If you want to see great apes in the wild, Sumatra’s rainforest is one of the most accessible places to do just that. Seeing orangutans in the wild, along with silver Thomas leaf monkeys, pig-tailed macaques, and a diverse range of birds like hornbills, will leave you with a renewed appreciation for the beauty and ingenuity of other species. However, you need to know how to visit them responsibly or you could introduce illnesses, since they share over 97 percent of our DNA. Less than 7,000 Sumatran orangutans live in the wild, and they’re an essential part of the rainforest ecosystem, helping seeds to germinate and even pruning the canopy.

Orangutan in Gunung Leuser, Sumatra. Photo courtesy of The International Ecotourism Society

The Gunung Leuser National Park is part of the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra UNESCO World Heritage Site, and an excellent spot for ape-watching and rainforest trekking. The Orangutan Information Centre (OIC), a local, grassroots nongovernmental organization, is working with a local guides association to certify guides in the popular destination of Bukit Lawang.

The OIC is an excellent source of information, and many of the guides are extremely knowledgeable and conscientious. However, because of the competition for visitors and tips, some guides do engage in unscrupulous practices like luring orangutans over with fruit, leaving fruit peels on the ground, or even letting visitors hug orangutans. Before you go into the forest, you’ll watch a short film on rainforest etiquette at the visitors’ center. Pay attention, and take responsibility for your own behavior. Better yet, download a copy of the park guidebook from the OIC website to prepare for your trip.

OIC Director Panut Hadisiswoyo, in Bukit Lawang, Indonesia. Photo courtesy of The International Ecotourism Society

In Bukit Lawang, you’ll have the chance to see orangutans close up, either at the feeding platform or slightly further into the rainforest. These orangutans have returned to the wild after a life in captivity. Taken from the wild by poachers at a young age, they are learning to live in the forest again after a rigorous rehabilitation process. They grow adept at building nests to sleep and lounge in, climbing nimbly through the canopy, and raising the next generation of wild orangutans. Like humans, they don’t know how to live in the wild by instinct alone. In the wild, they might spend eight years with their mother, learning how to live in the jungle. Learning these skills as adults takes an incredible amount of intelligence, patience, and perseverance, just as it would for a human.

Deeper in the jungle, you’ll likely see wild orangutans from afar. You’ll have the option to take a one-day, overnight, or multiday trek. Local guides are quite flexible in making arrangements. If planning a longer trek, talk with the staff at the visitors’ center to request a knowledgeable, conscientious guide.

For a quieter experience, visit the farther-flung village of Ketambe, about 8 hours by van from the main city of Medan. Staying in this little village bedecked with flowers and fruit trees will let you experience a less-trafficked part of the Gunung Leuser National Park, or “Leuser.” You’ll easily arrange van transportation on arrival; just ask your hotel staff for details. Call ahead to book a room in Ketambe. The Friendship Guesthouse offers rustic one-room bungalows with bathrooms for around U.S. $6 per night, and tasty curries for around $2. The welcoming staff will connect you with a local guide as well.

As in Bukit Lawang, take responsibility for your own behavior. The orangutans around Ketambe are wild, meaning they’ll keep their distance. One was said to have thrown a beehive at visitors, I was told, in what I felt sure was a cautionary tale. Talk about tool use, I thought.

Unfortunately, Leuser is threatened by the oil palm industry and other forms of encroachment, like much of Indonesia’s rainforests. In June 2011, it was placed on the UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger for this reason. While there, I volunteered at a restoration site in the district of Langkat, North Sumatra. The OIC had reclaimed this illegally logged and farmed section of national forest in 2007. Since then, the all-local staff had been working to bring the rainforest back to life.

The old “hantu” – what we jokingly called the dead oil palms – still stood menacingly in some parts of the forest, gray-white fronds draping around their rotting trunks like a veil. But the vibrant growth of young rainforest trees was enveloping them, weaving them into the ecosystem as life carried on.

Restorasi house and plantation, Sumatra, Indonesia. Photo courtesy of The International Ecotourism Society.

One of the field assistants, Darjo, had carefully counted the bird species in the area – he’d spotted 83 so far. While collecting saplings in the deeper forest, the staff showed me huge elephant tracks. Very near the small house where we stayed, we saw the print of the rare golden cat.

Recently, after I’d arrived back in the States, the staff sent me an excited message: Orangutans were living at the site! They’d observed a male and pregnant female in the trees. The forest would take centuries, perhaps longer, to gain back the richness of the diversity it once had, but in the meantime, life will continue to thrive – as long as we let it.

More Information

Unesco World Heritage Centre: Danger listing for Indonesia’s Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra
Orangutan Information Centre: Project Reports
Ketambe: The Friendship Guesthouse & Restaurant
Orangutan Information Centre: OIC Restoration Site Performance Report, 2010-2011

Melanie Jae Martin writes about social/environmental issues and travel in the U.S. and abroad. To read more of her work, please visit The Story Grove.

We are nevertheless once again proud to present our Photos of the Year – the travel pictures of the year 2011 that most captured the imagination of The Travel Word team and a group of expert external judges. Unlike our Photo of the Year 2010, this year (2011), we had a tie for first place.

Click on the image below for more information about them. See further below for the judges’ comments about them and the rest of the shortlist.

Krishna Mandir on Krishna Janmashtami, Patan, Nepal

Cheetahs Posing, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

About the Photo of the Week and the Photo of the Year

A bit more than two years ago, we started featuring one picture each week (or, lately, every other week) on The Travel Word. We spotlighted favourite images pulled from our growing collections on Flickr.

We then asked the photographer or owner of each selected Photo of the Week to submit a short and revealing text about it – covering the subject of the photo, the general location, the experience of taking the picture, technical aspects of photography etc.

These text-image combinations have proven to be very popular. We believe that this has a lot to do with the special emphasis we have placed on the honesty of the images, all taken or sourced by our partners, who are local travel experts in their destinations. Through their eyes, and given their knowledge of what makes their homes unique, we felt confident that were discovering something special.

The Shortlist

Our methods were decidedly unscientific. For each month, The Travel Word team singled out one photo of the month. To this list of 12 we added afew wild cards that had made a particular impression on us. This shortlist is what we sent to a group of five skilled photographers for their assessment.

Below are the nine images, ranked in order, that caught the judges’ fancies along with their comments. We thank the judges for their contribution and encourage you to learn more about their work.

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+ WINNERS: PHOTOS OF THE YEAR 2011: Krishna Mandir on Krishna Janmashtami, Patan, Nepal AND Cheetahs Posing, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Comments about Krishna Mandir on Krishna Janmashtami, Patan, Nepal, photo and text by Navin M. Shrestha:
“This photo does an excellent job of capturing both the manic movement of the crowd and the ethereal nature of the temple.” — Mike Richards

“Here’s a unique image of the Durbar Square of Patan that not only does a good job of displaying the beauty of the temple of Lord Krisha, but bringing the square to its full cultural context by choosing to photograph it on Krishna Janmashtami (the birth anniversary of Krishna), full of devotees, prayer and a long enough exposure that bleeds the light and gives the scene a more spiritual climate.” — Arog Vila

“This picture is amazing for the fact that at first glance it could reflect a scene dating back centuries. Truly a timeless shot.” — Matt Stabile

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Comments about Cheetahs Posing, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, photo by Ward Graham, accompanying text by Shafina Bandali:
“Luck is the final element, together with well-studied technique, good planning and plenty of patience, that results in this gorgeous golden-hour capture of two cheetahs looking back at us. This image has a rich tonal range accentuated by a pronounced vignette, which in this case does more than spotlight the cheetahs, it completes the interplay of light within the frame.” — Arog Vila

“Great light, composition and pose, it’s almost tells the viewer that these wild cheetahs are longing for some patting.” — Rafael Pinho

“From a technical perspective, the depth of field and vignetting are just right to single out the pair of cheetahs. They appear curious, ominous and regal all at once.” — Mike Richards

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+ RUNNERS UP: Church of Tisco, Arequipa, Peru AND Beautiful Waters of the Bocas Islands, Panama

Comments about the Church of Tisco, Arequipa, Peru, photo by Alberto Gonzalez, accompanying text by Mariel Gonzalez:
“Travel photography at its best evokes faraway experience in a single image, and this shot of a remote Peruvian church does just that: the totemic ochre ornamentations and roaming landscape transport the viewer to the high fields, far from home.” — Linus Gelber

“Just the right amount of grunge and color provide a contemporary artistic take on a classic stone structure.” — Mike Richards

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Comments about the Beautiful Waters of the Bocas Islands, Panama, photo by ATP, accompanying text by Melissa:
“Transparent green water makes any destination appealing, even if it’s all there is to it. This image portrays the dream-like environment all urbanites long for.” — Rafael Pinho

“I’m a sucker for visions of tropical paradise, probably because I so rarely experience tropical paradise. A jetty with amenities, lifted above clear entrancing waters, with balmy skies above – does it get better than this?” — Linus Gelber

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OTHER FAVOURITES OF OUR JUDGES:

+ Sleepy Lions, Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda, photo by Steve Cunliffe, accompanying text by Nicola Swann

Comment:
“As anyone who has gone on safari knows, finding lions is the ultimate reward, and to find them in such a natural state must have been a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Oddly enough, this also looks like my family’s living room after Thanksgiving dinner.” — Matt Stabile

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+ The Children of Yakel Village, Tanna, Vanuatu, photo and accompanying text by John Nicholls

Comment:
“Seven strange children range along the ladder entrance to a treehouse home on Tanna Island; they may never hold an Xbox controller or argue the merits of teen fashion, but they smile, gaze, consider and go about their business just like children anywhere else. The wild differences highlight that we are, at heart, pretty much the same.” — Linus Gelber

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+ Smile from a Little Girl, Cusco, Peru, photo by Pieter Roos, accompanying text by Fernando Carrasco

Comments:
“This heartwarming portrait of a little girl is technically sound and beautifully communicative of the colorful personality beyond the girl’s colorful costume. An image that is very easy to connect with, well done!” — Arog Vila

“This girl’s amazing smile reminds me of what is truly great about travel: the people.” — Matt Stabile

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+ Migratory Birds, Lijiang, China, photo and accompanying text by Lily Zhang

Comment:
“A skein of geese, which might have just recently taken off, before forming a V, makes this a chaotic but amusing composition where each element has a certain clumsiness to it.” — Rafael Pinho

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The Judges

We sincerely thank our five judges for the time and effort taken to review our shortlist. We value their opinions and their readiness to share them with us. Please take a moment to check out their work.

