Name: Destination Truth
Genre: Documentary, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Reality
Rating: 6.5
Cast: Josh Gates, Jael de Pardo, Jarrod Tomassi, Casey Brumels, Erin Ryder

Josh Gates

Jael de Pardo

Jarrod Tomassi

Casey Brumels

Erin Ryder

Gabriel Copeland

Jason Hawes

Grant Wilson

Michael Mandt

Neil Mandt

Destination Truth is a weekly American paranormal reality television series that premiered on June 6, 2007, on Syfy. Produced by Mandt Bros. Productions and Ping Pong Productions, the program follows paranormal researcher Josh Gates around the world to investigate claims of the supernatural, mainly in the field of cryptozoology.

Destination Truth

Destination Truth (2007-2012) - Season 1 on DVD Preview

Destination Truth: Season 6 Trailer

In Papua New Guinea, Josh hunts for a mermaid-like sea creature called Ri. In the next part, he searches for a dinosaur-like beast that lurks in the jungles near the village of Tinganavudu.

Iguanodon and Ri

Josh joins a team of paranormal investigators in Thailand's Khon Kaen province to hunt ghosts reported by villagers, and later he hunts for the Phaya Naga, a nāga-like serpent lurking in the Mekong River near the Laos border.

Haunted Village and Naga

Josh returns to Papua New Guinea, this time he is in search of a nocturnal, Pterodactyl-like creature called the Ropen. Next, he heads to Chile to find the legendary Chupacabra, a blood-sucking creature with glowing red eyes.

Ropen and Chupacabra

Josh goes to Malaysia's Endau Rompin National Park to look into reports of Bigfoot sightings, then later, he goes to Argentina to find a lake monster called Nahuelito, reminiscent of Nessie that is supposedly lurking in Nahuel Huapi Lake.

Bigfoot and Nahuelito

Josh goes to South Africa and investigates the banks of the Mzintlava River where a horse-headed fish creature called the Mamlambo reportedly lurks. Then, Josh is off to Lesotho in search of the Tokoloshe, an ape-like being with enormous eyes said to appear and vanish like a ghost.

Mamlambo and Tokeloshe

In Argentina, Josh searches for werewolves, which are of such a concern that the Argentinian president supposedly baptizes the seventh son born in a family to purge the curse. Afterward, Josh checks out reports near the same area, of a dwarf-like creature called El Pombero which is said to impregnate women with a single touch on the belly.

El Lobizon and El Pombero

Josh visits Nepal with his crew to investigate the Yeti myth.

The Yeti

A Mongolian sand worm and haunted ruins in East Africa are investigated.

Haunted Island and Devil Worm

Josh and the crew investigate a manlike creature that is terrorising Cambodian villages. Elsewhere, Zambian fishermen claim that they are being stalked by a dinosaur.

Wild Man and Swamp Dinosaur

A sea monster in Halong Bay, Vietnam and bat-like creature in East Africa are investigated.

Sea Monster and Bat Demon

Josh investigates a flying dinosaur, which is claimed to have harassed African locals. Elsewhere, Josh visits the rainforests of Brazil to investigate sightings of a sloth monster.

Flying Dinosaur and Sloth Monster

Josh and his crew investigate reports of giant anacondas in the Brazilian jungles.

Giant Anaconda

Australia — Queensland: The Yowie

In the Australian wilderness, a so-far unidentified something creeps around. This creature, the Yowie, resembles the Himalayan Yeti and the North American Bigfoot. Like its overseas mythical cousins, this bizarre hybrid is said to be supremely elusive and a mix of human and ape. But the Yowie is a nocturnal scavenger. Having previously gotten some evidence of Bigfoot, Josh hopes for a similar breakthrough.

Malaysia: Mosque Haunting

An abandoned mosque in the jungles on the Malaysian peninsula is reported to be home of an evil spirit. Villagers in the region, including a powerful imam, won't even approach the mosque after sundown. Josh and his team travel to Kuala Lumpur to investigate this haunted ruin.

Yowie and Haunted Mosque

Orang Pendek, which means "short person", is the most common name given to an unconfirmed animal that reportedly inhabits remote, mountainous forests on the island of Sumatra.

Then on to the hunt for a huge worm said to reside in the remote Lake Lagarfljot in Iceland. The Worm Monster has been spotted consistently since 1345, and is one of the oldest lake monsters ever (more or less) recorded. It is presumed to be longer than a football field, and has been seen coiled near the shore by countless eyewitnesses.

