Departures

Airing: Weekdays @ 12:00pm ET

Ever dreamt of white water rafting in New Zealand, tearing across Canada in only 10 days or stepping on sacred ground in India? Best friends - and Brantford, Ontario, natives - Scott Wilson and Justin Lukach do just that, and more in OLN's new original Canadian production, Departures.

Accompanied by their friend and cameraman, Andre Dupuis, Departures showcases the revelations of two travellers who strive to find themselves and new perspectives while trekking across the globe. Their experiences unfold before a moving camera and daily "diary cam" entries reveal their interpretations of the events, people and places they discover along the way.

Set against a backdrop of stunning vistas and incredible landscapes, the series chronicles the unforgettable friendships, personal successes and sometimes crushing disappointments that befall them on their journey. Each episode illustrates Wilson and Lukach's personal evolution as they are pushed to their utmost limits. From hiking through the ancient ruins of Petra in Jordan, to surviving a monsoon in the middle of the Indian Ocean, to facing off against a professional kick boxer in Thailand, to living off the land in Cambodia, join these best friends as they challenge themselves and their attachments to home on the trip of a lifetime

There are no prizes and no contests - just real adventures with no safety net.

SEASON ONE

Canada: Ocean to Ocean - Friends Scott and Justin leave their lives behind in search of unique experiences and adventures abroad.  From epic landscapes and unforgettable people, to the often trying times that come with international travel, Scott and Justin strive to find new perspectives on everyday life.  It’s as much about the journey as it is the destination.  No prizes, no contests, just real life and real travel. 

Jordan - Scott and Justin head to Jordan to attend their friend Ibrahim’s wedding. First, they decide to explore all the beauty that surrounds them. Arriving in Amman they prepare themselves for the trip then head out to the Wadi Mujib to explore red desert, spend a night in the desert with the Bedouins, hike to the Monastery in Petra, visit the Roman ruins in Jerash and end it all when they hit the water in Aqaba. All just in time for the traditional Jordanian wedding.

India: Holy - After a long flight, Scott and Justin meet up with their friend Monica in New Delhi to take a gruelling train ride to the desert just outside of Jaiselmer. After a camel excursion into the deep desert, they head off to Varanasi, to witness the everyday cultural mayhem on the banks of the Ganges River. The guys discover the depth of India’s different religions before flying to New Delhi just in time for the annual festival of lights – Diwali.

Inda: Quest for Himalayas - Friends Scott and Justin travel through the more untouched parts of India, a quest which takes them from the far South to the far North.  From the tropical heat of Goa to the cold, dry Himalayan vistas of Leh, India challenges them both to their utmost limits as they suffer from altitude sickness, food poisoning and a record breaking lightening storm while stuck on jet skis in the middle of the sea. Scott and Justin travel through the more untouched parts of India, a quest which takes them to the highest mountains in the world and challenges them both to their utmost limits.

Ascension Island - In the most remote part of the South Atlantic, on Ascension Island, Scott and Justin stay in a cottage in the clouds atop the highest mountain. They explore all parts of the island from volcanic rocks of red or black to vegetation from all areas of the world. The guys deal with problems of isolation as they try to contact banks at home and save personal relationships. In the middle of the South Atlantic, Ascension Island proves to be too isolated for Justin as he deals with problems at home and major communication issues on the island.

Japan: The Future - While navigating the extensive train systems in Japan, Scott manages to get them around while Justin struggles with language barriers and very different food. From shops and fish markets in Tokyo, to Geishas in Kyoto the guys finally make their way to Osaka to meet up with a good friend Neel and explore the Japanese night life. Things finally settle down when they rent a car and leave the city behind to search for the more natural side. While navigating the extensive train systems in Japan, Scott manages to get him and Justin to the South of Japan while Justin struggles as he tries to learn Japanese.