Linus Gelber is a photographer from New York City, where he shoots cityscapes and live performances (notably burlesque) and sees way too many movies, if such a thing is possible. His work is represented by Getty Images. Linus would like to go to Antarctica one day, and if you knew how he felt about New York winters you’d think that was weird too.

Born in Brazil, Rafael Pinho took up photography after finishing his architecture studies. He set out as a freelancer in 2005 in Belo Horizonte and spent the following years between Berlin, New York, Reykjavík and São Paulo. His work has been shown at the Florence Biennale (2011) and the Biennale di Roma (2012) and appeared in the The Wall Street Journal, Modern Painters (US), Forum AID (Sweden), FFW Mag! (Brazil), Nýtt Líf (Iceland), Trip and Tpm (Brazil).

Mike Richard is the editor of Vagabondish. He lives in Rhode Island – a spit of land in the northeastern US - where he is a professional web designer and travel junkie with an unhealthy addiction to backpacking, camping, hiking and seeing the world. He enjoys knit hats, small, declarative sentences and speaking in the third person.

Matt Stabile founded and runs TheExpeditioner.com, through which you can read his writings, see his videos, purchase the book he co-edited or contact him via email at any time.

Arog Vila is a New York-based photographer who developed his unique aesthetic and rule-breaking composition studying at the International Center of Photography, the New School and the School of Visual Arts. He delivers crisp and edgy images of photojournalistic human narrative, pointing his camera on the expected from an entirely new angle, then turning to the unusual and connecting it to something familiar and beautiful.

The immortal words of ‘What a Wonderful World’ made popular by Louis Armstrong somehow take on new significance when delivered as prose by Sir David. Combine their beautiful sentiments with some of the most outstanding footage of the natural wonders our world, and you’ve got a recipe for something very special.

From ocean surf to mountain peak, from jungle heat to polar cool, this short video acts as a sort of a highlight reel for some of Earth’s greatest hits. The sheer number of impressive clips makes it hard to pick favourites, but the glimpse of chimps using tools and the newly hatched turtle heading toward breaking waves are difficult to top.

No matter which you pick, it’s hard to disagree that we really do live in a wonderful world.

A gorgeous sunset at Kagaba Beach, in Lughu Bay, which is the gateway to Solomon Islands' East Rennell World Heritage Site (Lake Te'Nggano). Photo by Rennell World Heritage Site Tours

Can this precarious balance be achieved? Can an island like Rennell, which is the highest raised coral atoll in the world, expand its tourism offering while still maintaining its precious ecological integrity? After all, there is more to Rennell’s natural heritage than its inherent value to the environment; it is also Rennell’s main tourism asset.

The Vision of Rennell World Heritage Site Tours

Attempting to strike this balance are the local leaders at Rennell World Heritage Site Tours. They established their tour company with the clear goal of enlightening local stakeholder (including business owners, the provincial government and the national government) about Rennell Island’s potential as a national tourism asset and of turning it into a significant contributor to the country’s economy. They aim to raise Rennell’s profile as a popular destination in the Solomon Islands and in the South Pacific. At the same time, the new tour operator is careful to capitalise on existing infrastructure and attractions so as to leave the island’s special natural conditions as unaltered as possible.

A boat transfers tour passengers to Tuhugago Beach after a morning of bush trekking from Niupani Village on Rennell Island, part of the Solomon Islands. Photo by Rennell World Heritage Site Tours

As its name makes clear, Rennell World Heritage Site Tours is a local specialist in adventure circuit tours on Rennell Island, including trips to Lake Te’Nggano World Heritage Site (also known as Tegano and Tungano, the largest freshwater lake in the South Pacific). Their guides are very experienced in the terrain and know how to make each visit comfortable and memorable. They take great pride in exploring the unexplored with their guests, so much so that some of the sites they visit have never even been photographed, meaning their guests may be the first to frame them.

Low-Impact Activities and Lodging

The itineraries of trips organised by Rennell World Heritage Site Tours focus on immersive and low-impact activities. On the Lake Te’Nggano tour, for example, guests enjoy swimming in the lake, interacting with the friendly local people and just enjoying the singing of the birds in the early morning. In fact, given its huge number of endemic bird species, all of Rennell is a prime birdwatching destination.

On the Solomon Islands' Rennell Island, a trail from Tuhugago Beach leads into the lush foliage of the interior. Photo by Rennell World Heritage Tours

On the Niupani Village to Tuhugago Beach tour, bush treks lead guests to scenic vista points such as the unforgettable Tuhugago Lookout. Closer to (and below) sea level, adventurous travellers can glimpse the underwater world while swimming and snorkelling in the clean crystal sea at the Tuhugago and Kagaba beaches. Anyone interested in diving can even opt to explore the underwater shipwreck of the US WWII PBY Catalina at Hutuna Village.

On their tours, Rennell World Heritage Site Tours is careful to partner with ecolodges that are owned and operated by local people. Meals consist mainly of fruit and Rennellese local-style cuisine, including the plentiful and fresh seafood. Toilets and bath facilities rely on basic but effective rainwater catchment systems, also used for drinking and cooking.

A fuzzy lake bird looks back at travellers trekking to Niupani Village on Rennell Island of the Solomon Islands. Photo by Rennell World Heritage Tours

“A True Natural Laboratory”

East Rennell (Lake Te’Nggano) was listed by UNESCO as a natural World Heritage Site in 1998. It is the only one belonging to Solomon Islands in this subregion of the Pacific, which also includes sites in Australia and New Zealand, as well as two other official sites – Easter Island and Henderson Island – under the auspices of Chile and the U.K., respectively.

East Rennell is described by UNESCO as “a stepping stone in the migration and evolution of species in the western Pacific, and an important site for the science of island biogeography.” Due to the great biodiversity, not to mention its status as the largest insular lake in the Pacific and as the largest raised coral atoll in the world, “East Rennell is a true natural laboratory for scientific study.”

To explore the natural heritage of Rennell Island, contact Rennell World Heritage Site Tours.

The Maliau Basin rainforest in Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia, encompasses an area of 390 square kilometres, but the land is so wild that it has never been continuously inhabited by humans. Photo courtesy of Borneo Eco Tours

Today, the Maliau is awaiting UNESCO World Heritage Site status, which would help with conservation efforts. Funding is required to support initiatives like the construction of a network of trails that would allow small group treks to explore this unspoilt jungle accompanied by a local guide.

The ‘Lost World’ of Sabah

Surrounded by steep and forbidding slopes on all sides, the basin, which covers an area slightly larger than Singapore, is unapproachable on foot. There are no roads, only winding rivers and a lush tropical rainforest. The inaccessibility has kept this remote paradise hidden from humankind for millions of years. It was first spotted in 1947, when a British pilot flying from the west coast of Sabah to Tawau nearly ran into the steep cliff rising over 915 metres above the jungle floor. Maliau Basin has since been dubbed Sabah’s ‘Lost World’ due to its unique and mysteriously intact biodiversity.

The land of Maliau Basin has never been permanently inhabited. Although the people of the Murut tribe arrange yearly hunting trips into the area, they are the only regular visitors and no record or proof of their settlement exists in the forbidding basin. In fact, to date, only 25 percent of the entire area has been mapped.

The whole basin is one single water catchment and drains through a canyon in the south by one river, the Maliau River, which flows out into the Kuamut River, eventually joining Sabah’s largest and most important waterway, the Kinabatangan River. Back in Maliau, there are over 30 waterfalls – the most famous of which is the spectacular seven-tiered, 28-metre cascade known as Maliau Falls – making it the most waterfall-rich area in Malaysia.

With over 30 waterfalls, Sabah's Maliau Basin on Borneo is the most waterfall-rich area in all of Malaysia. Photo courtesy of Borneo Eco Tours

Daring to Enter

Today, intrepid travellers up for a challenge can arrange a visit to this real ‘lost world.’ Maliau Basin contains over 70 kilometres of trails, and visitors must be accompanied by a guide at all times. To trek the land of Maliau Basin requires good physical fitness as the trails range from easy to steep and the terrain can be challenging.

Though a porter is provided to carry food supplies, hikers are responsible for carting in their own personal belongings and water, unless they are willing to pay an extra fee for additional porters. Exhaustion may take its toll gradually, but it is best to stay focused upon the various species of flora dwelling throughout this unexplored haven. Trekkers stay at campsites equipped with basic facilities where one’s guide is officially the ‘jungle chief.’

The basin is incredibly rich in botanical wonders. It contains no less than 12 distinct forest types, including Upland Sandy Clay, Agathis Tree, Riparian, Montane Heath and Floodplain. There are an estimated 1,800 tree species in Maliau Basin, where 54 are currently listed as endangered or close to extinction. Among the flora that can be found here are 75 dipterocarp species, nepenthes, rhododendrons and rafflesia flowers, as well as at least 80 rare and endemic orchids. Nine species of carnivorous pitcher plant can also be found living in the very low nutrient soils of Maliau.

Although much of the terrain remains unexplored, Maliau Basin has already revealed itself to have the most complex interaction of wildlife on the planet. Over 82 mammal species has been recorded so far, many of them endangered like the Sumatran rhino, Asian elephant, clouded leopard, Malayan sun bear, orangutan, sambar and barking deer, bearded pigs, banteng, civet and the wild ox that has been extinct in peninsular Malaysia for over half a century.

Trekking through the thick vegetation and wild terrain of Sabah's Maliau Basin on Borneo, Malaysia, requires the help of a local tour guide. It also requires good physical condition and a good sense of adventure. Photo courtesy of Borneo Eco Tours

To date, an impressive 300 species of bird have also been found, including the endemic Bulwer’s pheasant and Bornean bristlehead. No less than one quarter of the bird species found in Maliau Basin is listed as threatened by IUCN (the International Union for Conservation of Nature).

