering opportunities, activities, and tours! Book your Further Travel adventure today!

Who is Active Travel For?

If you’re the type of person who wants to squeeze the most out of every minute you’re on vacation, an active travel group might be just what you’re looking for! These groups are ideal for: 

1. Adventurers
2. Solo travelers
3. Young adults
4. Eco-warriors

Active travel attracts anyone seeking to explore the world with a sense of purpose, adventure, and a deeper connection to both nature and local cultures. 

Adventure Enthusiasts

If you thrive on adrenaline-pumping experiences, active travel is a perfect match. Whether it’s surfing on a Thailand island tour, cage diving off the coast of South Africa, or ziplining after a day of wildlife conservation volunteering, active travel gets your heart pumping in some of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes.

Solo Travelers 

Active travel is an excellent option for solo travelers looking to meet new people. Unlike traditional solo trips that may feel isolating, joining an active travel group gives you instant access to like-minded travel buddies. You might find yourselves doing beach yoga in Bali, discovering the top foods to try in Thailand, or just enjoying each other’s company over a drink. Who knows, maybe you’ll even find yourselves planning a reunion in the future!

Young Adults 

Active travel offers young adults a chance to break away from the conventional travel mold and embark on an adventure that promotes personal growth, independence, and self-discovery. Whether you’re thinking about a gap year, a break from college, or an extended vacation, active travel is perfect for young adventurers! Plus, the chance to volunteer and learn about sustainable travel are great experiences that employers value. 

Eco-Warriors 

In a recent survey, 83% of travelers said that traveling more sustainably is important to them. Active travel aligns perfectly with these eco-conscious values by prioritizing sustainability, offering trips that focus on reducing environmental impact, and supporting conservation and community projects. 

With active travel, you can work with wildlife conservation organizations to make meaningful contributions to causes like reforestation, wildlife protection, and plastic waste reduction. There’s no better feeling than combining travel, adventure, and giving back to communities and ecosystems in need!

Benefits of Joining an Active Travel Group

Being part of an active travel group isn’t just a great way to see the world, it comes with so many amazing benefits, both for you and the communities you visit. Let’s take a look at why this is one of the most rewarding, exciting ways to travel and volunteer abroad, including: 

1. Personal growth 
2. Meaningful connections
3. Giving back to local communities 
4. Experiencing off-the-beaten-path destinations
5. Contributing to environmental sustainability 

Here’s how Further Travel’s active travel group experiences can help you explore the world in a way that leaves a lasting impact on both you and your destination. 

Personal Growth and Challenges 

Active travel pushes you out of your comfort zone, offering opportunities for personal growth through physical and mental challenges. From diving into new activities to navigating a foreign culture and getting a taste of global wildlife conservation, you’ll learn a lot about yourself, build resilience, and become confident in your ability to handle challenges and new experiences. 

Building Meaningful Connections

One of the best parts of traveling is the people you meet along the way. With an active travel group, you’ll meet a lot of people! You might form a bond with a child you’re teaching English to, connect closely with a fellow traveler, or come to love the company of your local guide. These relationships and connections are often what makes travel so special, and what you remember about your trip long after you’ve unpacked your bags. 

Giving Back to Local Communities

Seeing the world is one thing, but having the unique opportunity to give back to the local communities you visit takes your travel experience to the next level. From helping to preserve delicate marine ecosystems in the Maldives to coaching sports at schools in South Africa, Further Travel’s summer programmes help you unlock rewarding travel experiences and witness firsthand how your contributions can make a difference to thankful communities. 

Experiencing Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations

As a tourist, it sometimes feels like you’re only scraping the surface of the places you visit. You might see all the usual sights, but it can be difficult to really get a local’s perspective, or find the more hidden gems. Active travel changes all of that by leading you to more remote, lesser-known locations that offer unique, untapped beauty and a more authentic travel experience. 

Plus, Further Travel’s local guides can provide you with unique experiences like street food tours, intimate cooking classes, tips for finding the best Thailand beaches, and more. It’s a deeper, more exploratory way to travel, and gives you a better understanding and appreciation of the regions and cultures you visit. 

Contributing to Environmental Sustainability

From eco-friendly accommodations to low-waste policies and sustainable travel practices, we strive to leave the lightest possible footprint wherever we visit. Many of our programs and itineraries include environmental volunteering opportunities like reforestation projects, wildlife conservation, and beach clean-ups. We’ll introduce you to new ways to be more environmentally friendly and help you understand the importance of protecting and caring for the places you travel to. 

Where Can Further Travel’s Active Travel Group Take You?

Further Travel offers incredible experiences in some of the world’s most stunning destinations. We offer small group travel experiences in: 

• Thailand 
• Bali 
• South Africa
• Maldives 
• Vietnam and Cambodia 

Here’s where Further Travel can take you, and what you can expect from each of our world-class adventure tours. 

Thailand 

Thailand is a dream destination for active travelers seeking a mix of culture and environmental conservation. With its diverse landscapes, from tropical beaches to mountainous jungles, Thailand offers many outdoor activities, like hiking, kayaking, and snorkeling. You can explore the rich biodiversity of the country, whether visiting elephant sanctuaries or Thailand’s breathtaking national parks.

