If you want to experience an eco travel adventure and are looking at South America as a place of interest there are several factors you need to consider when selecting an appropriate tour or guide.
This part of the world has already been decimated in parts by the impact of explorers, exporters and businesses capitalising on the riches it holds. However there are still so many areas that are untouched and unharmed by these activities and selecting a tour that continues to protect the environment also supports an economy that does not harm this lush and beautiful collection of countries.
There are still incredibly untouched rainforests supporting a huge array of life, with an intricate ecosystem that you have to see to believe. The area also boasts tablelands, wetlands, huge rivers (including the Amazon), lakes, waterfalls and old villages you can walk through and feel the sense of history. Its remote locations add a sense of awe at the size and reach of the areas.
Many of the eco travel adventures on offer today have a volunteer component that, while good, can take the bulk of your holiday away from discovering the diversity of the area or provide five star accommodations that are so far removed from the lush real surrounds that you never feel you are connecting with it on a real level.
Look for a tour company that offers accommodation amidst the splendour of the great outdoors, without compromising your safety. It is a good idea to select a company that specialises in the area as they have closely connected tour guides that they have spent time building up a relationship with, whom have also developed a good relationship with the local people.
It’s good to enquire how often the tours go, to check they will fit into your travelling plans. A small group of travelers can be more fun, and helps you keep your own impact to the environment at a minimum.
If you want to come home with beautiful memories, a camera full of vibrant and diverse images and a sense you walked in a part of the world that has remained remarkably unchanged for centuries, then an eco travel adventure in South America may fit the bill completely.
By: Gary Tate
Posts Tagged ‘Several Factors’
Eco Travel Adventures – Are You Interested?
November 26th, 2009Airfares to South America – How to Locate a Good Airline
November 13th, 2009
Booking airfares to South America, and indeed any internal flights within this country can feel a little confusing if booking from New Zealand. We are well used to our national carrier, and a few other notables that are more often better known for flying to Pacific destinations or Europe than Latin countries.
So how do you select a good airline that’s going to meet your requirements?
There are several factors that help you find good airfares and locate a good airline.
1. Price is often one of the key parts in a decision for air tickets, especially for journeys where a few thousand dollars shaved off of a couple of fares can make a huge savings to your holiday costs. It is important to ask why the price is slashed on particular airlines. If it’s a no frills airline and you have a medical condition, young children or like to travel in style, this might not be a good fit for you. It is also good to note the airlines low season rates, and ask if the flights during these times are suitable if you want to see particular events.
2. Destination. With a wide range of airlines available it’s a good idea to select one that goes direct, or as close to, your destination as possible. Airlines can vary depending on the country of destination and if you are travelling to a range of countries during your holiday, it’s a good idea to enquire whether you should return on the same airline, or fly a different way home.
3. Timing. Not only are there seasonal differences, but there is your lifestyle back home to consider too. Booking an airfare to South America is about slotting it into your own life in New Zealand too. How do the days flying in and out fit with your travel plans? Can you leave really early in the morning, or arrive in the middle of the night? If you live away from a main centre, what sort of connecting flights will you need to book in order to catch that plane?
A trip to a continent rich with history, legend and culture needs a sound start and end, so selecting the right airfares to South America is all part of the journey. There’s nothing like booking those tickets and committing yourself to that journey to a completely different world. Ask for advice on airlines, select one (or two) and make a start. Bon Voyage!
By: Gary Tate