World’s Largest Adventure Travel Auction Benefiting Conservation Opens September 27

On World Tourism Day, Saturday, September 27, the nonprofit Adventure Travel Conservation Fund (ATCF) opens its 7th annual Travel Conservation Auction, kickstarting the 10-year anniversary of the organization’s founding in the fall of 2016. 

Since then, the ATCF, with its 200+ members in the adventure travel and gear industry, has awarded more than $1,000,000 to 53 grassroots conservation projects across 29 countries.

In the face of global conservation funding cuts, the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund (ATCF)  has redoubled its efforts for this year’s auction, attracting more than 100  donated trips, stays and gear lots. Bidding is open from September 27 to October 20 at travelauction.org 

Every year, the ATCF gathers remarkable trips along with high quality gear, all donated by sustainably minded members of the global adventure travel industry. It has become the world’s largest and most respected adventure travel and gear auction benefiting conservation. Last year’s auction raised $153,000 to enable ATCF’s critical conservation work.

This year’s trip offerings include cycling tours in Turkey and Greece, Thailand, the Netherlands, the Canadian Rockies, and Italy; safaris in Kenya, Botswana, Tanzania, India, Patagonia, and Borneo; several Galapagos expedition cruises; an expedition to Borneo ; rafting trips on the Salmon, the Green, and the Futaleufú; hikes in Iceland; treks in Peru; surfing in Costa Rica; whale watching in Mexico; and so much more. 

“Grassroots projects in biodiverse destinations face greater challenges than ever,” says ATCF chair and Eagle Creek founder Steve Barker. “As traditional funding sources have diminished, proceeds from this auction are vital to sustaining these programs. The quality of trips and gear donated this year is unprecedented, and it speaks to the commitment the adventure travel industry has to protecting our wild and natural places.”

Proceeds from theauction enable ATCF’s grant-making capabilities. An example: a 2026 ATCF grant is funding a solar energy system at Kapawi Ecolodge in the Ecuadorian Amazon that will eliminate the lodge’s need for diesel fuel and extend clean energy to 10 Indigenous Achuar communities, helping protect more than 50,000 hectares of rainforest. This year, bidders can bid on a stay at Kapawi itself with a 4-day Amazon rainforest getaway for two. 

Close to 100 travel items are on preview now, with more being added weekly, generously donated by operators including Hurtigruten, Intrepid Travel, Quark, ExperiencePlus! Bike Tours, Mountain Lodges of Peru, Bike Odyssey, Enchanted Expeditions, ROW Adventures, EcoCamp Patagonia, Angama, SpiceRoads Cycling, Wilderness Travel, Vagabond Tours, VBT/Country Walkers, Adventure South, and many more. 

Gear donors include Eagle Creek, Patagonia, Peak Design, Toad&Co, MiiR, GRAYL, Topo Designs, HydraPak, SCOTTeVEST, Unbound Merino, Nat Geo Books, Merrell, Chaco, and more. 

Travelers can get a preview of items up for bidding from September 27 to October 20 at travelauction.org. 

Most trips are for two travellers and valid for travel in 2027 and beyond; minimum bids are set between 30-50% of retail value. Many gear lots open under $50.

How to Bid: 6 tips

• Preview now, bid September 27. Browse every lot by clicking here. Bidding opens at 8am Eastern on September 27 and closes October 20.
• Read through the details before bidding. Each listing states blackout dates, inclusions and exclusions, how many travelers, room configuration, and any restrictions. All bids are final.
• Set a maximum bid and relax! The platform bids on your behalf in preset increments up to your limit, so you can’t be scooped while you sleep.
• You’ll be informed if you’ve been outbid, so monitor your email, and remember the last day to bid is October 20.
• Your credit card isn’t charged unless it’s a winning bid. Payment details are stored securely at the time of bidding; only winning bidders are charged.
• Bid early, bid often, bid high. Remember, every dollar supports ATCF’s conservation grants and opening bids on many lots sit well below retail value.

“The beauty of the ATCF auction is that you can obtain an incredible trip offered by some of the world’s most responsible and trusted operators and at the same time contribute to the conservation of the places we love,” says Soraya Shattuck, ATCF’s executive director. 

“Because of the generosity of our donors, your trip dollars directly fund the work of the nonprofit ATCF. Our donors tell us that the relationships they build with auction guests live on, long past the trip.”