The Best Trips for Animal Lovers
Whether it’s orangutans in Borneo or elephants in Thailand, there are plenty of ethical animal tourism options around the world that cater to animal lovers.
Visiting polar bears in Canada
Second only to visiting Antarctica, polar bear enthusiasts can head to Canada to see these furry animals in their natural habitats. According to the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat website, “the habitat is both the largest, and the only human care facility in the world dedicated solely to polar bears. With seven hectares of pristine, natural environment categorized as sub-arctic, the habitat also features the world’s largest enclosed lake that provides an ice platform for up to seven months of the year.” Not to be mistaken with a zoo enclosure, the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat specializes in the research and care of Northern Ontario polar bears, which currently are facing a decline in population. Visiting guests can volunteer at the habitat, view the bears, and enjoy the on-premise museums and dining.
Destinations Unlocked:
Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture tripCentralAmerica
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great priceAfrica
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.Volunteer with sea turtles in Costa Rica
For a warmer destination, head south to Costa Rica, where Osa Conservation offers volunteers the chance to protect sea turtles. According to their website, “Osa Conservation’s mission is to conserve the globally significant terrestrial and marine biological diversity of the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica by implementing ecosystem stewardship, enhancing scientific understanding, providing education and training, and creating sustainable economic opportunities.” Osa Conservation runs various wildlife conservation projects with different species, including frogs, felines, and primates. Working with sea turtles may involve tasks like running the hatchery and tagging the animals.
See tigers ethically in India
Thailand used to be a prime destination to get up close and personal with tigers, until the famed Tiger Kingdom was revealed to be rife with scandal and abuse. Today, the place to view tigers ethically is India, specifically with Ranthambhore Nature Guides. The company started up in 2007 as a resource for visitors to explore India’s rich natural history and wildlife. You can enter their tiger reserve, where they keep an eye on all the local tigers and their last sightings.
Swim with whale sharks in Mexico
Swimming with whale sharks should definitely be on your bucket list, but finding a way to do so in an ethical and environmentally sound way can be tricky. Enter Whale Shark México, a research center monitoring the migratory patterns of whale sharks in the Gulf of California. According to the website, “[Director and Researcher] Dení Ramírez Macías has been working closely with the Mexican government in its program to manage and conserve the whale sharks in Mexican waters. They have been training the tourist companies of La Paz in order to create a sustainable whale shark tourist activity.” Those keen on seeing whale sharks can join one of their research trips.
Volunteer with rescued elephants in Thailand
Upon arriving in Thailand, you’ll be greeted with a multitude of tourist programs offering elephant rides, circus events, elephant painting and other attractions. Unbeknown to many, riding elephants is cruel and causes these gentle giants unthinkable physical damage and mental abuse. Of the sea of animal tourism spectacles promoted, the right way to see elephants is with Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai.
Elephant Nature Park fights to save these poor animals by relocating them to a sanctuary in Northern Thailand where they can live out their days in peace. There is no riding, no tricks, no forced performances for the sake of selfies; rather, the park invites people to simply spend time with their elephants and feed them watermelons. Visitors have the option of a one-day visit, an overnight stay, or participating in a one-week volunteer project with either elephants or the dog or cat sanctuaries also located on the premises. Elephant Nature Park sets a stellar example for animal tourism and, one can only hope, points to the future of ethical animal tourism in Thailand.
Visit wild orangutans in Borneo’s Tanjung Puting National Park
Borneo is one of those far flung destinations one never imagines seeing in person; the sort of fog-covered jungle landscape that seems to exist only on the air waves of National Geographic or the Discovery Channel. Catching sight of that first orangutan is nothing short of magical. Unfortunately, the palm oil industry and deforestation is a constant threat to Borneo and its orangutans, but Tanjung Puting National Park is a sanctuary for local wildlife. My Orangutan Tours is a local company that takes visitors, by riverboat, into the park for a visit to Camp Leakey—an orangutan research center deep in the jungle. Along the way, you’ll spot wild orangutans, proboscis monkeys and many other animals.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
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It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
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Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
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