Eco Tours - Unspoiled Wonders
Of Nature’s Zenith
Impart radiance & vitality to adventurer's spirits

Eco tours are nature adventure travel in natural environments which protect the local environment, ecosystem, and culture; and improve the financial and healthful being of local populations. It can mean hiking or viewing all types of forest, floral and fauna, birding, alpine botany;viewing nature & wildlife, animal species, and sea life with a master naturalist guide as well as canoeing, rafting, scuba diving, or volcanoes.

These tours are about adventurous surroundings and new cultures. They are a journey back to nature and self-renewal. Communion with nature brings peace and instills the sense of wonder and striking solitude within the creative cycles of nature.

These tours surround you with Nature’s most staggering landscapes and cares for every detail. In the vast stillness of forests, mountains, and rivers, you will feel a sense of wholeness and the satisfaction of a meaningful experience.

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Contributor By Angela Gunning, eHow Contributing Writer

1. Florida is a birdwatchers' paradise. The state is home to close to 500 bird species, most native to Florida, including land birds, such as wild turkeys, red-tailed hawks, whip-poor-wills, ruby-throated hummingbirds and palm warblers. Near lakes, streams and swamplands, bird lovers can find pelicans, snowy egrets, spoonbills and sandpipers. Throughout Florida, it is possible to observe birds in their native habitats, as well as at sanctuaries that care for and protect tropical and domestic species.

• 2. Great Florida Birding Trail
  

  Offered through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Great Florida Birding Trail (GFBT) is a 2,000-mile, self-guided highway trail that offers birdwatching opportunities. The GFBT includes 489 birding sites throughout Florida, which can be located using a special Google Maps trip-planning tool on the commission's website. With this tool, bird watchers will be able to find destinations and select from more than 40 specific bird species of interest--including smooth-billed anis, snail kites, mangrove cuckoos and crested caracaras--that thrive along the trail.
  

  Great Florida Birding Trail Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 620 S. Meridian Street Tallahassee, FL 32399 850-488-4676 myfwc.com/gfbt
  

• 3. Jungle Island
  

  Winner of Nickelodeon ParentsConnect's 2009 award for best tourist spot in South Florida, Jungle Island began in 1936 as Parrot Island, a haven where tropical birds could fly free, but now exhibits a variety of animals, including Bengal and white tigers, red kangaroos, orangutans, Burmese pythons, and Albino alligators. to 1,100 free-flying birds, including scarlet macaws, king vultures, lories and black palm cockatoos. Jungle Island also offers several trained-bird shows. Visitors watch a 6-foot tall cassowary swallow an entire apple and cheer on Pinky, a charismatic cockatoo who has been entertaining visitors for decades on his high-wire bicycle.
  

  Jungle Island 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail Miami, FL 33132 305-400-7000 jungleisland.com
  

• 4. Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
  Owned and operated by the National Audubon Society, this 11,000-acre preserve just outsideof Naples in southwest Florida, is home to more than 200 bird species. At the sanctuary, visitors will find nesting wood storks, white ibis, great blue herons, limpkins and many wading birds that congregate near the two-mile-long boardwalk. Visitors can also walk through the largest subtropical bald-cypress forest in the United States, with trees as tall as 130 feet and up to 700-years-old. The preserve also houses eight species of bats, including Rafinesque's big-eared bat and the Brazilian free-tailed bat, along with black bears, river otters, white-tailed deer and swamp rabbits.
  

  Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary 375 Sanctuary Road W. Naples, FL 34120 239-348-9151 corkscrew.audubon.org
  

• 5. Uncle Sandy's Macaw Bird Park
  

  Open since 1998 and staffed primarily by volunteers, this Pensacola sanctuary cares for more than 40 macaws, 20 other parrot species, pheasants, pigeons and peacocks. The park takes in birds rescued from research laboratories, parrots whose owners can no longer care for them and birds that need medical care or rehabilitation. Uncle Sandy's offers free admission but accepts cash donations and gifts of pelleted food, birdseed and nuts.
  

