Environmentally Responsible Travel

Some people will find it very challenging to be environmentally responsible whilst traveling because…

• Travel consumes energy just to move from one place to another
• Travel involves other people who supply you food and lodging, information and medical support
• There is limited access to Recycling,
• Less opportunity for composting our waste
• Little or no opportunity to grow food or produce other things

True Travel Costs

Knowing the true cost and accepting responsibility for our impact is a major step towards finding sustainable solutions.
Travel allows us to:

• Acknowledge  our place in a global context
• Build peace through understanding.
• Learn technologies from current and ancient examples.
• Encourage others and sharing our knowledge.

Benefits of Travel

The advantages of travel can be optimised by knowing what can be achieved and following a path that accomodates the ideals of sustainable travel.

For example, if we know that sustainable travel requires interaction between fellow travellers and the people we are visiting, then we will choose accomodation that has shared facilities (kitchens, bathrooms, lounge) where our chances of meeting others in increased.

Ideas for Sustainable Travel

• Walk to get around.  Today is is easy to walk, there is luggage with both wheels and back straps.
  Walking is quieter, the air is cleaner and we have time to stop to meet people and smell the roses.
  Before you embark on a major journey, organise a 3 day hike starting at your own front step.
  You may decide to walk to the next city or somewhere away from civilisation.  Most journeys can be accomplished with a little planning.  Planning is an essential tool for sustainable living because not planning results in waste.  Your journey can have walks of 11km per day and you can book lodgings ahead of time and if you don’t make it all the way, organise to catch a bus or train.  What is the point in whizzing around?  do we do fast journeys simply because we can? who is the traveller- you or the technology?
• Arrange a swap or work-accomodation exchange
  so that you can be productive, helping on their site whilst  learning about life in another place.
• You will learn a lot more as you travel if you talk to the locals and don’t just look at objects, monuments and landscapes.
  In fact, you could be looking at something far more interesting if asked a local what to look for.
• Stay where you can cook most of your meals,
  preferably in a communal kitchen where you get to meet others and learn how they cook.
• Buy fresh seasonal fruit and veg that grow locally, try new foods – this is all part of the experience.
  
• Share your transport, food and other resources with other travellers
• Stay in places that support shared resources, recycling of waste, and helping out -
  this helps them to stay in business as well as meeting some of your responsibilities.
  It also encourages other places to be sustainable.
• Stay where you can meet others and give them items you have spare such as books you have read,  equipment you no longer need,
  wholefoods that are in perfect  order but too heavy to lug home.
• Recycle your clothes by looking for places to leave them.  Good places to leave clothes are in collection bays at churches.   Sometimes, you may just have to take a risk and leave warm coats or sturdy boots in a church doorway rather than throw it away.

TRAVEL TO…A FARM!

While traveling around South America most travelers followed pretty much the same check list:

Salt Flats

Machu Picchu

Rio

Few of the travelers includeda  local farm was not on their schedule!

But if you are looking to make a difference, to give something in return, try the local produce and enjoy nature, you might wanna give it a try

No matter how we travel, we have an impact on the communites and natural habitats we visit.

The question is, how do we make that impact into a positive one?

On my own personal search, I came across the concept of permaculture.

I visited an amazing farm located in the mountains of Ecuador, called Sacred Suenos and spent a few weeks volunteering there.

Today, I would like to point you towards the right direction by providing a few links where you will be able to find other sustainable volunteering opportunities.

Enjoy your travels and give yourself the opportunity to be closer to nature!

Ecovillas network of the Americas

Independentvolunteer.org

Wwoofing

ECO LODGE IN MACHU PICCHU

500 years have passed since the last Incas abandoned the paradise of Machu Picchu and we still haven’t learned to coexist with the planet.

What would they say if they could see what their sacred sanctuary been converted into?

Traveling it’s a great educational life experience but many times we end up damaging the natural resources of the places we visit by polluting and damaging the “Pachamama” for our own personal interests.

The damage we are causing the environment affects us all (discriminating between neither race, religion, or culture) so we all need to learn to respect our mother earth.

Thousands of visitors arrive in Machu Picchu every day, not always aware of the environmental consequences of their visit.

This travelers, arrive either from hiking the famous inca trail (on 1-2-3-7-14 days tours) or trough Aguas Calientes (Also known as Machu Picchu pueblo), a town on the Urubamba river and the closest to the Machu Picchu.

But not all of it is bad news. With the mission of preserving the wildlife and ecosystem of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary the Rupawasi Eco lodge opened in 2002.

