The Wahiba Sands of Oman, also called the Sharqiyah Sands, are a geological and ecological wonder. This 12,500-square-kilometre carpet of rolling and shifting dunes is home to an astonishing 16,000 species of invertebrates, flora and fauna, and a rich mix of nomadic Bedouin people, all of which had adapted to living in the desert, a seemingly inhospitable place. Experience these wonders through desert camps, which offer travellers a daytime of adventure and a nighttime of comfort.

Lijiang, China, is a charming city in the heart of Yunnan province, a region notable for its ethnic minorities. Lily Zhang, a local Naxi woman who grew up in a beautiful Naxi village about 15 kilometres from Lijiang City, is the whl.travel local connection in Lijiang. As a Lijiang local, Lily shares the top 5 things to do in Lijiang while on a Lijiang holiday.

THIS ARTICLE IS AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND RUSSIAN. As the furthest of the ‘-stans’ from Europe, the landlocked nation of Kyrgyzstan is a haven of unspoiled natural beauty and fascinating cultural characteristics. A curious bridge between East and West – it borders China as well as its Central Asian neighbours – and little known even to the most seasoned travellers, Kyrgyzstan retains an air of mystery, the magnetic effect of which keeps drawing in anyone in search of something novel.

THIS ARTICLE IS AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH, SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE. Your whl.travel local connection in Quito, a city sometimes known as the Luz de América (Light of America), are the local experts at the Yachana Foundation. No simple travel agency, Yachana strives to achieve sustainability through educational programmes in the Ecuadorian Amazon and beyond. They operate the Yachana Technical High School, located in the rainforest near the award-winning Yachana Lodge.

Local-minded travelers in Albania love to get deep into the heart of Albanian nature and culture. That is why they choose traditional, family-run guesthouses for visits to Theth and the northern Albanian Alps. These wood-shingled stone structures have long endured the harsh winter-weather conditions of the region and now exhibit a visual charm captured by local partner Outdoor Albania’s co-founder and photographer Genti Mati.

Laura Payne, co-founder of Outdoor Albania and a local travel activist, believes that travelling is all about meeting and connecting with locals and experiencing their cultures – bringing real economic benefits to those who need it most. Laura paid her first visit to Albania six years ago and immediately fell in love with the country’s spectacular scenery and people. She saw the enormous potential for tourism and decided to do something about it that would help the locals too.