Eleven strangers from across America, led by three expert tour guides, descend on Marrakech, Morocco to begin the journey of a lifetime. Things get personal right away as everyone strips down in a traditional Moroccan bathhouse, and one of the travelers confronts another about her body issues. Meanwhile, amidst the crowded markets, the snake charmers, and the food stalls, Jared, a rich playboy, sets his sights on a pair of estranged twin sisters, sparking an unusual love triangle.
The travelers ride camels in Morocco, then they go on safari in Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve; Amy falls ill and must stay behind in the Atlas Mountains; Misty pines over Jared who grows closer to her twin sister, Jenna.
Still in East Africa, the twins are split up for the first time on the trip as Jenna, Jared, and a few others, trek through the jungles of Rwanda for a once in a lifetime encounter with endangered mountain gorillas. Meanwhile, Misty and the rest of the travelers dive into Maasai culture, drinking cow's blood, and building houses out of manure. Amy returns from being sick in Morocco to discover Heather has aligned with Michelle against her.
Trading in their safari gear for scuba gear, the travelers jet-set to the crystal blue waters of the Maldives. Romance hangs in the air, prompting Jared to finally choose between the affections of Jenna or Misty. While some relationships blossom, others come to a head when Amy and Heather finally confront one another on the tension in their friendship. And nothing says "once in a lifetime" like a wedding on the beach, as Jeff and Jetta renew their vows after 16 years of marriage.
The travelers must say goodbye to the calm of the Maldives and hello to the chaos and sweltering heat of Colombo, Sri Lanka, but not everyone is in a welcoming mood, as Michelle blows up at Brandon on a crowded public bus. While everyone indulges in mouth-watering peppers and a sweaty game of street cricket, Amy takes the opportunity for a sit down with former bestie Heather. Elsewhere, Jenna discovers that she doesn't enjoy being the third wheel to Misty and Jared.
After surviving the intensity of Colombo, the travelers head south to Galle, Sri Lanka for some much needed R&R. An awkward session of tantric yoga goes awry when Michelle isn't down to "weave" with anyone and Sandhurst questions her "PG-13" attitude. Later, Michael and Steven have a fish-out-of-water experience as they celebrate Michael's birthday with a Sri Lankan family. Meanwhile, Jared butts heads with Heather for refusing to go to a local tea plantation.
The sun sets on the travelers' time in Galle, Sri Lanka, but not before Steven spreads a wild rumor about him and Michelle, much to Michelle's horror. Things get extra spicy in Bangkok, Thailand, when all the guys, including Jared, go out in the Red Light District, leaving Misty to wonder just how trustworthy her new boyfriend really is.
Questions about the "boys' night out" swirl as the travelers set sail on Bangkok's Chao Phraya River, and tensions between Misty and Jared erupt into a spectacle for all to see. Once in Pattaya, the Georgia Boys participate in a spectacle of another sort, the world's largest Ladyboys Show. And the travelers come face to face with Thailand's most revered animal - the elephant.
From the rowdy streets of Shibuya Crossing to the quiet majesty of Mt Fugi, it's sensory overload as the travelers fly to their final destination, Japan. In Tokyo, an owl cafe shows a softer side of Heather, while a maid cafe shocks even the most gung-ho guys. Meanwhile, on a bullet train to a zen retreat in Hakone, Michelle breaks down over her first Mother's Day away from her son, and Jared realizes he may be in over his head with Misty.
The trip of a lifetime comes to a champagne soaked conclusion in Tokyo, Japan. While the men let out their aggression in a combative karate class, Jetta is up in arms about having to dress in traditional Geisha gear and white makeup. Finally, a girl's night out at a Japanese Host Club spirals out of control when Heather and Amy take their frustrations out onto the streets, and Jared confronts Misty about the future of their relationship.