New York Times Travel Show to Showcase Latest Global Travel Trends, Jan 24-26

At the New York Times Travel Show, travelers get a taste of cultures from around the world and meet representatives of destinations and travel companies © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

NEW YORK—Dubai Tourism, in association with Expo 2020 Dubai, will be the Presenting Sponsor of the 2020 New York Times Travel Show, to be held on January 24-26, 2020 in the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City.

Dubai Tourism will offer Travel Show attendees a variety of Dubai-focused programming and incentives during each day of the annual event, including a Dubai Focus on Travel session on Friday, January 24 for the travel trade and a presentation Saturday, January 25 for travelers.

“Together with Expo 2020, being the Presenting Sponsor at such a key show is a testament to how important the U.S. market is to Dubai,” says Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM). “During the New York Times Travel Show, we are looking to engage with new partners and strengthen our relationships within the US travel trade ecosystem and to highlight Dubai’s destination proposition to American travelers.”

“In 2020, Dubai will host the World Expo, one of the biggest events held in the Middle East, South Asia and Africa,” says Sanjive Khosla, Chief Commercial Officer, Expo 2020. “As a co-Presenting-Sponsor with Dubai Tourism, we aim to increase awareness and understanding of Expo 2020 Dubai–the world’s greatest show amongst the U.S. travel audience through The New York Times Travel Show.”

The 2020 New York Times Travel Show–now in its 17th year–will open with a Trade Day exclusively for over 11,000 travel industry professionals and media on Friday, January 26; Saturday, January 26 and Sunday, January 27 will be open to over 23,000 consumer travelers, as well as to travel professionals and media. The three-day showcase will feature global cuisine tastings, cultural performances, travel book signings, one-on-one conversations with travel experts and special discounts and offers for consumers of all ages from over 750 exhibitors.

This year, Travel Show attendees will be able to partake in a variety of offerings related to travel to countless destinations and other program highlights including a Trade Day keynote panel on the state of the travel industry, moderated by James Shillinglaw; expanded Travel Products; an LGBTQ pavilion; a Family Fun stage; and much more.

Dubai Tourism in association with Expo 2020 is the Presenting Sponsor of the 2020 New York Times Travel Show. Turkish Airlines is a Platinum Sponsor; South African Tourism is a Gold Sponsor; MSC CRUISES, Guadeloupe Islands Tourist Board and Greek National Tourism Organization are Silver Sponsors; and I LOVE NY is a Bronze Sponsor.

Travel Industry Association Sponsors include Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), Africa Travel Association (ATA), American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa (APTA), Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA), Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association Education Foundation (CHTAEF), Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), Destination Wedding & Honeymoon, Specialists Association (DWHSA), European Travel Commission (ETA), Family Travel Association (FTA), International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA), Millennials in Travel (MIT), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Professional Travel Bloggers Association (PTBA), Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), Travel Goods Association (TGA), and U.S. Tour Operators Association (USTOA).

Travel Industry Media Sponsors include, GoNomad, Destination I Do Magazine, Healthy Aging Magazine, Insider Travel Report, ManAboutWorld, Passport Magazine, TAConnect, TravAlliancemedia, and Travel Market Report.

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Four Seasons Safari Lodge Offers New ‘Walk in the Wild Serengeti’; Hosts Serengeti Lion Project Exhibit

Stop by the Discovery Centre for a viewing of the new Serengeti Lion Project Wildlife Photography Exhibition, August 1-31 by Serengeti Lion Project researcher Daniel Rosengren.

Proceeds from sales of photos will support the Serengeti Lion Project Research, the world’s most extensive daily mammal monitoring project, which has gathered detailed data on more than 5,000 lions since the 1960s. Rosengren, a Swedish biologist and senior field researcher who is passionate about travel and nature, traded in his globe-roaming bike for a Land Rover in 2010 to study the daily habits of the Serengeti’s lions. The exhibition will feature 40 or more of his most stunning images.

