As the UN’s World Tourism Organization has acknowledged, tourism can play a vital role in promoting cultural understanding, tolerance and respect, which is why the theme “linking cultures” has been chosen for the 2011 World Tourism Day (to be celebrated on September 27). Often, in an area with indigenous populations, or people who are original to the land, one of the greatest assets is traditional culture. Through mindfully operated cultural tours, indigenous groups have something a great deal to offer – and to gain! – from exchanges with tourists.

Here we share a roundup of some of our favourite indigenous culture tours found in the whl.travel network of local tour operators.

In the Embera indigenous communities of Panama, women wear a traditional headpiece of tropical flowers and use corporal paint. Photo courtesy of Panama Tourism Authority

Visit the Embera Indigenous Community of Panama

In a world faced by rapidly paced globalisation, sometimes it becomes necessary to take a moment, close your eyes and just breathe. If you are searching for a place that lends itself to breaths of truly fresh air, a place where you can break from modernity and ‘progress’, you will have much to learn from contact with the traditional Embera indigenous tribes and their playful children. In Panama, the Embera maintain a careful distance from global influences and a deep respect for their environment. They use palm trees and natural fibres as construction material; they wear only simple multicoloured woven cloth garments; they practice corporal painting and have dances for all occasions. Complete with flowers in their hair, they are just as their ancestors before them were.

To start a memorable day with the Embera, your hosts paddle you down a river in a traditional dugout canoe to their community, where the village warmly welcomes you. During your day, you witness traditional dances, feast on typical foods and learn local crafts. A walk through the village and the botanical surroundings further helps you understand the wild diversity of their natural environment. At the end of the day, you leave with tender memories of a remarkable cultural exchange with the indigenous Embera, a uniquely beautiful community.

Two local girls on Malekula Island in Vanuatu greet visitors with shy smiles. Untouched by the forces of globalisation, their curiosity about foreign cultures matches outsider's intrigue about Makekula daily life. Photo courtesy of John Nicholls

Explore the Malekula Island People of Vanuatu

Visitors to the Malekula Island of Vanuatu are always intrigued by the history of cannibalism on the island. The belief system of the island’s indigenous Namba population included cannibalism until about 100 years ago, when the practice became obsolete (on the Malekula). These days, however, among the indigenous Namba, other tribal practices continue to thrive in full colour, such as matting, dancing, face painting and vibrant costumes.

As part of a special seven-day island safari, whl.travel local partners John and Silvana Nicholls include a visit to Malekula and a taste of life with the local Namba people. The tour begins in the capital city of Port Vila and then proceeds to Malekula, where you stay in the locally operated Nawori Seaview Bungalows for three nights. During that time, you follow local guides on excursions to nearby tribal villages and even take a canoe trip to ex-cannibal Rano Island. Another highlight is a visit to the Big Nambas tribe, which is distinct from all other tribes in Vanuatu; their red-dyed textiles are a highly prized and much photographed artifact of indigenous Vanuatu island life.

An Akha woman smiles warmly. The Akha are one of the five main indigenous hill tribes of northern Thailand. Photo courtesy of flickr/AlphaTangoBravo / Adam Baker

Trekking to the Hilltribes of Northern Thailand

Chiang Mai is the second-largest city in Thailand and part of the Golden Triangle travel loop of Southeast Asia. It is also the gateway for tours of the hilltribes of northern Thailand, fascinating encounters in sharp juxtaposition with the pace of contemporary urban life. On a trip into the lush scenery of rural northern Thailand, you reach the mountainous region near the border of Myanmar and encounter the small communities of several different tribes, like the Lahu, the Karen, the Hmong (or Meo), the Lisu and the Akha, each with its own distinct costumes, language, traditions and livelihoods.

