Huaorani Ecolodge Wins Latin American Travel Association Best Sustainable Tourism Project Award

The Latin America Travel Association (http://www.lata.org) last week held its inaugural LATA Travel Awards ceremony, with members voting for the outstanding performers in eight categories.

The Huaorani Ecolodge in the Ecuadorian Amazon was named Best Sustainable Tourism Project by LATA members. Visitors to the comfortable, minimal impact, 5 room lodge experience the richness of the Huaorani culture and their natural environment, while learning about the challenges facing the tribe. Community Association President Moi Enomenga (photo) accepted on behalf of the Huaorani communities involved.

Ecoventura Galapagos Wins Virgin Holidays Responsible Award

From the World Travel Mart in London

Best in a Marine Environment sponsored by Royal Caribbean
Winner: Ecoventura, Ecuador
For contributing scholarships for education, and developing micro-business for local women, converting a fishing boat into a restaurant and boutique providing alternative livelihoods for the wives of fishermen. Ecoventura was also among the first cruise operators to be independently environmentally audited.

Congratulations Ecoventura! Ecoventura is constantly pushing the envelope of sustainable tourism in the Galapagos Islands, and we applaud them for their efforts.

Kapawi Ecolodge and Reserve, Ecuador, Named Top Ecolodge

Kapawi Ecolodge and Reserve, in Ecuador's Amazon Basin, reports that they have been named one of the top 50 Ecolodges in the world for 2009 by National Geographic Adventure Magazine. Congratulations to Kapawi!

Kapawi is a great project of the Achuar Nation, and is a remarkable community based tourism project.

Kapawi Lodge, located 100 miles east of the Andes in the most remote region of the Ecuadorian Amazon basin, is a fantastic destination for visiting with the local Achuar community, hiking in the rainforest, canoeing and swimming in rivers and lakes, and for viewing wildlife, such as pihanhas, pink dolphins, caiman and the 480 species of birds that have been recorded in the area.

What is "Adventure Travel?"

People often hear the phrase "Adventure Travel" and think, oh, I don't climb, or ski, or raft. I'm not an adventure traveler. But does adventure travel have to be about activities on a trip? Couldn't it just mean going off-the-beaten-path, where your trip is much more likely to have interesting and unplanned events occur? Really, which is more adventurous: hiking in the Alps, or traveling by dugout canoe with an indigenous group in the Amazon Basin?

It has been said that a true adventure doesn't begin until someone loses their luggage. While I don't think you have to go that far to define "adventure," I would argue that adventure travel is not so much about the activities or sports pursued, but about a spirit of discovery, a mindset of willingness to experience new and different things. For most people, a trip to South or Central America is an adventure trip, especially when leaving the capital city and getting out into the countryside.

We encourage everyone traveling to be open to the culture and to appreciate the different ways that people live. When I lived in Zambia, Africa, and led trips for American clients, I always stressed that things would go wrong, that time had a different meaning there, and that many things would seem disorganized and out of control. Rather than get upset, I suggested people embrace these differences---breathe them in deeply and enjoy stepping into a different world, even when it causes inconvenience or discomfort.

If you aren't open to the adventure of travel in the non-European world, you might be better off limiting your trips to the US, Europe, Australia and New Zealand: all offer world-class hiking, skiing, rafting, etc. Go to the developing world to experience a different way of life, as well as different scenery and sights. Sure there is great hiking, rafting, etc, in these places. But pursuit of these activities isn't enough to justify the trip---you should also be open to the culture and history of these areas. Hiking Peru's Inca Trail is as much about ruins, history, and traditional culture, as it is about scenery and hiking.

If you want it to be just like home, you probably ought to just stay home! Adventure travel is a state of mind.

New Airport Tax in Quito (Ecuador) is US$ 44.30

Metropolitan Touring, Ecuador, reports today today that airport taxes for flights departing Quito will increase.

Effective November 17, 2008 the Airport Tax for international departures at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito, Ecuador will increase to US$ 44.30. (It is currently US$ 40.80).

For local flights, the tax goes up to US$ 9.40 (from US$ 7.60). This tax is included within the cost of the local flights.

This increase in the airport tax is contemplated in the contract of Quiport, the concessionary of the Quito Airport, to maintain an efficient operation.

The Airport Tax at the Guayaquil International Airport Jose Joaquin de Olmedo has not been modified.

Multi-Activity Peru Holiday Trip Available!

There is still space available at the holidays on a classic Peruvian multisport adventure, The Multi-Activity Peru, December 21-January 3!

The Multi-Activity Peru is an awesome 14-day all inclusive trip that includes horseback riding around the ruins near Cusco, whitewater rafting on the Urubamba in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, mountain biking through the Saltpans of Maras, a 5-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu trek, and 3 days in the Amazon Rainforest. The trip can also be shortened to 12 days by skipping the jungle portion.

The former Inca Capital and Spanish Colonial city of Cusco is our base for this great multisport adventure. Cusco is a wonderful place full of culture, history, good restaurants and fun nightlife. From Cusco, explore nearby ruins on horseback, raft the fun Class III-IV rapids of the upper Urubamba river, visit the Pisac artisan market, descend into the Sacred Valley of the Incas by mountain bike, and hike the famous Inca Trail to the lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu. A rest day in Cusco is followed by a short flight to an Amazonian jungle lodge to enjoy hikes, canoe rides and rainforest exploration before returning to Lima.

$2735 per person (optional single supplement $330). www.detourdestinations.com

New Trip Date Available - Galapagos Multisport Adventure Dec 31, 2008

Galapagos Multisport Adventure, 7-Days: New Holiday Date Available!

While most Galapagos trips over the holidays have been sold out for quite some time, there is a great new option December 31-January 6 on the Galapagos Multisport Adventure, 7-days. This date was recently opened up in response to the number of people who are looking for great trips over the holidays but don't have anything available for them.

The Galapagos Multisport Adventure is the perfect choice for those who want to explore the amazing flora and fauna of the Galapagos, but don't want to be cooped up on a boat, and want more action than just slow-paced naturalist walks.

On the Galapagos Multisport, you will hike, sea kayak, snorkel, and mountain bike among the world famous wildlife of the Galapagos Islands, spending more time out in nature recreating than on any naturalist cruise. You will discover the incredible wildlife of the Islands with top naturalist guides, and will also visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about conservation and management efforts in the archipelago.

Special pricing applies. Contact Detour for details.