What we’re about
CLICK HERE to see our main meetup events calendar http://www.socialfundation.com
A sometime squirrely group of folks in the Greater Washington DC area bound by the belief that life is best taken one step at a time. Events are primarily day hikes (from easy to difficult), but include other outdoor activities, including multi-day adventure trips, and occasional social ones.
We use the "It's quite a feet" hike rating system:
- Easy, less than 2 blisters
- Moderate, 2 to 3.5 blisters
- Difficult, greater than 3.5 blisters
where 1 blister = about 5 mi., or about 2500' up or down.
CPRO).
For members used to Meetup groups: There are no stupid Meetup reminders (unless I forget to check the box); instead, you'll get one or two notices per month from me about upcoming events. I've been told this is much more annoying. There aren't that many events anyway because this is a Meetup for people who have better things to do.
Finally, RSVP'ing on Wandering Soles for events is nice, but does not imply a commitment. That is, it doesn't matter if you RSVP or not, only if you show up or not. Come to think of it, that doesn't matter much either. If an event is limited in participation or requires a registration, you'll be asked to email directly a (hopefully) live human being.
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Upcoming events
7
•OnlineFeatured International Meetup Trips for 2025 & 2026
OnlineThis Zoom Overseas Q & A is a monthly event.
Video Link: https://meet.google.com/irp-rnyi-fgb No software or download needed. Just open in a browser.
The date gets moved right before the event occurs. This way all the links posted to events keep working.
We have some truly EPIC Overseas events ahead. And Epic Adventure leads to Copious Questions.
To solve that . . . Let's Talk! Join us for a Q & A Zoom where you can ask all your Q's and get all your A's.
SCHEDULE
6:00 to 7:30pm PST is Q & A about our Overseas Events.
Such as Costa Rica, Japan Fall Colors, Angkor Wat, Everest Base Camp, Meetup On The Orient Express, Machu Picchu, Spain and Portugal...
7:30 to 9pm PST Is about camping stuff. Newbie Q's. Gear. Food. Camping Tips.
Including Q & A and about specific local trips/events.
Click Here for the The Local Events and Beginner Camping ZOOM event
To join the zoom FILL OUT THIS GOOGLE FORM and/or RSVP to this event. We will email direct on the day of, to remind you.
What to talk about? Most of the convo will be on the following:
Sep 12, 2025 Bali & Singapore Journey (filled)
Oct 12, 2025 Jordan: Dana to Petra Trek with Wadi Rum (filled)
Oct 19, 2025: Petra to the Pyramids. Dead Sea, Sphinx & Nile (filled)
Nov 27, 2025 Catalina & Ensenada -- Thanksgiving Weekend Cruise
Feb 20, 2026 Northern Lights. A Scandinavian Odyssey!
Feb 28, 2026 India's Golden Triangle with HOLI and Dubai
Mar 29, 2026 Cherry Blossoms in Japan
Jun 5, 2026 Costa Rica Eco Adventure
Jun 18, 2026 Mt Kilimanjaro Trek! One of the 7 Summits
Jun 27, 2026 Serengeti Photo Safari! Africa’s Best Wildlife Show
Jul 05, 2026 Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
Aug 03, 2026 Alaska Inside Passage & Glacier Cruise from San Francisco
Sep 09, 2026 France Culinary Explorer! Food
Sep 20, 2026 Meetup on the Orient Express
Dec 04, 2026 Vietnam & Cambodia (with Angkor Wat)
Mar 06, 2027 Galapagos Islands Expedition
Apr 25, 2027 Everest Base Camp Yoga Trek:
To receive detailed itinerary on ANY of our events . . . CLICK HERE to fill out our google form.
Our events are all very safe, fun, curated, and organized.
Questions about Hotels, Flights, Meals, Museums, Power Plugs, Converters, Money Conversion or whatever!!
All the folks currently signed on to our events are invited to come and ask all the Q's and get all the deets they want to. They will also get them in writing too, but we know a lot of folks rather a face and voice compared to an email. It's that whole human interaction thing!
**To join the zoom FILL OUT THIS GOOGLE FORM **We will email direct on the day of to remind you.58 attendees
Northern Lights. A Scandinavian Odyssey. Reindeer, dog sledding, Ice fishing ...
Dulles International Airport (IAD), 1 Saarinen Cir, Sterling, VA, US***This group is filled. Check out our next departure on Feb 20, 2026:
https://www.meetup.com/moretoexplore/events/310787716/***
Gaze at the Northern Lights, enjoy a sleigh ride, be a reindeer herder for a day, learn about the Sámi culture, visit an ice hotel, catch a fish (or two) through a hole in the ice, taste some good Scandinavian delicacies, visit the ABBA museum...My, oh my! These are just some of the fun activities we are planning to do during this once-in-a-life time adventure!
