For Scott Tay, adventure is emotional. An avid adrenaline junkie, the founder and director of tour company, Beyond Expeditions, admits that he goes above and beyond to venture out in search of a feeling.

Having grown up within the hustle and bustle of Singapore, Scott became enamored with the unpredictability of Mongolia. “[Being in Mongolia] got me feeling different kinds of emotions; being there gave me a sense of autonomy and creativity,” he shared. Since his first sojourn to that otherworldly terrain, Scott has returned multiple times – often, with newcomers.

His tour company has brought many thrillseekers outside the usual comfort zones of developed cities or idyllic beaches. Here, they see a different side of the world – one that may not be as convenient but is just as rewarding. “Of course, we have customers who sign up with us who just want to check off Bhutan or Madagascar from the bucket list, but we also want to be that platform that helps people look within themselves [via our] adventures,” shared Scott. “We feel that we are quite good at using these adventures to help our travelers transform in an introspective manner.”

For those who are curious, tours with Beyond Expeditions often include a swim in Tajikistan waters, a hike through Kyrgyzstan’s Tein Shan Mountains, an exploration of Ladakh’s ancient monasteries, or taking cover from hale in Mongolia. They are arduous journeys, but well worth it. “It’s not a walk in the park,” Scott clarified. “We have group trainings that we make sure are intense, so people know what they’re signing up for.”

Of course, those who prefer a more laidback pace can sign up for their commercial tours, which offer more relaxing itineraries. But those who wish to challenge themselves on advanced tracks need to know – it requires a lot more mental and physical effort.

Ultimately, researching one’s chosen destination (and tour) is always key; it’s also important to understand what exactly one wants to get out of their next sojourn. “Do your own homework,” Scott advised. Make sure the place you plan on visiting is politically stable, has no major health concerns, or is in line with your goals. On their part, Beyond Expedition always begins their tours with a pre-expedition briefing, setting expectations for travelers. “When it comes to adventure, a lot of things may happen on the trip that isn’t part of the plan – that’s just normal and natural. It is our duty to prepare our customers in advance before they experience what they sign up for.”

One of the major concerns people may have about traveling is safety. Much of the unknown requires risk, and especially for solo female travelers, this might seem daunting. Happily enough, there is an obvious trend that sees brave women venturing out on their own. “As a matter of fact, over 90% of our participants are solo female travelers,” shared Scott. “I feel the community of solo female travelers is growing; but with this, I also feel there needs to be more global education when it comes to [sexist issues such as these]. Men may not face as much sexual harassment as women do, but it does happen to a handful of male travelers too.”

Ultimately what Scott seems to believe in is equal opportunity for anyone who wishes to experience the incredible things that he himself has. That is why Beyond Expeditions is eager to continue adventuring for the sake of vulnerable groups such as cancer patients and PWDs. After his grandfather passed from cancer, Scott became even more passionate about the advocacy, empathizing with both patients and families of patients.

“We started to realize that there are certain communities that require assistance, and we feel for these communities,” he shared. “Down the years, we have tried to put ourselves in the shoes of people with disabilities and it’s not a good feeling. These are people who require much more support.” A biker himself, Scott has sometimes imagined what it would be like to be unable to ride a motorbike due to a disability. “It’s that kind of despair, that kind of hopelessness [that I imagine] that gives us the strength to want to give back and support these communities.”

One of their upcoming projects for which they are fundraising is the “Beyond Limits 8: Trekking Through the Mystical Realm of the Thunder Dragon: A Trek for Breast Cancer Foundation in Bhutan” project. Here, participants can sign up to discover the terrains of Bhutan alongside cancer survivors who will also be joining the tour. “The goal is to come together with the same purpose – the same why – and to raise funds for the Breast Cancer Foundation Singapore,” said Scott. “We hope this shows people that having breast cancer doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. There are so many strong breast cancer survivors out there who can serve as a support group to help others through.”

So, what’s next for the tour company – and travel in general? Surprisingly, Scott believes, it’s AI. “To be honest, you don’t need travel to be transformed,” the founder admitted. “There are so many ways to be transformed, to grow as a person. I see so much potential in the near future with the power of AI. It’s scary, but I’m quite practical and bullish about that.”

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