Inspired to follow in Rosengren’s photographic footprints? Visit The Lodge now and be among the first to experience its new Walk in the Wild Serengeti, a transformative 90-minute guided walk where you’ll help install a “camera trap” that digitally records the Serengeti’s majestic animals on the move. Elephants, cheetahs, lions and even notoriously hard-to-spot leopards are known for their cameos.

This guided walk shines a light on the wildlife sanctuary’s most subtle and unusual characteristics. Led by the Resident Naturalist at Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Masai guides and national park rangers, you’ll explore the beautiful landscape of Serengeti National Park as your guides point out animal tracks, interesting insects and useful plants.

Guests can also help The Serengeti Lion Project classify the different animals found in images caught by over 200 remote camera traps that have been set up in the Serengeti by visiting the Snapshot Serengeti website.

The Walk in the Wild and the Serengeti Lion Project Photo Exhibition are among the many innovative experiences undertaken by Four Seasons Safari Lodge and its pioneering Discovery Centre.  Part museum exhibit, part lecture theatre, it’s the first lodge-based conservation research and education platform in Serengeti. Chat with Lodge experts and explore a series of displays, exhibition boards and interactive presentations, or attend periodic talks by guest speakers. Participate in special research projects with local experts closely involved with Serengeti’s wildlife research and conservation projects.

Make your base camp in The Lodge’s two-story great house, with guest rooms and suites that all offer stunning views of the Serengeti landscape.

A more private escape can be had in one of the five freestanding villas. Ideal for couples and families, The Lodge is one of the first on the continent to welcome children ages 8+, a significant milestone for families with young ones and teens. The entire property is accessible via raised wooden walkways making short excursions into the bush not a far venture from the Lodge.

In addition to taking your exploration to an intimate new level during the Wild Walk in the Serengeti, The Kijana Klub offers children their own opportunity to learn about local culture and wildlife through a series of planned activities including short walks in the bush with a Maasai guide and learning basic wildlife research skills such as radio tracking and camera traps.

Other memorable guest experiences include sundowners at the infinity pool while elephants gather at the watering hole below, private romantic dinners in the bush, the Lodge’s celebrated Boma Grill and signature spa treatments featuring Africology spa products at purpose-built Spa.

For more information, visit www.fourseasons.com/serengeti

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Join Conservation Efforts for Endangered Cheetah in Serengeti at Four Seasons Safari Lodge

The Four Seasons Safari Lodge, Serengeti, as a supporter of The Cheetah Watch Campaign run by the Serengeti Cheetah Project and the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute enables its guests to participate in this important project.

Imagine being able to contribute to conservation efforts to track and identify endangered cheetah in the Serengeti.

The Four Seasons Safari Lodge, Serengeti, as a supporter of The Cheetah Watch Campaign run by the Serengeti Cheetah Project and the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute enables its guests to participate in this important project.

The Cheetah Watch Campaign aims to involve visitors in the monitoring and conservation of cheetahs, whose numbers are slowly declining due to poaching and loss of habitat. Visitors to the Serengeti are encouraged to submit their cheetah photos and, with the help of their guide, notes on location and behavior to the Project.

The Project’s 30-year study of these endangered cats has resulted in much of what we know today and developed our understanding of these majestic creatures.

Through its Discovery Centre, the Lodge encourages its guests to load their cheetah photos onto its iMac, which are then sent to the Cheetah Project, which uses each cheetah’s unique spot pattern to identify the individuals that were sighted and then send the guests a brief history of that cheetah.

Since starting the Campaign at the Lodge in late 2013, guests have submitted more than 30 cheetah sightings, resulting in the identification of 10 new individual cheetahs to the Project.

“At the Discovery Centre, guests are able to contribute to this essential research, as well as gaining a deeper understanding of cheetah ecology,” Discovery Centre Manager Oli Dreike says. “The Cheetah Watch Campaign plays a vital role in helping researchers to understand and conserve these beautiful cats, and it is really easy for guests to take part in if they are lucky enough to see cheetahs during their stay in the Serengeti. It’s incredible that our guests have helped to identify so many new individuals for the Project in such a short period.”

Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti

The 77-room Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti opened in December 2012 and is particularly well-suited for first-time safari travelers, extended families and groups. It includes 12 suites with plunge pools, five free-standing villas with private swimming pools, a spa with six treatment pavilions, three restaurants, a Kijana Klub for kids and teens and meeting facilities. Two active watering holes on the property allow for magnificent animal viewing at peak times of day and every room has an elevated open-air sundeck providing direct views over the Serengeti. Suitable for guests of eight years and above, Four Seasons Safari Lodge is also home to its own Discovery Center featuring museum quality exhibits and a lecture hall for guests to learn about the local wildlife, environment and culture. (For more information visit: www.fourseasons.com/serengeti; follow Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.)

Founded in 1960, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has followed a targeted course of expansion, opening hotels and residences in major city centers and desirable resort destinations around the world. Currently with 90 properties in 35 countries, and more than 50 projects under development, Four Seasons continues to lead the hospitality industry with innovative enhancements, making business travel easier and leisure travel more rewarding (www.fourseasons.com).

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AccuWeather: Six Things to Know Before Shark Week

Shark © 2013 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Before you dive into Shark Week on the Discovery Channel (Aug. 4 – 11), Alex Sosnowski, Senior Expert Meteorologist for AccuWeather.com wants you to check out six things you may not know about sharks.

From anti-shark wetsuits to “Sharknado,” you don’t have to wait to find out what’s new in the watery world of sharks.

1. Researchers have begun tagging great white sharks to learn about the still-mysterious animals.

On July 30, nonprofit shark research group OCEARCH and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) began the most ambitious great white shark-tagging mission undertaken in history.

During the initial tagging, researchers will take blood and tissue samples to test their health and diet and also attach GPS tags to track their swimming patterns. These measures are being taken by these groups to understand the elusive great white sharks and to educate the public on their importance to the ocean.

2. An Australian company created “anti-shark wetsuits” to help protect swimmers and surfers from attacks.

Although it’s presumed most shark attacks on humans usually only occur because sharks mistake swimmers for seals or other tasty marine life, a company is looking to decrease that risk by creating anti-shark wetsuits.

The “Diverter” wetsuit is colored with black and white stripes, to mimic poisonous fish that also sport that pattern. The “Elude” model uses blue wavelike patterns to camouflage swimmers within the water. While they can’t be proven to deter shark attacks with any certainty, the company is continuing to test them in shark-infested waters. Good luck to the test subjects!

3. Stay apprised of lifeguard station flags to stay safe from wild marine life.

Wyatt Werneth, Spokesman for the American Lifeguard Association, explained that when a blue flag is raised at the beach, it means that marine life was spotted in the water. When a red flag is raised, it means the marine life was likely a shark and the area should be avoided. When these flags are raised, Wyatt recommends that people exit the water calmly, “You don’t want to splash and make a sudden rush to the shoreline and panic. If a shark is sighted, get out of the water.”

To make the most of your beach vacation, remember to stay alert of any marine life. “Realize that humans are land animals and anytime we go into the ocean we are challenging ourselves,” Greg Skomal, a Shark Specialist at the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries, said. “It’s a wild environment.”

4. “Sharknado” creates a wave in social media; could it really happen?

The SyFy channel aired a new movie, pragmatically named “Sharknado,” about a shark-bearing and hurricane-spawned tornadoes hitting Southern California.

Hopefully you weren’t worried that a “Sharknado” could erupt this hurricane season. However, if you need some reassurance, AccuWeather.com meteorologists explain why the movie doesn’t hold water.

5. If you are afraid of sharks, don’t go swimming in Fiji!

Namena Reserve, off the southern coast of Fiji’s second largest island, is a protected space for sharks with strict no-fishing laws. As a result, the shark population is thriving. You can find up to four times the amount of sharks in the Reserve as compared to non-protected zones.

6. There has been a significant increase of shark sightings in the New England area.

Seal populations have boomed in New England over the past few decades, which Tony LaCasse, biologist and spokesperson for the New England Aquarium in Boston, attributes to conservation efforts and the 1972 Marine Mammal Protection Act. Since then, reported sightings of great white shark have greatly increased as well.

