There is a lot to learn and explore in Riviera Maya, if one chooses to go beyond the tourist areas. Having lived in this region for six years, I have personally gained valuable insights in terms of downsizing my life. Simplifying our lives does not mean that we have to let go of quality. Downsizing can be liberating, and can help us become more at ease with our lives during the current times of economical and ecological “cleansing.” We have to ask ourselves, what do we really need? Knowledge and experience gained through travel lasts for a whole life and beyond; material gains are subject to the law of impermanence.

Insider Tips on Traveling in the Yucatan Peninsula

Probably the most outstanding feature of this part of the globe is the Caribbean Sea with its turquoise waters and white sandy beaches. If you are into snorkeling or scuba diving, you will love this place: the world’s second largest barrier reefs runs right in front of our noses. You can also snorkel and dive in regional cenotes, sweet water sinkholes that are typical for the Yucatan peninsula. They are openings in the limestone and are connected to a giant subterranean river system that flows into the ocean. Guided cave dives are offered in various cenotes.

Sunset view from a roof at the beach in Tulum

If you feel like escaping to an island, visit Cozumel, which is among the five best places in the world for diving, or enjoy the Caribbean charm of Isla Mujeres. On the more peaceful islands of Contoy and Holbox, you can swim with whale sharks.

There is an abundant offer of things that you can do to reconnect with nature: ocean or lagoon kayaking, snorkeling, kite surfing, catamaran cruising, horseback riding, exploring jungles and mangroves, or just enjoying an endless beach walk. The Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve was declared UNESCO world heritage in 1987, and is a bird watcher’s paradise. The Bacalar lagoon is said to be of seven different shades of blue.

El Castillo, Muyil archaeological site

Considered one of the Seven World Wonders, Chichen Itza is the most popular archaeological site of the Yucatan peninsula. Overlooking the ocean, the Tulum temple served as a calendar to indicate important dates. Ek Balam’s ruins are not as well known, but you will be surprised in what excellent condition the wall paintings are.

Mexican Riviera Maya Today

The Riviera Maya has evolved tremendously in the past six years. Playa del Carmen has made it into the Guiness Book of World Records as fastest-growing city in Latin America. Today, the Tulum ‘hotel zone’ is an outstanding example of solar and wind-powered small lodges and beach cabanas, appealing to backpackers as well as high-end travelers.

New living communities are designed to comply with green building criteria, and workshops are offered in a range of sustainability practices from composting and recycling to bio-architecture, to alternative energies. Locals offer many natural, organic, and biodegradable products. Eco park staff does not allow regular sun block in the water, and will send tourists to the shower. Beach cleaning and turtle conservation initiatives are strongly supported.

In recent years, several eco-conscious, annual expos (such as Think Green Expo and Green Expo Tulum) have been launched, attracting exhibitors and attendees from across the nation, and from beyond the  national borders.

Project Mayan Encounter

As one of the supporters of ecotourism in this region, I have launched Project Mayan Encounter in 2008, to offer group tours and escorted trips to Riviera Maya, with the primary goals of promoting ecotourism and making available the unique experience of the rich Mayan culture and nature reserves to active seniors, students and special needs groups. Our trips can be adapted to wheelchair users and travelers with other physical needs.

Due to our individualized service, we see travelers from all walks of life. Our tours always include healthy food, and sufficient time left to enjoy some of the world’s top-rated beaches. We work with guides certified by INAH (Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and History), for tours inside the archaeological sites, and with Mayan natives and biologists in the nature reserves. We offer small group tours (no larger than 20 travelers) to ensure each participant can follow the guide’s presentation inside the archaeological sites, and that our impact on the local Mayan communities is kept as low as possible.

In January 2010, we launched a new small-group 8-day Study Trip, which is primarily geared to school classes, but equally fitting for active seniors or any adults who love to learn. The focus of this trip is to learn about the unique ecosystems of the Yucatan peninsula with its underground river network and cenotes, rich marine life and the world’s second largest barrier reef, as well as Mayan history, culture, and archaeology.

Large caterpillar on a guide’s hands

Our goal is to help students interpret Mayan history and sharpen their analysis skills and chronological and spatial thinking. Depending on the age group, tours are designed to match school curriculum requirements, and we set the focus accordingly.

The following is an example based on California’s state curriculum:

History & Social Science:

• 5th grade: The entrepreneurial characteristics and aims of the early explorers of the Americas, technical development of navigation instruments, caste war, and epidemics.
• 6th grade: World history and geography, ancient civilizations and archaeological studies; geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures during the development of Mayan civilization.
• 7th grade: The geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the Mayan civilization; landforms and climates of the Yucatan peninsula, and their effects on economies and development of urban societies; Mayan class structures, family life, warfare, religious beliefs and practices; and Mayan achievements in astronomy and mathematics.
• 8th grade: The relationship between neighboring nations Mexico and the US.
• 10th grade: World history, culture, and geography; Mexico’s roles in the modern world and patterns of global change in the era of New Imperialism in Latin America.
• 11th grade: The origins and geopolitical consequences of the Cold War and the Latin American Policy.

Geography and Earth Science:

• 5th grade: The underground river system (cenotes) and water conservation, the barrier reef, hurricanes and their effects, and Mayan astronomy.
• 6th grade: Ecosystems and cenotes.
• 7th grade: The solar system and Mayan astronomy, and the importance of Venus.
• 9th-12th grades: Astronomy, ecology and the geographical uniqueness of the Yucatan peninsula.

