The dictionary defines expedition as a journey or travel undertaken for a specific purpose. The word expedition brings to mind associations with discovery, adventure and exploration. People take expeditions to see a certain place, discover something, or possibly experience a phenomenon.

One of the famous expeditions that most adventure and travel enthusiast dream of accomplishing is climbing the Mount Everest. It is the highest mountain in our planet. Climbing mountains have always signified great achievement and accomplishment. People challenge themselves and push their limits whenever they try to accomplish the feat of climbing mountains. Aside from Mount Everest, other famous choices for mountain climbing are Mount McKinley and Mount Rainier in the United States, Mount Logan of Canada, Mt. Popocatepetl of Mexico, and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

Other expeditions involve traveling to see famous sights such as the Grand Canyon in Arizona, the pyramids in Egypt, or the Great Wall of China. Most people only get to see these places in pictures or through the Internet –  which is why it is a huge dream to see it in person and get to experience the place, the culture, and the different environment.

There are also phenomena worth spending money and time to see. Such is the Cherry blossom (Sakura) season in Japan. Most Japanese plan their vacations around the time when cherry blossoms are expected to bloom. A ritual or a cultural activity called “hanami” or cherry blossom viewing where droves of people visit parks where many cherry blossom trees are planted. Popular cherry blossom viewing sites are Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, Sumida Park, Aoyama Cemetery, and Koishikawa Botanical Garden. The track of the blossoming of Sakura moves upward as the warms season approaches. It begins in Okinawa in January and reaches Kyoto and Tokyo by March, then arriving at Hokkaido some weeks later.

Certain expeditions, in other cases, are done for more noble causes. These are often ties called pilgrimages. One of these expeditions involves journeying to Lourdes, France in hopes of curing illnesses and diseases – sometimes of the person undertaking the journey or perhaps a loved one of the pilgrim.

Muslims also undertake their own expedition or pilgrimage to their sacred place, Mecca. It is part of their religion to visit Mecca at least once in their lifetime. It is located in Makkah province in Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, Christians and non-Christians alike journey to Israel and visit the Holy Land. Devout Christians take treks and tours of where Jesus Christ had his journey and travels, where he was supposedly buried and other places associated with him.

While travel and expeditions are usually for own pleasure and satisfaction, community travel has been popular of late. The concept of community travel is to go to a remote location and assist the community with their needs and other matters. It is an expedition of giving back to others by offering what we have. Many people have found community travels very satisfying and fulfilling as they go home with a sense of accomplishment.

Whether you travel for yourself, to see sights, or to go on a pilgrimage – every journey is worth it. The world is too big to stay in your own backyard