Eco Holidays

posted by Catherine on May 28

I was reading about some of the best Eco Lodges in South America, and 1 name kept reappearing.  This relatively inexpensive resort in the Andes seemed to be winning all the awards and getting all the coverage - so I went to find out more.

The Lodge:
Perched on a mountain-side in the Ecuadorian highlands, this rural idyll couldn’t be better located for you to enjoy this great wilderness without leaving a trail of destruction behind you - only a carbon footprint the size of a baby mouse!

Set on the edge of a deep canyon, within site of a great volcano and high mountain peaks and right next to a cloud forest to boot!

One of ‘The Top 50 eco lodges In The World’ as voted by National Geographic in 2009, one of the ‘Top 10 EcoLodges’ by Outside Magazine. ‘Winner’ of the Ecotourism Awards in 2006, ‘Winner’ of the EcoClub’s EcoLodge Awards in both 2006 and 2008, ‘Highly Commended’ as ‘Best In A Mountain Environment’ by the Responsible Tourism Awards in 2005 and ‘Winners’ of the Sustainable Tourism Awards - need I go on?

Year after year through the past 5 years, this resort is getting awards and excellent customer testimonials!  Just check out the website for all the delightful comments this place receives!

What Do They Offer Then?
The website goes into great detail about all of it’s eco-credentials including the composting toilets, community projects and success stories, organic gardens, 100% vegetarian menus, reforestation activities and so much more - all with great photos of the action and those involved.

They even wrote to the Ecuadorian Government outlining 7 ways to promote and strengthen eco tourism in Ecuador, including using the Internet as a powerful tool, developing education in sustainability and conservation as well as improving waste management and finance packages for private eco-companies.

In their extensive and interesting listings, The Black Sheep Inn writers take the time to recommend local events and markets, local scenery and wildlife as well as locally-run activities to all their guests as well as offering discounts and incentive to guests who arrive by bicycle!  Certainly something not everyone can do if travelling direct from the US for example - but I suppose if you spend a night or 2 in a neighbouring village then arrive on a hired two-wheeler - the discount is yours and the money stays in local hands!

You can even take a peak at their inclusive packing list based on local weather and potential excursions for guests to encourage reduced reliance of western necessities and the excesses that we love!

What’s The Catch?
There is no catch - they are exactly what they say they are and years of awards and customers can’t be wrong!

Their prices are very reasonable and start from just $32.50 per person in shared bunk to £160 for a double room with private bathroom.  All prices include full board, tea and coffee on tap and purified water for all guests as well!  The same price if not cheaper than many standard hotels in the country - or the whole continent!

The longer you stay - the cheaper it gets as well!  By staying there for longer - not only will you save travelling around but you will also get to know the area a lot better and benefit the local communities.  So as a thanks for this, the Black Sheep offers 10% off for nationals, student card holders (ISIC) and the over 60’s, jumping to 15% discount for 4 nights or more.  Kids under 3 are free and under 9’s are half price!

What Else?
The website also allows you to donate to the community with funds or old computers and they are even advertising for a new manager for the EcoLodge itself - so check out the job description (and make sure you are fluent in Spanish) before applying!

What a life that would be!

posted by Catherine on Feb 17

.

Instead of visiting a jungle to help plant trees - why not learn how to live there and survive using it’s natural resources?

There is an ethical company that can offer the opportunity to venture deep into jungles, learn a second language, teach children and adults, and even learn to dive. Their motto is ‘tread lightly…. go far’ and they have a great reputation - even training up Bruce Parry and employing him for years!

Who Are They?
Since starting in 1990, TrekForce have offered expeditions and adventures into some of the most remote locations in the world, helping local communities along the way.

They have also been responsible for setting up over 100 new national parks, carried out biodiversity studies, completed hundreds of separate local projects, planted a quarter of a million trees (they are running as a carbon neutral company now) and placed over 600 teaching assistants in over 300 community schools overseas.

They also run packages for charities and CSR - Corporate Social Responsibility - which can boost big company profiles and help to attract future employees.

What Do They Offer?
As part of their packages - and depending on how long you can travel with them - they offer a whole host of skills and experiences. These include the following:

Jungle Training - Instructors will help train you to set up camp, how to navigate, find food and water and basically make it through the night in the jungle.

Explore New Locations- They will set you on a challenge in some remote location at the request of the country you are visiting. This could include cataloging and mapping new areas or archaeological sites - never before visited. It could include building or repairing important structures for research and community support - and supporting local wildlife and conservation.

Living With Host Families- While traveling into these areas you will live with families across the region, learning the language and the culture. You can travel independently during this time, or spend more time with the local community.

Teaching - You have the opportunity to be placed as a teaching assistant within local schools within small or large communities. You may well be involved with field trips, helping to practice your leadership and language skills along the way.

Diving Lessons - Some courses end in a dive party having learnt PADI basics in location, then you can enjoy the clear waters to refresh your mind after all the hard work of the previous months!

Where And When?
Eco holiday destinations include Guatemala and Belize, Ecuador and Peru, Borneo, Papau New Guinea, Nepal, Morocco and Australia.

The adventures range from as little as 2 weeks (basic jungle skills) for around £1200, all the way up to 5 months (the full package) for up to £4100 - that’s less than £30 a day!!!!  Cheaper than a night in a Bed and Breakfast!

And don’t forget that that price includes a pre departure meeting, all meals and accommodation, transfers, training and emergency back-up - and a meet-up reunion afterwards. Not bad in my book.

The trips to Ecuador and Australia include the long term possibility of working there for up to a year from as little as £900 fully supported, and there is also an extended course where you can train to be a qualified expedition leader for over £6000 - this is real serious stuff and could lead you on a whole new career! Just ask Mr Parry about that!!!!!

Are you up for the challenge?

.