Since then, they have taken this philosophy very seriously by encouraging the use of alternative energies, using biodegradable products and recycling, causing minimal impact on the environment.

They are actually serving as the only serious example of sustainable ecotourism for the rest of the town.

Rupawasi´s unique location provides for spectacular views of the mountains of Machu Picchu. Rooms boasting balconies allow guests to take full advantage of these surroundings This design marvel fits together magically with the green surrounding of Aguas Calientes to create a peaceful environment, an invitation to relax.

The hotel itself is designed to have a comfortable and cozy ambient, with good music, selected literature, and plenty of information and advice. All this is set in their carefully cultivated orchid and native green gardens.

When staying at Rupawasi Ecolodge, you will be able to enjoy, among other personalized services,gourmet cuisine in their on site restaurant where they also organize cooking classes! They offer structured 2, 3 ,4 day courses and tailor made courses to fit your travel arrangements.

Sessions are aimed at travellers who want an authentic cultural experience. They offer the opportunity of actually participating in a real kitchen envirnoment, with real cooks and providing food to real customers.

Initially classes are based on a theoretical explanation of the menu, you will learn not only recipes, but the whole procedure, from choosing the right ingredients in the market, to the different ways of portioning, packaging and storing local produce.

At Rupawasi they also strive to preserve and rescue native flora and fauna.

They are the only lodge in the area working in harmony with their natural surroundings. They have carefully cultivated their own gardens to this end which contains species of native trees, plants (over 50 varieties of orchids) and visiting fauna.

Manu travelers only use Aguas Calientes as a stop point between Cusco and Machu Picchu, but this magical town, with it’s thermal baths, hikes and beautiful scenery definitely has much more to offer and the Rupawasi seems to be the perfect place to enjoy that!

GREEN + FREE (or really cheap) B.A.

Most travelers arrive in Buenos Aires in search for it’s amazing cosmopolitan city life, but when the noise and pollution become a bit too much and you are ready for a break there are some alternatives to discover.

You don’t even need to go to far for a little bit of green and clean air and you don’t even need to jump out of your budget either!

So, when you are ready for a break from the crazy city life, just join any of the following FREE (or really cheap) and GREEN activities Buenos Aires has to offer!

Please, do double check for updates in times and meeting points and bare in mind that unless specified, the activities are in Spanish only!

So put on your most comfortable shoes and discover what Buenos Aires has to offer for the green travelers on a budget!

ECOLOGICAL PROTECTED AREA

The Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve is a green area having unique features located by the River Plate, in the southern corner of the city of Buenos Aires. A few blocks away from the heart of the City and government buildings, the Reserve offers a different promenade where people can come into else contact with wildlife.
A great variety of trees, grasses and shrubs typical of the Delta and the coast of the River Plate can be appreciated from the trails. Vast Pampas grasslands add to “aliso de río” and native willow woods. In the riverside small groups of “ceibos”grow from seeds brought in by the water. Reedmace and reeds act as a background for ponds where a varied fauna lives. Bird species typical of the Pampas wetlands prevail. Other zoological species are present, though not so easily seen: several fish species many amphibians and reptiles, some mammal, countless insects and other invertebrates that can be found in the water, among the plants, or when crossing trails.

Besides their regular guided tours (held Saturdays and Sundays 10:30 and 15:30) they also organize moon light walks once a month.

Please contact them to reserve your place on their tours.

BOTANICAL GARDENS

With 18 acres of gardens and 5,500 varieties of exotic and local flora, the Charles Thays Botanical Garden is an unexpected green haven wedged between three busy Palermo streets. Different sections re-create the environments of Asia, Africa, Oceania, Europe, and the Americas. Among the treasures is the Chinese “tree of gold,” purportedly the only one of its kind. Winding paths lead to hidden statues, a brook, and past the resident cats and dragonflies. The central area contains a beautiful greenhouse, brought from France in 1900, and the exposed-brick botanical school and library.

In recent years a large community of cats has established itself within the garden, encouraged by neighbors who leave food out for them. Attempts to remove the cats have so far proved unsuccessful.

Their next ENGLISH spoken guided tours will be held:

* 28/12
* 04/01
* 11/01
* 01/02
* 08/02
* 15/02
* 22/02
* 29/02
You do need to sign up in advance by calling the number: 4831-4527/4614.

NATURAL SCIENCES NATIONAL MUSEUM

Founded 1823 in Buenos Aires. It has zoological, botanical, and geological departments.