Though the number of shark sightings has increased, they are not necessarily presenting a bigger threat, as there has not been a shark-related death in New England since 1936. LaCrosse also attributes many of the shark sightings to basking sharks, which do not eat mammals and present no threat to humans. However, their dorsal fins resemble that of great whites which raises fears among beach-goers.

“Now that you’ve dipped your toes in the shark-infested waters, you’re prepared to tune into Discovery Channel’s Shark Week beginning Sunday, Aug. 4,” Sosnowski says.

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New Guest Camps Open in Kenya in time for Great Migration

New guest camps (including Richard Branson’s new property) are opening this summer in Kenya in time for the Great Migration to give more travelers up-close views of one of the world’s most exciting natural phenomenon.

This month, travelers can watch in awe during one of the greatest animal shows on Earth, the Great Migration.  Each year from July through November, approximately 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras and Thomson’s Gazelle venture from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park to Kenya’s sprawling Maasai Mara National Reserve, making way for one of the most amazing natural spectacles in the world.

New camps opening this summer include:

Mahali Mzuri, a Virgin Limited Edition property – Opening in August 2013

Virgin chief Richard Branson is building a property on the Motorogi Conservancy in the Masai Mara. The property, Mahali Mzuri, part of the Virgin Limited Edition portfolio, is slated to open next year. Situated within the Motorogi Conservancy in the Maasai Mara, Mahali Mzuri – meaning “beautiful place” in Swahili – will feature 12 tented suites, exclusively catering to a maximum of 24 guests at any one time.  Opening this August, rates will start from $580 per person per night, fully inclusive of all meals, drinks and daily game drives within the Olare Orok and Motorogi Conservancies. For more information, visit www.mahalimzuri.virgin.com

Speke’s Camp – Opened July 15 

A sister camp to Maasai Trails’ Jan’s Camp, Speke’s Camp is a delightful new private camp in the Maasai Mara that is opening this month. Located just outside the Maasai Reserve on private land – Speke’s Camp offers an exclusive and secluded experience. With a rack rate of just $305 per person sharing per night, this quaint camp is part of the more affordable circuit of camps in the Mara. With eight comfortable rooms, Speke’s Camp offers game drives and the option of an epic-walking safari through the Loita Hills. For more information, visit www.maasaitrails.com. 

Elewana’s Sand River Masai Mara Camp – Opened July 1

Located on the banks of a river from which it has taken its name, Sand River Maasai Mara is located within the famed Maasai Mara National Reserve, close to the Tanzanian border.  Situated on a secluded and picturesque site, the Camp replicates the heyday of exclusive permanent tented camps of the late 1920’s. Featuring 16 exclusive tented  suites each with a private sun deck area, the camp offers daily game drives, bush meals, a billiard room, library, and swimming pool for guests. For more information, visit elewanacollection.com.

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Rwanda Hosts Mountain Gorilla Baby Naming Ceremony, Events Open to Visitors

Rwanda will celebrate the birth of baby gorillas through “Kwita Izina,” the annual naming ceremony in Kinigi, Musanze, on June 22, 2013. This and other events will be open to visitors.

Rwanda will celebrate the birth of baby gorillas through “Kwita Izina,” the annual naming ceremony in Kinigi, Musanze, on June 22, 2013, which is open to visitors,  Rica Rwigamba, head of Tourism and Conservation at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) announced.

This year’s theme is “Celebrating Nature, Empowering Communities.”

“This is the 9th edition of Kwita Izina. On this occasion, we are going to name 12 baby gorillas and 1 family. This is a celebration of these wonderful animals but also a way to thank all those who take care of them, starting from rangers, vets, and the community living near their habitat,” Rica said.

Through the tourism revenue sharing scheme, RDB funds various community projects throughout the country.

This year, Maize Grinding Plant, a maize production cooperative near Nyungwe National Park will be launched. This women’s cooperative used to cut trees from the park to curve mortars for maize crushing. Today, with the support of RDB, they have a modern grinding machine that has increased their production. They now supply maize flour throughout their area.