Like all our adventures, this one is crafted from the ground up with the true spirit of Meetup in mind. We handle every little detail before and during the trip, accompany and guide the group, creating a stress-free journey with a laid-back, friendly vibe. No big tour operators, no inflated prices — we work directly with locals to give you authentic experiences and unbeatable value.
Come as strangers, leave as lifelong friends — and make memories that stick forever!
We visit:
- Stockholm
- Kiruna (Lapland)
- Helsinki
- Copenhagen (optional extension)
The trip includes:
* 2 nights in Stockholm
* A night train from Stockholm to Lapland in a private sleeping compartment
* 4 nights in Kiruna
* 3 nights in Helsinki
* Airfare from Kiruna to Helsinki
* Arrival and departure transfers
* Sightseeing tours in Stockholm and Helsinki
* Boat ride in Stockholm
* Food tasting in Helsinki
* Breakfast daily
* 2 dinners and 3 lunches
* Northern Lights Tour
* Jukkasjärvi Icehotel Half-Day Tour
* Full-Day Reindeer Tour
* Ice Fishing or Husky Sleigh Ride
Price per person, double occupancy: $4770
(we match roommates for those wishing to share)
Price for single room: $6320
Not Included:
x Transatlantic Airfare (we can help you arrange that)
x Meals not listed above
x Tips and any personal and incidental expenses
x Optional extension to Copenhagen
The only way to secure your spot is a $500 deposit
***Deposit link removed as this date is sold out. You can reserve your spot for our next departure on Feb 20, 2026 HERE ***
Deposit is refundable up to 90 days before the departure (less PayPal fees).*** Final payment due 60 days before departure***
Click Here and Fill out this Form if you are making a Deposit
For a detailed Day By Day itinerary:
Click Here to fill out our info request form
Limited capacity of 14 total. This trip will fill up extremely quickly.
***Airfare from/to the US not included***
OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO COPENHAGEN offered at $590 per person/double or $785 solo occupancy (air from Helsinki to Copenhagen not included)
Click Here to Message Direct to Anna with any questions including airfare quotes.
She can help you arrange the airfare and answer any logistics questions.
Click Here to see all our other fun events
SOT 2000318-102 attendees
Northern Lights. A Scandinavian Odyssey! Reindeer, Dog Sledding, Ice Hotel..
Dulles International Airport (IAD), 1 Saarinen Cir, Sterling, VA, USGaze at the Northern Lights, enjoy a sleigh ride, be a reindeer herder for a day, learn about the Sámi culture, visit an ice hotel, taste some good Scandinavian delicacies, visit the ABBA museum...My, oh my! These are just some of the fun activities we are planning to do during this once-in-a-life time adventure!
Like all our adventures, this one is crafted from the ground up with the true spirit of Meetup in mind. We handle every little detail before and during the trip, accompany and guide the group, creating a stress-free journey with a laid-back, friendly vibe. No big tour operators, no inflated prices — we work directly with locals to give you authentic experiences and unbeatable value.
Come as strangers, leave as lifelong friends — and make memories that stick forever!
We visit:
- Stockholm
- Kiruna (Lapland)
- Helsinki
- Copenhagen (optional pre-trip)
The trip includes:
* 2 nights in Stockholm
* A night train from Stockholm to Lapland in a private sleeping compartment
* 4 nights in Kiruna
* 3 nights in Helsinki
* Airfare from Kiruna to Helsinki
* Arrival and departure transfers
* Sightseeing tours in Stockholm and Helsinki
* Boat ride in Stockholm
* Food tasting in Helsinki
* Breakfast daily
* 2 dinners and 3 lunches
* Northern Lights Tour
* Jukkasjärvi Icehotel Half-Day Tour
* Full-Day Reindeer Tour
* Husky Sleigh Ride
Price per person, double occupancy: $4995
(we match roommates for those wishing to share)
Price for single room: $6545
Not Included:
x Transatlantic Airfare (we can help you arrange that)
x Meals not listed above
x Tips and any personal and incidental expenses
x Optional extension to Copenhagen
The only way to secure your spot is a $500 deposit
Click Here for Secure Deposit Link
Deposit is refundable up to 90 days before the departure (less PayPal fees).*** Final payment due 60 days before departure***
Click Here and Fill out this Form if you are making a Deposit
For a detailed Day By Day itinerary:
Click Here to fill out our info request form
Limited capacity of 16 total. This trip will fill up extremely quickly.