Protecting the Mega Biodiversity of Maliau Basin

In 1997, the Sabah State Assembly announced Maliau Basin as a Class 1 Protection Forest Reserve and increased its size to 588 square kilometres, adding additional forested areas to the north and the east of the basin. Maliau received further protection in 1999 when it earned status as a cultural heritage site under the state’s Cultural Heritage and Conservation Enactment.

These days, efforts are underway to make Maliau Basin Malaysia’s third UNESCO World Heritage Site after the historic cities of Melaka and Georgetown on the Straits of Malacca. Earlier this year, the prime minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, paid a visit to the rainforest. He has high hopes for Maliau Basin’s inscription into the list of official UNESCO sites. He observes that an international level of attention and protection afforded by an institution like UNESCO would help keep Maliau unspoilt for important scientific research that is already underway. He also noted that UNESCO status would attract more of the right kind of tourism to the area.

Find out more about braving the lost world of Maliau Basin rainforest on a trekking expedition of a lifetime. Contact Albert and the team at Borneo Eco Tours, the whl.travel local connection in Borneo, Malaysia.

Lençóis Maranhenses, the national park located in the northeastern Brazilian state of Maranhão, is an area of outstanding natural beauty and wonder created by a balance of extremes. A six-month dry season, during which strong winds shape miles and miles of sand dunes, is counterbalanced by a six-month rainy season that fills aqua-tinged lagoons and nourishes lush green vegetation set amidst the sand. The result is a desert-like environment with over 70 kilometres of beaches, but one that still provides enough fresh clear water and rich vegetation to support a wide variety of birds, animals and fish.

Local residents of Brazil's Lençóis Maranhenses National Park boat down the Alegre River in Santo Amaro. Photo courtesy of Marcio Vasconcelos

A trip to this delightful and delicate corner of Brazil appeals both to the traveller on a quest for adventure and to the vacationer in search of peace, quiet and balance. Either way, there is plenty to see and do in Lençóis Maranhenses.

Adventure seekers will find tours in Lençóis Maranhenses that include excursions in 4X4s specially equipped to handle the remote dunes, which reach heights of up to 10 metres. For less extreme interaction, travellers can stroll the long stretches of clear beaches around the town of Barreirinhas, dive into the crystal-clear waters of the Blue Lagoon or birdwatch on a riverboat cruise.

Two other highly-recommended activities in Lençóis Maranhnses are just looking up and looking down: up at dusk to watch a vibrant sunset fade into a clear, starry sky; down onto the wind-swept dunes from the window of a scenic flight.

Never miss a sunset in Lençóis Maranhenses, Brazil, just before the night explodes with stars. Photo courtesy of Marcio Vasconcelos

Though there is a relatively low number of visitors to Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses) and the tourism infrastructure is still developing, the area is by no means desolate. A number of cosy and rustic Lençóis Maranhenses hotels are well integrated into their surroundings, including in the nearby fishing villages of Mandacaru and Cabure, which thrive during the rainy season, and the towns of Atins and Cabure, which offer beautiful beach walks. Pousada do Rio, for example, prides itself on the small but mindful steps it takes toward achieving balance with the dunes that surround it. By redirecting waste away from the river, the hotel contributes to the sustainability of the enveloping ecosystem.

whl.travel is thrilled to introduce Sandra Rodrigues and her team at Sacada Turismo as the local expert connection to Lençóis Maranhenses. The Sacada team prides itself on understanding the fragile and nuanced balance underlying the incredible beauty of Lençóis Maranhenses; their aim is to build a tourism structure which reflects that balance. They want visitors to come away with a deeper understanding of the region and its ecological importance. They also practice the sustainable tourism they preach by supporting eco-friendly recycling organisations and endorsing partners who share similar values.

The daughter of locally known chef and owner of the Restaurant da Luzia in Lençóis Maranhenses, Brazil, feeds a baby goat in the village of Akins. Photo courtesy of Marcio Vasconcelos

“We are very happy to use the whl.travel site, firstly for a positive exchange with tourists from around the world, and secondly to help small and medium-sized entrepreneurs in Maranhão,” commented Rodrigues. “Our goal is to meet a significant number of tourists with speed and friendliness, meeting all their needs and desires. Above all, we want to keep a good relationship with the community. We hope that our destination, Lençóis Maranhenses, will soon have an economic growth of sustainable and equitable manner, and that the local community will experience significant social development, with new opportunities for the vast majority of its population.”

Travel in Lençóis Maranhenses is now possible through www.lencois-maranhenses.travel, which joins a long list of established and successful whl.travel portals in Brazil.

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EM PORTUGUÊS / IN PORTUGUESE:

O Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses está localizado no nordeste do Brasil, mais precisamente no estado do Maranhão. O parque ocupa uma área de grande beleza natural, uma maravilha criada pelo equilíbrio das extremidades. A temporada de seis meses de seca, durante o qual os ventos fortes formam quilômetros e quilômetros de dunas de areia, é contrabalanceada por uma temporada de seis meses de chuva, cujas águas provocam o surgimento das admiráveis lagoas, regando também a vegetação rasteira situada entre as dunas. O resultado disso tudo é uma combinação única de desertos e lagoas,  a imensidão de um oásis, de mais de 70 quilômetros de praias e uma grande biodiversidade.

Uma viagem a este agradável e delicado canto do Brasil contagia tanto viajantes em busca de aventura quanto turistas em busca de paz, tranquilidade e equilíbrio. De qualquer maneira, há muito que ver e fazer em Lençóis Maranhenses.

Visitors cross the Negro River of Lençóis Maranhenses, Brazil, in order to reach Queimada village. Photo courtesy of Marcio Vasconcelos

Turistas em busca de aventuras em Lençóis Maranhenses vão encontrar opções de passeio que incluem excursões em jipes 4×4 especialmente equipados para percorrer as diversas duas que podem chegar a 10 metros de altura. Os turistas menos aventureiros podem passear pelas longas e extensas praias de aguas claras ao redor da cidade de Barreirinhas, mergulhar nas águas cristalinas da Lagoa Azul ou apreciar a paisagem através de um passeio de barco.

Outras duas atividades altamente recomendáveis nos Lençóis Maranhenses são esperar pelo entardecer para ver um por do sol desaparecer vibrante e claro, seguido de um estrelado céu; a outra é se aventurar e ver a grande obra que o vento faz nas dunas através da janela de um voo panorâmico.

Embora haja um número relativamente baixo de visitantes nos Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses e a infraestrutura turística ainda não seja bem desenvolvida, a área não é totalmente desolada. Existe uma série de rústicas e acolhedoras pousadas nos Lençóis Maranhenses, que são bem integradas com seus arredores, incluindo as aldeias de pescadores nas proximidades de Mandacaru e Caburé, que prosperam durante a estação chuvosa, e as cidades de Atins e Caburé, que oferecem passeios por belas praias.  A Pousada do Rio, por exemplo, orgulha-se de pequenos passos tomados, mas que são conscientes para atingir o equilíbrio com as dunas que a rodeiam. Redirecionando os resíduos para longe do rio, a pousada contribui para a sustentabilidade do ecossistema que a envolve.

A whl.travel está contente em apresentar Sandra Rodrigues e sua equipe da Sacada Turismo como a conexão de especialistas locais em Lençóis Maranhenses. A equipe Sacada orgulha-se de entender o equilíbrio frágil e sutil que esta incrível beleza dos Lençóis Maranhenses esconde, seu objetivo é construir uma estrutura de turismo, que reflita esse equilíbrio. A agência quer visitantes que visem um entendimento mais profundo da região e da sua importância ecológica. Eles também praticam e pregam o turismo sustentável através do apoio a organizações amigavelmente ecológicas de reciclagem, contribuindo com parceiros que partilham valores semelhantes.

“Estamos muito felizes em usar a whl.travel, em primeiro lugar devido a possibilidade de ter uma troca positiva com turistas de todo o mundo, e em segundo lugar por poder ajudar os pequenos e médios empreendedores do Maranhão”, comentou Sandra. “Nosso objetivo é atender um número significativo de turistas com rapidez e cordialidade, atendendo todas as suas necessidades e desejos. Acima de tudo, queremos manter um bom relacionamento com a comunidade. Esperamos que o nosso destino, Lençóis Maranhenses, em breve tenha um crescimento econômico de forma sustentável e equitativo, e que a comunidade local experimente um desenvolvimento social significativo, com novas oportunidades para a grande maioria de sua população.”

Lençóis Maranhenses se junta a uma longa lista de destinos da whl.travel no Brasil.

Hikers in Tiger Leaping Gorge near Lijiang, China, enjoy the views of the snow mountains. Photo courtesy of Lily Zhang

As a Lijiang local, Lily shares the top 5 things to do in Lijiang while on a Lijiang holiday.

1. Hike around Tiger Leaping Gorge and Baoshan Stone Town

Tiger Leaping Gorge is about 50 kilometres from the World Heritage site of Lijiang’s Old Town. Roughly 15 kilometres in length, the gorge was carved by a river passing between the massive Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (which reaches up to 5,596 metres) on the Lijiang side and Haba Snow Mountain (5,396 metres) on the Shangri-La side. The stunning result is a series of rapids at the foot of steep 4,000-metre cliffs, making it a contender for the world’s deepest river canyon.

Legend says that in order to escape from a hunter, a tiger jumped across the river at the narrowest point (still 25 metres wide), hence the name of the gorge. There is nothing I like better than hiking in Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Baoshan, also known as Stone Town, is located about 110 kilometres north of Lijiang. It was built in the late 13th century, when the Naxi Yu Clan (ancestors of the Mu families) first lived and flourished here, before migrating down into the Lijiang plain.

Stone Town is a truly special place, where 108 Naxi families live on huge rocks that look like mushrooms. There are only two entrances into the Stone Town, front and back gates set in a surrounding 1.7-metre-high stone wall. Throughout history, when these two doors were firmly shut, attacking armies could not enter because the town was easily guarded.

