What is ecotourism? Ecotourism is travelling responsibly to natural areas. This type of travel conserves wildlife and the environment, sustains the well-being of local people in the destination, and creates knowledge and understanding through education. Ecotourism is similar to sustainable tourism, but with a nature and wildlife focus, and the addition of educational experiences. How to tell if a …
Alaska Coastal Adventures
What does a true Alaska Coastal Adventure involve? There is no doubt that the Alaskan coast is amazing. The food, the landscape, the activities, the wildlife – it has everything you could want! But how do you plan an Alaska Coastal Adventure? Which bits are must-dos on every trip? What should I do on my Alaska Coastal Adventure? Whale Watching …
Grizzly Bears Feed on Salmon?
The Best National Parks in Alaska to see Grizzly Bears Feed on Salmon There are certain sights in nature that are iconic; whales breaching the surface of the oceans, eagles soaring over mountains, and grizzly bears feeding on salmon. It may seem too good to be true that all of these sites can be seen in a single state — …
Why Aurora Viewing is Awesome in Fairbanks + “Trip of the Week” Feature!
Now is the Best Time for Aurora Viewing Locals often say that if you stay in Fairbanks for three nights or more, you have an 80% chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis. We have been running our six night Northern Lights tours for years, and seen incredible displays on nearly every single trip. Most tours actually get multiple nights of …
Using Cultural Exchange to Build Authentic Tour Experiences
Customizing Unique Local Activities for Our Guests As an international eco-tour operator with a brand of authenticity and sustainability, our clients expect specialized experiences and cultural exchange. We have found that our guests get the greatest reward when we set up private sessions with locals who are passionate about sharing the culture of our destination. These “cultural vanguards” can provide …
5 Northern Lights Travel Tips
We love trading travel tips with fellow adventurers. In “olden times,” (a.k.a. 15 years ago) these tips were usually exclusive to word of mouth or travel guides, but now a wealth of information is online. SmarterTravel.com compiles travel information for that very reason. Everything from packing tips to travel advisories can be found here, and they recently featured the Northern …
Business & Ecotourism Advice from Jared Sternberg
Before Gondwana Ecotours existed, …there was a guy that really liked to travel. Jared Sternberg had been all over the world by the time he entered Tulane University’s environmental and human rights Law School. However, volunteering with underrepresented communities during his summer breaks was his true passion. In 2013, he founded Gondwana Ecotours, and four years later, the company continues …
Adventure Travel is the New Normal
Changing the Game Big changes are happening within the travel community. From the popularity of AirBnB to volunteer programs like Workaway, travelers are shifting away from high-end hotels and cookie cutter cruises. Adventure travel is becoming the new normal, and even large companies like MSN.com and The Active Times are taking notice. MSN.com writes, “A new study by the Adventure …
Tulane Alumnus Founds Sustainable Travel Company
Jared Sternberg: Beyond Tulane It’s a classic story: Student acquires degree in specific field, then ends up with a different career. Such is the case with Gondwana Ecotours. “Founded by Tulane University Law School alumnus Jared Sternberg, the New Orleans based company provides sustainable travel through its curated itineraries.” Gondwana has caught a lot of attention from travelers and the …
The Achuar Tribe: Family & Conservation
Traveling with Family & Friends Usually the best recommendations come from personal experiences. We’re lucky that Patch writer Phyllis has recommended Gondwana’s Ecuador Amazon Adventure based on her life-changing encounter. Her essay, Lessons from the Achuar Tribe is a beautiful tribute to the tribe’s environment and way of life. Additionally, traveling with 3 generations of her family created a memorable …