You can arrange a trip to the hilltribes of northern Thailand through Hilltribe Holidays, a tour operator dedicated to exploring areas near Chiang Mai in a respectful, culturally sensitive and sustainable way that creates enriching and mutually beneficial exchanges for everyone. You can take in the scenic mountain passages, waterfalls, breathtaking views and local tribal ways of life. Sharing home-cooked meals and ancient customs with the local communities is one powerful way Hilltribe Holidays creates a safe and constructive context for cross-cultural understanding.

In Venezuela's Canaima Nationnal Park, an indigenous guide of the Pemon tribe leads tourists through the protected area of the park and to the main attraction: Angel Falls. Photo courtesy of flickr/whl.travel

Discover Angel Falls with a Pemon Guide in Canaima Park, Venezuela

As one of the highest waterfalls in the world, Angels Falls is the major attraction at Canaima National Park in Venezuela. The waters of Angels Falls plunge 2,648 feet (807 metres) from top to bottom, inspiring photographers and filmmakers alike with its roar and mists set against lush green forests and glistening gray rock faces. Because of its remote location, though, reaching the famous cataract takes some doing. One travel option is a five-hour upstream trip in a traditional dugout canoe.

If you’re looking to experience Canaima Park beyond a glimpse of Angel Falls, a two-day tour led by an aboriginal Pemon guide takes you deep into the natural wonders and everyday customs of the indigenous populations. (The local language of the Pemon people is Cariban, spoken only by an estimated 15,000 people.) During the tour, the Pemon guide explains the indigenous people’s symbiotic relationship to the land. Over dinner, he shares some of the myths and beliefs of the tribe before you retire to sleep in hammocks under a brilliantly starlit sky and within earshot of the roar of the Angel.

The Bassari people of Senegal practice subsistence farming in their remote villages and celebrate their rites of passage with decoration and fanfare. Photo courtesy of Association ACoSTE

Experiencing the ‘Teranga’ of the Bassari People of Senegal

In Senegal, the Wolof word teranga describes the warm welcome that Senegalese people are known to bestow upon their guests, something the whl.travel local partners in Senegal are determined to share. One way of doing so is to lead you outside the hustle and bustle of the country’s urban areas and head straight into the heart of its local villages, some of which are inhabited by people indigenous to the land.

Tours like the 12-day Great Unknown Senegal or the nine-day trip to Park Niokolo Koba  and the surrounding area take you inside the daily life of several villages in Bassari country near the border with Guinea. The Bassari are subsistence farmers who speak a local language from the Tenda family and adhere to a belief system that is, at its root, animist.

Both tours, run by Réalirêves, the whl.travel local partner in Senegal, spend several days in remote villages outside Niokolo Koba National Park. Lodging is taken in a village encampment and the daily activities focus on time spent with the people. Lucky visitors arrive in time for to witness an initiation ceremony, the most common kind of Bassari celebration. On the way out of the area, the tour passes through a Bedick village, home to another tribe similar to the Bassari.

One major destination in the Golden Triangle is the historic city of Chiang Mai, Thailand. The second-largest city in the country, it is a vibrant gateway to the spectacular northern region. Sitting comfortably at 316 metres above sea level, it is also a vital hub at the heart of a mountainous territory perfect for anyone seeking a cooler climate and opportunities to experience the rich and diverse cultures of the many ethnic minorities who reside in these hills.

Bamboo rafts along the river are one of the many modes of transport offered on tours around Chiang Mai, Thailand

Hilltribe Holidays

As the number of visitors to the Chiang Mai region grows, though, the availability of responsible and sustainable travel options – those looking out for the welfare of local cultures and environments – is a growing concern. Fortunately, there is a broad selection of hotels and a number of tours in Chiang Mai available to conscientious travellers who really want to travel locally.

One such outfit, Thailand Hilltribe Holidays, was established in 2007 by partners Pat and Mel to meet the needs of mindful visitors keen to step into the lives of the tribes that have resided in the area since 300 AD… and to do so in a way that both is an enriching experience for the visitor and makes a beneficial contribution to the local communities.