Strikingly, like the area around Stone Town, which is a landscape of steep cliffs and high mountains, the town itself has an elevation variation of 3,000 metres between its highest point (4,600 metres) and its lowest (1,600 metres). Scattered at the foot of the mountains lie small villages and terraced fields with different crops. Stone Town is bordered to the east by the Golden Sand River, which feeds into the mighty Yangt-ze River.

On a tour of Baoshan, travellers can stay with local families, listen to the stories and legends about this old town, watch the stars and fireflies shining in the sky, drink beer and chat with everyone until it gets cool, and then have sweet dreams in the quiet night.

2. Take a Nature and Culture Tour in Lashi Lake Nature Reserve and Wehai Lake

Lashi Lake lies at the centre of the Lashihai Watersheld Nature Reserve. Covering a land area of 265.6 square metres, it is a haven for 30,000 migratory birds (70 species) that come here to escape winter from the end of October to early April. It is therefore a superb place for birdwatching in Lijiang. As an abundant nature and culture resource, Lashi Lake boldly proves that nature and humanity can come together in harmony.

In the springtime, azaleas bloom everywhere in the mountains west of Lashi Lake near Lijiang, China. Photo by Chris, courtesy of Xintuo Ecotourism Company

Nearby Wenhai is a village that lies at an elevation of 3,100 metres in the area northwest of Lijiang City. It is located on the southern slope of Yulong (another name for Jade Dragon Snow Mountain) and is a part of the Lashihai provincial Alpine Wetlands Nature Reserve. The unique climate and soil in the area nourish a unique variety of plant species, including century-old forests, shrubs and meadows. There are also unique wildflowers that bloom throughout the year, including over 20 species of rhododendrons, as well as a variety of economically viable mushrooms and precious medicinal herbs.

In the Lashihai and Wenhai area, in addition to animals, plants, forests and water resources, there is a wide variety of indigenous cultures. About 30 village tribes reside here, like the Naxi, Yi, Han and a few Tibetans. The Tibetans mostly live in one of the largest Tibetan Buddhism temples in Lijiang – the Zhiyun Temple. Although the lives of these locals have been affected by the outside world, they hold tight to their traditional customs and culture.

You can bicycle, ride horses and row boats around Lashi Lake, or you can hike for 2-3 days in the area. That’s what I often did when I was little, all pleasures that never disappointed me.

The Mosuo people who live on Lugu Lake near Lijiang, China, are a Naxi minority live in a unique 'matriarchal society.' They have their own language and way of dressing. Photo courtesy of Lily Zhang

3. Experience the Matriarchal Way of Life of the Mosuo People in Lugu Lake

Lugu Lake lies 200 kilometres from the centre of Lijiang City, on the border between Ninglang County in Yunnan Province and Yanyuan County in Sichuan Province. Mystery and charm surround the lake, partly because it was once an unspoiled place and still retains much of its totally natural beauty, but mostly because of the unique culture of the resident Mosuo people.

Mosuo society is matriarchal and marriage doesn’t exist. Men stay in the women’s homes as mates called Axia and the intimate relationships last only as long as they like. Children are brought up by the women, use the surnames of their mothers and are part of families composed of matrilineal kin. Women are in charge of production and management, and hold the principal position in the society, forming a modern day ‘woman’s kingdom.’

Experience this cultural awakening on a tour of Lugu Lake. Ladies will love this place because the women are in charge, and men will like this place because there is no marriage. As for me, I like this place because of the clear blue water and the beautiful songs sung by Mosuo girls when boating on the lake.

The bars along a river in Lijiang Old Town, China, are a very nice place to just relax and enjoy the peaceful scenery. It gets busier in the late afternoon, when many people play music, sing and dance in bars. Photo courtesy of Lily Zhang

4. Go Bar-hopping in Lijiang Old Town

Bars in Lijiang Old Town are famous around China. Bar-hopping has always been a part of my life. My friends and I usually start after 9 p.m. and I always choose to go first to Sakura bar, which is the biggest bar in Lijiang. No matter what you like, be it dancing or watching shows, there’s a bar for everyone in Lijiang. There are even Thai “lady-man” shows and cultural performances by local minorities.

Of course, drinking is always an option. Cocktails, brandy, whisky, vodka, rum – you name it, Lijiang bars probably have it! Personally I like Sakura Bar the most because the DJ is amazing. Other famous bars are Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles and A Meter Sunshine.

Another famous type of bar in Lijiang Old Town is the huotang. These bars are a little quieter, where you normally find folk singers playing guitars. In winter there are braziers inside the bars, so people can keep warm while they drink and talk. These bars are in Wuyi street, where beer is generally cheaper. Usually I like to go there after a loud bar to enjoy quietly singing along and whispering with my friends. A great end to a perfect bar night.

The Impression Lijiang show at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is an amazing spectacle, especially on a perfect day with blue skies and white clouds. All the performers are locals, showcasing the local culture in Lijiang, China. Photo courtesy of Li Yuanqi

5. Enjoy a Cultural Show in Lijiang City

Impression Lijiang is a cultural show of the traditions and lifestyles of the area’s Naxi, Yi and Bai people. It takes place inside Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Park in an outdoor theatre specifically designed to showcase the mist-shrouded mountain, a breathtaking natural backdrop. The show aims to provide insight into the lives of the region’s ethnic groups through song and dance. Five hundred locals wearing the costumes of 10 ethnic groups, as well as 100 horses, have been selected from 16 towns and villages in Lijiang for the daily performances of folk songs, dances and rituals for tourists. I’ve seen many people moved to tears when watching the show.

The Mountains & Rivers Show is another ethnic dancing and singing show. The Yi people’s Fire Touch Festival, Naxi People’s Stick Festival, the Bai boy’s handsome dance and the Tibetan waving girls all interpret the art of the ethnic people who have resided in these mountains for centuries. The performance is very bright and colourful, with dancing and fancy ethnic costumes. The atmosphere is very happy and light. It is my favourite show.

Home to the Pantanal, the largest wetland in the world, South Pantanal, in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul, is an outstanding ecological wonder. In fact, the name ‘Pantanal’ is derived from the Portuguese word pântano, which means wetland. This incredible wilderness area is an explorer’s feast of forested hills and seasonally affected but perennial waterfalls, rivers, lagoons and meadows. Visitors additionally have the opportunity to observe exotic wildlife; South Pantanal is said to have more animals than the famous Amazon, including one of the largest and healthiest jaguar populations on the earth.

South Pantanal is home to the largest wetland in the world. It supports over 1,000 bird species, 400 different types of fish, 900 subspecies of invertebrates, 480 reptiles and 300 mammal species. It is home to more wildlife than the famous Amazon. Photo courtesy of Fundação de Turismo de Mato Grosso do Sul

Perhaps the biggest challenge to be encountered during a visit is deciding between the many exciting things to see and do in South Pantanal. From strolling through a beautiful city like Aquidauana or spelunking in the deep stalagmite- and stalactite-filled caverns in Bonito to climbing the ancient Fort Coimbra built to protect the country against a Spanish invasion, travellers find no shortage of sights in this remarkably scenic and bio diverse region.

Active travellers and outdoors enthusiasts looking for outstanding tours and activities also have plenty of inspiration in this area renowned for its wildlife viewing, hiking and piranha fishing. There’s exploring the nocturnal habits of ocelots, owls and alligators on a nighttime safari; saddling up for a ride by horseback; or experiencing the unparalleled beauty of the landscape by train.

In the midst of all this activity, it’s easy to make South Pantanal your home away from home, There are many different types of accommodation in South Pantanal, including beautiful rural fazendas (large cattle farms), sustainable ecolodges and boat hotels. Anglers might consider checking in at Hotel Gold Fish, which offers a range of boats for use by guests, while anyone interested in learning more about the lifestyles of local farmers should book a stay at the Fazenda 23 de Março.

whl.travel is very excited to introduce the BWT Operadora team as the expert local connection in South Pantanal. With a strong commitment to environmental preservation, BTW Operadora is the largest travel company working toward the conservation of southern Brazil. Each tour is designed to be conscious of ensuring visitors the best experience possible while maintaining the utmost respect for the local environment so that it will be protected for generations to come.

“We are very glad to join one of the biggest worldwide sites of tourist services,” said Adonai Arruda Filho, the company’s director and president. “It is thrilling that more tourists now will get to know the beauties of this Brazilian region with much more comfort, reserving tours and accommodation with only one click.”

www.hotel-pantanal.com is the latest addition to the ever-growing whl.travel network in Brazil.

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EM PORTUGUÊS / IN PORTUGUESE:

Bem-vindo ao Pantanal Sul, a maior planície alagada do mundo, uma maravilha ecológica no estado brasileiro de Mato Grosso do Sul. A incrível área é um prato cheio para os exploradores da região, com morros florestados, cachoeiras sazonalmente afetadas, rios, lagos e prados e na qual os visitantes ainda têm a oportunidade de observar animais selvagens exóticos. Dizem que o Pantanal Sul tem mais animais do que a famosa Amazônia, incluindo uma das maiores e mais saudáveis populações de onça do planeta.

Aboard the Trem do Pantanal (Pantanal Train), passengers feast their eyes on continuous views of the largest wetland in the world, seen through large glass windowpanes. Lucky passengers may catch a glimpse of South Pantanal’s famous wildlife, including macaws and jaguars. Photo courtesy of Fundação de Turismo de Mato Grosso do Sul

Talvez o maior desafio encontrado durante uma visita ao Pantanal Sul é o de decidir o que fazer e ver entre os muitos atrativos emocionantes que a região oferece. Dar uma volta na bela cidade de Aquidauana, explorar as belas cavernas de estalagmite e estalactite de Bonito ou até escalar o antigo Forte Coimbra, construído para proteger o país contra a invasão dos espanhóis. Os viajantes não sentem falta alguma de belas paisagens nesta região notável por sua biodiversidade.

Viajantes ativos e entusiastas que procuram excursões e atividades extraordinárias têm total inspiração nesta região renomada por sua vida selvagem, por caminhadas e pela pesca da piranha. É possível também explorar os hábitos noturnos das jaguatiricas, das corujas e dos jacarés em um safari noturno, montar em um cavalo para incríveis passeios ou conhecer a beleza incomparável da paisagem com o Trem do Pantanal.

