See how we plan our expeditions and navigate through each journey’s logistics. This category also features our impressions and insights as we travel around the world. We also provide a behind-the-scenes look at what it is like to be on the road for an extended period of time.
Geography Awareness
Did you know that American knowledge of geography is one of the worst in the world? A National Geographic-Roper Study that surveyed young Americans showed that 88 percent of those questioned could not find Afghanistan on a map of Asia. Sixty-three percent could not find Iraq or Saudi Arabia…
The Benefits of Traveling Overland
One of the basic principles of Trekking the Planet is a preference for travel that is “closer to the ground”. One benefit of ground travel is the reduced “carbon footprint” over airplanes.
Promoting an Active Lifestyle while “Trekking the Planet”
Part of the mission of Trekking the Planet is to promote an active lifestyle as we undertake a series of hikes during our 14-month journey. Our hope is our example will encourage others to find ways to become more active as well.
School Presentation Part 1: Why Study Geography?
We are releasing a series of videos covering our student presentations. This first one is from our visit to an intermediate school and highlights geography and its importance in today’s global society.
How Travel can Impact your Kids
In September 2003, my wife, Sandy and I, left our full-time IT jobs and took an around-the-world trip with our two daughters. At the time, Kristen (age 10) and Lauren (age 12) were in 5th and 7th grade, respectively.
School Presentation Part 2: Where are You Going?
This second video from our presentations to schools focuses on where we will be going on our around-the-world-trip to raise geography awareness.
School Presentation Part 3: What are You Taking?
The third video from our school presentations covers the equipment that our expedition will bring. We show samples of the some items we are packing for our around-the-world journey.
School Presentation Part 4: What Materials are Available?
The fourth and final video from our school presentation is here! Read the story to view the video.
Trekking the Planet Q&A
We recently took a list of some of our most frequently asked questions and each took turns answering them. Learn why we are taking our trip, our packing strategy and our communication plans on the road.
Clothing that We Can’t Do Without
Clothing is a major component of our around-the-world journey. We need to have items that are lightweight and versatile, as well as sturdy, to last for a 14-month trip.
Trekking Gear that We Can’t Do Without
Because of our need to carry all of our trekking gear in a rolling duffel bag, we have no choice but to go find equipment that is small and light. Read about our choices in this story.
Gear Check: Backpack
As we get close to our departure, we took our loaded backpacks on a hike to determine how they performed. View the video to see our impressions.
How We Planned Trekking the Planet
One of the most frequently asked questions we receive when we are out presenting to students is: “How did you plan such as long trip? “ Read further to learn about our planning.
Technology that We Can’t Do Without
We have spent many hours researching the technology that we will need to capture the sights and sounds from our trip.
Staying Connected When We Are Off The Grid
During our 14-month, around the world trip we will be in some remote places and basically ‘off the grid’ for communicating. However, we want to send more information, more frequently.
Staying Safe While Traveling
We are going to some of the most remote and unspoiled places in the world and have documented the steps that we have taken to improve our chances of having a safe trip.
Trekking the Planet Journey Updates
We have been receiving questions about how and when we are communicating on this journey. Read the story to learn about the three ways we are communicating.
Staying Healthy While on the Road
This story documents some of the steps that we have taken to remain healthy while on the road.
Our Two Month Scorecard: Gear Check
We can’t believe that it has already been two months since we left on our Trekking the Planet journey. We take a look at what gear has made the grade and what has failed, and in some cases, already needed to be replaced.
The Quest for Internet on the Road
One of our biggest challenges on this trip is finding Internet. Through experimentation, we have been using local country SIM cards to help us stay connected. Read more to learn about how successful we have been to date.
Life on the Road: Trekking the Planet Style
During the 4 1/2 months of our journey we have received questions such as, “What is it like to be traveling all of the time?”, “How do you keep up with everything at home?” and “Do you get enough rest?” In this story we share our answers to…
Behind the Scenes: How We Bring Geography to Life
One of the challenges for Trekking the Planet is how to make the sometimes dry subject of geography come to life. Because people respond to different forms of media, we chronicle our trip both in written form (with photos) and video form.
Europe Itinerary – Part I
Here is a summary of our itinerary for the next few weeks. We will be visiting ten countries during this time.
The Third Lane: Everest Base Camp (Tibet)
The Third Lane refers to an imaginary path in the center of a road between the two directions of opposing traffic. It is used by impatient drivers to pass cars even though they are overtaking vehicles on narrow mountain roads. Darren writes about some of our most memorable road experiences…
The Third Lane: Karakol Natural Park (Kyrgyzstan)
In the second “The Third Lane” series post, Darren writes about some of our most memorable road experiences while at Karakol Natural Park in Kyrgyzstan.
The Third Lane: Bukhara to Khiva (Uzbekistan)
In the final “The Third Lane” series post, Darren writes about some of our most memorable road experiences while driving from Bukhara to Khiva in Uzbekistan.