>> Learn more about & sign up for the study tour.

Stefanie Baeker, Founder, Project Mayan Encounter

I grew up on the North Sea coast in Germany, where green tourism prevails. Visitors find peace on the islands and in the wet lands along the coast, hearty locals and honest food. My understanding of tourism, coupled with my passion for the outdoors and nature, and my knowledge of wellness and the teachings of ancient high-cultures, as well as the experience gained through my work in the special needs field, have led me to launching Project Mayan Encounter in 2008. I have lived and worked in the Riviera Maya for several years, and have found that there was not much offered for mature or physically impaired travelers, who want to spend some quality leisure time. In collaboration with some environmentally passionate, multilingual nature guides, I decided to fill the need and designed eco-cultural tours, with an emphasis on learning.

If you want to explore the mountains and valleys of the Indian and Nepalese Himalayas, 3 of the 5 local travel operators who form India’s groundbreaking Green Circuit initiative offer the perfect opportunity to do so. This 3 part blog will explore the northern Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh with Spiti Ecosphere (Part 1), the North Eastern regions and the Neora Valley National Park with Help Tourism (Part 2), and Nepal’s Tamang heritage trail with Social Tours (Part 3).

Part 3: Discovering Nepal with Social Tours and Treks

Nepal is regarded as one of the adventure capitals of the world, and Social Tours are local trekking and adventure specialists who are leading by example. They are fast gaining a reputation as an expert group absolutely dedicated to their principles of respect, honesty, social inclusion and environmental protection.

Social Tours also played an instrumental role in developing the green circuit responsible tourism initiative, coordinate volunteer programs in the area, and dedicate 10% of profits every year to charities like the Joy Foundation Nepal, who conduct free cataract eye camps in rural areas of Nepal, and Antardristi Nepal, helping Nepalese youth and children achieve sound mental health.

One of their latest itineraries, set in the Langtang region of Nepal, one of Nepal’s most famous trekking destinations, gives you a flavour of what is on offer. Developed by the Tourism for Rural Poverty Alleviation Program (TRPAP), the “Tamang Heritage Trail” is a newly created tourism route which escapes the beaten tracks of Langtang. It helps visitors discover the ancient lifestyle and customs of the Tamang people, whilst also enjoying a 7 day trek through this stunning region.

Tamang Heritage Trail (Photo: Social Tours)

Staying in a variety of tea houses and community run lodges, and experiencing Tamang rituals, culture, festivals, traditional architecture, costumes, and local Syabru dances en-route, this trail is a unique cultural experience and provides maximum involvement and benefits to the local communities.

One of the highlights of the trek is the view from Goljung Pass, from where views of Langtang and Kerung (Tibet) can be awe inspiring. To ease those trekking aches, you can also enjoy a hot bath in the healing hot-water spring at Tatopani (Surkhet District) before reaching Nagthali, where the accommodation is a unique experience. The ancient monasteries and houses adorned with rich wood engravings at Thuman are also unforgettable.

Trekking in the Langtang Region (Photo: Social Tours)

At Briddim one gets to experience the famous Tamang hospitality, where there is a home stay facility in 24 houses. The visitor enjoys an evening with the host family, living with them, eating traditional foods and sleeping in a clean bed. Plain rice, Tibetan bread, Syakpa (Sherpa Stew), Potato, Tibetan tea, Briddim wine are the indigenous food offered. The visitor can also go on village walks, guided by the host family, to see the lifestyle, traditions and customs of the people.

>> Learn more about Social Tours on MuchBetterAdventures.com.

More about Much Better Adventures

MuchBetterAdventures.com is a travel directory of independant tour operators and eco-travel adventure companies, making it easier for travelers to find friendly local adventure choices that also support the local communities and destinations.

More about Social Tours

Socialtours.com travels (and Socialtreks.com adventures, a specialist trekking company, also under the same management) is a Nepalese company based in Thamel, Kathmandu offering tailor-made trips that promote and preserve Nepal’s rich cultural and ecological diversity.

If you want to explore the mountains and valleys of the Indian and Nepalese Himalayas, 3 of the 5 local travel operators who form India’s groundbreaking Green Circuit initiative offer the perfect opportunity to do so. This 3 part blog will explore the northern Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh with Spiti Ecosphere (Part 1), the North Eastern regions and the Neora Valley National Park with Help Tourism (Part 2), and Nepal’s Tamang heritage trail with Social Tours (Part 3).

Part 2 – Adventures in North East Himalayas with Help Tourism

Help Tourism have been at the vanguard of sustainable tourism initiatives in North East India for well over a decade. They have developed a wide variety of adventure and activity programs, including trekking in the Himalayas, tiger, rhino and bird spotting in the National Parks and Reserves networks, elephant safaris, jungle lodges, heritage and cultural tours in this fascinating and diverse region of India.

Uniquely, all these programs are designed with specific sustainable development and conservation goals in mind. The organization has single-handedly implemented 26 community-based tourism projects in the remote forest and mountain villages of this region.

Take for example the Neora Jungle Camp in Neora Valley National Park. This is one of the last remaining pristine ecosystems of the Eastern Himalayas, and is home to many rare and endangered plants, animals and birds. These include the Red Panda, a variety of Leopards, the Himalayan Black Bear, and Royal Bengal Tiger, 106 species of birds and a variety of colourful Wild Orchids.

Neora Valley Jungle Camp (Photo: Help Tourism)

The park is totally uninhabited, but easily explored from the community run jungle camp in Kolakham, which adjoins the national park, and has inspiring views overlooking Mount Kanchenjunga. From the camp, which blends local atmosphere and modern amenities, visitors can head out birding, on nature walks, jungle treks and to explore the local villages and traditions.

Neora Valley Jungle Camp was established with the aim of involving the fringe villagers in creating a community buffer for the Neora Valley National Park. The general population of the village lives below the ‘poverty level’ as per the Indian standards. Set in the snow-capped mountains, the scope of good agriculture is low, and due to the lack of pastures, cattle rearing are negligible.

Infrastructure work was started in February 2006 after receiving the offer of land from a local community leader, who had the farsightedness to see the benefit of the initiative for the local population. The camp has since developed as a place where the unemployed youths of the village can learn the art of tourist handling and develop themselves as service providers.

Help Tourism Adventure Camp (Photo: Help Tourism)

The global tourist attention has motivated villagers to pride in the conservation of the local nature. The process also help to maintain age-old traditions, fast being lost in the world of consumerism.

>> Learn more about Help Tourism on MuchBetterAdventures.com.

More about Much Better Adventures

MuchBetterAdventures.com is a travel directory of independant tour operators and eco-travel adventure companies, making it easier for travelers to find friendly local adventure choices that also support the local communities and destinations.

More about Help Tourism

Help Tourism is a tour operator and destination management consultant specialising in East- and North East India, promoting tourism as a tool for conservation and sustainable development. Help Tourism provides purposeful travel to natural areas to understand and connect with the local Heritage, Environment, Livelihood and People.

If you want to explore the mountains and valleys of the Indian and Nepalese Himalayas, 3 of the 5 local travel operators who form India’s groundbreaking Green Circuit initiative offer the perfect opportunity to do so. This 3 part blog will explore the northern Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh with Spiti Ecosphere (Part 1), the North Eastern regions and the Neora Valley National Park with Help Tourism (Part 2), and Nepal’s Tamang heritage trail with Social Tours (Part 3).

Part 1 – Exploring the Spiti Valley with Ecosphere

Spiti Ecosphere is an endeavour to promote community-based ecotourism in the Spiti valley, a stunning high altitude desert region tucked away in the Trans-Himalayan belt of Himachal Pradesh. A passion for conservation, mountain travel and adventure brought together a collaboration of local community members and professionals from diverse backgrounds to offer a range of trekking, mountaineering, biking, rafting, cultural and spiritual adventures in this beautiful and remote corner of the Himalayas.

Spiti Ecosphere guides Tsering and Angrup looking over the Spiti river.
(Photo: Spiti Ecosphere Facebook Group)

Spiti – “the middle land” – between India and Tibet is one of the least populated regions of India. Breathtaking mountain scenery and a fascinating history and culture make this relatively unknown destination very appealing to the adventure traveller. Described by Rudyard Kipling as ‘a world within a world’, Spiti is home to a Buddhist Society of just over 10,000, who bear stark cultural similarities with their neighbours in Tibet and Ladakh.

Ecosphere offer visitors the opportunity to experience the true essence of trekking by traversing through remote, pristine and forgotten trails. Passes in and out of Spiti provide a strategic access to neighbouring areas of Ladakh, Kinnaur, Kullu and Lahaul. Some well-known treks are the Pin-Parbati, Parang-La and the Pin-Bhaba. You can also head out on multi-day mountain biking excursions deep into the Himalayan backcountry.

Their trademark trip for the less active traveller is the Spiti Kaleidescope, a jeep safari which takes you up and over the majestic Rohtang and Kunzum passes and through the stunning and graphic valleys of the Chandra, Spiti, Pin rivers. The safari then climbs up to the highest villages in the world to experience Spitian culture through traditional homestays and visits to ancient monasteries that are the cultural and spiritual hubs of the Spitian way of life.

Tabo seen from one of the old meditation caves above the village.
(Photo: Spiti Ecosphere Facebook Group)

The aim of the not-for-profit initiative is to develop unique, authentic and reliable tourism products and activities and link them to community livelihoods. This not only provides the residents of the Spiti Valley with a sustainable source of income but also serves as an incentive to conserve their unique natural & cultural heritage and environment. 90% of permanent staff are local to the Spiti Valley, and the revenues are all ploughed back towards the local Spiti community, either to service providers, or for conservation activities, welfare and development of the region.

All trips are also carbon neutral thanks to their investments in in-house renewable energy projects such as solar passive housing, green houses, setting up of solar cookers and solar lighting. Ecosphere has also been conducting volunteer travel in the region with an attempt to directly link travel development and conservation, and volunteers can contribute to the construction of these renewable energy projects. As well as tourism, Ecosphere are also turning to the indigenous production of organic and health products to stimulate the sustainable development of the entire region.

>> Learn more about Ecosphere on MuchBetterAdventures.com.

More about Much Better Adventures

MuchBetterAdventures.com is a travel directory of independant tour operators and eco-travel adventure companies, making it easier for travelers to find friendly local adventure choices that also support the local communities and destinations.

More about Ecosphere Spiti

Ecosphere Spiti is a collaborative effort of the local community of Spiti and professionals from diverse backgrounds with a wide spectrum of skills and experience, focusing on re-establishing the critical link between the consumers and the custodians of Spiti’s natural and cultural resources. Through travel, organics and health products, Ecosphere Spiti aims to create sustainable livelihoods that are linked to conservation.

Rios Tropicales has historically kept a low profile about its sustainable tourism practices and philosophy within its company operations and across its local Costa Rican communities. Winning a large international rural development grant in 2008 enabled Rios Tropicales to expand its sustainable tourism practices to include a focus on international knowledge-sharing and best practices training for other emerging rural tourism destinations.

Rios Tropicales believes that it is critical to support replicable, community co-created sustainability initiatives in today’s world. Small, authentic projects with low barriers to entry (in terms of cost, design and resources) offer the best chances for best practice examples to be replicated internationally and achieve long-term success across unlimited numbers of communities worldwide. This, furthermore, helps tourism remain authentic and affordable to a larger percentage of the population.

From the early days of its Pacuare River rafting operations, Rios Tropicales has supported the El Tigre community near its ecolodge by providing school supplies like computers and offering a handful of jobs at its rainforest reserve and sustainable farming operations. Limitations in funding restricted El Tigre’s ability to build the infrastructure necessary to support the development of sustainable businesses and proper waste management within the rural community.

Bajo del Tigre is a small community of 25 families located above
the Pacuare Gorge in Costa Rica’s Caribbean Central Valley.

Rios Tropicales led the grant process to secure funding for an international collaboration between the rural tourism destinations of The Kingdom of Bhutan and Costa Rica. The Costa Rican part of the project targeted sustainable development in the El Tigre community. The resulting South-South grant from Fundecooperacion is funding the infrastructure development of seven sustainable tourism attractions within the community.

These include: a serpentarium, an orchid garden, a butterfly garden, an internet café, environmentally sustainable bathrooms at El Tigre’s elementary school, expansion of the Tilapia sustainable fish farming project, and a new hydroponic nursery for organic farming. Environmentally responsible waste management practices are a key part of the El Tigre – Bhutan projects. Both projects are implementing recycling, composting, and proper solid waste disposal schemes.

Serpentarium and Orchid Garden at Bajo del Tigre

The school at El Tigre got new, environmentally sustainable bathrooms
as part of the South-South community development grant.

Rios Tropicales provides the community with advice on best practices and business viability, and is overseeing project construction*. The tourism market for these attractions is ready-made from the existing rafting industry on the Pacuare River. Development to date has enabled El Tigre to apply and get approved for the Blue Flag for Educational Centers award. They will also be able to apply for the Blue Flag for Climate Neutral Community award in 2010, thanks to this project. The community project provides income, jobs, education and international collaboration opportunities, as well as confidence and economic independence for the community members. Construction has been completed to date on all initiatives except the internet café, which is now half finished.

*Rios Tropicales has no ownership or financial investment in the El Tigre community attractions.

The rainforest attractions in the community, designed by community members, are run and fully owned by community members. Rios Tropicales has shared its expertise in geotourism to help successfully finance and develop the project. The Bhutanese-Costa Rican community collaboration as part of this El Tigre project is a model example of sharing best practices across cultures and countries in sustainable adventure tourism.

The Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators (ABTO) is partnering with Rios Tropicales to replicate lessons learned from adventure recreation operations within a sustainable community development framework. As lead agency partner for the development of rural tourism, specifically rafting adventure tourism in Bhutan, Rios Tropicales team will teach, train, share, and collaborate with Bhutan’s teams about Rios’ best practices developed over 25 years of successful rafting adventure operations. In addition, Rios will support Bhutan’s early development of sustainable communities via sharing lessons learned from its ongoing work with El Tigre.

Learn more about the Costa Rica-Bhutan Community Project

Rios Tropicales, in partnership with Fundecooperacion, ABTO and EARTH University, is leading a sustainable community development project in Bajo del Tigre, Costa Rica, to provide income, jobs, education, and international exposure & collaboration for the community members, and sharing knowledge and lessons learned with rural communities in Bhutan through South-South collaboration initiatives.

>> Download project summary (pdf, 100 kb)

Learn more about Rios Tropicales

Rios Tropicales is an eco-adventure company that operates throughout Costa Rica – on both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, in the mountainous central rainforest, and in the western regions – offering adventure activities that take advantage of Costa Rica’s unique variety of environments: whitewater rafting on eight rivers, multisport activities that feature kayaking, canoeing, hiking, and cycling, family adventures, cultural encounters, nature and wildlife tours, and voluntourism.

>> Find Rios Tropicales on Ecotourism Explorer
>> Related article: “Rios Tropicales Story – Planting Seeds of Awareness”

Vision for Sustainable Adventure

In 1985 Jimmy, Fernando and I started Rios Tropicales because we loved running rivers, we knew our small country of Costa Rica had some of the world’s best paddling in the world, and we wanted to share these rivers with others. It was natural to us to protect the rivers we were running, help the communities we were visiting and train fellow Costa Ricans to do what we were doing.

Whitewater Action on the World-Famous Pacuare

From our years of international paddling experience we knew guide school best practices and started our own guide school right away. Our first two Costa Rican guides were local inner tubers from Turrialba, a small town that is now the whitewater guide mecca of Costa Rica. We continued to grow our company organically, adding more Costa Rican guides, hiring the first Indigenous guides to lead our hikes into the jungle and to build our rainforest lodge huts.

We started to protect the rainforest by buying land and reforesting with native seeds collected from the rainforest, building up to over 2000 acres one acre at a time over 25 years, because we saw the deforestation damage and wanted to reverse it.

Recently, we were pleased that National Geographic recognized Rios Tropicales as an international geotourism leader because of the things we have been quietly doing since 1985. Thirty-three years later, we remain dedicated to sustainable adventure and sustainable communities because we believe it is right for us all.

Rios Tropicales Ecolodge

Partnerships for a Sustainable Future

In addition to supporting the work of international organizations like TIES, Rio Tropicales partners with local, national and international NGOs that are working in sustainable tourism, nature conservation and environmental education, such as – Red Costarricense de Reservas Naturales Privadas, which promotes the private reserves in Costa Rica and the rest of Central America; Fondo Nacional de Financiamiento Forestal (FONAFIFO), which works with local landowners and organizations to fund their reforestation of natural areas to offset pollution generated by tour activities; the International Rafting Federation (IRF), whose primary purpose is to promote the Rafting World Championship and international Guide Training and Certification Programs, while encouraging cross-cultural experiences and education for local guides; and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)’s Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign.

While government organizations and NGOs are certainly important to help Costa Rica protect its natural resources, it was gaining the partnership of local and indigenous communities to truly support and self-monitor wildlife and forest protection, including those who were the very people who had been poaching and deforesting the land, that is the biggest achievement of Rios Tropicales’ efforts. Without such grassroots ownership and involvement, many valuable and well-meaning efforts at environmental protection ultimately fail.

The Rios Tropicales Foundation

Fundacion Rios Tropicales (FRT) is a non-profit environmental organization established by Rios Tropicales in 1994 in order to assist in the preservation, protection and restoration of the rivers, streams and watersheds of Costa Rica. FRT’s main rivers of focus are the leading recreational rivers of the national ecotourism industry – particularly the Rio Pacuare, Rio Reventazon, Rio Sarapiqui, and Rio General.

These four rivers, like many others, are threatened by massive hydroelectric projects, as well as water contamination and pollution. The FRT is now focusing on the purchase of rainforest that is threatened and/or can be placed into permanent conservation through private purchase.

FRT Forest Reserve Sign

Most locals are unaware of their direct impacts on the rivers and the benefits of keeping them clean, clear and free flowing. Many international adventurers and professional boaters frequently visiting these rivers are also unaware of the threatened status of these rivers and the likelihood that they will no longer be navigable in the very near future.

As part of FRT’s initiative to address these challenges and help raise awareness of the environmental problems facing our rivers, the Regional River Environmental Education Pilot Project was created. Historically, environmental education programs had only been offered at some schools in San Jose. This program brought education and awareness to rural schoolchildren to get them involved in protecting their uniquely diverse Costa Rican environment.

Through direct participation and hands-on learning activities, and with the assistance of volunteers, FRT’s River Education Program has organized art projects, physical activities, field trips, and outings to raise awareness on the following issues: water quality monitoring, river ecology, watershed management, river pollution/contamination and solutions, land use practices, and hydroelectric projects.

Mariposas del Pacuare Butterfly Garden

Thanks in part to nationally recognized efforts like FRT’s, the Costa Rican government started promoting environmental education programs for schools. FRT’s original program remains a significant contributor to the government’s involvement.

The foundation has since focused on primarily rainforest restoration, land conservation through purchases of protected areas, and more recently, sustainable community development.

>> Find Rios Tropicales on Ecotourism Explorer
>> Rios Tropicales ecoAuction Package Pacuare River Rafting Adventure Trip, 4 day/3 nights for 2

Photos by Rios Tropicales

On the geographical map of Italy, at the bottom of the peninsula, lies the island of Sicily which looks like a football being kicked away by the boot of the Italian peninsula. This might be the heartfelt wish of some Italians, mainly because of the island’s historic link with the mafia. I live in a quiet little village of Sant’Ambrogio, just 5 kms from a bustling tourist town. Founder of Sicilian Experience, I’m a firm believer that Sicily can become known as a haven for ecotourism and sustainable tourism opportunities, rather than for its “Il Padrino” (The Godfather) reputation.

Coastal View of Sant’Ambrogio e Rocca

My love of learning, travelling and discovering has taken me to many far flung corners of the world. I’ve worked on projects to help build schools for Bedouin children in Egypt, and worked as a sustainable tourism consultant in the Central African country of Gabon. My family moved to Australia when I was 7 years old, and all these experiences from my travels stayed with my as I returned to my roots in Sicily.

It was in Sicily, however, that I felt the sense of belonging, and it quickly became my obsession to tell the world about the unpretentious beauty of the land, its culture and its people and the relatively untainted village life. Sicily is a vibrant island surrounded by clear, blue seas and blessed with magnificent mountain scenery, ancient monuments and traditional villages where the local way of life has changed little since centuries ago. It is an island with its own unique character, still relatively untouched by mass tourism and Sant’Ambrogio is a testimonial to all this.

Through my website, SicilianExperience.com, I promote responsible tourism practices that support the local economy. By focusing on uniquely local experiences, I’ve worked to avoid promoting the kind of tourism that would turn Sant’Ambrogio and its surroundings into yet another popular mass tourism destination. Sicilian Experience provides the opportunity for keen travellers to taste the simple life of a Sicilian villager, and to experience the villagers’ day-to-day life first-hand through a ‘full immersion’ tour.

From Sicilian Experience Track of the Sphepherds Walking Tour

I believe that the ability to see the world through the eyes of a local is what travel is all about – otherwise you might just as well sit by the pool in your hotel and read travel brochures.

We don’t simply rent out villas and apartments to travellers. It is my mission in life to promote a personalised type of responsible tourism in this area. One example of the personal touch I’d like to insist on is the bottle of olive oil given to each visitor in the Sicilian Experience accommodation – olive oil made from the olives I picked myself from the trees on my property.

A bottle of complementary wine from the local winery is always on the table waiting for the tired traveller on arrival. Also available to each guest is an extremely detailed (explaining such details as how to get in and out of the barriers of a nearby supermarket!) information book with advice on what to do and where to go on the island, and encouraging them to shop locally and patronise local restaurants thus supporting the local economy. I also encourage travellers to leave their cars behind and put on their walking boots and follow some of my itineraries, trekking in the national parks of the Madonie and Nebrodi mountains.

Casa Sole & Amore, one of the local accommodations
on Sicilian Experience’s Sustainable Properties List

More importantly, the villagers are involved in developing local projects – organizing the ‘best flowered balcony’ contest, fundraising to install elegant, wooden recycling bins made by the local carpenter, working with the local art school to develop a ‘folkloristic’ mural to paint on an unsightly retaining wall on the outskirts of the village.

The villagers have participated in Sunday morning walks through the woods and fields outside the village and on cultural excursions to different places on the island. There will also be a branch office in the village to be overseen by some of the local people so that they will have a direct say in their own local projects.

My latest idea has been to open up the “Museo degli Incontri” (meeting place for people to gather and share with each other) where visitors are asked to send something of their own homelands: a postcard, illustrated books or pictures telling stories about their own countries, in order to share with the villagers, most of whom have never been out of their country, ways of life in other parts of the world. This will be a great way for travelers who visit our area and learn about our lives to establish stronger personal connections with the locals by exchanging the sharing experiences.

It is definitely a long-term journey to put Sant’Ambrogio on the world map for responsible tourism, and cultural and social differences can sometimes be obstacles, but I continue to strive to overcome them by promoting the true Sicilian lifestyle.

About Carmelina Ricciardello

My interest in nature, history and architecture led to work as a walking guide throughout the Italian mainland and in Sicily. My passion for food and wine (I am a qualified sommelier) led to appearances on the Australian travel show Getaway, the BBC Travel Show and the Italian travel programme Mediterranea presenting walking and gastronomic tours of both Tuscany and Sicily. I’ve decided the best way to help the Sicily I love is to promote it to people who want to live life as a Sicilian local—to see the world through Sicilian eyes. This is the best way I know to contribute to the place I love, the home of my birth, the Sicily in me. Read more

About Sicilian Experience

Sicilian Experience provides simple, comfortable and clean holiday accommodation in Sicily, enabling you to experience authentic Sicilian life – living for a while amongst its warm and friendly people. You can choose from various accommodation options in Sicily that are locally owned historic buildings, located in Sicily’s breathtaking countryside and delightful Sicily villages. There is a wide range of choice from self catering apartments to bed and breakfast, from rentals close to gorgeous Sicily beaches to apartments near historical centres. Read more

Photos by Carmelina Ricciardello

By Ethan Gelber

Baa baa black sheep, now we have your wool! So say travellers in Slovenia who have had the pleasure of an exclusive Alpine Melody tour with Spin Travel. Billed as a day-long excursion that “takes you back to the times of our grandfathers,” Alpine Melody was also shortlisted in early December 2009 for the Sejalac (Sower) award, given every year since 2003 to the most promising tour providers in Slovenia by the Slovenian Tourist Board.

In a valley on the Pokljuka plateau of Slovenia are Alpine
chalets once the homes and sheds of traditional herdsman

“We made it to the finals,” enthused Mojca Peterka, a managing director of Spin Travel. “Even if we didn’t make it to the top 3, being among the top 6 is a big achievement for our travel agency. It tells us that we are moving in the right direction and that we deliver special experience to our clients.”

Peterka’s enthusiastic commitment to searching the furthest corners of Slovenia for unique and meaningful destinations and experiences, already so exemplary, is just part of what makes Spin Travel your whl.travel local connection in Slovenia and a valued on-the-ground point of contact for any traveller in the country.

Slovenian Tourism Forum

The Sejalec awards are designed to stimulate innovation by rewarding creativity in tourist product in Slovenia. They are announced every year at the Slovenian Tourism Forum, where leaders and experts in the travel industry meet to discuss present policy and future developments in Slovenian tourism.

At the 2009 Slovenian Tourism Forum, in light of changing travel trends and the Slovenian government’s adoption of a new tourism policy, special attention was paid to the issues of green and sustainable tourism development. In fact, perhaps chief among the many distinguished guests was Mr Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General (ad interim) of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), present to speak about the important conclusions of the UNWTO/European Travel Commission symposium on Tourism & Travel in the Green Economy, held a few months prior in Gothenburg, Sweden.

A herdsman’s typical Alpine feast – dried sausages, cheese
and more – greets hungry travellers on an Alpine Melody tour

“Tourism is one of the main global economy sectors that makes an essential contribution to national and local economies around the world by diminishing poverty, creating new jobs and facilitating investments and trade,” said Mr Rifai during his address. “The current economic challenges constitute a strategic opportunity for tourism to become the key factor in the transition toward green economy through enhancing its sustainability.”

Mr Dimitrij Piciga, Director of the Slovenian Tourist Board, looking at Slovenia’s road ahead, agreed: “Slovenian Tourist Board not only wishes to be the initiator of the green way of thinking but also of taking green action in Slovenian tourism. We are aware that green behaviour is not just a short-term trend but rather a long-term precondition for the preservation of Slovenia’s wealth and tourism, on one hand, and one of the key competitive criteria concerning its position on the world tourist map, on the other.”

An Alpine Melody Sings Strong

Given the commendable shift in Slovenian tourism priorities, the recognition accorded to a tour product carefully prepared by Spin Travel is high praise indeed. And so it should be: the eight-hour tour takes in two gorgeous and remote valleys in the Bled vicinity rarely visited by outsiders.

In the remote Radovna River valley of Slovenia, Marko,
a skillful herdsman, shows his guests how to shear sheep

First, along the Radovna River, visitors work firsthand with Marko as he demonstrates the herder’s lifestyle, including caring for sheep in his Alpine paradise and then shearing them for the raw material that goes into creating fantastic homespun wool products.

Further along, on the Pokljuka plateau, tour-takers meet the only living traditional herdsman on the plateau. A sit with him over a classic Alpine feast of dried sausage, homemade cheese, zaseka and local spirits allows for full appreciation of the stunning panoramic backdrop of Triglav National Park. Earlier, during a walk with a specialist in local agriculture, fresh Alpine herbs picked in the field are used to make a real Alpine tea.

Lojz, the only living traditional herdsman on the Pokljuka
plateau in Slovenia, shows off his delicious homemade dried sausages

Of course, in keeping with the principles of responsible community-based tourism, the hosts benefit from the Alpine Melody tours as much as the visitors. Not only is there the vital but intangible satisfaction of having welcomed people from many faraway lands to experience a little of the traditional and natural local lifestyle, but there is a share in the fees charged for the tour. Spin Travel of course pays for the hosts’ time and effort to demonstrate the shearing, as well as the cost of the Alpine delights.

And visiting travellers leave knowing that they have done the right thing by supporting communities far off the beaten path.

The Alpine Meadows tour runs seasonally from April to October.

For any other information about Slovenia, including accommodation, tours and activities, and lots of insider tips, Spin Travel is your whl.travel local connection.

From left to right: Piko Chouhan, sanctuary guard, Ravindra Singh Chouhan – sanctuary warden, Gajendra Singh Chouhan, Baronet Balwant Singh Chouhan, head chef, sanctuary guard

The idea to create a new wildlife refuge in Jalore was first born out of discussions among a group of friends and family – Gajendra Singh Chouhan, a patron of the arts from Jodhpur, and his friends Shanane Davis and Ravindra Singh Chouhan from Kaniwara, a village near Jalore, and Ravindra’s father Baronet Balwant Singh Chouhan.

The piece of land that became the Sanctuary belonged to the Chouhan family. Gajendra and Ravindra had spent time on this land when they were children, and Ravindra, now a granite trader, was looking for someone interested in dealing in granite. As Gajendra and Ravindra started searching for potential business partners and decided to visit the area, they found out that a friend of Baronet’s had brought a couple of Europeans to the property to see the Gazelle that roam there.

On their way back Jodhpur, Gajendra and Shanane discussed the possibility of setting up a program to allow people to visit the land and see the Gazelle. They realized that if the Gazelle were present possibly other animals were as well, and after talking to Ravindra learned that small populations of Blue-Bull Antelope, wildcats, fox and birds were also present in Jalore. Hours later, the group decided to conserve and preserve their land for wildlife, and named it the Jalore Wildlife Sanctuary.

Great Horn Owl (Photo by Kunal Patel)

Days of discussion with walking safaris followed, as none of the four had any experience in wildlife conservation. They encountered many difficulties: For generations the people living in a village nearby had used the land for cutting and collecting firewood from the forest and for grazing their domestic livestock. Poachers also used the area for hunting of different wild animals for meat.

For seven generations, the high mountains past the savanna and forest belonged to the Chouhan family but with various laws passed when India became independent these connecting lands were confiscated by the government and declared the property of the forest department. The four decided it was vital to protect this land as well in order to ensure the recovery of the wildlife and eco-system.

As a way to balance the needs of locals and the wildlife conservation challenges, True Luxury Tours was founded as a mechanism to raise funds for local conservation efforts. The name, True Luxury Tours, reflect the founders’ belief that true luxury is not a mass produced labeled product or a commercialized five star hotel, but the ability to give clients unparalleled experiences that are truly one-off in a responsible manner.

Safari Campsite in the Jalore Wildlife Sanctuary

Gajendra provided the initial investment in order to conserve the land and to help the wildlife populations to become stable. To revitalize the forest with indigenous plant and tree species, 2,000 indigenous trees and plants were planted in 2007 in areas of previous tree cover. The company has also conducted a wildlife population census and species-specific wildlife studies, and constructed a small eco-friendly safari camp site for a maximum of six guests per day.