The museum has about 2,000,000 exhibits and a library of more than 500,000 volumes. Areas of expertise include archaeology, botany, ecology, entomology, hydrobiology, mineralogy, paleontology, and zoology.

You can book a guided tour by calling: 4982 6595 / 8370 / 8797 / 4791 ext.180 o 234

PALERMO PARK

Originally owned by Governor Rosas, the Palermo park opened to the public in 1874. Visit the Jardín de los Poetas, with sculptures of famous writers such as Alfonsina Storni, Felix Amador, Paul Groussac and Enrique Larreta. Enjoy the Rosedal where the colorful roses are kept. Other features include pergolas, bridges, fountains, seats, street lamps and a magnificent array of sculptures. Many activities are available at the lake, including rowing and pedal boats. These woods are the preferred choice for local joggers and bicyclers.

You can enjoy a free guided tour of it’s rose garden by calling: 4800 1135

JAPANESE GARDENS

Tucked in the midst of all the other Palermo gardens is this tiny gem opened in 1969 in honor of an official visit by one of the Japanese princes. Special landscaping, rock islands, and small red bowed bridges give the feeling of being in Japan as soon as you step through the gates here. Carp swim in the large central lake, a delight for children as well as adults. Beyond the lake lies the Cultural Center, with a small museum and various art exhibitions. Kids can also learn origami folding and many other Asian crafts. There are Asian fairs are held throughout the year in both the center and the park.

Free (Admission in the garden $5 pesos) guided tours every Saturday and Sunday at 15:30

Tourist groups can also get an organized tour by contacting the Garden directly.

LARRETA MUSEUM

This museum’s collection consists primarily of 16th and 17th century paintings, sculptures, furniture, ceramics and diverse objects representative of Spain. There are also medieval and early 20th century works. The collection belonged to Argentine writer and Hispanist Enrique Larreta, and is still housed in his old Belgrano estate. With the help of architect Martín Noel, Larreta endowed his house with a Spanish character, transforming it into a noble example of neocolonial architecture surrounded by a 7,000 square meter Andalusian garden.

You can visit the gardens + museum for free on Thursdays from 14 to 20 hs.

MACHU PICHU

While working as a Tour leader in Peru for a few months I visited Machu Pichu over 5 times, one of them after the Inca trail.

As anyone probably imagines, this was an amazing experience but it did shock me at times how travelers are abusing of the resources and how locals are taking advantage of the quick dollars. Nobody looking after the most important thing: The natural resources that brought both parts together.

I love traveling and I hope I will be able to do it the rest of my life, but if we don’t change our behaviour, soon nothing natural will be left and we will be the ones to blame.

On this note, I would like to comment about the Inca trail itself and share with you some important guidelines to take into consideration when booking this amazing experience.

These guidelines have been written by “the inka porter project/ Porteadores Inka Ñan” and you can find more information on their website: http://www.peruweb.org/porters/index.html

So enjoy your visit and remember that you are also part of nature, so behave in a balance and responsible way towards the rest of the natural world!

FACTS

130,000 people walked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in 2004 – a 14-fold increase in the last 10 years. This heavy foot traffic on the Inca Trail, and also on other trekking routes, is taking its toll on the environment in the following ways:

*Pollution from detergents used for washing dishes and cooking utensils which contain oils and grease from cooking. These get washed into streams and rivers by rain. The local people downstream use this water untreated so it needs to be clean. The pollutants also harm, or even kill, aquatic plants, animals and fish.

*Rubbish includes food remains, packaging, toilet tissue and cigarette ends. Some rubbish is toxic and some rots but can take a long time. For example, it can take six months for orange peel to rot. As waste decomposes, it releases chemicals and these find their way into streams and rivers causing pollution. Some rubbish, like plastic, does not decompose and is unsightly and can harm domestic or wild animals if they eat it.

*Erosion of the footpaths, campsite areas and Inca remains at Machu Picchu and other sites.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

When You Book
Ask your tour company what it does to minimise environmental impacts: what do they do with the rubbish? What products do they use for cleaning dishes? Do they tidy the campsites before everybody leaves? What training do they provide for their staff on environmental practices?

What to Take
*Plastic bags for rubbish.
*Refillable water bottles and water purification tablets.
*Biodegradable soap made from natural, local products

On the Trail
Rubbish
*Collect rubbish in plastic bags and bring it back down with you.
*Make sure your tour guide, cook and porters take all the rubbish back down with them for disposal in proper areas.
*Don’t buy disposable water bottles. Use refillable water bottles and water purification tablets.
*Only smoke in designated areas.