No meio de todas estas atividades, é fácil com que o Pantanal Sul torne-se sua segunda casa. Há vários tipos diferentes de acomodação no Pantanal Sul que incluem belas fazendas rurais (grandes propriedades criadoras de gado) e alojamentos ecológicos sustentáveis. Os pescadores podem considerar a opção de hospedagem no Hotel Gold Fish, que disponibiliza alguns barcos para uso dos hóspedes. Já os interessados em aprender mais sobre o estilo de vida dos fazendeiros locais devem escolher a Fazenda 23 de Março.

A whl.travel tem o prazer de apresentar a equipe da BWT Operadora como a conexão local especializada no Pantanal Sul. Com um forte comprometimento com a preservação ambiental, a BWT Operadora é a maior empresa de turismo que trabalha voltada para a conservação da parte Sul do Brasil. Cada passeio é projetado para garantir aos visitantes a melhor experiência possível e para ao mesmo tempo manter o máximo respeito em relação ao ambiente local, de modo que seja protegido para as gerações futuras.

“Estamos muito contentes e animados em ingressar em um dos maiores sites mundiais de reservas de serviços turísticos”, diz Adonai Arruda Filho, diretor comercial da empresa. “A expectativa é que mais turistas conheçam as belezas das regiões brasileiras com muito mais comodidade e conforto para a reserva dos passeios com apenas um clique”.

www.hotel-pantanal.com é o último destino a ingressar na crescente rede whl.travel no Brasil.

Barra de Potosí is a small coastal village at the mouth of a lagoon, part of a complex and interdependent system of lagoons, which runs along the coast of the Municipio de Petatlan. The lagoon network regulates the lives of both human and animal lives and has a balanced ecosystem that has kept its people gainfully employed and its environment protected.

Barra de Potosí beach. Photo courtesy of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

A Mega-Development Threat

The people of Barra de Potosí are now confronted by a development project that they believe will destroy the existing ecosystem, in spite of Mexican laws protecting the environment and in contradiction with industry trends that seem to point toward interests in sustainability and ecotourism.

Fonatur, a branch of the Ministry of Tourism, and its subsidiary Fonatur Operadora SA de CV are planning a mega project in the area of Petatlan that includes Barra de Potosí. The proposed development would include construction of a cruise ship pier in the bay, as well as the expansion of an existing installation in the bay of Zihuatanejo. The official document published in the Gazetta Official refers to a concession in the bay of Potosí covering 1,500 hectares and an almost 8,000-square-meter pier. Indicating the intention to go ahead with these plans, developers a few miles south of Barra de Potosí have recently built a road that will block the natural flow of water from one of the rivers that feeds the lagoon.

Residents of Barra de Potosí and neighboring communities have tried to obtain detailed information about this development project, but have only received evasive answers. The people have stood up in protest, for example in Zihuatanejo and Petatlan, to convince civil servants as well as representatives of Fonatur and its subsidiaries that this project goes against all national environmental laws. It would also annihilate the unique biodiversity of this region in a just few years, while depriving the population of its traditional means of existence.

Local fisherman hard at work near the mangroves. Photo courtesy of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

An Irreplaceable Ecosystem

The Potosí lagoon and those interconnected with it, together with long stretches of adjoining beaches, are home to over 200 species of birds, endangered butterflies, rare mammals and reptiles, nesting sea turtles, coral reefs, breeding whales and many species of threatened plants.

Preliminary studies by biologists from the Independent University Metropolitan (UAM) indicate that within the ecosystems of Barra de Potosí there are hundreds of species of flora and fauna, of which 46 are endangered or at risk according to the official Mexican regulation NOM-059. For example of the seven surviving species of sea turtles in the world, the leatherback, olive ridley and hawksbill all nest on the beaches of Barra. The Laguna de Potosí contains 450 hectares of mangrove swamps and three threatened species of manglar: botoncillo, black, red and white listed in NOM-059.

Other species threatened by extinction are the rare Tamandua anteater, the puma jaguarundi, the jaguar or Panthera onca, Mexican white tail deer, boa constrictor, iguana and American crocodile. Over two hundred species of birds – including 22 on the NOM-059 list – have been sighted by UAM scientists including roseate spoonbills, painted buntings, trogans, white and brown pelicans and woodstorks. The nearby islands of Los Moros are rookeries for brown boobies, tropicbirds and magnificent frigates, to name a few. The waters off the beach form part of the migration route for humpback whales, bottlenose and tropical dolphins, among other endangered species.

Over 200 species of birds have been sighted here in the pristine Potosí lagoon, and in the surrounding ecosystem. Photo courtesy of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

Barra de Potosí’s Youth: Ideas to Sustain the Community

Some of the local youth, well-educated sons and grandsons of fishermen have been working on developing an economic plan that would help preserve their way of life along with the precious natural environment. These future leaders of the community have been working on an ecotourism project alongside academics from various national universities. They believe very strongly that this project is not only an economically and environmentally sound venture, but also acts as a line of defense against predatory mega-tourism enterprises which often ally with short-sighted government agencies.

The youth’s efforts in this grassroots ecotourism project are strongly supported by the great majority of the population, which has seen the unfortunate results of devastating mega-tourism projects in Huatulco, Cancun, nearby Ixtapa and elsewhere in Mexico. A defense fund has been created and an environmental lawyer has been hired to help on the legal front, while an informational campaign has been launched with the aim of enlisting help from the general public as well as from international organizations.

A young protester at a public march. Photo courtesy of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

How You Can Help

This fight against a huge government institution out of touch with its own public policies is proving to be a difficult one, and the people of Barra de Potosí can use all the help they can get. Consider offering your support of this community by participating in one of these easy ways:

1. Send an email to Mexican decisionmakers. See here for a sample template and instructions for how to address your letter.
2. Spread the word on Facebook. Join the Barra de Potosí “Causes” page.
3. Post a message of support on the Save Barra de Potosí guestbook page here.
4. Use your voice! Tell popular cruise lines that you don’t want them in Barra de Potosí, and let them know that Barra residents have international support. See more information here on how and where to send an email or letter to cruise lines.
5. Inform yourself and others about this important issue.
6. Spread the word! Share this link with your friends and colleagues!

Let the decisionmakers know that the small town of Barra de Potosí is not alone in its fight against over development, destruction of an irreplaceable ecosystem and disregard of an entire community.

In Nam Trung Bộ (the South Central Coast) of Vietnam, smiling at the South China Sea is the coastal city of Nha Trang. Given its location, this vibrant metropolis of around 300,000 people is well known for its perfect beaches and various water sports and activities, including as the country’s scuba diving capital. On land, too, it is blessed with stunning mountains and rivers, a backdrop justifying claims that Nha Trang Bay is one of the most beautiful in the world., now a popular stop for jet-setters.

Riding a bicycle is one of the best ways to see the pristine countryside of Nha Trang. Photo by Henry Volles

Although Nha Trang has been the site of human settlement for centuries, the French first officially settled it in the early 20th century, transforming a deserted area rich in wildlife into a centre for trade and commerce. This paved the way for the slow development of tourism infrastructure, including many Nha Trang hotels and other establishments that make it the resort town it is today.

Thankfully many remnants of Nha Trang’s ancient history have survived, like the Po Nagam Cham Tower and the Long Son Pagoda, just a couple of the many things to see and do in Nha Trang.

Nha Trang is a city for all types of travellers. and there’s a wide selection of exciting tours and activities to help make the best of it. For example, on the Island & Snorkelling tour, travellers start the day in the local aquarium and then go snorkelling around an island where they can see the marine species in their natural habitat. Many other tours also include visits to the local fishing communities and a deliciously fresh seafood meal.

Women perform a traditional Cham dance by the Po Nagar Cham Tower. Photo by Tan Vo

For anyone more keen on experiencing local life in rural communities, a boat ride down the scenic Cai River peaks in at the rural farm communities, village markets and handicraft shops. From scuba diving to countryside biking, there really is something for everyone in Nha Trang.

Nhatrang-vietnam-holidays.com is proudly owned by Quyen Doan and Long Nguyen of An Kha Tourist Co. Ltd., the new whl.travel local connection in Nha Trang. “We feel good to have finally launched the site,” Long enthusiastically shares. “A lot of work has gone into this and we believe that our site is on par with the other fine whl.travel sites out there. Working with whl.travel has been fun; they are supportive and the team is great!”

Nhatrang-vietnam-holidays.com is the latest destination in Vietnam, following those in Saigon, Phu Quoc, Hoi An, Danang, Chau Doc and Can Tho.

Travellers test their balance on traditional Vietnamese rowboats around Mieu Island, south-east of Nha Trang. Photo by Tan Vo

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Tiếng Việt / IN VIETNAMESE:

Nằm ở duyên hải Nam Trung Bộ Việt Nam, thành phố biển Nha Trang long lanh bên bờ biển Đông. Với vị trí tự nhiên ban cho, thành phố năng động với khoảng 300.000 dân này nổi tiếng với những bãi biển lý tưởng và sự đa dạng về các hoạt động thể thao dưới nước, và nơi đây cũng là thủ phủ lặn biển của Việt Nam. Trên cạn, Nha Trang cũng được tạo hóa ban tặng những dãy núi hùng vĩ và dòng sông thơ mộng, một khung cảnh minh chứng cho vịnh Nha Trang là một trong những vịnh đẹp nhất thế giới, và nay là điểm dừng nổi tiếng cho giới thượng lưu đi du lịch bằng chuyên cơ.

Mặc dù nhiều thế kỷ qua đã có người sinh sống ở đây, nhưng để thành phố này phát triển từ một vùng hoang sơ và đa dạng sinh học thành một trung tâm giao dịch và thương mại thì không thể không nhắc tới công lao của người Pháp những năm đầu thế kỷ 20. Từ đây đã khởi đầu cho sự phát triển vững vàng về cơ sở hạ tầng dịch vụ du lịch, trong đó có nhiều khách sạn tại Nha Trang cùng với những đầu tư xây dựng khác giúp cho Nha Trang thành một điểm du lịch nghỉ dưỡng như ngày nay.