  Uncle Sandy's Macaw Bird Park 9513 N. Palafox Street Pensacola, FL 32534 850-478-6421 macawbirdpark.com

Read more: Bird Attractions in Florida | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_6131352_bird-attractions-florida.html#ixzz0sT5ZvT27

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Contributor By David Degnan, eHow Contributing Writer

Ecuador -The paramo ecosystem of Ecuador stands high in the Andes.

Ecuador is considered by ecologists to be one of the most biologically diverse countries on Earth. The ecological diversity of Ecuador is due to the large number of different habitats that are found there, which are divided into six main ecosystems covering the dry Andean highlands down to the Amazon basin. The staggering variety of plants and animals found in the country are only beginning to be understood, and many more await discovery.

• 1. Mammals:
  Jaguars are one of the most elusive animals in Ecuador. The diversity of animals in Ecuador is overwhelming, with 302 species of mammals, including 28 threatened or endangered species. The largest group of mammals in Ecuador belong to the bat family, with over 100 species. Monkeys and other primates are also incredibly diverse throughout the forested region, and include titi, howler, spider and capuchin monkeys, as well as marmosets and tamarins, which are the smallest primates in the Americas. There are two species of sloth in Ecuador: the two-toed and three-toed sloth. Other animals found in the country are agoutis, capybaras, jaguars, ocelots and tapirs. One of the most fascinating and little-known animals in Ecuador is the spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus), which is the last remaining species of "short-faced" bear, an ancient type that once lived throughout the Americas. They are the only species of bear native to South America and are found throughout the Andes mountain range and up into eastern Panama. Spectacled bears are named for their distinctive facial markings, which resemble spectacles, or eyeglasses.
  

• 2. Reptiles and Amphibians:
  Ecuador is home to 460 species of amphibian and 410 species of reptile, according to DavidL. Pearson in his book, "Travellers' Wildlife Guides Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands." Frogs comprise the majority of Ecuador's amphibian population, but there are also salamanders and newts. Three of the most famous reptile species live on Ecuador's Galapagos island chain: the marine iguana, land iguana and giant land tortoise. All three are easily found on the islands and have been extensively studied. The largest reptile species on the mainland is the caiman, which is a relative of the crocodile. They inhabit lagoons and freshwater wetlands throughout the lowlands.
  

• 3. Trees: There are over 500 species of trees in Ecuador, most of which are confined to the country's six primary ecosystems: the paramo, or high-altitude grass and scrublands, the cloud forest, rainforest, mangrove swamp and Galapagos islands. The paramo has primarily grasses and herbaceous plants that thrive in the cold air, strong sunlight and peaty soil of the area. Trees are rare in the paramo with the exception of Polylepis, which is the highest-growing tree in the world. The mangrove forests of Ecuador are defined by their trees, which are perfectly adapted to thrive in saltwater. The broad, arching roots of the red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) act as stilts, holding the leaves and trunk above the water, while at the same time providing underwater breeding grounds for crustaceans and fish.
  

• 4. Flowers:
  There are over 25,000 species of plants in Ecuador, including many varieties of flowers. One of the most unusual flowers in the country is found in the paramo ecosystem: the giant espeletia. Sometimes called frailejon, or "gray friar," the espeletia is an unusual and highly diverse group of flowers with 88 species throughout the Andes. The most common variety in Ecuador is a tall, thick-trunked herbaceous plant with a woolly, silver trunk and large sunflower-like blooms. Orchids are common in Ecuador, with over 4,000 discovered species. The majority of orchids live in the cloud forests and rain forests. The unusual Dracula orchid is found throughout Ecuador and is recognizable by its unearthly flowers, which come in a range of colors and patterns, including bright chartreuse and maroon and white striped varieties.