Orang Pendek and Worm Monster

In the most remote corner of Indonesia is a mysterious cave that is both revered and reviled by local villagers. In one of the two entrances, villagers make offerings to the protective spirits that reside within and are alternately terrified of approaching the other opening.

In Australia, an Aboriginal story tells of a creature called the Burrunjor. It walks on two legs and has two small forearms. This creature is said to be dangerous and is about 25 feet long.

Haunted Cave and Burrunjor

Josh is on the island of Java in search of a bat with a 12-foot wingspan (that's not a vigilante). Then the team heads to the Philippines to hunt down a huge, mysterious river creature.

Ahool and Pinatubo

Josh and his team search for Bigfoot-like creatures with mystical powers near a haunted Filipino church and the haunted Aokigahara forest in the shadow of Mount Fuji where campers have often committed suicide.

Aswang and Haunted Forest

Josh searches for Issie, the Loch Ness monster of Japan, supposed to live in Lake Ikeda then jumps the continent for Iceland in search of little people believed to be elves.

Issie and Icelandic Elves

Ninki Nanka is a legendary creature based in West African folklore. Descriptions of the creature vary, but the consensus is that the animal is reptilian and possibly dragon-like. According to tradition, the Ninki Nanka lives in the swamps of West Africa.

Then, meet one of the most terrifying and least-seen forest creatures: the Kikiyaon. Its very name can conjure a look of terror. It is described as resembling a large owl of human proportions. It has a large beak and raking talons on its arms and feet. In many respects it is a mixture of bird and human. The Bambara people say it has a huge pair of feathered wings that grow from its back. Sharp shoulder spurs serve as weapons if its razor-sharp claws fail.

Ninki Nanka and Kikiyaon

Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson from Ghost Hunters examine the evidence which Josh Gates found at Romania's Hoia-Baciu Forest. Also, a the guys head to Mexico's Yucatan state for evidence for the myth of the Alux.

Haunted Forest / Alux

Josh ventures to a Mexican island to investigate a haunting attributed to a drowned girl and the evidence is later analyzed by TAPS members Steve Gonsalves and Dave Tango of Ghost Hunters. Next, he goes in search of the lusca, a giant octopus rumored to lurk the waters off Andros Island in the Bahamas.

Island of the Dolls / Lusca

An investigation is held at night of King Tutankhamen's tomb. Next, the team searches the Everglades where the "Swamp Ape" is suppose to lurk.

King Tut's Curse / Swamp Ape

Josh and the crew head to the Ukraine and the site of the Chernobyl disaster where ghosts are said to be seen wandering around there. Also, a dog like creature is searched for in Cairo.

Ghosts of Chernobyl / Sal'awa

Sixty percent of Americans believe in extra terrestrial life forms and one fourth of the general population thinks that aliens have visited the planet. Spurred by this information and a recent influx of reports made by Chilean locals about aliens, Josh and the team embark upon their first ET investigation. Next, a man made international news with his personal footage of an unidentified animal that appeared to be over 40 feet long, floating in Turkish waters. Locals in the city of Van, a far eastern Turkish location, also claimed to have seen the mysterious beast. The story of the Lake Monster has became such a hot topic of discussion that they've built a statue of the monster and formed their own search teams to look for it. Not wanting to miss out on the excitement, Josh and the crew trek 17 hours to join the mission.

Alien Mummies / Lake Van Monster

Robb Demarest and Dustin Pari help the team search in Peru for a gremlin-like creature. Also, the team plots a course to travel through the Bermuda Triangle.

Chullachaqui / Bermuda Triangle

The team heads to the Incan ruins in the mountains of Peru to research claims that they are haunted. Alaskan locals claim their community is being terrorized by a giant, winged bird.

Haunted Lost City / Thunderbird

Romania, home to rolling green hills, unparalleled architecture and the notorious werewolf. The legend of the half man, half beast monster has existed for centuries and while most scoff at the notion that the mythic figure is a reality, others swear it's real. Recently, villagers in the small Romanian town of Brad, unearthed a human corpse, removed its heart and drank the blood as part of an archaic ritual to ward off werewolves. Tasty. Next, Atacama Desert, Chile. The Atacama Desert is 50 times drier than California's Death Valley making it virtually impossible for life forms to survive there. Yet people say they've seen a dinosaur like beast keeping pace with their cars. And if this is true, this pre-historic relic from the past may not be extinct after all.