While unveiling this year’s Kwita Izina program, Rica Rwigamba said that this will be more than just one event but a series of events which will include community celebrations, the launch of community projects, as well as the Kwita Izina Caravan. This tour will go from Kigali to Kinigi passing by the different touristic attractions and community projects on that route.

All these activities are open to the public and more details are available at the Kwita Izina website www.kwitizina.org and on various social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook, and Flickr.

Professor Geoffrey Lipman, President of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICT)P said: “We are honored to support this unique initiative with our friends in Rwanda. It is one of the most thoughtful engagements of a local community in conservation and tourism on the planet and the essence of a green growth strategy.”

The CEO of the Rwanda Development Board made the announcement of the gorilla-naming competition in partnership with ICTP. Rwanda is a Council member of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP).

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Ged Caddick’s Terra Incognita Ecotours Company Changes Lives of Travelers, Communities

Gerard “Ged” Caddick, founder Terra Incognita Ecotours, with Jane Goodall.

Charitable vacations are very popular right now as more and more people long to give something back to the incredible places they visit in exchange for the once-in-a-lifetime bucket-list experience these places give to them.

One of those offering life-changing charitable vacations is Ged Caddick who launched his ecotour company, Terra Incognita Ecotours. with the dumbfounding mission – to give his profits away! With a Masters Degree in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Florida, Ged has always been motivated by his passion for making a difference.

After successfully working in wildlife conservation, he launched Terra Incognita Ecotours, a Florida-based travel company with a massive, but simple mission – to give back.

Nine years later, Ged has donated more than $130,000 to charities in more than 7 countries, literally changing lives each and every time he gets on an airplane.

“The business model I created for Terra Incognita isn’t based on profits, like most businesses are. We measure success by how much we’re able to give away – the more the better,” says Ged.

So how does he do it? Every ecotour isn’t just an adventure of a lifetime – it’s a way for travelers to give back to the communities that so graciously host them for a day, a week or even a month. With destinations like Belize, Borneo, Brazil, China, India, Kenya, Rwanda, Madagascar and Tanzania, Ged’s ecotours attract travelers who want to visit the most exotic parts of the globe with an expert guide to show them the way.

“My clients want an incredible experience, but they are thoughtful and responsible,” says Ged. “They want to visit communities in the most remote parts of the world and not just take an experience with them, they want to give something back, too. A percentage of every person’s tour goes directly and immediately back to a conservation partner in the areas we visit.”

Ged doesn’t just donate a check at the end of each year. He takes all of his travelers right to the organization to which they are contributing. In Rwanda, his tours visit the Gorilla Doctors, a non-profit group of veterinarians responsible for keeping the highly endangered Mountain Gorilla population healthy

Ged doesn’t just donate a check at the end of each year. He takes all of his travelers right to the organization to which they are contributing. In Rwanda, his tours visit the Gorilla Doctors, a non-profit group of veterinarians responsible for keeping the highly endangered Mountain Gorilla population healthy. They also visit the genocide museum to learn about the country’s past, giving his guests a glimpse of the enormous and seemingly insurmountable obstacles Rwandans have overcome in just 20 years.

“I was humbled by the experiences on my Rwandan adventure,” says Susannah Smith, a recent ecotour traveler. “Not only did Ged show us wild gorillas, which is an awe-inspiring experience in and of itself, but he introduced us to Rwandans – people who have experienced unimaginable tragedy, but remain welcoming, warm and overwhelmingly friendly. I got more out of the trip than I ever could have imagined!”

Terra Incognita’s ecotours do more than just give back financially. Every planned tour gives meticulous attention to environmental and sustainable responsibility. Ged’s guiding principles are to minimize impact and to build and foster environmental and cultural awareness and respect. He provides positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.

