In our previous post about travel and its contribution to climate change, we talked about volunteering holidays, where you can actively make a contribution towards improving the environment.
Responsible Travel, a Brighton-based ecotourism company which offers a range of green holidays from various travel operators, is currently advertising a fantastic 14-day holiday in Mauritius.
This trip offers you the best of both worlds. You can holiday in beautiful surroundings, and will have the opportunity to explore the island’s sights and relax on its beaches, but you’ll also be involved in community work during your stay.
The itinerary includes: climbing the island’s second largest mountain, Le Pouce; visiting the Grand Basin, a Hindu temple and lake; visiting the Black River Gorges National Park; a trip to Chamarel Seven Coloured Sands; a day trip to the Southern Coast, on which you’ll see Rochester Falls, Le Gris Gris, Le Souffler and Blue Bay; climbing Lion Mountain; a boat trip to Ile Aux Cerfs; a trip to Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens; and a day in Port Louis, the island’s capital city.
You’ll also spend a day carrying out youth and community work, and you’ll be able to buy and plant a native plant in a conservation area in order to help the environment.
During the trip, you will stay in small guest houses and hotels, meaning that your stay will directly benefit the local economy. Many of these hotels and guest houses are eco-friendly, using solar powered showers and producing energy from burning waste sugar cane, for example. During the trip, food is also generally bought from independent local traders, again helping the economy.
Departure dates for 2009 are as follows: 2 May, 6 June, 4 July, 1 August, 3 October and 7 November. The trip costs £645 and the price includes accommodation and food as stated in the itinerary. You will need to pay for and arrange your own flights to Mauritius.
Image courtesy of: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Oke
Tags: climate change, Ecotourism, ecotravel, Mauritius, Responsible Travel, volunteering holidays
