INCLINE VILLAGE, Nevada - When Myths and Mountains'' Volunteer Galapagos trip was recently chosen by National Geographic Traveler magazine as one of its 50 Trips of a Lifetime, it marked the third year in a row the company was selected for this prestigious honor. It has won numerous similar awards, such as best outfitter and best philanthropic tour operator from publications such as USA Today, National Geographic Adventure, Outside and Men’s Journal.

Myths and Mountains has led the travel industry in philanthropic travel. "Giving back to the communities we visit is very important," says company vice president and Galapagos expert Allie Almario. This nine-day trip, priced from $3795 per person, combines a day in Quito and a four-day Galapagos cruise with time to volunteer in a medical clinic, school or computer lab, depending on the abilities and interests of the travelers. The operator is heavily invested in conservation work in the Galapagos and Almario is an officer of the International Galapagos Tour Operators Association. All travelers receive a membership to the Galapagos Conservancy, administered by the Charles Darwin Foundation.

Travelers were once admonished to "leave only your footprints behind." Myths & Mountains provides a striking contradiction to that approach, choosing instead to leave each place better than it was before the visit. Dr. Antonia Neubauer founded an educational and economic development organization, READ Global, twice honored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Having built 48 library/community centers and businesses (i.e. ambulances, computer centers, factories, or storefront rentals) across rural Nepal, READ is now working in India. READ employs its capital to construct the libraries and seed the businesses, and the profits from the businesses fully sustain and support the libraries. Dr. Neubauer is hosting two trips this year that provide intimate views of the cultures visited, and highlight the changes READ Global is effecting in these countries. The first visits Kathmandu and the Annapurna range in Nepal on Oct. 14-27. The other ventures from the Sunderbans near Bangladesh to Sikkim and Darjeeling in India on Oct. 29-Nov. 10.

Myths and Mountains offers more than 100 itineraries, carefully designed to delve beneath the surface of places visited, allowing guests to become enriched by truly experiencing the people and culture of the destinations. They offer scheduled departures, but are particularly known for customizing itineraries to match each traveler’s tastes and interests. The company is also a member of Trusted Adventures, a consortium of award-winning companies matching active travelers with over 350 unique trips walking, rafting, cycling and trekking in over 85 destinations worldwide.

For detailed information on all Myths and Mountains journeys or to request free copies of the Journeys of a Lifetime catalog, contact Myths and Mountains at 800-670-MYTHS (6984) or http://www.mythsandmountains.com.

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Media Contact: Allie Almario, 800-670-6984; allie@mythsandmountains.com