International Tour Operator
& Adventure Travel Consultants
Inspiring since 2009
We design one-of-a-kind, authentic travel experiences that showcase some of the most breathtaking destinations on Earth. Since 2009, we've been inspiring travelers through thoughtfully curated adventures that blend exploration, culture, and connection.
We believe that active, sustainable travel enriches the mind, body, and spirit. With deep local knowledge, a highly personalized approach, and meticulous planning, we deliver journeys that are as seamless as they are unforgettable.
Whether you're seeking a fully guided adventure or prefer the freedom of a self-guided experience, we offer exceptional trips to iconic and off-the-beaten-path destinations alike—including New Zealand, Patagonia, Croatia & Slovenia, Peru, Iceland, Ghana, Italian Dolomites, Japan, Normandy, Australia, Norway, Finland and Costa Rica.
We believe that active, sustainable travel enriches the mind, body, and spirit. With deep local knowledge, a highly personalized approach, and meticulous planning, we deliver journeys that are as seamless as they are unforgettable.
Whether you're seeking a fully guided adventure or prefer the freedom of a self-guided experience, we offer exceptional trips to iconic and off-the-beaten-path destinations alike—including New Zealand, Patagonia, Croatia & Slovenia, Peru, Iceland, Ghana, Italian Dolomites, Japan, Normandy, Australia, Norway, Finland and Costa Rica.
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Our Team
 Al MacDonald: Founder & Guide
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Al MacDonald is a wild-hearted explorer with a creative spirit and a deep commitment to purposeful living. After serving a tour of duty in Iraq with the Minnesota National Guard, Al returned home with a renewed perspective—and a vision to help others experience the transformative power of adventure. That vision became Thrive Adventures.
With almost 20 years of industry experience and a degree in Recreation and Adventure Tourism from Winona State University, Al brings both professional expertise and soulful intention to every journey. He believes adventure should be personal, immersive, sustainable, and thoughtfully shaped around each group. Whether you're hiking rugged trails, exploring hidden cultures, or chasing sunrises off the beaten path, Al ensures the logistics are dialed so you can be fully present in the experience. Known for his open-mindedness, fun-loving energy, and meticulous preparation, Al guides with both confidence and care. But what drives him most is the awe on a traveler’s face when they connect deeply with the world around them—that spark of wonder that makes the journey unforgettable. Back home, Al is a devoted husband, father, and friend. He’s an avid adventure sports enthusiast and lifelong learner with a passion for all things music. |
 Raven Bailey: Adventure Guide & Wilderness Expert, Operations & Safety, Guide: New Zealand, Peru, Croatia, Slovenia
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Raven Bailey is an avid sea kayaker, backpacker, yogi and outdoor junky. She has been a world traveler since her youth. She brings a wealth of adventure experience that will benefit and support you on your Thrive Adventure journey. Growing up in central Wisconsin, her favorite memories are climbing trees and wandering through the woods with her dog. A current, albeit restless, resident of Minneapolis, she is appreciative of the outdoor lifestyle that the City provides and is always ready for the next adventure. When not leading trips, she enjoys biking, Nordic/alpine skiing, snowshoeing, camping in all seasons, and the time-honored tradition of “hammock cloud gazing.” Recently retired after 26 years of public service as a probation officer, Raven is comfortable managing challenging conditions including 5 foot waves on Lake Superior in her kayak or getting just the right cream to coffee ratio in her morning cup of java. She is a 15-year National Ski Patrol veteran. She is a certified yoga and group fitness instructor. She has been teaching group fitness classes since the age of 18. In addition to living her life to the fullest, Raven has been guiding small group trips as a volunteer and is excited to bring her skills to Thrive Adventures. She considers herself a fun-monger so plan to have some serious fun on any trip she is guiding. She loves to make your travel experience unique and interesting. We could give you some examples but that would spoil the awe and wonder of the unexpected! Her personal motto is “Go outside. Stay there.” |
Rianna Lane: Trip Specialist & Marketing Coordinator
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Al met Rianna in Ghana, West Africa, in January 2024 and shortly thereafter added her to the Thrive team. A graduate of High Point University in North Carolina, Rianna pairs her degree in Strategic Communications and Business Administration with a love of travel that has already taken her to every continent except Antarctica, which is still on her list.
