Community Based Tourism

We give below a selection of our very popular trips that are organised in collaboration with local communities. These trips give you the deepest insight as to what life is really like in these countries. This type of trip is the most rewarding way to travel, for all concerned, you get to help the local people in the areas you want to visit. The benefits to the local community are enormous and more importantly are sustainable. Some of these include a number of days living with a local family - this is what we call a "homestay".

Is that you live with a local family and it will, in most cases, be in a traditional building. The idea is to get an immersion into their way of life. A good quality interpreter / local guide ensures you get the best out of the experience, as the remote locations we choose are authentic and very few people speak English. We normally place two guests to each home.

The homes are very basic compared to what you are probably used to. There may only be one bedroom for you and the other guest to share (in some other places we set up similar arrangements where the home consists of just ONE room - e.g. a Navajo hogan). The washroom may be outside the home and could consist of just a water pipe and a bucket.

The reduced amount of privacy and the basic conditions limits most travellers to about 3 nights at a time in anyone location, with a brief spell in a reasonable hotel between periods in homestays, if more than one period is planned.

Eating with the hosts is an important part of the experience and you may find yourselves sitting on the floor, outside or inside, and eating things you had never seen or heard of before. Some foods will be familiar if you are cosmopolitan in your usual eating habits.

Often the community will organise an event to which you are invited - this may be something specially laid on for you, in other cases it may be part of their regular round of festivals. Either way it will feel very special to you. You may be called upon to respond at such a gathering to give an example of something from your culture, for example the Okey Kokey or some other example of our fine western culture. The Okey Kokey was actually delivered by a group of ladies from Texas who had just watched a delightful dance by young Thai girls and although not the highlight of our culture it was enjoyed by all.

Now that most people fly to Lukla, the whole area between Jiri and Lukla is tranquil. It is a pleasant, 5 hour, moderate walk or an easier 6 hour route, to the village of Shivalaya where we start our 'off the beaten trail' journey. From here we explore the valley which runs northwards into an area where few tourists venture. The walk along the Khola is very pleasant and we will be welcomed everywhere we go, due to our rarity factor. You will sample living in a Nepalese household in the tiny hamlet of Garjang (1,980m), away from the tourist trails, with beautiful views all around, and a number of gentle walks will beckon.

This and our other community tours in Thailand provide, are provided by grassroots groups and local development organisations. No commercial tour operator can match the intimacy and the authentic experience of living with the local people (a trip known as a homestay).

Thai Festival of Light (Loy Kratong)

This is a great trip for anyone, who would like to know remote Thailand and her people. The hiking and rafting (subject to river conditions) through the countryside is easy, no special skills are needed. Just enjoy the nature and the friendliness of your hosts in this unforgettable visit to the ancient kingdoms of Lanna and Nan. The sophisticated residents of Chiang Mai look down on the villagers who live in Mae Jaem as they are seen as uncivilised. The Mae Jaem people have fought to retain the old ways, as they just know this is the best way of living.

Dates: October / November each year, the dates vary each year (Lunar calendar) and tie in with Thailand’s most spectacular festival.

Price Indication per person: USD 998 - for 13 Days (subject to group numbers)

The isolated village of our choice is Mae Jaem, Thailand's Shangri-La. It awakens each day from a dreamy mist to a vista of day time colours; green fields, bright blue skies, the monk's yellow robes, the men's blue shirts and the women's embroidered teenjok cloth, and hair decorated with orchids.

We learn about Lana art and culture. Afterwards we will visit a Karen village, see their indigenous irrigation system and learn something about their relationship to the forest and its utilisation of Herbs and plants for food.

Dates: Anytime (November is best), but numbers of visitors per year are strictly limited.

An alternative to Phuket, if you want natural surroundings, and no crowds. Enjoy a wide selection of activities such as fishing, caving, kayaking, swimming, snorkelling, or just relax on the beaches.

The Andaman sea is very rich with life and the snorkelling is fantastic. The best periods to dive is from January to May and from September to October when peak visibility can reach over 100 feet. The local guides will show you the sights and talk about the Muslim way of life on the island. You will get to know about the conservation struggle that has been going on.

Dates: Anytime (November is best), but numbers of visitors per year are limited.

Price Indication per person: USD390 for 5 days (subject to group numbers)

The North West of Laos is home to many rich cultures. On this trip you will stay with the Lu people for 2 nights and then explore the old capital of Luang Prabang.

Price Indication per person: USD599 for 5 days (subject to group numbers)

The Blackfeet of Montana - Summer Tipi Village
The Blackfoot people are very friendly, open and welcoming, but please note they live by a strict moral code. Please treat them and all other visitors to the tipi village with the utmost respect. No alcohol is allowed in the Tipi Village.

Dates: From May to September. We ask you to stay at least one week, but shorter or longer stays are possible.

Price Indication per person: USD850 per week at the Tipi Village for a family of 4 (2 children) with all meals, a tipi and mattresses. Horse riding and other activities such as Blackfoot art are extra.

Huaorani leader, Moi Enomenga, made famous by articles in the New Yorker magazine that told about the Huaorani and their struggle against oil companies and for his appearance as the main character in the book Savages by Joe Kane. We will visit his community, Quehueri'ono, our counterpart in this joint venture. In addition, his struggle to protect Huaorani land from oil companies is showcased in an NBC documentary. If Moi is not taking care of his people struggle he might join us during the tour as our local guide.

Our programme involves the exploration of both primary and secondary rainforest in the company of our local guide and our own bilingual naturalist guides. We stay in tents close to the community. Visitors thus experience and learn about the Huaorani culture and their close relationship with the forest, with the possibility of observing Amazon wildlife in the hikes and different activities, and receive a conservationist interpretation of the ecology and actual situation of the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest.