Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset is an annual event that allows runners to experience some of the most spectacular and pristine trail running in the world, as well as a week of discovery and exploration. While the race offers a challenging competition, it also provides the opportunity to be part of the important efforts to preserve the beauty of Hovsgol National Park and the local cultural identity. Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset is also a non-profit initiative working to support the implementation of the “zero-litter policy” in the national park and to contribute to the local economy.

The rhinoceros is critically endangered! Approximately 200 years ago, at the turn of the 19th century, there were an estimated one million rhinos. By 1970, the count was about 70,000. Today, there are fewer than 24,000 remaining in the wild. If there is no change in our appreciation of this magnificent animal – if we do not take action to stop poaching and support the protection of our rhinos – the five surviving species (white rhino, black rhino, Indian rhino, Sumatran rhino and Javan rhino) will become extinct in the wild in our lifetime.

“Just like in childhood memories in which reality seems to shine with living colours,” says the website of Montenegro Adventures, a well-respected tour operator, “Montenegro is a land of contrasts and natural beauty… a fascinating combination in which the tiny and the grandiose are tangled.” Apparently, that same website has been instrumental in capturing some of the same sense brilliance in “this small but fabulous destination.” Late last year, it was awarded the country’s Wild Beauty Award 2010 for Best Tourism Website.

The city of Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, lies in a valley surrounded by hills and mountains, which makes it the perfect location for winter activities. In fact, because of the fantastic winter sport opportunities on the surrounding mountains of Bjelašnica and Jahorina, Sarajevo was chosen to host the XIV Winter Olympic Games in 1984. Fortunately, there is ample winter fun for non-skiers as much as skiers.

Despite covering 0.01 percent of the world’s landmass, Costa Rica’s rainforests and coral reefs are home to close to 5 percent of the planet’s biodiversity. The country boasts 500,000 (and counting) different plant and animal species. Roughly a third of the size of New York state, this small country has coasts on two oceans and six active volcanoes, creating many different microclimates, variable weather (sun and showers seem to swap places every few minutes), and a wide range of ecosystems.

By Eva Mossberg

According to several sources, Argentina’s Ministry of Tourism predicted that the year 2010 would set a new record of the number of foreign visitors to this South American nation, which enjoyed a 32% overall growth in arrivals during the summer months from 2002-2009, according to the Bureau of Market Research and Statistics SecTur.

Alex, Ed, Sam and Tom of the Much Better Adventures team are seeking muchbetter Ambassadors to help their mission of making travel muchbetter for travellers, locals and environments alike. This is a unique opportunity for travellers and locals to help us build guides which support local businesses and reward ethical practices in adventure hot spots around the world. Ambassadors will even receive some extra travel money in the process!

Kona AfricaBike is an excellent, durable and easy-to-use commuter bike, designed for the conditions of riding African terrain. With a few AfricBike donations around Africa and promotion through Bicycling Magazine, the attention of the general public was captured. People were asking, “how can we be involved?” and “how can we buy a Kona AfricaBike?” So popular did they prove to be, Kona started to sell them on a not for profit basis – for every 2 sold, another was donated. Sales and donations have allowed over 3,000 bicycles to be donated.

In South Africa, an estimated 30,000 children under the age of 18 are said to be victims of the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC). Even more shocking is that many of these victims are children between the ages of 10 and 14 years old. Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA), South Africa’s leading responsible tourism NGO, is now challenging citizens to become involved and assume their role as protectors of our children, forming part of their initiative where key players in the travel and sector are stepping up and taking a stance against Child Sex Tourism (CST).

Relief Riders International is an adventure travel company that leads relief missions on horseback through the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, India. Alexander Souri founded Relief Riders International (RRI) in 2004 and Relief Workers International (RWI) in 2008. He designs and supervises the relief missions, coordinates the work of the core team, and directs marketing and sales efforts for both RRI and RWI.