“The Mountain Gorilla hikes could be difficult,” explains Susannah. “But since we only carried a day pack, we felt like we could carry our own packs. Ged explained that he had hired porters to carry our packs – not because we needed the help, but to support the local economy. In a country where most families survive on only $2 per day, being a porter is a lucrative career. When we heard other travellers opting not to hire a porter, we told them what Ged had explained to us, and they hired a porter right away. It’s the small things that make a big difference.”

“The more I give, the more it encourages others to give. The inspiring people in each of the incredible countries we visit need the money more than I do. They’ve faced hardships I could never image; yet they are still so warm and welcoming. I can’t think of a better way to earn a living.”

About Terra Incognita Ecotours

Gerard “Ged” Caddick founded Terra Incognita ECOTOURS in 2004 after more than 15 years of working in the Expedition Travel industry. Ged has led many trips for Lindblad Expeditions, International Expeditions, World Wildlife Fund, National Geographic Society and the American Museum of Natural History as well as many College Alumni groups, the National Audubon Society and the Smithsonian Institution. He also lived in Belize, Central America for a number of years in the late 1980’s and worked in the conservation of endangered species for twelve years before becoming involved in the expedition travel industry. It is this mix of expedition travel (a.k.a. ecotourism) and conservation that has helped to shape Terra Incognita Ecotours.

Visit www.ecotours.com for more information.

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Enter Peru Sweepstakes from Garnet Hill, Heifer International by March 12 to win trip for two to Cuzco

One grand prize winner who enters the Gift® in Peru Sweepstakes from Garnet Hill and Heifer International will be awarded an all-inclusive trip for two to the ancient Incan Empire capital of Cuzco. There, they will experience the vibrant local culture and have an opportunity to participate in Heifer International’s local alpaca project in the Andean region near Cuzco, an initiative designed to end poverty in the region and foster sustainable development. The winner will engage with a Heifer family and see first-hand the breadth and depth of Heifer’s impact in combating poverty and will also receive a $1,000 Garnet Hill gift card. The sweepstakes runs now until March 12, 2013.

For seven days, the grand prize winners will work hand in hand with Heifer to foster sustainable development in the community while experiencing the country’s colorful culture through exclusive guided tours. To learn more or to enter the Pass on the Gift® in Peru Sweepstakes, visit garnethill.com.

“We have designed a trip that will be inspirational and transformative, not only for the vibrant and historic culture of Cuzco, but also for the opportunity to work alongside and break bread with a Heifer International family. The winner will participate first hand in one of Heifer International’s projects in Peru that, like all of the organization’s global initiatives, aims to significantly improve the livelihoods of families and communities,” said Marleen New, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations for Heifer International

The trip includes an introduction to Heifer International’s alpaca projects in the Andean region near Cuzco. The winner will participate in and learn about all facets of alpaca care including feeding, tending to pasture and the business associated with the sale of their exceptionally soft wool to make blankets, ponchos, hats and carpets which ensures a sustainable way of life for struggling families.

For Heifer International, development is about creating a world free of hunger and poverty, where families in need thrive under their own energy and entrepreneurial spirit—on their own terms.

“This really is the trip of a lifetime. It’s a remarkable opportunity for the winner to play a role in helping to end hunger and poverty for a Heifer family,” Wendy Thayer, public relations manager for Garnet Hill, added. “Garnet Hill is thrilled to offer such an authentic way for our customers to engage with our partner in Cuzco.”

Heifer International began activities in Peru in 1963 and continues to support urban and rural communities and small-farmer organizations to improve their quality of life. Peru’s diverse cultural patterns are based on solidarity and reciprocity. Thus, Heifer’s approach to sharing resources is a key element to achieve just and sustainable development. Today, Heifer Peru works in Piura, Lambayeque, Cerro de Pasco, Lima, Junin, Huancavelica, Cuzco, Apurimac and Puno, and has assisted more than 40,000 families. Heifer’s partnership with Garnet Hill began in 2009.

To learn more or to enter the Pass on the Gift® in Peru Sweepstakes, visit garnethill.com.

