Get up close with some of the North’s wildlife.
Experience the northern lights.
Scarlet macaw of Costa Rica. Borneo
Borneo, a steamy hot paradise a degree or so from the equator, is home to some very exciting experiences. Tis ecotourism hotspot includes opportunities to cozy up to orangutans in their natural habitat, explore the Deer Cave where deer come to lick its salty walls or walk in the rain- forests to view the spectacular birds and other wildlife. Tose who love to see the endangered and rare will want to visit the Borneo “pygmy” elephants even though they are only slightly smaller than African elephants. Borneo is a beautiful country with lovely accommoda-
tions and warm, friendly people — not to mention the cultured pearls that can be had for a song in Sarawak when you are tired of trekking through the wild places. Visit Cat City, Kuching, and go to a nearby Iban cultural village where you can meet folks who used to be (we hope) headhunters.
Whitehorse
Back to Canada, it would be fair to call Whitehorse an ecotourism destination and many Europeans do. Te streets of this lovely little town are thronged with tour- ists who speak many languages. Te stunning beauty of the place is enough to qualify it as an eco-destination: the bright blue skies, the black-green spruce, the golds and or- anges of the turning deciduous foliage in fall will imprint on your mind. Ten there are the long, long days of mid- summer where the sun virtually never sets, or the Yukon Wildlife Preserve where you can see moose, musk oxen, mountain goats, wood bison elk, caribou and more. Just as in Churchill, the northern lights alone are worth the trip.
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Yukon sheep.
Galapagos penguins. Te Arctic
Even more exotic are trips to the Arctic, a dream world of white that is never just white, but a prism of vibrant colour when the sun is shining. Experience the Northwest Passage on an arctic cruise. Watch for narwhals and bowhead whales and experience the other-worldly sound of throat singing. Te Galapagos
Te Galapagos Islands, almost a thousand kilometres off the coast of Ecuador, its nearest neighbour, are a treasure trove of wildlife that has been under protection in its natural state since 1930. Tere are sea lions and giant tortoises that will let you approach without fear. What to expect of your wild ways
In an interesting contradiction, ecotourists want their ex-
perience to be accompanied by the little body comforts — and why not? Tey are ready and willing to pay big bucks for the privilege. Most of these destinations cater to your expectations and offer locally appropriate but comfortable, bordering-on-luxurious accommodation nearby. If you are a purist, you can always backpack your way
through these destinations. Whichever mode of travel you choose, there are a few protocols to observe. Remember to respect the local people as well. Tourists are
often advised not to haggle but to pay fair prices and sup- port the local economies. Don’t litter — take your waste away with you. If you want to bring gifts, try books, pens and paper over sweets in third world countries. Opt for local guides. Ask permission to take photos of people and share them if you can. Respect local customs including the avoidance of alcohol in Muslim countries.
Winter 2016 • 27
Photo by Sebastian.
Photo by M. Maggs.
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