Journey Beyond Sightseeing:

Benefits and Essential Tips for Planning Spiritual Travel

The travel bug bit me at a very young age when, by entering a few contests in high school, I won trips to Washington D.C. and New York. Being from small town Texas, seeing those big cities was like seeing other worlds. Then, as I grew older, I never passed up an opportunity to travel and experience other ways of living. In fact, experiencing other cultures has been one of my best teachers in this life.

Recently, however, I have been introduced to spiritual travel. Now, I didn’t knowingly go to Google and search those terms to find my next adventure—they just kind of materialized. Well, in a sense anyway, with some intention planted in there for good measure. The most recent of which was a hiking trip that took me along the Inca trail for four days into Machu Picchu. Since returning from this trip, one that provided me with real spiritual and emotional growth, I decided to look into and learn about spiritual travel.

And it's a thing, y'all!

So what is spiritual travel or spiritual tourism and how can it benefit you?

Well, it IS travel but on a deeper level. It goes beyond sightseeing or museum hopping, offering more profound experiences that touch the soul and foster deep personal insights.

Spiritual travel typically involves visiting sacred sites, participating in retreats, or engaging in cultural rituals that promote spiritual awakening and inner peace. Locations like the serene ashrams of India, the tranquil monasteries of Tibet, or the mystical Machu Picchu in Peru are just a few examples where travelers report profound shifts in consciousness and personal growth.

For me, I have experienced these profound shifts as close to home as Sedona, Arizona, and as far away as Machu Picchu in Peru. Those seem like vastly different places, right?

Yes. Yes, they are.

So why did both bring about spiritual shifts for me? Simply put, both offer connection to Earth’s energy that few of us can find in our own backyard. There are certain locations on the earth where energy is either projecting out or entering into the earth’s plane. These are called spiritual energy vortexes. Whether you choose someplace a short plane ride away or on the other side of the world, it’s usually helpful to find one that offers an energetic connection in some way.

Finding the place where you want to go is always the first on any traveler’s list. When planning travel centered around spiritual growth, however, you may want to consider a couple of other things to make the most of your experience.

1. Set an intention.

Before you embark or as you're traveling towards your destination, take some time to reflect on what it is you hope to gain from your time in this special place. Is there a question you’ve been seeking an answer to for a while? Are you trying to embrace or let something go? What is your intention for the trip? For example, before my most recent trip, I set the intention of learning to be OK with being taken care of. That’s something that I’ve always struggled with. I’ve always seen myself as the caretaker, not the taken care of! But I knew this was an important lesson for me to learn and BOY did I learn it! And it was magnificent.

2. Seek out help from locals.

In both of my experiences, I had guidance and sessions with local practitioners, guides, and natives. These intelligent people know the power of their surroundings and can help you achieve so much more in so much less time. Plus, the humility and inspiration that comes from experiencing the healing power of rituals and learning about other cultures is a bonus.

3. Make space.

You carved out the time to go to this special place and you’re doing it for a purpose, so embrace it. Put the phone down. Write about your experience or do short videos so that you have something to refer back to after you’re in the everyday hum of your normal life. It’s easy to forget the impact and feelings, so those reminders are priceless.

In the experiences I have encountered, I’ve felt a deeper connection to the universal energy surrounding us all, to my inner voice, and to Mother Earth and all she provides. I’ve also walked away from each experience with a renewed sense of purpose and a clear understanding of what I need or want to do next in my life.

Should you choose to embark on a journey like this, you may feel something similar or you may just enjoy a much-needed break from the relentless everyday hustle. Disconnecting from technology alone can be a religious experience these days! And while I’m kind of kidding, if you struggle to find the time or money to jet off to a spiritually energized location, you can still find connection close to home simply by turning off the tech, getting out into nature, and truly noticing the awe-inspiring life that’s happening effortlessly around us each and every day.

Whether planning a spiritual journey in the States, a far-off land, or within nature along your neighborhood trail, the main thing to remember is that it requires mindfulness and intention. Wherever you land, prepare to immerse yourself fully in the experience and it can be a powerful catalyst for personal transformation.

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