Discovering Indigenous Cultures

Traveling isn’t just about visiting distant lands; it’s a wonderful opportunity to immerse ourselves in the rich tapestry of diverse cultures. If you’re seeking inspiration for your 2026 travels, here are 10 fresh ways to connect more deeply with indigenous communities while supporting their efforts to preserve their traditions.

1. Stay with the Tsaatan Reindeer Herding Community in Mongolia

Visit the Tsaatan community, a nomadic reindeer herding group in the northern taiga of Mongolia. On this new adventure titled "Exploring Mongolia: The Reindeer Herders," you’ll spend two nights with a local family, learning about their traditional lifestyle closely tied to the land and shamanistic practices. Engage in activities like chopping wood, milking reindeer, and savoring delicious meals surrounded by nature.

2. Learn Survival Skills in the Jungle with the Orang Asli in Malaysia

Explore the lesser-known regions of the Malaysian Peninsula with the new trip "Jungle Adventures in Malaysia." You’ll have the chance to stay in Taman Negara National Park, where you can meet members of the Batek and Semokberi tribes. They maintain their hunting and gathering traditions, living in harmony with the rainforest while passing down survival skills to the next generation.

4. Savor the Traditions of the Sami in Sweden

The new journey "Northern Sweden by Train" will transport you to the world of the Sami, an indigenous community in Northern Europe. At an open-air museum in Vilhelmina, learn about reindeer herding and crafting with leather and bone. Experience a Sami-style lunch featuring reindeer meat and fresh vegetables.

5. Hike Through Zapotec Villages in Mexico

Instead of just visiting Caribbean beaches and Maya ruins, the "Hiking in Oaxaca" trip will take you to remote Zapotec villages. Walk through cornfields and enjoy traditional dishes with the Senor Eli family. You can also participate in a workshop to make traditional Mexican drinks from palm sap.

6. Engage in Bilbaan Culture Along the Australian Coast

On your journey from Melbourne to Sydney, you’ll be accompanied by an Indigenous guide on a cultural exploration. Join a walking tour along Bundian Way, the ancient path that connects communities. Listen to generational stories and learn about the natural foods and medicines that Indigenous people have utilized for thousands of years.

7. Support the Navajo Community in Arizona

Canyon de Chelly in Arizona is one of the oldest inhabited places in the U.S. On the "Exploring the Western Canyons" tour, you’ll be guided by a Navajo storyteller. Discover the current lives of the Navajo people and hear ancestral stories passed down through generations.

8. Explore the Burial Traditions of the Toraja in Indonesia

The Toraja people in Sulawesi are renowned for their ancient belief systems and unique burial customs. Join the "Exploring Indonesia: Sulawesi and the Toraja Tribes" tour, where you will live with a local family in a tongkonan house. You’ll have the chance to learn various skills such as cooking, weaving, and understanding ancestral remembrance rituals.

9. Enjoy an Evening with a Huron-Wendat Storyteller in Canada

After whale watching and enjoying delicious cuisine on Ile d’Orleans, you’ll have a special evening in Wendake, home to the Huron-Wendat people. The stories, legends, and songs will make your evening truly memorable.

10. Experience Antelope Canyon with a Navajo Guide

Many travelers stop at the Upper Canyon, but the new "Exploring the National Parks of the West" tour will take you to the Lower Canyon, where you can marvel at stunning pink sandstone walls. Join a Navajo guide to explore and learn about the geology, flora, and history of this breathtaking area.

There are countless new adventures waiting for you in 2026. Get ready for a year filled with exciting experiences!

Discovering Indigenous Cultures