'Routes Of Change' Trip Around The World Won't Use Any Motors At All | HuffPost

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Markus Pukonen Is Crossing The World In 5 Years -- Without Any Motors

Rebecca Zamon— The Huffington Post Canada

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For most people, trips around the world involve airplane tickets, hostel reservations and and at least a train schedule or two. For Toronto native Markus Pukonen, his 1,825-day (or five year) journey plans to have none of those things.

Pukonen, creator of Routes of Change, is leaving on Monday for a trip that will circumnavigate the globe over five years, by jumping, swimming, running, pogo sticking, paddling, skiing, skateboarding, dancing and any other method that doesn't use a motor, he explains in his introductory video above.

His route, while still in the works, will look approximately like this:

Routes of Change is an environmental and social justice not-for-profit organization that looks to make positive change in the world, something Pukonen has been passionate about since his father was diagnosed and passed away from leukemia in 2009.

“I looked at my life and thought what would I do if I knew I was going to be dead in two weeks or six months? And what I came up with was this desire to go around the world. It has been my dream now for a couple of years," he told the Beach Mirror in 2013.

According to Canadian Geographic, Pukonen's already one of the country's top explorers, having rowed with a crew of four from Africa almost to Miami on a data collecting mission. The boat capsized and the crew had to be rescued 73 days in, after travelling 5,300 in a small rowboat.

Pukonen intends to spread his message of hope with his trip by partnering with local social and environmental organizations as he goes, and has already secured sponsors like Flybar (a pogo stick company) and Algonquin Outfitters.

He's still raising the $82,000 he needs for the trip (which comes out to $45 a day) on his site, but as he said in a pre-trip interview with a friend, he plans to do the trip "whether he has support or not." He sets off from Toronto on July 13, and will be documenting his journey on his blog.

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Canada: Clayoquot Wilderness Resort(01 of11)

In idyllic and isolated Bedwell Sound on British Columbia’s Vancouver Island, Clayoquot Wilderness Resort is glamping at its finest. Rooms are white canvas tents on wooden platforms with thermostat-controlled propane woodstoves. The list of activities and excursions is long: fishing (from off the dock to the open ocean), hiking, horseback riding (their stables house 30 horses), kayaking, clay shooting, mountain biking and more.

United States: The Ranch at Rock Creek(02 of11)

Tap into your inner Marlboro Man, sans cigarettes though so you’ve got both hands to work with; you’ll need them at Montana's The Ranch at Rock Creek, what with horseback riding, fly-fishing, clay shooting, mountain biking and more on offer. Bonus: most activities are inclusive. When you need to kick up your boots after a hard day’s work, the Silver Dollar Saloon serves drinks (and bowling, billiards, shuffleboard and a cinema), or The Granite Spa offers deep tissue massage treatments.

Peru: Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel(03 of11)

Set right on the banks of the Vilcanota River, the Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel puts you close to a classic adventure—the trek to the Machu Picchu Citadel. But there are plenty of other mountains to climb too, including Wayna Picchu Mountain and Putukusi Mountain. The property is serious about being ecologically sensitive, right down to using biodegradable cleaning products, and that will put your mind at ease.

Chile: Explora Atacama(04 of11)

In this case, being trapped in the desert is a dream. Nestled at the base of the Andes Mountains, Explora Atacama adventures include hiking, horseback riding (they have their own stables) and cycling. They’ll even take you on a multi-day hiking and camping expedition to the volcanoes, and when you return park yourself on a poolside lounger with a cold cerveza.

Sweden: Treehotel(05 of11)

The name pretty much explains it all. The Treehotel is comprised of four stunning and distinct tree houses. The nearest town only has a population of 600, so guests truly get away from it all. There’s a diverse selection of activities year-round, including horseback riding, speedy skijoring (horse-pulled skiing) and mountain biking. Naturally, a Swedish tree sauna awaits to soothe any sore muscles.

Norway: StorFjord Hotel(06 of11)

The word “fjord” is such a good word, and a beautiful place to be. The StorFjord Hotel overlooks one of the largest fjords in Norway and the Sunnmore Alps, and with its traditional construction, offers an authentic experience. The activities here take full advantage of the setting, including hiking, kayaking and fishing, among other things.

Switzerland: Gstaad Palace Hotel(07 of11)

The Swiss Alps offer year-round wonders. Anything involving snow and ice in the winter, obviously, and in the summer there’s hiking, biking, paragliding, climbing, canyoning and river rafting for working up a sweat. The Gstaad Palace Hotel will help arrange anything your pounding heart desires. While the mountains may be unforgiving, this palatial property beloved by European royalty will spoil you rotten.

Kenya: Loisaba Private House(08 of11)

Sure, on safari you can just sit in the Jeep and spot animals, or you can “Trek through the bush with camels, mountain bike down the escarpment, raft, horseback-ride or drive through the wild canyons of the two great rivers that span the vast property,” as the Loisaba website spells out. Their “star beds” on platforms are the most spectacular place to rest your head at night.

Seychelles: North Island(09 of11)

What’s good enough for the Royals is good enough for us. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge honeymooned at North Island, a private isle of just 11 villas. While we imagine uninterrupted lovemaking was their primary pulse-racer, there are plenty of other thrills to have, including, biking, fishing and reef-diving (they’ll teach you how). Seychelles is known as the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean and there’s lots of unique species to spot here.

South Africa: Grootbos Private Nature Reserve(10 of11)

Encompassing 2,500 hectares of forest, field and the waters of Walker Bay beyond, a stay at the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, not surprisingly, encompasses a lot. Ride horses along the beach or take a cave tour. Their ocean safaris seek out dolphins, penguins, fur seals and sharks—and for the bolder they offer cage diving for a much closer look of the notorious Great White. To calm your nerves afterwards, a wine tour should do the trick.

New Zealand: Huka Lodge(11 of11)

Like a fish gets bigger and bigger upon each retelling of a fishing tale, Huka Lodge, opened in the 1920s as a fishing retreat, has steadily gotten more and more luxurious over the years—and that’s fact, not fiction. Situated on the banks of the beautiful Waikato River, one can fish, or hunt, hike, golf, bungee jump, skydive, parasail, and more nearby. When you return, a multi-course dinner and big comfy bed is yours.

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