Werewolf / Arica Monster

In the mid-season finale, Josh and the team travel to the kingdom of Bhutan, one of the world's most isolated nations. There, they hope to track down the Yeti monster, human in stature and beast-like in behavior. After a laborious trip from Los Angeles the team finally arrives in the land of peace and love. They speak to locals and quickly learn that the Bhutanese believe in the creature so fiercely they've created a Yeti Conservation Center in the southern city of Sakteng. One woman had bones passed on to her as an heirloom, which she believes are skeleton remains from a Yeti. So, Josh takes photographs that will be analyzed when the group returns to the States.

The Bhutan Yeti

Josh and team go ghost hunting in the ruins of Masada, Israel; a place where nearly 1,000 Jews committed mass-suicide to prevent capture by the Romans. The evidence is later analyzed by Jason and Grant from Ghost Hunters. Next Josh journeys to Doolin, Ireland  on the hunt for Leprechauns.

Ghosts of Masada / The Leprechaun

The Great Wall of China. Legend says it's one of the few man-made structures visible from space. Stretching for 4,000 miles across the north of China, it's estimated that more than a million soldiers died building and defending the wall. Fifty miles north of Beijing lies "The Wild Wall," a portion of the Wall that has more than a few dark corners. Locals report strange apparitions as well as the sounds of marching footsteps on the wind. 

In Kirvat Yam, Israel, there is a very large check for a million dollars waiting for photographic proof, proof of a mermaid. Dozens of locals have reported something that scared them at close range. A creature with a body covered in scales, the lower half ending in a fluked tail that splashed in the waves at sunset. The accounts detail a humanoid torso, with limbs and webbed appendages. The creature has an anthropomorphic face, wide-set eyes, and razor sharp teeth. Even though sightings of a humanoid sea creature date back 3,000 years, Greek Sirens these creatures are most certainly not.

Ghosts of the Great Wall / Israeli Mermaid

Josh heads into New Jersey's Wharton State Forest and teams up with Kris Williams from Ghost Hunters to search for the legendary Jersey Devil. In the next segment, he and his team go to China's Hubei provence in search of a Bigfoot-like creature called the Yeren.

The Jersey Devil / The Yeren

Josh teams up with guest Allison Scagliotti of SyFy's Warehouse 13 and goes ghost hunting in two abandoned mining towns – Humberstone and LaNoria in northern Chile. Next, Josh goes to Rotorua, New Zealand to search for an eel-like monster called the Taniwha.

Haunted Mining Town / Taniwha

Josh and the team travel to Petra, an ancient city carved from the walls of a canyon in Jordan in search of the spirits who are still said to reside there. Then they return to the US to see if they can find proof of the existence of the Lizard Man who supposedly lives in the Scape Ore Swamp of South Carolina.

Ghosts of Petra / The Lizard Man

The closest human neighbors to the Rapa Nui of Easter Island are 1,200 miles away. Non-human neighbors? Those may be on the island itself. The Moai statues, one of Easter Island's trademark images, are said to be inhabited by the spirits of the dead island chiefs they represent. Many Rapa Nui report strange feelings, apparitions, even voices speaking the ancient tribal language while in the presence of Moai.

On the South Island of New Zealand is said to live a creature straight out of the past. Could one of the largest flightless birds ever to have existed— a species said to have been hunted to extinction 500 years ago by the Maori— be making a comeback?

Team Truth heads to the virtually uninhabited 5,000 square mile area of the South Island called the Fiordlands to investigate where recent sightings were reported, and moa bones as well as the remains of nests have been found.

Spirits of Easter Island / The Moa

The ancient Roman city of Pompeii in Naples, Italy was a beautiful, thriving place with just one problem: it was built at the base of Mount Vesuvius, an active volcano. Eventually, Vesuvius erupted, killing many of the Pompeii residents instantly and covering the entire town with a massive layer of ash. It was a full 1,000 years before Pompeii was finally unearthed, revealing a city frozen during its most catastrophic moment. Since then, tourists, night watchmen, and local residents have all reported significant paranormal activity at the site. Could the souls of all those Pompeii residents still be haunting the ground they perished on?

Legend has it that in the forests of western Kenya there lives a ferocious animal that feeds on human brains. Named for the nearby Nandi tribe, which claims to have hunted the animal, the story of the vicious Nandi Bear has existed in African folklore for more than one hundred years. Recently, there seems to been a new rash of Nandi Bear sightings in Kenya's Rift Valley. The question is: are the villagers seeing the mysterious Nandi Bear, or something else?