Heifer International’s mission is to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth. Since 1944, Heifer International has provided livestock and environmentally sound agricultural training to improve the lives of those who struggle daily for reliable sources of food and income. Heifer is currently working in more than 40 countries, including the United States, to help families and communities become more self-reliant. For more information, visit www.heifer.org, read the blog, follow on Facebook or Twitter, or call 1-800-696-1918.

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Nomadico Travel Promotes Eco-Friendly Trips to Ecuador, Peru

Nomadico Travel, which specializes in cultural eco-friendly trips to Latin America that provide enriching cultural interaction with the local people while including visits to historical sites and physical activities, is promoting itineraries to Ecuador and Peru.
In Ecuador, travelers can choose from six different experiences, which cover all types of experiences from walking tours to more rigorous expeditions including trekking, kayaking, rappelling and more.
Amazon Lodges –
Huaorani Adventure – an unforgettable experience that offers an opportunity to interact firsthand with the Huaorani people – Ecuador’s most isolated and perhaps most intriguing indigenous tribe. The Huaorani eco-lodge is in the midst of a primordial jungle where one can kayak, hike, camp and visit Huaorani villages during the day with the help of a bilingual naturalist guide.
Kapawi Adventure – one of the most remote, ecologically responsible and cultural sensible Amazon Jungle Eco-lodges in the world. A visit to this Amazon Jungle Lodge contributes to sustainable socio – cultural communities and the protection of a unique natural environment. Explore the Pristine Amazon, take a evening trip down the Kapawi River, bird watch in Claylick, hike along the Pitzacocha and Pama trails discovering the many ways the rainforest benefits the Achuar people, test your skills at a blowgun contest, hear a tutorial on Achuar face painting, learn about Arutam, the spirit of the forest, and more. The Kapawi lodge is couples friendly and family friendly. It’s a community owned ecolodge that supports an indigenous population.
Galapagos –
For the walker/hiker, Nomadico offers several walking tours in the Galapagos islands. With the Multi – Island Adventure, travelers leave the crowds behind and spend time actively exploring the islands in a path less traveled, kayak along the Cristobal Island Bay, and snorkel at Leon Dormido, and more.
The Isabela Walking Tour offers the exploration of Isabela, the largest of the Galapagos islands, covered in over 60% of the flora and fauna of the archipelago and is the only one straddled by the equatorial line. Find different species of parrots, macaws on one of the best natural attractions, the Claylick and visit one of the Achuar communities.
In Quito – visit the colonial centre of Quito, see the Plaza de Independencia, XVI and XVII century churches, including the monastery of San Francisco, a building begun only 5 days after the founding of the city. Lunch is served, tat the rim of the extinct Pululahua volcanic crater, then the Ethnographic Museum, situated right on the Equator.
In Otavalo whether by foot, riding a horse or biking along mountain trails participants see the beautiful patchwork quilt of local farms, gorges humming with birds, the humid high mountain cloud forests, as well as waterfalls and the cool clear mountain lakes of the Mojanda region; visit indigenous markets, the Raptor Rescue center, Inca ruins, and kayaking through Volcanoes Lakes, then dine on traditional Ecuadorian dishes prepared with fresh organic products and grains directly from the farm.
Highlights of the Cotopaxi Highland Adventure include adventure biking, ziplines Over Mountain Valleys, riding with the Chagras. This expedition is designed for the more adventurous traveler with horseback riding, mountain biking, trekking, hiking, mountain climbing, rappelling, bird watching, camping, as well as cultural exchange with the local communities available, as well as a visit to an ecological reserve on the slopes of the Mt. Pasochoa volcano, known for its forests, rivers and spectacular waterfalls, high in the Andean forest.
The Cloud Forest itinerary includes hiking above the Clouds, first Class bird watching, Cock-of-the-Rock Lek, and biking in the Forest. The lodge has 3 cabañas and sits on 44 hectares (110 acres) of land.
Nomadico offers Peruvain vacations including
Inca Trail
The Inca Trail is Peru’s best-known hike, combining a stunning mix of Inca ruins, mountain scenery, lush cloud forest and rich subtropical jungle. Dee over 345 species of orchids, numerous birds such as hummingbirds, waterfowl and the majestic Andean Condor, the spectacled bear – a shy, herbivorous animal that is extremely rare and close to extinction. The Inca Trail is a mountainous jungle hike leading to the sacred Inca city of Machu Picchu. The 45km trek is usually covered in 4 days, arriving at Machu Picchu at daybreak on the final day before returning to Cusco by train in the afternoon. Also included are Inca ruins at Sacsayhuaman, Q’enko, Pucapucara and Tambomachay, as well as exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas visiting the tradition market town of Pisac and the fascinating Inca fortress at Ollantaytambo.
Nomadico Travel is committed to preserving the local cultures and environments of the countries they visit. They work hard to support locally owned hotels and lodges that have environmentally friendly practices. They employ local tour guides that give travelers an insider’s perspective, and donate a portion of profits to support indigenous rights campaigns and non-profits that protect the precious environments of Latin America.
For more information and to book travel, visit http://www.nomadicotravel.com, or call 855 996 6623.
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Terra Incognita Ecotours gives travelers India experience that also supports wildlife preservation