This giant boat is actually Tri Nguyen Aquarium - a great place for kids to learn about the marine species off the coast of Nha Trang. Photo by Tan Vo

Nha Trang thực sự may mắn với nhiều di tích lịch sử cổ đại vẫn tồn tại qua bao năm tháng, như Tháp Bà Po Nagam và Chùa Long Sơn, và còn có nhiều thứ khác nữa để khám phá ở Nha Trang.

Nha Trang là thành phố dành cho các dạng du khách khác nhau, với nhiều lựa chọn tour và hoạt động hấp dẫn giúp bạn tận hưởng một kỳ nghỉ mỹ mãn nhất. Ví dụ như tour tham quan đảo và lặn biển, du khách bắt đầu chương trình tour từ hồ cá Trí Nguyên và sau đó đi lặn quanh một hòn đảo nơi bạn có thể tận mắt ngắm các loài sinh vật biển trong môi trường sống tự nhiên của chúng. Rất nhiều lựa chọn tour du lịch khác kết hợp tham quan làng chài và bao gồm thưởng thức bữa ăn hải sản tươi ngon và thịnh soạn.

Cho những ai quan tâm trải nghiệm cuộc sống dân dã thôn quê, thì một chuyến đi thuyền xuôi xuống sông Cái thơ mộng ghé thăm nông trại, chợ quê và cửa hàng thủ công mỹ nghệ là một điều không thể bỏ qua. Từ tour lặn biển đến tour đạp xe tới các làng quê, Nha Trang luôn mang lại một trải nghiệm lý thú cho tất cả mọi người.

Long Son Pagoda in Nha Trang was built in commemoration of the monks and nuns who died whilst fighting the former southern regime. Photo by Tan Vo

Nhatrang-vietnam-holidays.com tự hào được sở hữu bởi Quyên Đoàn và Long Nguyễn của Công ty TNHH Dịch Vụ Du Lịch Ân Kha, thành viên mới của whl.travel tại Nha Trang. “Chúng tôi rất vui vì cuối cùng đã đưa trang web vào hoạt động ,” Long nhiệt tình chia sẻ. “Không thể kể hết công sức và nỗ lực dành cho việc xây dựng nên trang web này, chúng tôi tin rằng trang web của chúng tôi sẽ tự tin sánh đôi với các trang web khác của whl.travel đang hoạt động rất hiệu quả. Làm việc chung với whl.travel thực là vui, các bạn ấy rất hỗ trợ và đội ngũ nhân viên của họ thật tuyệt vời!”

Nhatrang-vietnam-holidays.com là điểm đến mới nhất tại Việt Nam, tiếp theo sau Sài Gòn, Phú Quốc, Huế, Hội An, Đà Nẵng, Châu Đốc và Cần Thơ.

Just because you are going on a family vacation doesn’t mean that learning should take a break too. Ecotourism is full of what educators call teachable moments or, more definitively, unplanned opportunities to explain a concept that has unintentionally captured a child’s interest.

Photo courtesy of Greenloons via The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

Whether it is touring the rainforests of the Amazon, observing blue footed boobies throughout the Galapagos Islands or understanding the water issues that surround the Okavango Delta in Botswana, ecotourism is a vacation experience that provides boundless opportunities to teach younger generations about the fragility of ecosystems and the significance of heritage.

Who among us has not witnessed the common occurrence while visiting the local zoo, going hiking through the wilderness or even watching a local artistic exhibit of younger children looking with absolute wonder and amazement at the spectacle of music, art, flora or fauna? There is delight followed by an onslaught of illuminating questions about people and the natural world.

These teachable moments mark milestones for a child’s personal growth and development. And the value system that is at the core of ecotourism can be a positive influence on all age groups, not just the very young.

Specifically, children can benefit from an ecotourism vacation because the experience offers an opportunity for:

• Instruction about indigenous wildlife – Ecotours are not only small group tours that allow for up-close-and-personal views of nature, but ones that are generally led by a naturalist that have been trained to understand plants, birds, insects and animals of the region and their relationships to ecosystems, thereby bringing education alive.

• Increased awareness about environmental degradation – An important component of ecotourism is to inform tourists about ways to minimize waste, soil erosion, air and water pollution so as not to disturb the environment – lessons that no doubt will stay with children.

Photo courtesy of Greenloons via The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

• Involvement with conservation efforts – Whether it’s helping to record sea turtle activity in Greece or understand the destructive role of invasive plant species in the wilderness, ecotourism allows for deep knowledge of the fragility of the natural world.

• Focus on the depletion of natural resources – Whether it’s learning about how an eco-lodge harnesses solar or wind power for its operations or how countries are implementing renewable bio-energy to power engines, ecotourism teaches how the impact of tourism is affecting sustainable land development, public transportation choices and how other countries are using low-carbon technologies today.

• Exposure to cultural experiences – From tasting new foods to learning phrases in a foreign language, ecotourism interprets cultural traditions and experiences that provide long-lasting impressions about the world.

• Inspiration for a life’s passion – While snorkeling through a coral reef or observing animals in their natural habitat in Africa, ecotourism sparks the imagination to dream about a career or even find a solution to an environmental problem

Ecotourism even offers opportunities to incorporate your family vacation with your child’s science, social studies, foreign language, even art and music lesson plans. One of the most helpful and free resources available now is on the Rainforest Alliance site, which offers a kindergarten–8th grade curriculum guide.

One example lesson plan for a kindergarten student is entitled Biodiversity, which challenges children to think about the diversity of local flora and fauna in local forests versus tropical forests as they classify insect and tree species, while the 8th-grade lesson plan entitled Guatemala’s Changing Forest has children learning about the Maya Biosphere Reserve by analyzing maps and determining recent changes in forest cover.

Dedication to the cause of the environment and its preservation can have a long-lasting impact on the way our younger generations feel more connected to ecosystems as well as view social involvement and economic success. Not only will children establish a deeper, longer-lasting connection with the region they are visiting during an ecotour, they will learn more about how they can make a more positive impact on the world.

How is biodiversity measured? Conservation International, an organisation that “empowers societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature, our global biodiversity, for the well-being of humanity” has established a way to identify the world’s biodiversity hotspots, or areas that have especially high numbers of endemic (native) species, based largely on two factors: the number of plant species endemic to the area (must be greater than 1,500 species) and the acute need to protect the area from habitat loss beyond an already measured 70 percent of the original.

In these fragile areas, the acute priority placed on conservation means that visitors and travellers must handle with care. Unchecked tourism is part of the rampant human encroachment on nature that threatens the planets’ bio-diverse ecosystems and its health. When practiced responsibly, however, tourism can be a driving force behind conservation efforts.

We encourage travellers to explore these biological treasure troves, but to do so responsibly. Some of the best ways to do this are on guided tours with local tourism professionals committed to conservation principles and making as little impact as possible. These guided tours also deliver high levels of learning, adventure and fun!

We are pleased to offer our five favourite ways to experience biodiversity hotspots around the globe.

A mirror image of the healthy corals of the Solomon Islands. Keep them healthy with a scuba dive tour that cares. Photo courtesy of Tina Aydon

Scuba Diving the Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands enjoy healthy reefs that represent a small part of the Coral Triangle biodiversity hotspot in the southwest Pacific. Divers visiting the town of Gizo on Ghizo Island, which is famous for its submarine seascapes, discover a variety of healthy, warm-water reefs teeming with fish that have not been loved to death. At Njari Island, off Gizo, as many as 279 fish species have been counted on a single dive. With Dive Gizo, the whl.travel local connection in the Solomon Islands, daily dive tours are limited to eight passengers at each site to ensure there is no great impact on the marine life. The dives, including some wrecks, suit both novices and masters, and promise great photo ops.

As part of a biodiversity conservation initiative in the area, a partnership between WWF-SI (World Wildlife Fund for Nature Solomon Islands) and Dive Gizo was launched in 2003 to protect eight reef sites around Gizo from careless anchorage; the easy solution was to deploy marine buoys. Dive Gizo is also a member of the Gizo Marine Conservation Area (GMCA) Management Committee, which has established nine marine protected areas covering an area of approximately 43 square kilometres. As well, the Dive Gizo diving staff belongs to the marine biological team that collects baseline and ongoing coral monitoring data for the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network.

The Amazon Tree Climb in Manaus Brazil will get your own limbs working and your adrenaline pumping all way up to the canopy layer. Photo credit Government of the state of Amazon, Brazil

Amazon Tree Climbing in Manaus, Brazil

As the largest tropical rainforest system in the world, the Amazon is a place of unparalleled biodiversity. In fact, more than one third of all species in the world live in the Amazon Rainforest. Where is one of the best places to get a sense of this almost preternatural environment? The city of Manaus, in the north region of Brazil serves a magical gateway into a unique world.

Given the surroundings, Manaus is headquarters to a number of rainforest tour activities, from kayaking and river cruises to canopy tours. Now, even Amazon tree-climbing is an option! Outfitted with climbing gear, visitors can hoist themselves up through the branches and up to the jungle canopy the way researchers do to collect data. Even better, with Selenetur Travel, the whl.travel local connection in Manaus, concern for the rainforest is top priority. Tours groups can be no larger than six so no harm befalls the trees, and bilingual instructors inform about the ecosystem and the surrounding wildlife. This blissful encounter with nature leaves climbers with a renewed impulse to conserve it!

Carlos Augusto, one of the trip coordinators, says, “Our trees are previously inspected and the climb sites are carefully chosen. We opt for primary forest areas, which gives us a better chance of observing the wildlife in its natural habitat. Our wish is to share the magic and beauty of the Amazon forest with our guests, so that they may understand and respect this fragile ecosystem.”

In Luang Namtha's Nam Ha National Protected Area in Laos, award-winning conservation-minded ecotourism projects are underway. See it through the mists of the area's refreshing waterfalls. Photo courtesy of Stanislas Fradelizi

Waterfall Trekking in Luang Namtha, Laos

Luang Namtha Province lies in the northwest of Laos, sharing borders with both China and Myanmar. Around 85 percent of its 9,325 square kilometres is mountainous and approximately 50 percent is covered by forests, making for landscape with high levels of biodiversity. Home to more than 20 ethnic minority groups, 37 large animal species, 297 bird species and 60 fish species, Luang Namtha has been recognised as having enormous potential for ecotourism.

