Today's post comes from Irene Lane, the founder of Greenloons - a premier online resource dedicated to inspiring people to think different, be different and travel different in ways that help to ensure a more sustainable planet.

When I was younger, my preferred travel destinations were always cities. Perhaps it was because from the ages of 5 to 18, I lived in smaller towns, or maybe it was because I found cities to be life-affirming, educational, and liberating. Whatever the reason, I felt rejuvenated after a trip to Singapore, London, Paris, Sydney, or even New York. However, that sentiment changed with a recent trip to the Peruvian Amazon.

It was my third trip to a rainforest ecosystem and my second to the Amazon, but everything else about this trip would end up being unique. I was invited by Rainforest Expeditions in Peru, to participate in one of their wildlife photography safaris through the Tambopata National Reserve, a relatively remote and unexplored area of the Amazon.

Bursting with life

In a country where there are issues with water pollution, soil erosion, and deforestation, the Tambopata National Reserve is a fledgling success story of the symbiotic relationship that can exist between natural resources, wildlife, and cultural standards.

As a result, the region is bursting with life. It is not just the vast wildlife contained within the rainforest with its jaguars, caimans, capybaras, black hawks, geese, macaws, turtles, monkeys, peccaries, frogs, butterflies, and countless tree and plant species. Life was also encompassed within the sweet smell of the afternoon rains as we relaxed in hammocks at the Rainforest Alliance Verified™ Refugio Amazonas Lodge.

My fellow travelers and I listened with rapt attention and fascination as we asked questions and learned from the area's volunteer ecologists, who were observing the habits and habitats of the myriad of butterfly, frog, and bird species in the region.

I observed life in the easy smiles of my three guides -- a professional photographer, an entomologist, and a local guide -- spotting what my suburban eyes always missed and eagerly imparting their knowledge about the mysteries of the rainforest. I learned that caimans are smaller, distant cousins of crocodiles with pointier heads, shorter tails, and U-shaped noses. And that butterflies drink the salty "tears" of the endangered yellow spotted river turtles, which helps the butterflies to reproduce.

The leaf-cutter ants that roam the rainforest floor live in communities of workers consisting of wingless female ants that never reproduce and male ants whose only function is to mate with a queen (after which he may die). Theirs is a truly female-led (and organized) society!

Connecting with communities and nature

Ultimately, what changed my perspective was the profound sense of connection I quickly felt with the Peruvian rainforest. I felt connected to the local community because I stayed in sustainable lodges that partner with local families and businesses, sharing the social, economic, and environmental benefits of ecotourism.

I felt connected to the forest when the caiman "smiled" for my photo, and when I stared right into a frog's eyes and knew that it was just as curious about life as I am. On several occasions, peccaries suddenly emerged en masse from the rainforest, settled into the ecolodge's front clearing to eat some roots, and then completely disappeared 20 minutes later. I learned how to use medicinal plants to cure skin diseases, organ failure, and even addiction.

I wasn't merely observing the multitude of life around me, as I do when visiting cities. Instead, I felt like a direct participant doing her part to respect life, nature, culture, and the future.

Finally, I felt privileged to be among the people and indigenous tribe communities that work hard to preserve their culture and protect the land that, in turn, protects them in times of need - a truly connected life!

This entry was posted on March 25, 2014 at 12:53 PM and has received 1472 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

If you're looking for a more authentic lodging experience on your way to Machu Picchu but aren't quite the camping type, staying in a local Andean village could be the perfect solution! Turismo Huilloc, a community-run tourism operation, offers comfortable homestays in a traditional community that is home to the porters of the Inca Trail and their families. With support from the TRIP Foundation, villagers participating in the homestay association upgraded their houses to include energy efficient light bulbs, low capacity electrical water heaters, and other environmentally friendly design features.

One popular activity among tourists is the "chaski" ceremony, an ancient Incan ritual of passing information between mountain villages. Travelers can stay the night or just visit for the day and experience the traditional food and customs of the Huilloc.

For more information, photos, and a diagram of a typical house, visit Turismo Huilloc's SustainableTrip profile.