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All Earth Eco Tour Activities, Western Maryland │ Family Adventures, Deep, Creek Lake Garrett
Welcome to All Earth Eco Tours for retreat vacations, outdoor adventures, and programs in the Deep Creek Lake and Western Maryland Region you won’t want to miss. Find information on adventure tours, wildlife tours, eagle watching kayak tours, guided walks, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, hikes, arts programs, yoga classes, nature photography workshops, custom team building programs, and Bonfire Extravaganza Campfire Program at Deep Creek Lake State Park…Sacred Fire Sacred Drum.

Bear Mountain Farm and Wilderness Retreat, Highland County. VA │Eco Tour, Hiking Tour, Birding & Wildlife Trail
Bear Mountain Farm and Wilderness Retreat in Highland County, Virginia, offers eco tours, hiking tours, retreat vacations, & birdung & wildlife trail that give greater meaning to the flora, fauna, geology, and nature history around Bear Mountain in the Alleghenies.

Bear Mountain Farm has been highlighted in:

• Washington Post Magazine
• Is recognized as an official site on the Virginia Mountain Birding & Wildlife Trail

It features comfortable cabins for couples, friends, families, and small groups plus sites for overnight camping. The setting is on an old mountain farm above 4,200 feet, next to Pocahontas County, West Virginia. This private and secluded wilderness location offers tranquility and solitude, with 50 miles of views of mountain ridges, valleys, & black night skies. This natural world is an enjoyable getaway for couples, small groups, or the entire family.

Belize Ecotourism & Guided Tours│ Caribbean Unusual Vacation
Visit Belize Beaches in the Caribbean, one of the best settings for eco tours in the world. Protected by the world's 2nd longest barrier reef, Belize beaches are among the safest in the Caribbean and world.

Belize beaches are the finest at the spectacular and unique Half Moon Caye. It has outstanding birding, wildlife viewing, sight seeing, and snorkeling. See also the Belize Blue Hole, one of the wonders of the world. This site is everything about Belize, including living, retiring, purchasing land, and lots more.

Bird Watching Eco Tour in Costa Rica│All Inclusive Tour Package
Bird watching eco tour in Costa Rica features an all inclusive tour package except air fare. (Check with tour operator). Bird watching in Costa Rica is about as good as it gets. Costa Rica shelters 10% of the world’s butterflies. It is the home of 150 species of frogs and amphibians, 50 species of hummingbirds, plus 800 species of birds. All the major groups and families of birds live here and the best birding guides share their knowledge with you. Enjoy ecotourism in Costa Rica

Eco tour & bird watching in Northern France

Join with Nature on bird watching, and wildlife guided tours in Northern France. Enjoy daily guided tours amidst the diversity of bird life in the Camargue, Le Crau, and the Pyrenees. See a place where the land is overrun with the gifts of nature and wildlife. See Black Woodpeckers, Little Bustards, and White Storks. Discover country lanes lined with orchids and cowslips while dancing Swallowtails, Clouded Yellow Butterflies, Hawk Moths, and Hummingbirds linger as Nature’s memoirs.

Experience fascinating and stimulating wildlife tours around the extensive forests of Place de l’Eglise which is home to Wild Boar, Scoop Owls, fauna, and flora. If you love to see outstanding places where Nature has skillfully arranged the countryside and all its diversity of wildlife and habitats see Discover how you can be part of more stimulating experiences and a memorable stay at Place de l’Eglise.

Borneo Eco Tour and Adventure Travel │ Tour Operators
Discover a unique source of unusual adventure travel, wildlife tours, and scuba diiving in Malaysia. Here, ecotourism and adventure tours are supported by experienced tour operators.

e-borneo.com is a Borneo Travel Information Gateway, Trip Advisor and Tour Intermediary for tour package in Malaysia Borneo – Sabah, Sarwak and Brunei Darussalam tourism.

Eco-tourism and tour operators in Costa Rica
See and hear the most significant biodiversity in the world with master naturalist guides. Costa Rica is so impressive it is difficult to choose which of the six ecotourism adventures to do first so it may be best to choose the more generalized “Ecotourism” tour to start. In addition, some folks like to complete their stay by adding a seaside stay or scuba diving stay.

