Ecotourism and Adventure Holidays

Adventure and excitement are relative to your expectations. Those who have not travelled much, may need less to stimulate their senses. Those who are dedicated in one particular field, may be very excited to view only a little extra.

Earth adventure holidays and Soft adventures holidays

Unfortunately, those who have done the skydiving, mountain ski-boarding and river rafting things, may need to continue at that higher adventure level just to get any sort of stimulation.

This is where adventure holidays come in, however, responsible ecotourism includes programs that minimize the adverse effects of traditional tourism on the natural environment and enhance the cultural integrity of local people. So, I don't want to pour cold water on your adventure holidays plans, but many traditional adventure holidays are designed with just the pleasure seeker in mind and do not fit into the responsible ecotourism category.

Having said that, it is possible for any of the adventure holidays to become ecotourism friendly by following the guidelines in "what is ecotourism"

I suggest that you talk to your travel agent and see if it is possible to adjust some of the more standard packages accordingly - use the following list as a starting point for your ecotourism adventure holidays.

Winter adventure holidays: Dog Sledding, Mountaineering , Snowboarding , Skiing, Snow Kiting - most of these are good examples of ecotourism related holidays.

Water sports adventure holidays : Kayaking & Canoeing, River Rafting, Wakeboarding, Windsurfing, Sailing & Yachting, Scuba Diving, Surfing, Fishing, Kitesurfing - again, most of these are good examples of ecotourism related holidays.

Air sports adventure holidays : Aeroplane Flying, Bungee Jumping, Handgliding, Hot Air Ballooning, Paragliding, Skydiving - these are not good examples (air ballooning as a possible exception) and should only be considered providing you are very mindful of the potential harm that can be caused to the environment. In addition, they do almost nothing to support the main themes of ecotourism - see "what is ecotourism"

Mountain sports adventure holidays : Canyoning, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, Trekking (Walking), Caving & Potholing - these are ok providing that you take photographs and leave nothing but footprints (no left rubbish please)

Other adventure holidays :

Overland Tours, Cycling (Road), Horse Riding Safari adventure holidays, - yep, these are OK as ecotourism friendly activities

Non recommended adventure holidays :

Motor Biking, Paintballing, Quad Biking, Zorbing - all non recommended and should be avoided.

Designaventure - Stag Night Ideas - specialist weekend organisers in some of the most
desired stag destinations within UK and abroad. Contact them online for exotic themed stag night ideas and games - again, outside the main objectives of ecotourism - please be a responsible ecotourist (yes - even on your stag night !!)

more on Earth adventure holidays and Soft adventure holidays

more on responsible ecotourism - reef and rainforest family adventures