The 2,230-square-kilometre Nam Ha National Protected Area (NPA) is a primary tourism attraction in Luang Namtha. Lying at the intersection of the Indochina and Himalayan bioregions, the bio-diverse area is a protected area of international significance. The importance of the Nam Ha NPA is in relation to tourism in Luang Namtha – primarily as a result of a major ecotourism project undertaken by UNESCO and the Lao National Tourism Authority called the UNESCO-NTA Lao Nam Ha Ecotourism Project.

Designed to create an economically viable national model for locally managed community-based culture and nature tourism, the project has demonstrated that properly planned ecotourism can be used as a tool for heritage conservation and rural development, involve local communities in tourism management and operations, and raise substantial public sector revenue. In 2001, the UNESCO-NTA Lao Nam Ha Ecotourism Project won a United Nations Development Programme Award in 2001 in addition to a British Airways’ Tourism for Tomorrow commendation.

One refreshing way to explore the Nam Ha NPA rainforest is a one-day waterfall trek that leaves from the small town of Vieng Phouka, located two hours by car south of Luang Namtha town.

On an early morning in the first week of April, a solitary canoe makes its way along what is normally a forest road in Soomaa National Park, Estonia. Photo courtesy of Aivar Ruukel.

Canoeing the Fifth Season Floods in Estonia

Soomaa National Park, which surrounds the Estonian ‘summer capital’ of Pärnu is a naturally quirky place, principally because it protects some of the world’s rarest ecosystems – peat bogs and wetlands (the word soomaa means ‘land of bogs’). Estonia is a wet country with almost 25 percent of the territory consisting of different kinds of wetlands, arguably the most important of which are the ancient and disappearing peat bogs. Their ecological importance has been distinguished as, among other accolades, a CORINE biotope area and one of Europe’s most valuable wilderness areas certified by PAN Parks, and turned it into an European ecotourism hotspot.

Another quirk about the Soomaa region is its ‘fifth-season’ spring floods. Each year, usually in April, spring melt-off raises water levels by about five metres, submerging everything – forest floors, meadows, fields, roads and even village houses – for two to three weeks during which a boat is just about the only way to get around. This is not a catastrophe but a much-anticipated season and a popular time for canoe trips into the national park. Some tours navigate the swamped forests – even right up to the doors of houses – using haabjas, or traditional hand-carved dugout canoes made from huge aspen logs.

From the relaxing rhythm of a canoe, Fifth Season observers can take a good look at some of the wetlands flora and fauna. Although not officially designated as a ‘biodiversity hotspot’ by Conservation International, the Kuresoo bog is ranked particularly high in species diversity. Soomaa is also a natural home for eagles, black storks and other rare birds, as well for carnivores such as wolf, lynx and brown bear.

Sri Lanka's Sinharaja Forest Reserve boasts the highest concentration of endemic species in a country fabled for its endemism. Photo courtesy of Ethan Gelber

Hiking Through Primary Rainforests in Sri Lanka

The gorgeous rainforests of Sri Lanka are on the list of the planet’s top 10 biodiversity hotspots most at risk of destruction. Sadly, at the top of the list of Sri Lankan rainforests most at risk is Sinharaja (meaning ‘lion king’) Forest Reserve, the largest Gondwanan rainforest in South Asia. It is relatively small – barely more than 110 square kilometres – but if taken with contiguous forest reserves, it represents the largest single block (about 475 square kilometres) of wet-zone primary forest in the country. Naturally, it is the green heart of Sri Lanka’s unique and enormously important biodiversity, boasting the highest concentration of endemic species in a country fabled for its endemism.

Preserved from loggers by virtue of its difficult terrain and finally put beyond their axes in only 1977, Sinharaja is now also one of Sri Lanka’s eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Today, the greatest threat to Sinharaja is the unchecked devastation of the ecosystem it shares with surrounding woodlands, some officially counted in a semi-protected forest buffer zone. Bewilderingly, in the 15 years from 1990 to 2005, despite legal protections, 900 square kilometres, or approximately 35%, of the 1990 total forest coverage within 20 kilometres of the park was destroyed. Along with them went who-knows-what in the way of biodiversity.

The best way to appreciate what’s left and continue to call attention to its irreplaceable bounty is simply to visit. Paths within the protected area can only be covered on foot and in the company of a guide. While tours can be arranged in advance, qualified and knowledgeable guides are available for hire (for an affordable fixed price) at the Kudawa and Deniyaya entry points.

Sri Lanka is peppered liberally with other brilliant ecotourism indulgences across a wide variety of ecosystems. For example, why not try a boat ride on the mangrove-fringed Madu River, home to at least 60 species of bird?

From Curitiba's Telecom/Ol Tower, there is an unbeatable 360-degree panoramic view. There is also a telephone museum in the lower levels that attracts numerous visitors to this part of Brazil. Photo courtesy of Marcela Guimarães Pesso from Flickr/whltravel

Despite its size, Curitiba is considered by some people to be an ‘unknown’ destination, especially when compared to São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and other cities in Northeast Brazil. What most travellers do not even imagine is the exuberant flora and fauna found in the city and its surrounding areas, especially the wonderful islands on Paraná’s coastline.

Curitiba is located in an ‘ombrophilous mixed forest’ area also known as Araucaria moist forest, a sub-type of the Mata Atlântica or Atlantic Forest. The city is therefore fittingly famous for its green areas, like the Botanical Gardens and three greenhouses used for the annual production of native and exotic tree species, fruit plants and flower seedlings. Elsewhere there are thick populations of purple and yellow ipês (tabebuia) and Paraná or Brazilian pine (Araucaria angustifolia).

Biodiversity by Rail

To reach Paraná’s coast from Curitiba, you can go by car or take one of the most exciting train tours in the world across the Serra do Mar, one of the best-preserved Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest areas.

The incredible ecosystems of between Curitiba and Parana's Coast glide by during the train trip across the Serra do Mar, one of Brazil's best preserved Atlantic Rainforest areas. Photo courtesy of Carlos Renato Fernandes

Along the 110 kilometres of rail, the train traverses 14 tunnels, 30 bridges, and several mountains and viaducts. One highlight is the Viaduto do Carvalho, a segment of rail suspended on five masonry pillars above a hillside of rock; you almost feel like you are flying. Another unforgettable sight is a 70-metre waterfall called Véu da Noiva, which means ‘bride’s veil.’

Once you arrive in Morretes or Paranaguá, two historical and colonial towns located on the Paraná coast, you aren’t far from amazing landscapes, rich animal and vegetation biodiversity, spectacular bends, canyons, gorges, waterfalls and a lot more. You will also find the piers mooring boats to Superagui National Park and Ilha do Mel State Park and Ecological Station. Both are gorgeous islands offering up-close contact with the environment of the region, each of them with its own characteristics and peculiarities.

Ilha do Mel State Park and Ecological Station

Ilha do Mel is carpeted by the Atlantic Forest and home to two conservation units devoted to preserving the natural environment of the island. The Ecological Station covers approximately 95% of the island, focusing on scientific research and environmental educational. In addition to similar pursuits, the Ilha do Mel State Park is also open to the public for leisure and tourism.

The Praia de Fora beach catches late afternoon light on the Ilha do Mel, a favourite island and state park on Paraná's Coast of Brazil. There is a strong focus on environmental preservation and education, as well as scientific research, but also public visitation, leisure and tourism. Photo courtesy of Guilherme Mendes Thomaz

The island is a perfect destination for hikers, bikers, surfers, nature lovers and anyone who just wants to relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Beautiful beaches, rich flora and fauna, mangroves, lagoons, swamps and other interesting attractions such as the Fortress Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres, the Lighthouse Farol das Conchas and Encantadas’s Grotto have turned the paradisiacal isle into one of the most visited places in Southern Brazil.

Superagui National Park

In 1989, environmental activism resulted in the creation of Superagui National Park, 21,400 protected hectares that are considered by the UN as one of the most important coastal ecosystems in the world. The park was also been declared by UNESCO a Biosphere Reserve in 1991 and a World Heritage Site in 1999.

Superagui National Park includes Ilha do Superagui and other small islands on Paraná’s coast such as Ilha das Peças, Ilha de Pinheiro, Ilha do Pinheirinho and some contiguous continental areas like the Rio dos Patos and Canal do Varadouro. Bays, beaches, mangroves and abundant Atlantic Forest compose the Superagui National Park ecosystem.

The lush vegetation of Brazil's Parana Coast, seen here at Superagui National Park, is why the area is considered by the UN as one of the most important coastal ecosystems in the world

The park is the natural habitat of a multitude of animal and plant species, some of them rare or endangered, such as the red-tailed Amazon (Amazona brasiliensis), the broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris), the cougar (Felis concolor), the brown howler monkey (Alouatta fusca) and the Superagui lion tamarin (Leontopithecus caissara). This last one is a monkey species only been found on Superagui Island. Agoutis, deers, wild pigs, toucans, marine birds, jararaca and coral venomous snakes, among other animals, can also be found in the region.

On Ilha do Pinheiro, the roosting habits of the red-tailed Amazons are a strong draw. These endemic birds leave their nests in the morning to fly to the larger islands and then on to the continent, where they spend long daytime hours. They then flock by the hundreds back to the island at the end of the day, a natural spectacle not to be missed.

Another appealing animal is seen on the way to the park are dolphins. Wherever you end up, you are close enough to Baía dos Golfinhos (Dolphins Bay) at Ilha das Peças that you could see many groups of them. A dolphin-watching jaunt on Dolphins Bay is certainly a must-do when you go to Ilha do Mel State Park or Superagui National Park.