***Airfare from/to the US not included***
OPTIONAL PRE-TRIP TO COPENHAGEN offered at $590 per person/double or $785 solo occupancy (air from Helsinki to Copenhagen not included)
Click Here to Message Direct to Anna with any questions including airfare quotes.
She can help you arrange the airfare and answer any logistics questions.
Click Here to see all our other fun events
SOT 2000318-104 attendees
India & Dubai - Embark on a Journey of Wonders! Taj Mahal, HOLI Fest and more...
Dulles International Airport (IAD), 1 Saarinen Cir, Sterling, VA, USReady for a truly unique adventure?
Come explore India and Dubai with us! We’ll wander through the colorful streets of Delhi, take in the beauty of the Taj Mahal, and soak up the royal vibes of Jaipur. To top it all off, we’ll celebrate Holi—the festival of colors—like locals do, in an authentic and joyful way!
But that’s not all!
After India, we’ll enjoy a bonus 3-night stay in the glamorous city of Dubai, one of the world’s most fascinating cities. From jaw-dropping skyscrapers to desert sunsets, Dubai is the perfect mix of modern luxury and deep-rooted tradition.
This isn’t your typical tour. It’s a Meetup-style journey filled with curiosity, connection, and shared experiences. We’ve done this trip before, and every time it’s been more than just a vacation—it’s been eye-opening, transformative experience that connects you to new perspectives, cultures, and unforgettable memories with new friends.
What is included in India
➢ 2 Nights’ stay in Delhi
➢ 2 Nights’ stay in Agra
➢ 3 Nights’ stay in Jaipur
➢ Meals : 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 6 dinners
➢ Round trip airport transfers by air-conditioned vehicle
➢ Local English-speaking guides for sightseeing
➢ Entrance fees to monuments as per itinerary
➢ Rickshaw ride at Chandini chowk (ancient bazaar) in Delhi
➢ Elephant ride in Jaipur (subject to availability)
➢ Old and New Delhi sightseeing included Rickshaw ride
➢ Agra sightseeing included Magnificent Taj Mahal and Agra fort
➢ Jaipur sightseeing included with Amer fort, Hawa Mahal and Jal Mahal
➢ Holi celebration in Agra
➢ All taxes, driver allowances, parking etc.
What is included in Dubai
➢ 3 Nights’ accommodation in Dubai with breakfast
➢ Meals: 3 breakfast, and 2 dinners
➢ Round trip airport transfers in Dubai on private basis
➢ Driver/Guide in Dubai
➢ Half day Dubai City Tour (Includes Photo Stop at Burj Al Arab, Photo stop at the Atlantis at the Palm Island, Visit to Gold and Spice Souks etc.)
➢ Dhow Cruise with Buffet Dinner
➢ Desert Safari with BBQ dinner (4x4 sharing vehicle) & Arabian Tanoura dance show and belly performance
➢ All taxes and tourism Dihram
What is not included:
➢ Any International/Internal Airfare
➢ Visa, insurance
➢ Any meals other than specified in cost include
➢ Porterage, tips, laundry, beverages, cost of personal nature like telephone charges
➢ Any sightseeing not mentioned in inclusions
Cost:
- $3990 per person (based on room sharing)—we offer easy roommate matching!
- Prefer a room to yourself? Solo supplement is $1500 for a total of $5490
RSVP with your email address to receive detailed Day-by-Day itinerary or fill out this form.
If you wish to attend, deposit of $250 is the only way to secure your spot. Please pay the deposit through this secure Deposit Link.
Deposits are refundable up to 90 days before departure.
Airfare is not included, but we are holding a group space from Los Angeles for $1299 including all taxes and the flight from Delhi and Dubai. To secure you airfare from LAX submit a nonrefundable $200 deposit HERE
If you are not in LA, we can help you arrange the airfare from any other city.
Space is limited and this event is cross posted to our sister groups. RSVPs on this post do not reflect actual number of participants.
Don’t wait—this trip will sell out fast!
***Click Here ***to fill out our google info request form for detailed itinerary on this or any of our other international events.
Got questions? Click Here to message Ekaterina direct with any questions.
Still have questions? We do a monthly Q&A Travel Zoom on all our events.
We believe in good decent social! We have a set of sister groups where we post our local free events, local/regional camping getaways, and our overseas trips too. Click Here to see all our events
Our events create and foster community and a sense of discovery. We welcome and are inclusive of all.
Live the adventure instead of only dreaming it!
SOT 2000318-103 attendees
Past events
405
