Faith-based travel has become an increasingly popular trend among religious and spiritual travelers. Millions of people each year fly off to deepen their spiritual connections and take solace in their faith communities.
If you’re interested in visiting the birthplace of a religious figure or a holy place, many tour companies can offer ideas and save you money. Let’s look at the top five faith-based travel groups that can strengthen your spiritual roots.
Shutterstock: yxm2008Types Of Faith-Based Tours
Every travel company offers religious and spiritual tours these days. Some of the same generic tour companies that offer party getaways for college kids are also providing faith-based tours. So, does it matter if you choose a generic company over one that specializes in faith-based travel?
You’ll gain access to religious sites regardless of which outfit you hire. And increasingly, major tourism companies have side businesses dedicated to exploring the world’s religious hot spots. These tour groups have tons of resources and frequently offer cheaper deals.
Even so, faith-based tours have specialized knowledge, which is reflected in the detail of their travel itineraries as well as the insights of their guides. If you’re looking to connect with a spiritual place among people who are equally invested, a faith-based company might be the way to go. Just be prepared to pay a little bit more!
Globus
Founded in 1928, Globus has a long history of providing high-quality travel experiences to travelers from around the world. What sets Globus apart from traditional tour companies is their local experts, who accompany travelers on their journeys and provide guidance throughout the trip.
Globus specializes in Protestant, Catholic, and Nondenominational Christian tours. 1 As such, they provide pilgrimage packages for the Holy Land, Camino de Santiago, and Apostle Paul. However, they also offer escorted tours of Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia through their sister business, Cosmos.
Bodhi Travel
Bodhi Travel offers a range of travel options, including spiritual retreats, faith-based tours, and yoga and wellness retreats. They specialize in providing authentic and transformative travel experiences throughout Singapore, Thailand, India, and Indonesia. 2
Unlike Globus, Bodhi Travel provides trips that focus on the historical and cultural aspects of Buddhism, Hinduism, and indigenous spirituality. From their retreats to the ashrams of India to their tours of the Buddhist kingdoms of the Himalayas, Bodhi Travel gives an in-depth look at the region’s religious heritage. Plus, their guides have decades of experience in each destination.
Trafalgar Tours
Trafalgar offers a range of travel options, including escorted tours, independent travel packages, and private tours. Specifically, the tour company, founded in 1947, offers a range of spiritual getaways in Israel, Jordan, and Italy.
You can immerse yourself in biblical history with a 13-day voyage around Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Jericho, and Petra. 3 Or, you can visit King David’s tomb and explore the Dead Sea with a trip throughout Israel and Jordan. 4 With Trafalgar, travelers can expect an in-depth and memorable experience while exploring these unique cultures and landscapes.
AlHaram Travel
AlHaram Travel is one of the leading tour companies in the UK specializing in Islam pilgrimage, particularly Hajj and Umrah. These pilgrimages take place in the cities of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia. These two cities are considered the holiest cities in Islam. Understandably, millions of Muslims from around the world make the pilgrimage to these cities each year.
AlHaram Travel is known for their attention to detail. Their services include airport transfers, visa assistance, and cultural tours. Partnered with over 750 economy and luxury hotels, they offer highly customizable travel packages that are attuned to travelers’ needs and budgets. 5
India Pilgrimage Tours
India Pilgrimage Tours specializes in organizing Hindu pilgrimage tours. These packages are based around important Hindu pilgrimage sites, including the Char Dham Yatra, and the shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.
Since some shrines and cities require extensive walking, India Pilgrimage Tours also accommodates travelers with limited mobility. For example, their Vaishno Devi helicopter ride package gives pilgrims incredible aerial views of the 12 kilometer path. 6 Now that’s service!
Tours For Everyone
Regardless of your age or background, faith-based travel can be an incredibly enriching and fulfilling experience. It provides an opportunity to deepen one’s spiritual beliefs, connect with like-minded individuals, and gain a deeper understanding of different cultures and religions. Plus, it’s a lot of fun.
These faith-based travel groups only cover some of the major world religions and barely skim the surface of what’s available. Pilgrimage opportunities also exist for countless other faiths, including Taoism, Judaism, and the Baha’i Faith – just to name a few. With a little research, you’ll be departing on your own meaningful travel experience in no time.