Pat and Mel (centre), the cofounders of Thailand Hilltribe Holidays, pose with a couple of volunteers

The Thailand Hilltribe Holidays tour along the Mae Song Hon Loop, for example, is a five-day four-night journey that hits the highest point in Thailand and takes in the remote villages of the Lawa and Karen hill tribes. Other highlights include the ancient pagodas and sacred sites of Vispasana and Theravada Buddhism, home-cooked Thai meals, several waterfalls and breathtaking views of the region.

Alternatively, those with less time can indulge in a two-day Undiscovered Hilltribes of Chiang Mai tour, during which travellers live with a hill tribe and visit the amazing sites that form part of the culture.

For travellers passing through the northern Thai city of Chiang Rai, perhaps en route to Laos, the Real Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai tour covers the distance by 4WD, elephant, bamboo raft and ox-driven cart. In the span of only three days, journeyers make their way through scenic mountains, pause at an opium museum and learn about local culture during visits to the towns bordering Myanmar and at an Akha hill tribe community-based tourism project.

Beautiful sunsets like this are part of the daily routine in the mountain hills around Chiang Mai, Thailand

Sustainable Adventures

Just as important as the tours offered by Thailand Hilltribe Holidays is their proven commitment to giving back to the local communities. Care is taken to ensure that every trip makes a positive impact on the places they visit – purchasing locally made products and educating travellers about proper cultural and environmental practices – and several programs are now in place to support the tribes’ own sustainable tourism initiatives, all of which are important additional sources of income for the locals, the poorest of which have particularly enjoyed a marked increase in living standards as a direct result.

Through Hilltribe Homestays, for example, many village families now welcome visitors to stay with them. Their guests become truly immersed in their everyday lives as part of a cultural exchange that is immensely rewarding to both visitors and hosts. Pat and Mel of Thailand Hilltribe Holidays have also organised a Local Youth Tour Guide program through which young aspiring tour guides accompany experienced leaders and learn the values of responsible tourism.

A volunteer English teacher in northern Thailand has a great time at a local school with his eager students

On top of these worthwhile undertakings, Thailand Hilltribe Holidays can organise volunteer opportunities for travellers who wish to work as English teachers in local schools. The children benefit immensely from their exposure to other cultures and a chance to practice their English. Through the growing network of former volunteers and tour guests, the company has even raised funds for rural kids to continue their education.

When asked why they do all this, Mel simply says: “Because we have both experienced how tourism can negatively impact locals and communities. As tourism brings with it tourism dollars, the traditional values of once-peaceful communities started to erode. In particular Pat has seen these negative impacts on northern Thailand, his homeland, and this inspired him to try and change this. We saw how tourism, if managed responsibly, could be channelled in such a way that it would positively and directly help local communities. We are proud of northern Thailand and its beauty and aim to share with travellers this warm and friendly way of life.”

Visit the Thailand Hilltribe Holidays website for more information about their tours and sustainable travel programs in and around Chiang Mai. For accommodation and tour bookings, as well as more information about Chiang Mai, check out www.chiang-mai-hotel-link.com.

A young lady from the Akha hill tribe (Thailand) sports a traditional head-dress

As idyllic as it sounds, we believe that there is more to the experience of Thailand than your snapshot taken beside a giant Buddha or a secluded beach, no matter how stunning they may be. In each destination, our local partners connect travellers with a selection of socially conscious tours and experiences designed for real immersion in Thai history and culture. It’s the difference between “I was there” and “I was there and did this… and by doing this I was able to help!”

Consider these alternative tour options around Thailand, all able to deliver an experience that is unforgettable and possibly life-changing, not just for you, but for the communities you visit.

Bangkok: A Trip to the Floating Market and Jim Thompson’s House

Instead of shopping in Bangkok’s modern malls, try visiting the famous, traditional floating markets of Damnoen Saduak, 50 miles west of the city. Unlike most tours to the floating market, this one starts at 6:45am, so you see what happens before the bulk of tourists arrive. A small boat gets you up close to the action, so you can explore the commerce of this colourful and bustling daily gathering. On the way back to Bangkok, you stop at the 127-metre-high Chedi at Nakhon Pathom – the tallest stupa in the world – and then enjoy a scrumptious lunch at the house (now a national museum) of Jim Thompson, the renowned 20th-century American designer who revitalised Thailand’s silk industry.

