Ecotour activities in Asia
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Ecotour
Ecofriendly and flexible with budget demands. Stay in traditional yurts with solar-heated water, and small hydroelectric turbines at Temir Kanat, Ak-Sai, Tuura-Su, Kara-Talaa, Jeti-Öghuz and Bosteri for €20 per night (includes three meals and horse riding). Contact English-speaking Elmira or German-speaking Zamira.
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Elephant Valley Project
For an original elephant experience, visit the Elephant Valley Project. Part of the Elephants Livelihood Initiative Environment, visitors can learn the art of the mahout for a day. The trip starts with a tour of the project before learning about the body language of elephants. Students are then given the chance to try a series of short rides to build their confidence. After lunch, wannabee mahouts get the chance to experience a longer ride to a nearby waterfall.
After a dip in the water, it's possible to help wash down the elephants.It costs around US$50 per person per day up to a maximum of four people, although this number may rise as more elephants are brought into…
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O Svay
This small village near the border with Laos is emerging as an alternative place to view the rare freshwater dolphins of the Mekong. As politics muddies the waters on the Lao side of the border, with the Cambodian and Lao authorities arguing over who has the right to profit from the dolphins, O Svay is stepping forward. A friendly village that also offers the chance for a homestay with a local family, it is possible to view the dolphins for just USaround US$1 here.
Boat rental is also available for about around US$5 per hour, although for now the boats have no covers so bring a hat or scarf. O Svay is now part of the Mekong Discovery Trail and it is possible to arrange a…
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Turtle Spotting
In the evening between September and November, you can spot giant Olive Ridley and green turtles along parts of the Karachi shoreline. The best way see them is to go with a local naturalist or hire a boat from Keamari with a knowledgeable captain for the specific purpose of watching them. Hawkes Bay and Sandspit are the prime places to spot turtles. A handy local contact is the green turtle project officer at the Sindh Wildlife Management Board, who is responsible for their protection.
The PTDC office can also advise on hiring boats and arrange tours with enough notice.
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Chambok Community-based Ecotourism
Kirirom is one of the few national parks to have a nearby community tourism programme. Set just beyond the park boundaries, Chambok Community-based Ecotourism programme is based in Chambok village, where attractions include a 40m-high waterfall, traditional ox-cart rides (Cambodia's original 4WDs) and nature walks. It is also possible to sample traditional Cambodian country fare at the small restaurant or arrange a local homestay with a bit of notice.
Originally established by local NGO Mlup Baitong, a percentage of the proceeds is pumped back into the local community.
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Mulu Canopy Skywalk
One of the real highlights of the park is its brilliant new Mulu Canopy Skywalk, easily the best in Southeast Asia. The park requires that you traverse it as part of a guided walk. Despite the relatively steep cost, we urge you not to skip this attraction - every bit of the 480m length is unforgettable.
Climbing to the canopy is really the only way to see what a tropical rainforest is all about, since most of the action happens in the canopy, not on the ground. Contact Park Headquarters (HQ) for more details or to arrange a guide.
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Phneat Koh Pong Sat Community Fisheries
At the Phneat Koh Pong Sat Community Fisheries, a community-based fish sanctuary run by monks 8km east of town, you can feed schools of fat, frisky fish from a peaceful riverside pavilion on the grounds of a wat. Monks sell food pellets and dry bread (500r). It makes a delightful excursion by bicycle, moto or car, especially in the late afternoon.
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Nomadic Journeys
A Mongolian-Swedish joint venture concentrating on low-impact tourism. It runs fixed-departure yak, camel and horse treks and can also arrange rafting trips on the Tuul Gol. Its trip in Terelj is unique - you walk while yaks haul your own portable ger on a cart. This is a great outfit for the eco-conscious traveller. Contact Jan Wigsten or Manduhai.
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Dolphin watching
In the coconut-shaded fishers' village of Thmor Thom - reachable by boat - the national park has a ranger post known as Dolphin Station because, from November to March, you can often see dolphins in the morning and evening. Two-hour dolphin-watching boat trips costs around US$20 for up to four people.
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Clearwater Connection
A 4.8km trip that starts at Wind Cave and heads into the wild chambers of the famous Clearwater Cave. There is a good bit of scrambling and the route includes a 1.5km river section. Contact Park Headquarters (HQ) for more details or to arrange a guide.
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Free the Bears
Free the Bears has just launched a 'bear keeper for the day' initiative to allow visitors a better understanding of the Asian black bear and Malayan sun bear. The full day visit includes the chance to feed and wash the young bears in their care.
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Agricultural Development Action
If you'd like to see rural development projects in action, contact Agricultural Development Action a day or two ahead to arrange an all-day (07:00 to 19:00) tour by 4WD (around US$150 for up to three people, including translator and meals).
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Irrawaddy Dolphin watching
Endangered Irrawaddy dolphins can sometimes be seen early in the morning (06:30 or 07:00) around the entrance to the Stung Koh Poi estuary, and occasionally the gentle marine mammals even swim upriver to the Krong Koh Kong.
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Asiatic Travel & Tours
Managing director Wing-Kan Nip has a foot in mainland China, another in San Francisco Bay, and a base in Tawau where he uncovers East Sabah's off-the-beaten track attractions.
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Action Max Laos
Elephant treks and comfortable, small group tours to surrounding area. Prices around US$30 per person per day.
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Transborneo Adventure
Wide menu includes dolphin ecotours with Yayasan Konservasi RASI.
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GMVN Tourist Office
Can organise half-day taxi tour of Haridwar.
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Free the Bears
Free the Bears has just launched a 'bear keeper for the day' initiative to allow visitors a better understanding of the Asian black bear and Malayan sun bear. The full day visit includes the chance to feed and wash the young bears in their care.
reviewed