Along Paraná's Coast of Brazil, the endangered endemic red-tailed Amazon, or papagaio de cara roxa, perform their spectacular daily migration from Praia Deserta beach to the mainland and back. Photo courtesy of Guilherme Mendes Thomaz

There are also human settlements in the area, like the small fishermen communities on Ilha das Peças and Ilha do Superagui, where they run other businesses, such as pousadas and guesthouses, camping grounds, bars and restaurants. These locals live a life in sync with nature; unlike their counterparts on Ilha do Mel, Superagui locals also have less access to new technologies, which means that traditional costumes and dances, like the fandango (Paraná Coast’s popular dance), are preserved for future generations. Public access to the park is restricted, so you can only visit the communities, the beaches and their immediate surroundings.

The greatest land attraction of Superagui National Park is Praia Deserta, a 38-kilometre-long desert beach that can only be appreciated on foot (a four- to seven-hour hike) or by bicycle (rentals are available in the park).

For more about the wild nature, rich fauna and flora of Brazil’s Paraná Coast, contact Special Paraná, your whl.travel local connection in Curitiba and Paraná’s Coast, also an expert on the area’s accommodation, tours, activities and loads of local hints.

Mineral Spring, seen above from Darjeeling town, India, is located at an lower elevation low and warm enough to enable the growth of various agricultural produce

Two of these values are commitments to traditional agriculture and to protecting the region’s incredible biodiversity. This vibrant ensemble of small farms has been producing high-quality and certified organic Darjeeling tea since 1998 – even competing successfully against large corporate tea companies – without losing sight of the health and long-term preservation of their local environment. All of this is particularly important given the adjacent Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary, whose resident birds and wildlife such as rhesus monkeys, barking deer and Himalayan flying squirrels know no borders.

Ever mindful of the difficulties involved in maintaining traditional ways of life and protecting nature, local farmers have also started harnessing the power of community-based tourism as an opportunity for additional income. The Himalayas and the people who inhabit them have long been powerful magnets to adventurous travellers, particular those interested in rural lifestyles and culture. Now, in Mineral Spring, homestays with locals have been set up, satisfying the desires of both mindful travellers and responsible hosts, the latter eager to share the unique character of their village and local environment.

It’s a win-win situation that brings greater economic prosperity to Mineral Springs and emboldens local efforts to ensure the vigour of the environment.

Foreign visitors enjoy Mineral Spring delicacies as just part of the local hospitality during a farmstay near Darjeeling, India

Homestays in the Himalayas

The Mineral Spring homestay initiative was lauched by Tathagata Journeys, a local tour operator that aims to promote socially responsible and sustainable tourism, and specialises in off-the-beaten-path travel experiences. Born and bred in Darjeeling, the owners are brothers Pravin and Navin Tamang, who are joined by media and marketing manager Yogita Ranapaheli.

“We are all from diverse fields but have one thing in common – love for travel and love for the region,” Pravin explains. “This enables us to work closely together as a team bringing in our own expertise to this wonderful world of travel and remote-community tourism with the participation of local farmers.”

Their goal is to offer travellers overnighting in Mineral Spring some intimate insight into the challenges of daily life in this agricultural community. One important byproduct of visits is to see firsthand how tourism can make a positive difference, so hosts encourage their guests to participate in community activities during their stay. For example, travellers with an interest in agriculture can lend a hand on the farm by harvesting organic produce and learning about permaculture. Others can enjoy cooking traditional dishes at home with the family, or teaching English at the village primary school. Still more options abound for those who wish to take in the scenery during yoga classes, local hikes or down time amongst friendly faces.

Homestays in Mineral Spring. Gallery instructions: + Click on a thumbnail to open a preview. + Click the photo itself to close the preview. + Use the arrows to navigate through previews.

Three traditional village homes and a two-cottage farmstay (the latter operated by Tathagata Journeys) currently host travellers in mountainous Mineral Spring; all accommodations feature private rooms for travellers with Western-style bathroom facilities. In all cases, there is direct involvement with locals interested in participating in the project and benefiting from it.

“I feel proud to be a homestay member letting travellers explore our village,” explains Jangbeer Chettri, a local host and community representative. “We have been part of the premier, organic, small-farmer group since 1998 and a number of buyers from abroad have visited our village, but we did not have proper facilities to accommodate them. Although this idea of a homestay was new, the number of travellers who have come here and stayed with us have experienced a very different rural life in Darjeeling. Their visits and the income they generated have helped us sustain our family, farm and community.”

Plans for the Future

Building upon the success of the Mineral Spring homestays, a new local initiative is targeting the development of infrastructure needed for long-term sustainable tourism in the area.

This new undertaking is one of four projects selected for support by the Geotourism Development Foundation, due to launch later this month, and will receive additional assistance from Tathagata Journeys. The aim is to promote the village as a responsible travel destination sensitive to the needs and qualities of both the local community and environment.

The Mineral Spring Community Collective. Gallery instructions: + Click on a thumbnail to open a preview. + Click the photo itself to close the preview. + Use the arrows to navigate through previews.

Much remains to be done before tourism can begin generating additional revenue for the villagers. In addition to the need for more guest rooms, improvements are required to maintain the local environment, including investment in ‘green’ facilities such as environmentally friendly toilets, solar-powered lighting and water-heating systems, black- and grey-water management systems and rain-water harvesting. Investing in a biogas facility is also being considered; created through the fermentation of biodegradable material – such as manure – biogas is a renewable fuel used to run heating and cooking stoves.

Other important tourism developments underway in Mineral Spring involve training local youth as guides able lead treks and inform guests about local traditions and wildlife; promoting activities such as bird- and butterfly-watching; and getting the word out about volunteer opportunities, permaculture courses, yoga retreats and opportunities for meeting local families.

“The project will promote the people and the place by emphasising the sustainability of actions undertaken and the historical, cultural and biodiversity attributes of the place,” says Navin. “It will build on and supplement the work that is already being undertaken and it will help in improving and further diversifying local livelihoods, creating awareness regarding biodiversity conservation, and appreciation and pride in their natural and cultural heritage.”

The Geotourism Development Foundation (GDF) is a not-for-profit organisation committed to elevating travel as a force for good. It fosters a fairer, safer and more prosperous world by promoting projects that enhance the distinctive aspects of places to the benefit of both local residents and visiting travellers. The GDF funds local community, environmental or cultural projects that link to tourism and derive revenue from visitors. Through tourism development, it aims for ‘win-win-win outcomes’ – sharing the beneficial results of projects with all stakeholders (local communities, travellers and the travel industry) in a manner that enriches better, sustainable and more unique connections between hosts and travellers.

Given this green splendour, birds love Bhutan and ornithologists therefore consider it a prime location for catching glimpses of a long list of feathered species. In fact, the Kingdom of Bhutan sits at the heart of 221 official ‘endemic bird areas’ and the number of bird species identified in Bhutan is 670… and counting.

Even for travellers not lured in by winged friends, the lush ecosystems of Bhutan promises plenty of wildlife spotting. Snow leopards and Bengal tigers reside in the high-elevation forests, and the southern tropical jungles are home to the clouded leopard, one-horned rhinoceros, elephants and a rare primate unique to Bhutan and near environs – the golden langur.

Fluttering Beauty

Bhutan is also a fabled haven for butterflies. There are between 90 and 120 species of butterfly in Bhutan; approximately 28 of these are endemic to the eastern Himalayas. For lepidopterists, little can rival the enchantment of a flittering butterfly rising and falling among the lush plant life of Bhutan.

Yellow Coster butterfly. Photo by D Momaya/wikimedia

Some butterflies, including the Yellow Coster (Acraea issora), have a lazier, weaker flight. They appear to being falling and flopping through the air, rather than flying.

Puchinello butterfly. Photo by Nature Loader/wikimedia

Punchinello butterflies (Zemeros flegyas) are on the smaller side, averaging only four centimetres in wingspan. They like tropical lowlands up to 2000 metres above sea level. As a tropical species, the Punchinello has different wet-season and dry-season forms.

HIll Jezebel butterfly. Photo by Shyamaii/wikimedia

The Delias belladonna, or Hill Jezebel, is native to the Himalaya region and thrives in the higher elevations of Bhutan. They tend to congregate, sometimes in huge numbers, and are unmistakable by virtue of their white and yellow spots.

Striped Tiger butterfly. Photo by Vijaybarve/wikimedia

This butterfly looks for the scrub jungles of Bhutan and other South Asian countries. These members of the Danaus genutia genus play dead and have an unpleasant taste. Their defences are mimicked by several kinds of lacewings.

Green Sapphire butterfly. Photo by Accassidy/wikimedia

Although Green Sapphire butterflies (Heliophorus androcles) have been spotted in Bhutan, they’re most likely to be found in India and Nepal.

Blue Pansy butterfly. Photo by J.M. Garg/wikimedia

Blue Pansy is the common name for the Junonia orithya, but in Southern Africa they are called Eyed Pansies after the circular patterns that seem to stare back at their lucky spotters.

Red Lacewing butterfly. Photo by John Pavkel/wikimedia

The Cethosia biblis, commonly known as the Red Lacewing butterfly, is native to Southeast Asia. They are known to be so docile that they even land on people.

Blue Admiral butterfly. Photo by L Shyamia/wikimediia

This butterfly species, the Kaniska canace, is widespread in Asia. It is more territorial than migratory – it will actually defend its turf by chasing away intruding butterflies! They also tend to bask in the sun.

Dark Clouded Yellow butterfly. Photo by J.M. Garg/wikimedia

Clouded Yellows are migratory butterflies that breed on almost every continent. The most distinct characteristic of the Colias croceus is the clear black dot on the upper middle of each wing.

Painted Lady butterfly. Photo by Nick Smith/wikmedia

Painted Lady butterflies are another common species found in Bhutan as well as most non-arctic parts of the world. In North America, its common name is Cosmopolitan. Scientific name: Cynthia cardui.

Glassy Bluebottle butterfly. Photo by L Shyamai/wikimdia

Either blue or greenish (as pictured above), Glassy Bluebottles, aka Idaides cloanthes, are quite common. They like wide open areas near water.

For an encounter with living, breathing Bhutanese nature and wildlife, great treks can be arranged through Innerbhutan, your whl.travel local connection in Bhutan, also an expert in festivals, accommodation, tours, activities and loads of local hints about the country.