ME to WE Travel Ebook

ME to WE Travel Ebook

MEANINGFUL TRAVEL. LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCES.

M E T O W E T R I P S

TABLE OF

WHAT WE DO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 EXPERIENCE KENYA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 DISCOVER INDIA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

ONTENTS

EXPLORE ECUADOR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 OUR SIGNATURE SERVICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 JOIN US . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

ABOUT US

WE CHARITY & ME TO WE ME toWE Immersive Volunteer Trips directly connect participants to traditional cultures and communities through our partnership withWE Charity, an organization dedicated to empowering people to change the world. Thanks to WE Charity’s long-standing ties with communities where ME to WE operates, we offer travelers the opportunity to interact and engage with these unique and welcoming cultures, people and communities.

BUILD THE MOMENTUM CONNECT WITH US

1.877.638.6931 x 540 [email protected]

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This book showcases photographs and heartfelt moments captured on our family and corporate Volunteer Adventures to India, Kenya and Ecuador. I hope it inspires you to f ind joy and purpose in every day, and I invite you to join us—by sharing this book, traveling with us, and making an impact on the world!

Roxanne Joyal, CEO, Me to We

KENYA Bogani Cottages and Tented Camp offers unique opportunities to connect with the local Maasai community, world-class safari and Indian Ocean adventures, and authentic accommodations.

INDIA Araveli Cottages and Tented Camp provides a gateway to India’s vibrant people and culture, with ancient forts nearby to explore and colorful Rajasthani-style accommodation.

ECUADOR

Minga Lodge is nestled deep in the Amazon basin, connecting visitors with Amazonian culture and remarkable eco-adventures—all from a tropical hideaway overlooking the Napo River.

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WHAT WE DO

ME TO WE

An innovative social enterprise, ME to WE helps people make daily choices that leave the world a better place than they found it. It’s more than a brand—it’s a philosophy for global change. ME to WE provides authentic products and experiences that make an impact. For some organizations this is a marketing strategy, but for us it’s in our DNA. Our 20-year social mission has given us great insight and ideas on how to create an innovative social enterprise. Half of all ME to WE profits are donated to WE Charity, with the remainder being reinvested to ensure sustainability.

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To date, WE Villages has

WHAT WE DO WE CHARITY

Built more than

1,000 SCHOOLS and

SCHOOL ROOMS.

Provided

We empower change with resources that create sustainable impact. We do this through domestic programs like WE Schools and internationally through WE Villages. The unique partnership with ME to WE ensures that WE Charity achieves a remarkable rate of financial efficiency, with 90 percent of donations going directly to youth-serving programs.

TO CLEAN WATER, & SANITATION PROGRAMS. ONE MILLION people with access

Helped empower more than FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE. 30,000 WOMEN with

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WHAT WE DO

WE VILLAGES

For two decades, WE Villages has been engineering an international development model to end poverty. It works. It’s proven. It’s scalable. It’s not a handout or a single solution, but a combination of key interventions that empower a community to help themselves. Our core mission is empowerment. In North America, we empower people to create positive change around them. WE Villages applies the same philosophy in developing countries, when our local staff work with rural villages and regional governments to support, teach and empower people within our five Pillars of Impact.

Your trip will allow you to meet communities and experience the WE Villages model firsthand in Kenya, Ecuador and India.

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OPPORTUNITY

EDUCATION

WATER

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FOOD

HEALTH

EXPE KENY 9

IENCE

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JAMBO!

Join us in the heart of the Maasai Mara to build a school and learn firsthand about the joys and challenges of life in rural Kenya. Connect with local communities, explore the stunning landscape around you and experience the vibrant Maasai and Kipsigis cultures.

ACTIVITIES

►► Volunteer on a sustainable development project alongside community members ►► Be invited into a Maasai boma and Kipsigis homestead ►► Walk with a mama as you help her collect water for her family

►► Embark on morning hikes with Maasai warriors ►► Enjoy special surprise performances and guests!

CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIP

From Kenya, you are fully connected to a vast array of safari options in East Africa, or our Kenyan coastal retreat, Toriana Beach House, to soak up the sun and surf. Whatever adventure you choose, ME to WE is happy to create a customized itinerary perfect for you.

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BOGANI COTTAGES & TENTED CAMP

A property designed with authentic African décor set in the heart of the Maasai Mara, Bogani Cottages and Tented Camp offers relaxing spaces to recharge and refresh after a day of volunteering.

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►► Traditional safari tents feature stone flooring, and fully screened and paneled windows and doors. ►► Cottages offer a variety of Mara-inspired spaces, including

fireplaces, bedrooms and gathering spaces. ►► All accommodations offer modern conveniences including hot water, power, and en suite washrooms.

►► Enjoy family-style meals prepared fresh daily by expert chefs on our al fresco dining platform. ►► We have a 15-year record of travel safety for our guests.

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SAFARI CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIP

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WILD RIDE The Swahili word for ‘safari’ means ‘journey’. Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through the breathtaking savannah of the Maasai Mara—a region famous for its diverse wildlife and stunning landscape. Stay comfortably in world-class, eco-friendly safari camps, and always be where the game is with knowledgeable and friendly guides. Experience one of the world’s richest wildlife reserves, home to an astounding array of animals including lions, giraffes, rhinos and zebras. During this time you will also have the chance to see an annual phenomenon firsthand: The Great Wildebeast Migration, one of the Seven New Wonders of the World.