Hiking Vacation
Hike easy or difficult trails with a guide in the famous Jacques Cartier Park and enjoy dinner at a famous inn or restaurant in the old section of Quebec.

Mayan Ruin Tours
The Mayan Archeological Ruins contain the culture, history, and architecture of one of the richest archaeological zones of the Mesoamerica world. It's treasures were handed down by a civilization that is comparable to Ancient Greece and Egypt. It is still being excavated by archaeologists. One of the treasures is Tulum, the only Mayan walled city on the Mexican coastline.

Macchu Picchu Tour Operators & Eco Tour in Peru, Ecuador, & Bolivia. Ruins
Find Macchu Picchu Tour Operators & Eco Tour in Peru, Ecuador, & Bolivia Ruins. Start a trek where the remains of five different civilizations were found in Tihuanaco, Bolivia and proceed to Cusco, Peru, the former capital of the Inca Empire. Cusco is the most continuously inhabited city on the continent with ancient architecture and surrounding Inca sites and Urubamba Valley, the sacred valley.

Hike the Inca Trail to the Inca Ruins of Winey Wayna (Forever Young) and then to Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas.

Visit the Ecological Reserve of Iliniza, an unknown cloud forest sheltering great diversity. Explore the famous Indian market of Otavalo, Ecuador full of colorful textiles, hammocks, pottery, herbs, and baskets.

Travel to the Cuyabeno, basin of the Amazon to learn about birds, rainforest, flora, fauna, and medicinal plants.

Hiking on Maui – guided tours by Maui Hiking Safaris│ Hawaii Eco Tour
Hiking Maui’s wilderness on a guided tour with a resident owner/guide is one of the eco tours available to those who want to share a wealth of information about island history, geology, flora, and culture. Hiking tours range from short and easy, to rigorous explorations of Maui the average tourist seldom sees. Maui Hiking Safaris is listed in

• Frommer's Hawaii From $70 A Day
• Frommer's Portable Hawaii Handbook
• Hidden Maui
• Hawaii Adventures In Nature
• The Complete Idiot's Guide To Hawaii
• July 2005 issue of Shape Magazine.

NEW ZEALAND ECOTOURISM

New Zealand Ecotourism and Adventure Travel
King Country’s Information Directory, invites you to explore New Zealand eco tours while having the adventure travel of your life. Journey off the beaten path to the eco-wonderland of King Country and experience true kiwi hospitality. Enjoy a New Zealand heritage cruise on a classic vessel, and learn of the region’s unique cultural, historic and natural heritage.
New Zealand Ecotourism and Tour Package.
Find New Zealand Ecotourism and Tour Package with Conservation-minded Nature and Wildlife tours of whale-watching, bike tours, dolphins, penguins, hiking, alpine botany, bird watching, sea kayaking. Visiti New Zealand's pristine wilderness. NZ eco tourism travel map. Eco forums notice board.
Recipe for travel. Adventure for food lovers
Explore other culture's cuisine, cooking tips,recipes, and travel. Follow the world adventures of a zenophile as she tastes-tests her way through Greece, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Mexico.

Savor the full menu of the world's gastronomies and cultural offerings, a journey that would take several lifetimes to experience and share.

Tropical Nature Travel. Conservation through Ecotourism.

Tropical Nature Travel works with some of the most wildlife rich conservation ecotourism lodges in the world, many of which are part of the Tropical Nature conservation system.

These eco lodges cater to birders, nature lovers, serious nature photographers,international film makers, and adventurous travelers.

See wildlife lodges at places like the Napo Wildlife center in Ecuador, the Manu Wildlife Center in the Manu Wilderness in Peru, the Heath River Wildlife Center in the Bahuaja-Sonene National Park of Peru, and Hyacinth Camps in Brazil.

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