Japan: The Past - Continuing in Japan, Scott and Justin seek the peace of nature by driving through the Ise-Shima Peninsula, staying overnight in a temple in Koyasan before taking a late-night ferry to the island of Miyajima and try to find camp amongst the hundreds of native deer, ending it all with a flight to the island of Okinawa.  Continuing in Japan, Scott and Justin search for the natural side of the country and discover that they may have taken for granted their decision to drop everything.

Cook Islands - Heading to the Paradise Islands (Cook Islands) Scott and Justin arrive in Rarotonga to find that their luggage is missing - clothing and some camera equipment, not to arrive for another three days. As rain pours down outside, they guys realise that it is the heart of cyclone season. They fly to Mangaia and find that the whole island is out of power so head to the ocean for some sunshine and bamboo pole fishing with locals. Continuing on to Aitutaki, they kayak out to their own private island to set-up camp, drink from coconut shells and hunt crabs for dinner. Scott is tested about his commitments to the year trip while Justin’s learns from the locals how to live off the land, that is until his love for animals is challenged in Atiu by “the head hunters” – the local school boys, when they are taken on a traditional pig hunt. In the Cook Islands, Scott’s commitment to the trip is tested while Justin’s learns to live off the land - until his love for animals is challenged while on a traditional pig hunt.

New Zealand: Risks and Rewards - Adventure in New Zealand does not come without consequences, especially when Scott and Justin meet up with their “larger than life” kiwi friend Ellis. They head to Auckland for Bungee jumping, go fishing in Kapity, absailing near Cheviot, and to earn their keep they sheer alpacas at Ellis fathers’ before rafting on Buller River. They say goodbye and leave to find their own adventure on Mt. Cook. Justin’s competitive risk-taking side takes over, while Scott deals with his own fears. Adventure in New Zealand does not come without consequences especially when Scott and Justin meet up with their “larger than life” kiwi friend Ellis

New Zealand: Untouched - Continuing in New Zealand, the boys get a bit of Ellis’ spirit and step up the adventure. They spend Christmas together in the remote beauty of Milford Sound, then head to Wannaka on their way to Tasman Glacier before hitting the extreme sports in Queenstown. Finding adventure and uninhabited landscape reminds them of how long they’ve been on the road and of all the family and friends waiting for their return. Christmas and uninhabited landscape in New Zealand reminds Scott and Justin of how long they’ve been on the road and of family they miss at home.

Thailand - Nearing the end of the trip, Scott and Justin fly to Thailand looking for unique experiences outside of traditional tourist stops. Arriving in Bangkok, they travel to the hill tribes in the north, then head south to the islands, ending their trip with Justin facing off against a Thai kick boxer in-front of hundreds of locals in a sun-drenched ring of Puket. Nearing the end of the trip, Scott and Justin fly to Thailand looking for unique experiences outside of the traditional tourist stops.

Cambodia - Scott and Justin meet up with their friend Sarorn and his family who show them the untouched parts of Cambodia. They visit the Hill Tribes in Ratanakiri where a traditional sacrifice introduces them to the real side of the country.  Next they make their way by road to the majestic temples of Angkor, then on to capital city Phnom Penh and south to the remote region of Takeo.  There, they live off the land in a stilt house, taking part in local activities, ceremonies and games. The guys find new purpose with their travels and commit to another year-long trip. Scott and Justin meet up with their friend Sarorn to see the real Cambodia. The guys find new purpose with their travels and commit to another year-long trip

Canada: Pushing North - A year out, Scott and Justin arrive back on home soil, but can't part ways without one more challenge. An epic adventure which takes them from Vancouver, through Dawson City, Whitehorse, past the Arctic Circle, and to the very end of the road. Still not ready to go home, they hop in a cargo plane to fly above and beyond the north shoreline seeing the most remote areas that Canada has to offer. A year out, Scott and Justin return to Canada and decide they need one more challenge. An epic adventure which takes them from Vancouver and up North to the end of the road.