This entry was posted on December 13, 2013 at 1:37 PM and has received 1011 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

The Andes Mountains form some of the most beautiful natural scenery in South America. The larger-than-life landscapes will leave you in awe, whether you're exploring on foot or on horseback. Where this picture was taken, in Peru, temperatures will range from a mild 65 degrees Fahrenheit in the lowest valleys to a frigid 32 degrees among the snow-dusted peaks.

This photo was taken on a tour with Condor Travel, a member of Tour Operators Promoting Sustainability (TOPS).

This entry was posted on November 22, 2013 at 2:15 PM and has received 718 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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Machu Picchu is perhaps Peru's main attraction, but this country has many more impressive architectural gems worth visiting. One prime example is an Incan fortress located two kilometers north of Cuzco called Sacsayhuamán, a Quechua word meaning "place where the hawk is satisfied." The fort, which offers an impressive view of Cuzco, is so named because it was seen as a ferocious bird that guarded the empire's capital. Some archeologists theorize that Sacsayhuamán was not a fortress, but the Royal House of the Sun, created to worship the great sun god Inti.

Sacsayhuamán features murals more than 29 feet high on exterior walls made of stone blocks that weigh more than 350 tons. The complex has underground tunnels, amphitheaters, terraces, aqueducts, and spaces for performing rituals. It is estimated that its construction took about 50 years and required the labor of approximately 20,000 men.

This photo is courtesy of the sustainable tour operator Andean Adventure Tours.

This entry was posted on November 15, 2013 at 3:59 PM and has received 1181 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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What do you look for when you're choosing a vacation destination? Have you ever noticed that most popular tourism destinations are located near a body of water? Whether it's a vast blue ocean, a serene lake, or a bubbling river teeming with wildlife, water is a huge part of tourism. Not to mention the water that travelers use for drinking, showering, and other basic needs.

It's extremely important to consider the impact of your vacation on local water resources. The following tours showcase stunning waterways and ensure a light water footprint, and all of them are led by members of Tour Operators Promoting Sustainability (TOPS), a Rainforest Alliance network of Earth-friendly, local tour operators.

Costa Rica:

Costa Rica Sun Tours has a "Turtles, Whales & Dolphins" tour for marine wildlife lovers.

Nicaragua:

Gray Line offers a "Water & Tourism to Protect Our Future" tour on the legendary Lake Nicaragua.

VaPues Tours offers a "Rainforest Alliance Green Itinerary" that showcases the diverse and beautiful regions of Nicaragua.

DeTour, Viajes y Cultura has a "Land Surrounded by Water" tour that features cloud forests, volcanoes, and environmental education.

Peru:

Condor Travel's "Volunteer Program: Misminay Water Project" gives travelers the opportunity to meet and work with a rural community.

Mexico:

Explora, Ecoturismo y Aventura offers a "Highlands to the Lacandon Jungle" tour that visits indigenous rainforest communities.

This entry was posted on September 24, 2013 at 12:36 PM and has received 1553 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

The Amazon is one of the most famous travel destinations in the world, its very name synonymous with wilderness, nature, and adventure. It's no surprise that this natural wonder of the world attracts so many travelers each year--it just may be the ultimate ecotourism experience! Here are some fascinating facts about the incredible Amazon:

1. One in ten known animal species on Earth exists in Amazonia.

Though the Amazon covers a relatively small portion of the Earth's surface, it is extremely rich in biodiversity. Many of its species are so highly specialized that they live nowhere else in the world, and we are continually discovering new species that we didn't previously know existed. For example, since just 1990, seven new species of monkeys and 12 new species of fish have been identified!

The rainforest is also home to the smallest monkey in the world, the pygmy marmoset, and the largest eagle in the world, the harpy eagle. Some other interesting animals of the Amazon are capybaras, sloths, pink river dolphins, and emperor tamarins.

2. The Amazon River is the largest river in the world by volume, with a total flow greater than the top ten rivers worldwide combined.

One-fifth of the world's entire fresh water supply is found in the Amazon Basin. It contains more fish species than the entire Atlantic Ocean and the largest number of freshwater fish species on Earth, including more than 25 species of piranha, electric eels, and pirarucus, the largest freshwater fish.