Toilets
*Always use the fixed toilets or portable toilets.
*Don’t put toilet paper down the toilet.
*If you really have to defecate, and there is no nearby toilet, walk as far away from any streams as possible, dig a hole 6-8 inches/ 12-18 cm deep and 4-6 inches/ 10-12cm in diameter. Bury and cover with leaves or grass so that it is as inconspicuous as possible. Bury toilet paper properly or take it with you in plastic bags – do not leave it fluttering around. (By doing it this way, what you leave behind will decompose in the soil, instead of getting washed away by rain into streams.)
*Wrap tampons and sanitary towels in plastic bags and take them with you. Don’t bury them (they decompose too slowly).
*Urine is sterile so causes less environmental impact but excessive amounts can damage plants. Think before you pee!

Washing
*Use biodegradable soap to prevent water pollution.
*Plates without any grease on them don’t need cleaning with detergents; just use water.

Erosion
*Keep to footpaths and designated areas – don’t encroach on other areas.
*Don’t touch any Inca remains or climb or sit on them. (Oils and sweat on your hands can cause damage.)

Wildlife
*Leave wildlife alone. Take a photographic “souvenir” instead.
*Don’t make loud noises, like shouting and playing loud music.
*Don’t light fires or burn any rubbish.
*Don’t cut down plants and trees.
*Don’t trample on plants and flowers.
*Don’t feed wildlife or leave scraps of food for them. (It encourages them to rely on human contact.)

Recycling
*South American Explorers has a recycling centre in Cusco where you can recycle plastic bottles, tins, glass, etc.
Bell 4, 188 Choquechaca, Cusco.
Tel: (084) 245484
Email: cuscoclub@saexplorers.org
Website: www.saexplorers.org

BOOKING

Questions to ask your agency when booking the Classic Inka Trail from your home country

*Does the company follow the International Porter Protection Group’s five guidelines on porter safety? These are:
*Adequate clothing for protection from bad weather and high altitude should be provided
*Porters should have access to shelter (room, tent or lodge, sleeping bags and mats) and cooking equipment
*Porters should have the same access to medical care as tourists
*Adequate procedures should be in place for medical evacuation of porters
*Porters should carry no more than 25kg according to Peruvian law
*What is the company’s policy on equipment and health care for porters?
* What does the company do to ensure its staff are properly trained to look after porters’ welfare?
*Does the company ask about treatment of porters in its post-trek questionnaire?
*A question to ask tour operators that hire other agencies to run their Inka Trails (NB: this includes most international tour operators).
*What is the company’s policy on training and monitoring porter care by its ground operator in Peru?

PORTERS

Hire a porter.
Day two is really hard especially if you are not acclimatised to the altitude. As the guides say, you can either treat day two as an endurance test or enjoy it: it’s up to you.
Do not give your pack to a porter who already has a full load. If they carry more than 25kg, not only is it bad for their health, but they and the agency will get a substantial fine. If the agency gets fined, the porter generally does not get paid.
Ask your agency how much the porters are paid
The Porters’ Law states 120 to 135 soles for the four days but, in 2005, agencies have collectively negotiated 100 soles. However, it is often the case that porters are paid as little as 60 soles. If your trip costs less than $275, you can be fairly sure that the porters will be not be well cared for.
Let your agent know porters’ welfare is of concern to you
Drum the message home: porters need sleeping mats, tents with integral floors, adequate light and enough appropriate food (not just what is left over when tourists have finished).
Spend time with your porter
They can tell you amazing stories. Guides often tell you that porters don’t want to talk to the tourists, which may be true if you go barging in when they are eating together or sleeping. But along the trail, offer them coca leaves and learn a few words of Quechua!
Tip your porter.
Most groups collect at dinner on the last night of the trail and then give it to the porters. Remember to take adequate small change in order to tip porters individually. Please let your group know that 30 soles per porter is a minimum and it’s best to deal separately with porters that carry individuals’ bags. It is best to tip porters directly rather than giving the money to the guide or cook. Some tourists feel that this “ceremony” is degrading for the porters but they feel that it shows appreciation of their work.
Make sure that the guide takes care of sick porters
It is required by law to share the first aid kit with everybody in the group, not just the tourists.
Report all instances of neglect or abuse to the International Porter Protection Group.