It was found that the main prey species of the Asian Steppe-Wildcat, Jungle Cat, Great Horn Owl, Tawny Eagle, and the Imperial Eagle was the desert Zird. The desert Zird does not inhabit an area that has previously been farmed as it needs uncultivated hard soil for its survival. The Zird habitats were carefully studied to ensure the areas were not disturbed during re-forestation. Today, the Zird population is thriving, and is an important part of the wildlife populations in the sanctuary.

Asian Steppe Wildcat (Ornata) in the Jalore Wildlife Sanctuary

Another significant challenge to the development of the sanctuary was regulating poaching and tree cutting, and reducing burden on the land by wood collection and the grazing of domestic livestock by the local villagers. Meetings with villagers were held to inform them on the protection of the area, and to find solutions for their domestic animals to graze without disturbing the ecosystem.

A system was developed to limit grazing to a certain area, which, divided into zones, was to be grazed on a rotating basis; each zone would be grazed for a limited time each year and then closed for the rest of the year to recover. Villagers were hired to help monitor poaching (no poaching incidences have since been reported).

After a year of negotiation, the nearest granite mine that operated on the border of the sanctuary was closed permanently in 2007. It was a significant achievement, as certain species (Leopard, Asian Steppe-Wildcat, and Desert Fox) had a route of hunting that followed a circular pattern through four valleys in the sanctuary that included the area occupied by this mine.

Leopard on granite rock

Those interested in contributing to the Jalore Wildlife Sanctuary’s conservation programs and experiencing unique wildlife in Jalore can participate in True Luxury Tours’ private tours. When you do so, you will be receiving authentic wildlife travel experience knowing that you are, at the same time, giving back 42% of the cost of your stay through True Luxury Tours to local conservation initiatives and wildlife studies. See information on rates and activities for 2010.

A vigil rally was organized in Booni, northern Chitral, Pakistan, as part of the global “Vigil For Survival” movement calling for a strong climate treaty in Copenhagen. Standing in solemn solidarity with the citizens of the nations whose very survival is threatened by the climate crisis, thousands of rallies and candlelight vigils were held around the world on December 12^th and 13^th, 2009. (Source: 350.org)

Community members gathered in Booni with signs bearing messages to showcase support for strong climate action and solidarity with those around the world threatened by climate crises and in need of urgent help to ensure their survival. The Booni rally, in addition, aimed to highlight the issues related to climate change which are very real challenges to the communities in the Hindu Kush mountain region.

Many students from the Government High School of Booni and Pamir Public School participated in the rally, joining the local businessmen, political leaders, social workers and people from different walks of life, and walking the one-kilometer vigil rally leading to the main Booni square.

Following the walk, the participants gathered in the main square for the addresses by local community, business and political representatives sharing their perspectives. These addresses reminded people of recent calamities brought on by climate change-related causes, including: the destruction of the Sonoghor village three years ago resulting from glacier bursting; the avalanches that devastated the Washeech village and the Brep village.

The glaciers high up in the Eastern Pamir region, which have been the vital source of cultivation for centuries in the entire northern Pakistan, are melting very rapidly. If these natural water reservoirs are lost, the people in this region will not have any option other than to migrate to other places – much like some of the valuable bird species have already done.

Climate change has severely threatened the natural habitats of much of the wildlife populations of the Hindu Kush region. Some of the rare birds species like the black throated thrush, finches, magpie and golden eagle have almost disappeared as the local ecosystems have failed to support their needs. Many species of wolf and fox and their natural habitats are also being threatened by the changing climate. The disappearance of vegetative covering, which has led to the migration of the Markhor and wild goats, has had ever negative implications for the elusive snow leopard, which, has now lost its critical food source.

The speakers at the rally maintain that students, with their energy and innovation, can contribute in a meaningful way to the local and global climate change movements by raising awareness of the issues affecting the natural environment and by joining together to protect the important priority of the world’s mountainous communities.

Moreover, it was emphasized that only within a healthy natural environment can we effectively adjust our social, political and economic needs for the broader welfare of our nations. If land resources are eroded and natural biodiversity degraded, then it will surely threaten our very existence. Forming a united front against global warming, therefore, is now, more than ever, critical to these communities and communities around the world.

The participants of the rally unanimously passed the resolution pledging to continue efforts against global warming, and calling for immediate measures including:

• Harness the strength of schools, places of worship and other social centers in order to raise awareness and prepare workable plan to cope with the environmental issues at the grassroots level.
• Encourage authentic research initiatives on the part of developed nations to measure the continuing damages to the natural environment of the mountainous communities in northern Pakistan.
• Develop courses on environment education to be included in the curriculum of schools, both in the government and private sectors in order to impart proper knowledge and understanding of the challenges facing our communities today.
• Promote innovative approaches to environmental challenges caused by climate change fully utilizing our Indigenous knowledge.
• Help reduce pressure on the existing forest belt by exploring credible options to developing alternative energy sources.

Related articles:

• October 26, 2009 – “The Impacts of Global Warming on the Kalash Communities“
• August 18, 2009 – “Community initiatives for the sustainable development of tourism in Chitral, Northern Pakistan”
• March 2008 – ECOCLUB interview with Shams Uddin