Further Travel’s Camp Thailand is the ultimate way to explore the country. With eight different tours to choose from, it’s easy to find an itinerary that suits your interests and values. We offer: 

• 12-Day Adventure
• Ultimate Adventure
• North Discovery 
• Bangkok to Beaches
• Island Explorer
• Rescue Paws
• Summer Teach
• Paid Teaching Placement

Some tours have more of a focus on volunteering opportunities while others focus on action and adventure. Some are as short as 12 days, while our teaching programs last up to a whole year. Browse our adventures to find your perfect Further Travel Thailand experience!

Bali

Bali’s blend of spirituality, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality makes it a top destination for active travel groups. Known for its lush jungles, volcanic mountains, and beautiful beaches, Bali offers endless outdoor activities, like surfing, hiking, and beach yoga. It’s so easy to immerse yourself in the island’s natural beauty, with treks to waterfalls, volcanoes, and the famous rice fields. 

With Further Travel’s Camp Bali, you can enjoy the perfect combination of adventure and relaxation. We have three different itineraries to choose from, including: 

• 12-Day Adventure
• 20-Day Island Hopper
• Ultimate Impact

You’ll have the chance to see the best of the country while getting involved in local community projects, like aiding sea turtle conservation and teaching English to local kids. Our itineraries also include plenty of action and adventure, including surf lessons, snorkeling, whitewater rafting, and sunset parties with your new travel buddies. Secure your Camp Bali spot today!

South Africa 

South Africa is a haven for adventure lovers, with its varied landscapes ranging from wildlife-rich savannas to dramatic coastlines. The country is home to some of the world’s most iconic wildlife, including lions, elephants, and rhinos, making it an ideal destination for conservation-focused travelers. Further Travel has two Camp South Africa programs to choose from: 

• A 4-12 week sports coaching and English teaching program 
• A 2-week wildlife conservation program 

The sports coaching and English teaching program offers a lot of flexibility both in terms of duration and focus. You can choose how long to participate, and decide whether you want to coach sports, teach English, or combine the two. You’ll spend your weekdays at a number of different schools, working with local kids in a fun, interactive environment. 

The wildlife conservation program is an incredible opportunity to spend an immersive two weeks living on a game reserve in South Africa. Spend your days counting and monitoring wildlife, planting trees, helping with reserve maintenance, and learning all about the plight of South Africa’s incredible animals. 

Both tours have a lot for adventure lovers, too! On weekends, you can go surfing, bungee jumping, dune boarding, skydiving, ziplining, canoeing, and so much more. We have tours to choose from that include some of these activities, or you can work with your local guide to book any activities or adventures you’re keen to try. Learn more and apply to Camp South Africa here! 

Maldives 

If you’re looking to blend adventure and sustainability, the Maldives might be the destination of your dreams—Further Travel’s Camp Maldives adventure is a 16-day trip through paradise. Our Maldives tour includes: 

• World-famous snorkeling
• Coral reef preservation 
• Cooking classes
• Beach barbecues
• City tours 
• Sunset cruise
• Paddleboarding and kayaking
• Palm tree and coral planting 

You can also choose extra add-on activities, like a day at a luxury resort—the perfect way to unwind after all the action and excitement. Apply here to secure your dates!

Vietnam and Cambodia

Vietnam and Cambodia are ideal for active travelers looking for both adventure and cultural discovery in Southeast Asia. These neighboring countries are rich in history, with ancient temples, vibrant cities, and peaceful countryside to explore. Further Travel’s Camp Vietnam and Cambodia gives you the chance to experience the best of both of these countries, with an incredible, action-packed 20-day itinerary. 

You’ll arrive in Hanoi and have the opportunity to do guided walking and cycling tours through the city’s highlights. Try the amazing street food, visit some historical features of ancient Hanoi, and see how the locals live. Then, your tour takes you to the stunning Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its breathtaking landscapes. 

After a visit to Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll enter Cambodia, where you’ll tour Phnom Penh, visit Siem Reap, and marvel at the incredible Angkor Wat at sunrise. It’s an action-packed itinerary that includes city tours, community volunteering projects, museum visits, cultural activities, and so much more. You’ll be amazed by how much we can fit into 20 days—apply here!

Secure Your Further Travel Adventure Today!

Joining an active travel group is the best way to experience a hands-on adventure to some of the world’s most enticing destinations. Further Travel gives you the incredible opportunity to seek thrills, give back to communities, and live like a local. One look at our jam-packed itineraries shows you just how much each tour includes, and how difficult this would be to coordinate on your own! 

For solo travelers, there’s no better way to experience different cultures. You’ll make amazing new friends as you explore the world together, and our local guides are the icing on the cake. Their knowledge, tips, and stories will make your adventures so much richer and more enjoyable. 

If you’re ready to challenge yourself, build meaningful connections, and contribute to global sustainability efforts, you’re in the right place! Book your Further Travel adventure today to see the world like never before!