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CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIP TORIANA

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BALANCE AND HARMONY Join us at Toriana Beach House, ME to WE’s Kenyan coastal retreat. Enjoy the jewel-toned Indian Ocean, fresh meals served on vast terraces inspired by Swahili and Moroccan architecture, and the white sand of secret tropical Bofa Beach—footsteps away. In the style of coastal hospitality, our home is your home, and we want to welcome you to experience an authentic piece of coastal Kenya.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES ►► Explore Gedi Ruins ►► Dive the reef ►► Snorkel in Watamu Marine Reserve ►► Golf at Vipingo Ridge

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DISCO INDIA 17

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NAMASTE! Experience the majestic and graceful beauty of Rajasthan while staying at our bespoke Araveli Cottages and Tented Camp. Connect with local people and communities while exploring the colourful world around you. ►► Volunteer on a sustainable development project alongside community members ►► Engage in discussion with members of a women’s or men’s circle ►► Walk with a local woman as you help her collect water for her family ►► Immerse yourself in authentic India culture with a Bollywood dance class ►► Explore Udaipur, known as the “Venice of the East” CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIP Your trip in India is perfectly situated as a gateway to India’s eye- opening people and culture. From Udaipur, you will have full access to discover the regal splendour of Jaipur and Northern India. Explore the hidden wonders of Agra, made famous by the Taj Mahal. ACTIVITIES

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ARAVELI COTTAGES & TENTED CAMP

A property designed with authentic Indian décor and royal Rajasthani flair, Araveli Cottages and Tented Camp offers delightful spaces to recharge and refresh after a day of volunteering.

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►► Well-appointed private cottages, generous indoor- outdoor shared spaces and contoured landscapes will enhance the overall experience of your unique adventure.

►► Take in spectacular views of the pink-hued Aravalli Mountains from the comfort of your private veranda. ►► All cottages and tents offer modern conveniences including hot water, air conditioning, electricity and en suite washrooms.

►► Enjoy local dishes and Western favourites prepared fresh daily in our central courtyard pavilion. ►► We have a 15-year record of travel safety for our guests.

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GATEWAY TO INDIA CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIP

TAJ MAHAL Explore the hidden wonders of Agra, made famous by the Taj Mahal. With the city’s surviving art, culture, architecture and royal cuisine, contemporary Agra can only be Discover the regal splendour of Jaipur and Northern India withmagnificent forts, palaces and landscaped estates. From the aristocratic grandeur of Deogarh Mahal to the mighty ramparts of Amber Fort, royal Rajasthan will pamper you with hospitality and luxurious splendour. Visit the world-famous Taj Mahal to end your adventure. described as a grand experience. JAIPUR AND AGRA

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EXPL ECUA 25

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HOLA!

Travel deep into the Amazon rainforest to experience the true power of a ‘minga’, a way of Ecuadorian life. Come together at our bespoke Minga Lodge, the perfect place to relax and recharge.

ACTIVITIES

►► Volunteer on a sustainable development project alongside community members ►► Be invited into the home of a family to join them in their daily tasks ►► Vist a choza (jungle hut) and sit down with a group of skilled artisans to hear how they’re generating an income by making jewellery using locally-sourced materials ►► Hike through the world’s largest tropical rainforest ►► Explore the city of Old Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage Site CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIP Your trip in Ecuador is perfectly situated as a gateway to South America’s vibrant people, history and culture. From Quito, you have easy access to some of the greatest wonders of the world, including the Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu.

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MINGA LODGE

A tropical hideaway designed with its environment in mind, the picturesque Minga Lodge is located on the edge of the Rio Napo. After a day of volunteering in indigenous Kichwa communities, Minga Lodge offers serene and comfortable spaces to refresh and recharge.

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fresh daily by expert chefs, including Western favourites and Ecuadorian specialties.

platform overlooking the Rio Napo, offering spectacular sunset views. ►► Eco-friendly conveniences including hot water, power and en suite washrooms. ►► Enjoy family-style meals prepared

►► Self-contained cabin-style accommodations with organic flair, suitable for individuals and families alike. ►► Inspired common spaces that include an al fresco dining

►► We have a 15-year record of travel safety for our guests.

Experience coastal Kenya’s rich history and di es and customs. We welcome you to add any ties to personalize your stay at Toriana: LEARN MORE

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GATEWAY TO SOUTH A CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIP

GALAPAGOS ISLAND CRUISE Get lost in the flora and fauna of this famous archipelago on an unforgettable journey with family and friends. Located 1,000 km from the Ecuadorian mainland, the Galapagos Islands offer a truly once- in-a-lifetime adventure. MACHU PICCHU & BEYOND Begin in the capital city of Lima, Peru, and make your way inland to Cusco, an Andean city located 11,000 feet above sea level. From there, journey through the Urubamba Valley to Machu Picchu, a site nestled in the Andean Mountain range almost 8,000 feet above sea level that has mystified explorers since its 1911 discovery.

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ERICA

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OUR SIGNATURE SERVICE

Your trip is built on a defining level of service and commitment that stems from our core values—we call it our Signature Service. Expert ME to WE staff guide and assist with every step of your journey from the moment you reach out to us until after you return home from your adventure. We take care of all the details so you can focus on what’s really important—being present and connected.

Trip facilitators, expert local guides, world-class cooks and service staff are dedicated to making your experience unforgettable—with a focus on your comfort and safety. Finally, ME to WE provides full-service planning and will customize your time in country to make any adventure a reality, before or after your trip.

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OVER 14 years of trip safety

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JOIN US! 1.877.638.6931 x 540

[email protected]

INDIA

KENYA

ECUADOR

TICO # 50017614

Photographs courtesy of Scott Ramsay and V. Tony Hauser