3. The Amazon is both the "lungs" and the "thermostat" of our planet.

The Amazon rainforest's trees and other plants continuously recycle carbon dioxide into oxygen, producing 20% of the world's oxygen supply. It is also one of the world's primary carbon reservoirs. Through the sequestration and storage of carbon dioxide, the rainforest acts as the world's thermostat, regulating temperatures and global weather patterns.

4. The Amazon rainforest helps us fight cancer.

Of the 3,000 plants the U.S. National Cancer Institute has identified as useful in the treatment of cancer, 70% are found only in rainforests. Twenty-five percent of the active ingredients found in the cancer-fighting drugs available on the market today come from organisms found only in the rainforest. And only about 1% of rainforest plants have been examined for their medicinal properties.

5. There are more than 200 indigenous groups still living in the rainforest – some of which have never had contact with the outside world.

Many of these indigenous groups still live the centuries' old traditions of their ancestors, eschewing modern technology in favor of a life more in tune with nature. Some communities have opened their doors to visitors, starting lodges and tour companies to share their knowledge of the Amazon with travelers.

6. The Amazon rainforest represents more than half of the remaining rainforests in the entire world, and it's shrinking.

Once, rainforests covered 14% of the earth's land surface. Now, they cover 5-7%, and that area is decreasing rapidly. Scientists predict that if deforestation continues at the current rate, the last remaining rainforests on our planet could be consumed in less than 40 years!

Do your part to protect the rainforest by traveling sustainably. Many hotels participate in reforestation projects, and even get their guests involved with their sustainability efforts.

Are you ready for your Amazon adventure yet?

This entry was posted on August 14, 2013 at 6:32 PM and has received 2001 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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They say the best part of travel is the journey, not the destination. Many tourists will visit the ancient ruins at Machu Picchu, but fewer will complete the Salkantay Trek, a longer and more intense alternative to the popular Inca Trail. The Salkantay Trek was named one of the 25 best Treks in the World by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine, offering travelers up close views of some of the most beautiful mountains in the world.

This photo was taken by Mountain Lodges of Peru during its lodge-to-lodge trek to Machu Picchu, which begins at Salkantay Lodge.

This entry was posted on July 19, 2013 at 1:26 PM and has received 636 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

A journey to Refugio Amazonas, a Rainforest Alliance Verified™ lodge in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, is an adventure of awesome proportions. To reach the secluded lodge, guests fly into a small airport in the city of Puerto Maldonado, ride by bus over muddy, winding roads and embark on a four-hour boat ride down the Tambopata River.

The boat ride itself, which includes opportunities to spot caimans (similar to small American alligators in appearance), capybaras (pig-sized rodents) and pumas, is worthy of adventure-tour status.

After the epic journey, the hotel does not disappoint. Set on stilts at the end of a short hike from the riverfront, Refugio Amazonas merges luxury, relaxation and adventure in a beautiful package. Better yet, it does so in a socially, environmentally and economically sustainable way.

Since participating in Rainforest Alliance training, Refugio Amazonas has implemented sustainability measures across the board. "We have made many changes," explains Maria Louisa Gutierrez, senior chief of operations at Refugio Amazonas. "Now we try to avoid bringing lots of people in the kitchen. Everyone who enters here has to wear a hairnet. And we separate trash into paper, plastic and organics."

The staff, 89 percent of whom are local residents, also look to multiple large, illustrated signs in the kitchen for reminders on sustainable best management practices and menu planning. "Refugio Amazonas came up with that idea themselves," says Luz Aida Ochoa, a coordinator for the Rainforest Alliance's sustainable tourism program in Peru.

In the laundry, sheets and towels are washed with biodegradable soap -- a protocol to protect the water quality of local streams and rivers -- and air-dried. The hotel stocks guest rooms with shampoo and conditioner in reusable bottles; staff use up leftover toiletries. The internet and electricity -- which are available for only a few hours each day -- are solar-powered.

Measures like these are part of the hotel's commitment to protecting the habitat of local wildlife (including the caiman, capybaras and pumas spotted on the trip over); these best practices are beneficial to both the ecosystem and the hotel's bottom line. In a survey of 14 verified tourism businesses in five countries, including Peru, all participants reported that their conservation activities -- including the prohibition of threats to native plants and animals -- were critical to improving the quality of guests' experience.

These sustainability initiatives keep the hotel running smoothly, but it is the hotel's unique offerings that make the Refugio Amazonas experience unforgettable. For serenity-seekers, there are daily yoga sessions and massages. For thrill-seekers, hotel guides lead biking and fishing trips, as well as bird watching excursions. And those looking for a spiritual connection to this beautiful landscape can participate in traditional religious ceremonies.

It cannot be denied that electricity is on only a few hours a day, the water is lukewarm and the internet is spotty -- but the setting, accommodations and service make Refugio Amazonas feel like a luxury hotel. And since the lodge is Rainforest Alliance Verified, a trip there is practically guilt free.

Much of the Rainforest Alliance's work in the Madre de Dios region of Peru is financed by the United States Agency for International Development under the Initiative for Conservation in the Andean Amazon.

This entry was posted on July 3, 2013 at 11:59 AM and has received 866 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Staying at a sustainable hotel is a great way to minimize the impact of your vacation – but what about when you leave your hotel? The businesses you support, attractions you see, transportation you use, and virtually everything else you do will all have some effect on the environment and local community. The only way to be sure of your impact would be if the entire destination was sustainable. Sound impossible? Thanks to the work of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), sustainable destinations are now on the horizon.

The GSTC created the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria, which are a set of widely used standards that hotels and tour operators must reach in order to be considered sustainable. More recently, in addition to targeting individual tourism businesses, the GSTC has turned their attention to creating a set of criteria that encompass destinations as a whole.

According to the GSTC website, "Destination stewardship is a process by which local communities, governmental agencies, NGOs, and the tourism industry take a multi-stakeholder approach to maintaining the cultural, environmental, economic, and aesthetic integrity of their country, region, or town." In other words, destinations are best protected when all of these groups – private citizens, government, and businesses – work together in a coordinated effort to protect their home. All destinations are different, so the criteria are meant to be a set of minimum standards that each destination should add to or adjust based on its unique needs. The goal of the criteria is to maximize social, economic, and environmental benefits for host communities.

Overseeing this process will be a "tourism management organization," or a group responsible for a coordinated approach to implementing sustainability. This will mostly likely be formed by a government agency and/or non-profit organization. This group would be responsible for establishing and implementing an overarching sustainable tourism strategy that considers environmental, economic, social, health, and safety issues, and was developed with public participation. Climate change adaptation, equal access for people with disabilities, and prevention of sexual exploitation are some key aspects of the destinations criteria.

Last year, the GSTC released a set of draft criteria for sustainable destinations based on input from experts around the globe. All interested persons and organizations were able to comment and suggest improvements during the public consultation phase, which ended last month.

Now, some early adopters have been selected to test and provide feedback on the destinations criteria. Most recently added were the Cusco-Sacred Valley-Machu Picchu corridor in Peru and the shores of Lake Llanquihue, Puerto Varas, and Frutillar in the lakes region of Chile. These destinations were specifically chosen because of their demonstrated interest and commitment to sustainable practices. But it is the GSTC's hope (and ours!) that this is the next step toward a world in which sustainable tourism--and sustainable destinations--are the norm.

This entry was posted on April 25, 2013 at 2:38 PM and has received 1326 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Peru's exhilarating Vilcabamba range in the central Andes Mountains is a favorite among avid trekkers and adventure travelers. As you ascend, tropical cloud forests and waterfalls transition to snow-capped peaks and glaciers in a matter of hours. Mount Salkantay, the second most sacred peak in Inca mythology, is the highest peak in the region at 20,600 feet elevation. The hanging glaciers of Mount Humantay (19,200 feet) feed into the turquoise waters of the enchanting Lake Humantay. Majestic Andean condors, with a wingspan of up to 10.5 feet, can often be seen circling overhead.

This photo was taken on a trek led by Mountain Lodges of Peru, which guides travelers through the beautiful mountains of Vilcabamba until their final destination: the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu.

This entry was posted on December 27, 2012 at 12:59 PM and has received 688 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.