Strategy Update: How We Packed for our Around-the-World Journey
We have passed the six month point of our trip and are checking in on our packing strategy. It became clear, when we looked at our packing requirements, that we needed to pack for four different types of trips during the journey.
10 Tips to See Scandinavia without Going Broke
Scandinavia is one of the most beautiful areas in the world. It is also one of the most expensive places to visit. Darren writes about our tips on saving money in this region.
Europe Itinerary – Part II
During the second part of our time in Europe we will be visiting nine countries. Our stops focus on Eastern Europe and vary between cities, cultural areas, and national parks. Read the story to see our detailed itinerary.
Polish Border Changes Over The Past 200 Years
The Polish border has varied greatly over the past 200 years. Read the story to see some of the changes.
Trekking the Planet Changes Itinerary in Africa
Because of several issues in West Africa we have had to cancel this part of our itinerary. Read on to learn about where we will be traveling to instead.
The Eight Most Surprising Items in our Luggage
There are a few unusual things in our bags that we have brought on our journey. Read on to learn about the eight most surprising items in our luggage.
Africa Preview: Samburu Region
We will be spending a little less than two months in the countries of Kenya and Ethiopia, beginning in October. During our time in Africa we will be taking part in a variety of cultural and natural activities. We plan to spend several days in the Samburu region of Kenya.
Africa Preview: Maasai Mara Walking Safari
While in Kenya, we will visit the Maasai Mara National Reserve in the southern portion of the country. This is one of Kenya’s most famous protected areas.
Our Top Destinations… So Far
Now that we have passed the eight month point of our journey, Darren writes about our favorite destinations on our trip… so far.
Africa Preview: Kenya and Ethiopia National Parks
In addition to our walking safari, we will be visiting several other national parks in both Kenya and Ethiopia. Read the story to learn more about each park.
There’s an App for That – Using an iPhone while Traveling Internationally
Sandy writes about using her iPhone and how it has helped us while traveling internationally, especially during our recent time in Europe.
How We Stopped Leaving Items in our Hotel Room
Darren provides an overview of our “quirky” methods to ensure that we do not leave items in hotel rooms.
Our Travel ‘Horror’ Stories
Sandy highlights some of our travel ‘horror’ stories that we have experienced on our journey to date.
Our Upcoming Middle East and Atlantic Ocean Itinerary
With our time in Africa coming to an end, we will be moving on to the Middle East and then on a voyage across the Atlantic Ocean to South America! View a summary of our itinerary by reading the story.
The Kindness of Strangers
Sandy writes about those times when strangers have come to our aid and helped us out during our journey.
Our Upcoming South America Itinerary
We will begin 2013 in South America as we leave our ship in Manaus, Brazil. The next 10 weeks will be spent traveling through this continent, with stops in Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina and Chile.
Trekking the Planet – A Year In Pictures
As 2012 comes to an end, we share with you, month by month, some of our favorite pictures from our Trekking the Planet journey.
Ten Hiking Lessons I have Learned while Trekking the Planet–Part 1
Sandy writes about hiking lessons learned during the treks we have completed. Part 1 presents the first five lessons learned.
Ten Hiking Lessons I have Learned while Trekking the Planet–Part 2
Sandy writes about hiking lessons learned during the treks we have completed. Part 2 presents the second five lessons learned.
What I Have Learned, One Year Later-Part 1
At the one year milestone of our journey, Darren writes about what he has learned so far from our around-the-world expedition.
We Celebrate our One Year Anniversary of Trekking the Planet!
It was one year ago today that we left on our Trekking the Planet global expedition!
What I Have Learned, One Year Later-Part 2
In Part 2 of this story, Darren shares some of the ways he has grown personally during our Trekking the Planet journey and his reactions to what we have seen and witnessed to date.
Roughing It – Trekking the Planet Style
During our expedition we have made it a priority to travel to some of the most remote places in the world. When staying in these remote places the conditions can be less than optimal. Sandy discusses the balance we have used in ‘roughing it’ on this journey.
How I Work while Trekking the Planet
Darren recently completed a Q&A interview on how he works, given our continual travel while we are Trekking the Planet.
Why We Use Local Guides
Sandy writes about why we use local guides and how we chose them for this journey.
Ten Tips for Successful Travel with Children of All Ages-Part 1
In Part 1 of this story, Sandy shares the first five tips for successful travel with children of all ages.
Ten Tips for Successful Travel with Children of All Ages-Part 2
In Part 2 of this story, Sandy provides five more tips for successful travel with children of all ages.
In Pictures: Our School Visits
One of the most rewarding experiences of our 424-day journey has been meeting with students and visiting schools as we have traveled around the world.