For Rianna, travel is about more than just the big sights. It is sipping coffee as small towns wake up, learning crafts from local artisans, and discovering the little details that make each journey unforgettable. She is just as passionate about rescue as she is about travel, spending years working with shelters, managing transports, and even traveling to support animal welfare missions. At home she shares life with six rescue cats and one rescue dog, all of whom consider themselves part of the Thrive team. If you catch a stray typo in her emails, chances are a paw hit send first. At Thrive, Rianna brings all of this together by building immersive trips, shaping our marketing voice, and making sure every adventure feels as exciting online as it does in real life. |
Valentin
Quechua Cultural Expert Archaeologist Wilderness Trekking Guide Sacred Valley, Peru |
Valentin has a passion for sharing the culture, history and beauty of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. Fluent in Quechua, Spanish, and English and with decades of experience on the Inca Trail, Valentin launched his own company in 2017 and now partners with Thrive Adventures to bring travelers around the globe the most authentic, enriching experiences available in the region - complete with homestay options. A porter on the Inca Trail at age 16, Valentin learned his work ethic from his mother, who raised 8 children on a farm in the Sacred Valley. Having never attended school herself, she was committed to giving her children access to education and worked extremely hard to support her family - tending her farm and selling and bartering corn, guinea pigs, peaches and eggs. Every year, until all 8 children had finished school, she sold one of two bulls to raise money for books and uniforms, traded the other for 2 young bulls, and toiled all year raising the bulls to be ready to repeat the process. As a young person, Valentin worked as a chef on the trail while simultaneously attending the University of San Antonio in Cusco - studying for a four year degree to become a certified guide and completing coursework in tourism, history, archaeology, flora, fauna, medicine, psychology, and English. Valentin is forever grateful for his mother’s hard work, and because of his childhood, he is strongly committed to supporting children and families in the mountain villages of the Sacred Valley through social projects and work with locally owned farms and businesses. Thrive Adventures plans to bring groups to sustainably support these efforts, knowing anyone who engages here will return home with powerful, life-changing experiences and perspective.
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Gary P. Scott
Right Path Adventures, LLC Professional Mountain and Walking Guide Dolonites of Italy, Croatia, Slovenia |
A native Australian, Gary is the founder and owner of adventure travel company - Right Path Adventures. He's been traveling and exploring the world for over 50 years. "I left Australia with a daypack, my passport and a one-way ticket to Kathmandu, Nepal. Thirty six years later, I say 'I am still on that same trip'." I spent the next few years trekking and climbing in Nepal and started working as a trekking guide for an international travel company. I have been running my own adventure travel trips since 1982 when I started a trekking and guiding company Alpine Ascents in Kathmandu, Nepal at the age of 25. Over the last 36 years I have led over 1,000 guests on over 250 adventure travel trips all over the world, including 40 treks and expeditions in Nepal and over 120 tours to the Dolomites in Italy, Croatia, Slovenia. I have a perfect safety record with no accidents, so you are in expert hands.
I love to have fun and believe in keeping the adventure in adventure travel. I am passionate about helping my guests “get in the moment” as soon as possible on my trips. I have been told I have a knack for helping people push themselves beyond what they ever thought they could do or achieve. I am an expert at assessing people’s walking ability and matching them with the right trail. I will be able to challenge you as much or as little as you want. I am also an expert at advanced walking techniques and will gladly show you ways to improve how you walk so you are more efficient and will not feel as tired at the end of the day. I have spent many years in Europe and I know where to take people according to their fitness levels, and perhaps more importantly – where not to take people to avoid the crowds and in Croatia the heat. I have been told I have an easy going, Australian “no-worries-mate” attitude and am flexible to my guests needs and desires. In 2003 I wrote a book titled “Summit Strategies – Secrets to Mastering the Everest in Your Life”, weaving in lessons I learned while climbing and exploring my way around the world and have authored rock climbing and triathlon guidebooks. I am very passionate about showing my guests the hidden delights of the areas we visit particularly the spectacular Dolomites - the world’s best walking area - where I spend three months every summer. He's spent many years in the landscapes of . With an easy going, infectious, Australian “no-worries-mate” attitude he's a great person to explore our world with. "I am very passionate about showing my friends and guests the hidden delights of the areas we visit, particularly the Dolomites and I know this is where I want to spend the rest of my life." |
Dan Miller
Wellness and Longevity Peru |
Dan is an internationally renowned nutrition and fitness expert who has consulted with thousands of executives worldwide to improve personal health and longevity, reduce healthcare costs, and achieve greater workplace productivity. Dan’s engaging, interactive style inspires clients to realize permanent, life-changing results, and he is recognized across multiple mediums as a leader in the field. “The Plant Based Guru” as a New York Times Bestselling book titled Dan, is an entrepreneur, speaker, 30 year veteran of the martial arts, former Guinness World Endurance Record holder for the 48 hour treadmill marathon, ultra-runner, scuba diver, and father of two amazing boys. He is a Certified Nutrition Coach with the International Board of Nutrition & Fitness Coaching and holds Masters degrees in Business Administration, Strategic Leadership, and Project Management. Dan’s education transcends nutrition, allowing him to identify with the challenges faced by today’s busy executives. He now partners with Thrive Adventures to combine his health and wellness strategies with one of a kind on-location experiences for groups seeking personal or leadership development.
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Drew "Tank" Sherman
Adventure Guide Marketing & Business Development Alaska |
A fellow Veteran who deployed to Iraq with Al, Tank brings a practical knowledge of business operations earned by owning a successful touring band for 7 years - and doing most things the hard way. He has a passion for wilderness exploration and currently resides in Alaska, welcoming Thrive travelers to The Last Frontier - even if it's just for the halibut.
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