The floating markets of Damnoen Saduak, 50 miles west of Bangkok, have been a popular tourist destination since featuring in the 1974 James Bond movie 'The Man with the Golden Gun'. Photo by Teamworkz

Chiang Rai: Hill Tribe Excursion

Like other Southeast Asian countries, Thailand is home to a variety of ethnic minority groups. The hill tribes of today living peacefully in the highlands of northern Thailand are the descendants of groups who migrated from China and Tibet centuries ago. On this tour near Chiang Rai, you get an inside look at the traditional culture of the Akha tribes (see photo at top) in the villages of Santikhiri, Therd Thai and Laoma. You also pass through an extensive tea plantation and even visit the former headquarters of notorious drug baron Khun Sa! There’s no better way to immerse yourself in remote village life than this.

Chiang Mai: At the Crack of Dawn

This unique tour sees you start the day in Chiang Mai at sunrise when there’s much more happening than you might have thought. On the grounds of an ancient temple, you get introduced to Buddhism ritual by witnessing the monks embark on their daily morning prayers and food offerings. Then it’s off to the market to purchase freshly delivered goods, followed by a morning rickshaw ride around town.

At the Wat Chedi Luang Chiang Mai in Chiang Mai, morning alms collection is a tradition dating back to the days of Lord Buddha. Photo by Asia World

Phuket: All-in-One Safari and Sunset Cruise

This action-packed and highly educational tour of Phuket Island begins in the Chalong Highlands, where you meet and greet the gentle beasts of the Siam Safari Elephant Camp. You climb aboard your favourite pachyderm and then trek across the highlands, learning how rubber latex is extracted from rubber trees, and watching how trained monkeys pick coconuts that are harvested for milk and oil. The trip concludes with a sunset dinner cruise of Chalong Bay on a traditional Thai boat. Even better, your tour fees help cover elephant vet fees and contribute to a fund for supplies at underprivileged schools in the area.

Elephant trekking with Siam Safari is a great way to see Phuket from a different angle - that of the back of an elephant! Photo by Siam Safari

Ayutthaya: Not Your Everyday Cruise

After time spent exploring Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Thailand (for 417 years and more than 30 kings), this truly unusual cruise experience awaits you aboard the 12-passenger Thanantharee Rice Barge, when it makes the three-day trip down the Chao Phraya River to Bangkok. Stopping regularly along the way, it allows you to hop on a bike and ride through rural villages to visit famous temples, watch monks on their morning alms rounds and meet the hill-tribe children in a local orphanage. You can even accompany your cook to a local market to shop for the ingredients for your on-board meals. You learn about Thai cuisine, local life, drum making and even pottery – part of a journey of mind as well as body. In Bangkok, you’re dropped off at your hotel.

A Buddha statue at the Sukhothai Historical Park is just one reminder of why Sukhothai is considered the foundation of Thai culture. Photo by Thin Lei Win

Sukhothai: Reliving Grand History

Sukhothai is a must-see if you’re keen to explore the ancient past of Southeast Asia. As the first state and former capital of Thailand, this historic city boasts numerous monuments and temples from Thailand’s Golden Age. On this Sukhothai tour, you spend a full day exploring Sukhothai Historical Park and the Sri Satchanalai Historical Park by foot or bicycle. You not only get an intimate look at Thailand’s history, but your fees support an orphanage in Luang Prabang (Laos) and the Aspara Arts Association in Phnom Penh (Cambodia).

These are just some of the many experiential tour options awaiting you in Thailand. For more alternatives throughout this captivating country, visit the whl.travel portals in Ayutthaya, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Koh Samui, Pattaya, Phuket and Sukhothai.