In Pictures: Our Treks – Part 1
While on our around-the-world journey to promote geography awareness, we trekked in some of the most remote places on the planet. In Part 1 of this story we look back at our first six treks.
In Pictures: Our Treks – Part 2
In the second part of this story we look back at our last six treks. In all, we hiked 470 miles (758 kilometers) over 60 days of trekking.
Worn Out
Darren writes about the state of our clothing and gear now that we are nearing the end of our journey.
Trekking the Planet: By the Numbers [Infographic]
Here’s a look at the Trekking the Planet expedition in a fun and new way -with an Infographic!
What’s Next for Trekking the Planet?
What’s next for Trekking the Planet, now that we are at end of our journey?
More of Our Top Destinations
In this follow-up story, Darren features more favorite destinations from places we visited during the second half of our trip.
More Travel ‘Horror’ Stories
Sandy features more travel ‘horror’ stories that we experienced during our journey.
A Culinary Journey: Trekking the Planet Food Articles
One of the great pleasures of traveling is the culinary journey taken in trying food from the places you visit. While on our expedition, we wrote several articles about our food experiences. Read all six stories here!
“Isn’t It Boring to be Home?”
It is hard to believe that it has been six months this week since we have returned home from our 424-day global journey to raise geography awareness. Sandy writes how we inevitably receive questions about what it is like to be home after being away for so long and whether…
Our Next Journey – The Pacific Crest Trail!
On April 17, 2016 we will begin hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). It runs 2,650 miles from the Mexican Border in California to the Canadian Border in Washington.
Preparing for the Pacific Crest Trail
Sandy details some of our preparation for the Pacific Crest Trail trek.
How we converted our 4Runner into a Camper
Camping is a main component of our U.S. National Parks journey, as we travel to 27 parks over four-and-a-half months. In fact, we plan to camp over 100 nights while driving round the United States. We decided to simply convert our 4Runner into a camper van (of sorts), giving us…
Dueling Plans: Preparing for our National Parks and PCT Adventures
If you have been following us for any length of time, you know that we are planners. We like to know where we are going, and what we will be doing for each day of a journey. Our upcoming United States National Parks (TTP NPS) adventure is no different. But…
How We Took the Ultimate US National Park Road Trip
We recently completed an interview, summarizing our favorite parks, challenges we faced, what worked well and our final thoughts from our Trekking the Planet National Parks Roadtrip Adventure. If you missed any of our stories from the parks, you can click on any of the map icons below to read…
Five Mistakes We Made While Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)
Darren writes about five mistakes we made last year while hiking 1,828 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in California and Oregon.
Don’t Hike the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Without Reading This
Darren writes a companion story to the post about our Pacific Crest Trail mistakes, detailing the things that went well for us, and other factors for potential PCT hikers to consider.
Travel Like a Pro: A Packing List for Any Type of Adventure
One of the practices that Darren and I follow is to maintain a master packing list. This practice makes it easy to tailor our list for a particular trip, including backpacking, international travel, car-camping, or simply an overnighter at a friend’s house.
How to Plan a Three-Month Journey Across Europe
Sandy writes about creating our travel itinerary and the unique planning challenges associated with our new Europe adventure, starting in June.
Here’s How We Packed for Three Months in Europe with Just a Carry-On
Sandy details our packing and training strategy for this summer’s Trekking the Planet Europe journey.
How To Stay Connected with Family while Traveling Internationally
As with any international trip, staying connected while being on the road has had its own set of challenges. Whether it be hiking on the Camino Portugues in Portugal and Spain or with our more recent travels through Spain and Andorra, we have had to deal with the challenge of…
Two Months of Trekking Europe: What Gear has Made the Grade
Two months into our Trekking Europe journey, Sandy writes about how our gear has held up to the goal of keeping our weight to a minimum, yet satisfying all of our hiking and traveling needs.
Twelve Hiking Discoveries Made While Trekking Europe
This summer, we trekked over 500 miles on four different long distance hikes in seven European countries. Even though we have now trekked over 3,000 miles in the past six years, I am always learning new things while hiking. So I wanted to share the twelve things I discovered this…
Use It or Lose It: Preparing Our Gear for Trekking the U.S. West
As we prepare for our Trekking the U.S. West adventure this summer, we have been focused on our gear. Taking into account the lessons we learned from hiking the PCT three years ago, we have strived to review every backpacking item to lighten our load. If we aren’t going to…
Tailor-Made: Adapting Our Gear for 2021 Trekking Conditions
We entered 2021 having hiked over 4,000 miles in the past eight years. During that time we have completed a variety of treks throughout the world. One thing we have learned is to tailor our gear to the conditions of each trek.
It’s a Whole New World: Planning and Packing for our Trekking the British Isles Journey
During our time of Trekking the Planet, we have taken several extended trips. So we know what it is like to plan and pack for a long journey. But planning and packing for this year’s Trekking the British Isles adventure is much different.