Poltergeists of Pompeii / Nandi Beast

By day, the 800-year-old temple known as Angkor Wat is one of Cambodia's most treasured national landmarks and tourist attractions but, by night, could it be ground zero for the region's angriest spirits? That's certainly the belief of many visitors to Angkor, a sprawling forty square mile complex of stone palaces, shrines, and ruins. In the center of this compound sits Angkor Wat, a 12th century structure originally designed as a Hindu temple, which now holds the distinction of being the largest religious building in the world. Equally impressive is the massive, 600-foot wide moat that separates Angkor from the mainland. Might this moat be an ancient attempt to keep the bad spirits away from the local people? Sounds like a case for Team Truth.

A 36-year-old fisherman just vanished in Canada's Okanagan Lake. Even worse, this is but one in a string of disappearances reported to have occurred in the same area of this body of water. The local rumor mill has it that all of these disappearances are the deadly handiwork of the Ogopogo, a huge amphibious beast, which has been documented in the annals of Canadian history for the past 1,000 years. The epicenter of Ogopogo sightings is the ominously named Rattlesnake Island, a small rock outcropping in the lake. Someone has to get to the bottom of this.

Spirits of Angkor Wat / Canadian Lake Monster

Near Haboro, a coal-mining town on an island in northern Japan, thousands of miners died while working under sub-standard conditions. Some were prisoners of war who were worked to death, while others were buried alive. In the forty years since these mines were closed, nearby residents have reported strange paranormal activity leading them to think the area is haunted.

In Tanzania, a mysterious beast is said to be roaming through the flat lands of the Serengeti. Known as the Mngwa ("ming-wah"), this saber-toothed feline is reported to be larger than a lion, measuring a frightening eight feet long and weighing more than four hundred pounds. And, yes, it eats humans.

Ghosts of Haboro / Mngwa of Tanzania

If you're a scuba diver, you've probably heard of the Truk Lagoon. Located halfway between the Philippines and Hawaii near the Chuuk Islands, this lagoon offers some of the best wreck diving in the world. Once the site of a decisive battle between Japan and United States during World War II, there are numerous ships, planes, tanks, and submarines that have been resting here since they were shot down nearly 70 years ago. Now, divers and locals claim that the ghosts of these soldiers haunt the waters around the wreckage.

In northern Japan, you'll find many children's lunchboxes decorated with a cute, green reptile on the side. That animal, called a Kappa, was once feared as an evil cross between a demon and a turtle before it became something of a national mascot. Recently, however, a new spate of ominous sightings has given rise to rumors that the Kappa has returned and is responsible for missing livestock and even children.

Ghosts of Truk Lagoon / Japanese Kappa Monster

Up in the icy mountains of Siberia in southern Russia, there have been a rash of recent sightings of a beast known as the Siberian Snowman. Similar in description to Bigfoot, this nine foot tall creature may, in fact, be related to a nearby archeological find that recently uncovered a new human ancestor. Could there be a few of these pre-humans lurking in the mountains?

Siberian Snowman

In the East African country of Kenya, the local Maasai tribe claims a massive volcanic crater is haunted by the 60,000 warriors who where killed there during a bloody civil war in the 1800s. Battle cries, shadows, and strange noises are all reported to emanate from the center of what's called the Menengai Crater.

Could Madagascar be the home to a small but dangerous creature called the Kalanoro? That idea might not be too far fetched since this island off the coast of Africa is the home to several animals that are not found anywhere else in the world. Stories of the mischievous Kalanoro date back 2,000 years, but recent sightings imply the dangerous, two-foot tall, humanoid monster may be back.

Ghosts of Menengai Crater / Kalanoro

On the Micronesian island of Pohnpei, there are 1,000 year-old ruins that locals claim are haunted. This area, called Nan Madol, was actually brought to the attention of Destination Truth by an avid viewer who was visiting an area near Nan Madol when the tour guide suddenly refused to go any closer. A little research by the team revealed that there are centuries-old stories about floating lights and moving shadows at the site.

If you're visiting northern Morocco, you just might hear someone talking about Aisha Kandisha, "the devil temptress." Although her name doesn't sound particularly threatening, this beautiful, nocturnal succubus is said to have been luring local men to their death for years. That is, of course, after she drives them mad with lust.

