Dream Challenges (www.dream-challenges.com, 01590 431145) has unveiled its new brochure for 2023, which features a total of 14 brand new itineraries with departures taking place across this year and next. January is the ideal month to set goals and personal challenges for the year ahead, and these adventures offer a chance to tick many destinations and experiences off your bucket list.

Created for anyone who has ever wanted to explore the sacred mountains of Japan or trek the Grand Canyons of Arizona, for example, Dream Challenges' tours are open to everyone and range from the moderate to the extreme. The itineraries offered by Dream Challenges take you off the beaten track, and by incorporating cycling, canoeing, and trekking, you can explore remote settlements and hidden gems that you can't reach on tour buses.

While adventure challenge tour operators often require you to fundraise to take part, Dream Challenges gives you the option to self-fund your trip and pay the costs yourself, with no need to commit to a target unless you choose to.

However, for those looking for an opportunity to support a charity close to their hearts, Dream Challenges offers a sponsorship option as well. For this, participants pay only a registration fee and airport taxes/fuel surcharge but are then required to reach a minimum sponsorship target to raise money for the organisation of their choice.

So, whether you want to achieve a personal goal, get fit while enjoying an authentic experience in an extraordinary destination or give back to a charity that means something to you, release your inner hero with Dream Challenges in 2023.

These adventure challenges can be booked by the travel trade and agents will receive 10% commission on bookings.

Trek Japan – Kyoto to Tokyo – now with dates for 2024
Experience the ancient magic of Japan on a trekking challenge that will see participants travel on foot from Kyoto to Tokyo. Participants will follow in the footsteps of Japanese pilgrims and trek deep into the Kii Mountain Range on the steep trails of the famous Kumano Kodo pilgrimage, taking in dense forests, across streams, past shrines and abandoned tea houses, and into remote villages hidden in the hills. They will sleep in humble guesthouses, climb to some of the highest and most beautiful places in Japan and look out across the sacred Kumano mountain range, boasting 3,600 mountain peaks. They will even glimpse the Pacific Ocean, soothe their feet in natural hot springs and trek to Japan's tallest waterfall, Nachi Falls.
Departs 9th October '23 and 15th April and 7th October '24, 13 days from £5,548pp.

Trek the Grand Canyons of Arizona – now with dates for 2024
This nine-day trek offers a taste of the United States on a jaw-dropping trek in the Zion National Park, Monument Valley and Grand Canyon, which ends with a guided tour and celebration dinner in Las Vegas. During the trek, participants will hike for five days under the sun and will spot shooting stars as they camp in the desert and visit the Old Navajo Bridge and Desert View Watchtower.
Departs 21st October '23 and 6th April and 19th October '24, 9 days from £2,894pp.

Trek the Mountains of Croatia
Walk the wooded hills around Buzet into the Učka National Park on this five-day trek. Participants will face challenging climbs and long days on their feet, but the views of waterfalls, indigenous nature and even the Adriatic Islands will make the trek a dream. During the trek, there's a chance to sample grappa in Buzet, a walk to top of Mount Učka (the trip's highest point at 1,401m) and a celebration dinner to mark the end.
Departs 3rd May and 20th September, 5 days from £999pp.

Cycle Niagara Falls to New York
Hop on a mountain bike and cycle over 500 miles from the magnificent Niagara Falls to Manhattan in New York on well-maintained tracks that follow the canal trail. Suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities, this exciting bike ride ends by following the Hudson to Lower Manhattan. The itinerary also includes a day free to explore the delights of New York City.
Departs 13th September '23 and 15th May and 11th September '24, 12 days from £3,944pp                

4 Volcanoes Java Challenge
Kicking off in Singapore, participants will journey to the Indonesian island of Java and climb four of its epic volcanoes: Mount Merapi, Mount Merbabu, Mount Bromo and Mount Kawah Ijen – the latter of which is famous for its rare blue fire, as seen from the top over the huge turquoise crater. The trek also includes a ferry to Canggu in Bali, where a free day to soak up the sun awaits.
Departs 14th September, 12 days from £2,948pp.

The Iceland Lava Trek 2024
This is a five-day volcanic adventure in Iceland's Southern Highlands. Starting in Landmannalaugar, participants will climb through the mountains, tackling rocky stretches, snow fields and expanses of glistening black obsidian rock. They will pass natural hot springs, deep gorges and literal ice lands, cooling off as they wade through glacial streams, and the itinerary includes chances to see stars unspoilt by light pollution, swim in a secluded fresh-water lake and bathe at the Blue Lagoon.
Departs 15th July '24, 5 days from £2,244pp.

Finland Canoe Adventure – now with 2024 dates
No canoeing experience is needed for this five-day adventure, which offers an unforgettable taste of the Arctic summer. The trip begins with training and gear preparation and then it's off for three days of canoeing in the Oulanka National Park. Canoeing by day, participants will rest by night in rustic cabins and tents by the riverside, cooking meals together and swimming under the late-night sun.
Departs 6th July '23 and 4th July '24, 5 days from £1,799pp

The Scottish West Highland Way Trek
Discover the incredible natural beauty of the Scottish Highlands, taste whisky from a local distillery and enjoy an optional first-class ride on the world-famous Jacobite Steam Train – widely recognised as the Hogwarts Express – on this unbeatable Scottish trekking adventure. Participants will walk on clear paths and trails alongside the magical Loch Lomond and fresh-water rivers to its north, winding their way through forested hills, ancient woodland and the amazing Munro and Mamore mountains, with views of Ben Nevis, the Glenfinnan Viaduct and the Buchaille Mor Etive in Glen Coe.
Departs 11th September '23, 9 days from £1,298pp.

View the brand new Dream Challenges brochure here now.

-ENDS-

For further media information, please contact Martha Bernardo: martha@specialistjourneys.com

Dream Challenges – Notes to Editors: With over 20 years of experience, Dream Challenges - part of the Specialist Journeys group - is all about making participants' travel dreams a reality, whether that is conquering a bucket-list challenge like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or cycling the Nile. The company's aim is to give participants a platform, the encouragement and support to release their inner hero.

Each challenge has an amazing support team, including a Dream Challenges representative, a local Challenge Leader and local Challenge Guides. They also have fantastic medical support, with outdoor remote first-aid trained staff. Participants are supported with all their preparations and are provided with a training plan and guidance on relevant insurance and visas where required, and authentic cultural experiences or special extras are included to ensure participants get the most out of their chosen destination. Dream Challenges also provides participants with a kit list and achievable training plan, to ensure they can reach their goal.

Where payment is concerned, participants can either self-fund and do the challenge for personal reasons, such as achieving a goal or pushing themselves, or they can choose the sponsorship option, which will see them pay a registration fee and airport taxes/fuel surcharge and then requires fundraising to a specified amount, which will be donated to the charity of their choice.