 

India is an amazing tourist destination where the most and least adventurous of travelers can experience an exotic culture that will leave them inspired, says Ged Caddick, founder of Terra Incognita Ecotours who has been enchanted with India for most of his life. It was one of his first ecotourist destinations when he launched his charitable ecotour company 10 years ago. This spring, Ged is gearing up to launch his best India trip yet – all while making a huge difference to wild tiger conservation.

“Our ecotours are designed to give back in a big way to the places we visit,” explains Ged. Every traveler donates a percentage of their trip cost directly to WWF – India, the organization tasked with the critical conservation efforts to save one of the most endangered and majestic mammals on earth – the tiger.”

Ged’s ecotourists spend 11 days visiting two of the countries’ national parks searching for – and observing – wild tigers. Corbett National Park and Bandhavgarh National Park are renowned for their tiger habitat and incredible wildlife viewing.

“We guarantee our tourists will see endangered tigers,” says Ged. “Because we employ only the most knowledgeable local guides, they know where to find the tigers and safely take us to them. Nothing on earth compares to the first time you look directly into the eyes of a wild tiger. Words simply can not explain the experience.”

Ecotours.com attracts travelers who want an adventure of a lifetime, but want to make a difference as well.

“Our tours give directly back to the places we visit,” explains Ged. “In India, we have dinner with the scientists of WWF India who are tasked with saving these magnificent animals from the brink of extinction. It’s a humbling experience to learn everything they go through to save these animals. Often our ecotours inspire a lifetime of charitable giving by travelers to our conservation partner. They develop a bond, a shared personal experience with the plight of these wonderful creatures.”

WWF India scientists have their work cut out for them. They are tasked with reducing human-tiger conflict and working with local communities to develop sustainable alternative livelihoods and reducing pressures on tiger habitat. They are also responsible for minimizing the illegal trade in tiger parts and other wildlife. They build awareness about tiger conservation and strengthen tiger protection by providing need-based infrastructural support to the forest department.

“The support we get from Ged’s ecotours helps us immensely,” says WWF India. “Our charitable partners are the only reason we are able to do what we do to protect this magnificent endangered animal. Without donors like Terra Incognita Ecotours, tigers would be losing their battle for survival in densely populated India.”

Terra Incognita’s Spring India excursion departs Monday March 11 for 10 days/11 nights.

For more information about this life-changing adventure viewing and saving wild tigers, visit www.ecotours.com.

About Terra Incognita Ecotours

Gerard “Ged” Caddick founded Terra Incognita ECOTOURS in 2004 after over fifteen years of working in the expedition travel industry. He earned a Masters degree from the University of Florida in Wildlife Ecology and is passionate about conserving wild places. Ged lived in Belize, Central America for a number of years in the late 1980’s and worked in the conservation of endangered species for twelve years before becoming involved in the expedition travel industry. It is this mix of expedition travel (a.k.a. ecotourism) and conservation that has helped to shape Terra Incognita Ecotours. For more information, visit www.ecotours.com.

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www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

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