Haunted Island Ruins / Moroccan Succubus

Could Madagascar be the home to the beast known as the Fangalabolo, a bat-like creature with a monkey face? It's certainly possible since 90% of the species found on Madagascar are not found anywhere else in the world. Recent sightings of the Fangalabolo inspire Josh Gates to investigate.

Zombie-like ghosts called Taotaomona are said to be roaming the island of Guam. Once revered by the Chamorus tribe of Gaum, these apparitions are thought to be the spirits of their ancestors. Recent reports, however, imply that the Taotaomona are becoming aggressive and attacking people.

Guam Zombies / Fangalobolo

In the very first live broadcast of Destination Truth, Josh Gates and his Truth Team set out to find the “Irish angel of death,” better known as the banshee.  Ireland was a fitting location for this Saint Patrick’s Day broadcast—especially since the banshee is so widely feared there—and Duckett’s Grove Castle is said to the largest hotbed of banshee activity in the area. Leave it to Josh to jump right into the heart of it.

Live From Ireland: The Search For The Banshee Ghost

Coiba Island, fifteen miles off the coast of Panama, was once the site of the infamously brutal Coiba penitentiary.  Locals claim that the site of the prison is still haunted, which inspires Josh to investigate.

In Argentina, a huge beast known as the Ucumar is said to lurk in the Andes and feed on livestock.  This “Argentinean Bigfoot,” is described as having razor-sharp claws, thick fur and powerful legs.  A recent uptick in sightings prompts Josh to look into it.

Haunted Island Prison / The Ucumar

In Kolmanskop, a remote southern province of Namibia, Germans once erected a small diamond-mining town. The town has been uninhabited for more than half a century but recent reports say that the area is haunted. Could these be the ghosts of the many miners who lost their lives in the unforgiving heat of the dessert?

In 2009, there was a report of a strange, hairless animal attacking a group of boys in a Panamanian town called Cerro Azul. The boys reportedly killed the animal by throwing rocks at it but when they returned, the animal was gone. Could there be a strange new form of life in Panama?

Sandstorm Spirits / Cerro Azul Monster

In Bangkok, Thailand, reports of a giant ghost called the Phret are not unusual but recently, an amateur recording of this phantom climbing Victory Monument in the middle of town has locals in an uproar. If anyone can find these spirits of the dammed, which only manifest at high altitudes, it’s Josh Gates and Team Truth.

A recent uptick in animal killings in Namibia has captured the attention of Josh and the crew. Not only have farmers been losing livestock, but the carcasses have also been completely drained of blood. Could the blood sucking be the vicious handiwork of the Namibian Night Stalker, a.k.a. the African Chupacabra? That’s what Josh wants to find out.

Jungle Temple Ghosts / Namibian Night Stalker

In Bangkok, Thailand, the legend of the Naree Pon—a being that is half plant and half animal—has been gaining credibility because of a Thai temple that claims to have two of these creatures on display. These forest dwellers are said to have a small, feminine form, which enables them to blend seamlessly into the surrounding vegetation.

The island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea is the location of Josh's next adventure. He plans to investigate the thousand-year-old legend of a sea monster, which lurks beneath the clear, blue waters near the city of Ayia Napa.

Thai Tree People / Aiya Napa Monster

In the season finale of Destination Truth, Josh heads to Antarctica, a place he describes as, "the coldest and most unforgiving place on earth." Even though the continent has no permanent residents, many of the visitors to this arctic terrain have reported supernatural activity at an abandoned whaling station on a neighboring island. Similar reports have also come in about a place call Wordie Hut, also in the area. Josh grabs his gear, his team, and heads off to investigate.

Ghosts of Antarctica

A Bigfoot-like creature is sought in Vietnam in the Season 5 premiere. (Special 8 pm start time.)

Vietnam's Bigfoot

Return To The Haunted Forest; Belize Goblin

The team travels to Fiji to explore a former cannibal tribe and the ghosts of its victims; the team visits the Philippines to locate a dangerous water monster.

Ghosts of Cannibal Village; Kapre

A trip to the forests of Kazakhstan to search for UFOs; a visit to Sweden to locate a lake creature.

Alien Invaders; Swedish Lake Monster

The Mayan city of Tikal is visited for a paranormal probe. Also: A sea creature is sought in Fiji.

Spirits of Tikal; Creature From the Black Lagoon

A vampire is sought in Transylvania. Also: A paranormal probe is conducted on a Swedish island.

Vampire Monsters; Island of the Damned

Probes in the Philippines and Kazakhstan unfold in the Season 5 finale.

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