Ecotourism

Ecotourism involves visiting natural areas with the objectives of learning, studying or participating in activities that do not bring negative effects to the environment; whilst protecting and empowering the local community socially and economically."

Ecotourism Guidelines For Responsible Travelers

The conscious attitude, actions, participation and interactions on the part of the individual traveler directly affect the outcome for all involved. As a thoughtful and responsible traveler there are several things you can do before, during and after your journey to ensure the experience is in line with the values of "ecotourism" and minimize your impact on the host country. It is far easier to simply go on vacation as an uninformed tourist but making the choice to be an informed traveler can have far reaching impacts on the world around us. The more you put into your trip the more you'll get out of it. The following is a code of conduct for responsible travelers.

1) Prepare for your trip:

Educate yourself about your destination. Be on the lookout for news and current events about the area. Learn about local history, customs and culture as well as vital ecosystems. Learn at least the basics of the local language. A simple hello, please or thank you goes a long way. Approach travel with the desire to learn rather than just observe.

2) Respect local traditions and etiquette:

Wear clothing that is accepted by the local culture. Be aware of people's sensitivity to being photographed; always ask first. Observe local customs. Be perceptive of your own cultural values and how they affect your judgment of others. Remember that you are the visitor. There are many different concepts of time, personal space, communication etc. which are not wrong or inferior, just different. Act as an example for other travelers who are less informed than you.

3) Avoid ostentatious display of wealth:

What may not seem a display of wealth to you may be considered extravagant by another culture. For example, a camera hanging around your neck or something as simple as a wristwatch or wedding band. Tuck these items away when visiting rural communities. Leave jewelry and other unnecessary valuables at home. They only create barriers and inhibit genuine interactions. Don't hand out sweets and loose change, this only serves to corrupt and create a begging mentality where none existed before.

4) Be flexible in your expectations:

Approach your adventure with an open mind and you won't be disappointed. Sometimes plans change and an opportunity for more in-depth learning or a unique cultural experience presents itself. Adapt yourself to the situation rather than trying to adapt the situation to you.

5) Conserve resources:

Often times the resources in an area visited by tourists are under a great deal of pressure already. Be aware of the resources that are being used because of your visit. This includes your personal consumption of items like water and wood for building fires or specialty foods that had to be transported from afar. Don't allow your guide to hunt endangered or threatened species or harvest rare plants for your consumption. A large luxury hotel in the middle of nowhere takes far more resources to build and maintain than does a small family run inn.

6) Practice environmental minimum impact:

Follow the International Leave No Trace Rules. Pack out everything that you bring in including toilet paper (if there is no toilet) or plastic water bottles (use purification tablets or a filter). Go to the bathroom at least 200 feet (70 paces) from any water source. Remove litter that others left behind. Do not remove any objects, plants or animal products from nature. Be aware of local endangered or threatened species so as not to purchase souvenirs made from their skin, feathers etc. Not only is this impactful on the environment but it is illegal.

7) Choosing a tour operator or guide:

Thoroughly research your tour operator or guide by asking them pointed questions about specifically what they do that is "eco" and how they involve the local communities and economies. The "greening of tourism" has led companies to promote themselves as "eco" simply to sell trips. The larger the company with more luxurious accommodations, the less likely it is to be true ecotourism. Be persistent in your inquiries of an international or local tour operator.

8) Support local economies:

How will your visit directly benefit the local economy or entire community? This is an integral part of true ecotourism. Use local transportation, guides, inns, restaurants and markets. This helps create a buffer zone for the environment surrounding protected natural areas by giving locals an economic alternative to potentially destructive practices. Community based ecotourism spreads the wealth and workload.

9) Bridging cultural gaps:

Take the opportunity to be a cultural ambassador. Much of the world's image of western tourists is based on the unrealities of television and magazines. Look for situations for cultural exchange whereby learning about each other's lives is mutual. Getting to know the person sitting next to you on a local bus or the person cooking your food takes some effort but is often a rewarding experience.

10) Continued ecotourism:

Ecotourism doesn't need to end with your flight home. Follow through on your commitment to conservation in your everyday life. Share your experiences with others to foster a greater understanding of our world. You will have seen and learned much from your journey. While it is still fresh in your heart and mind take action using the various agencies, grassroots organizations and resources available to you.

Coloured Canyon is located about 12km north of Nuweiba, 2 hrs from Sharm El Sheikh. The small oasis of Ain Furtaga, is the beginning of the track leading to one of the geological wonders of Sinai, the coloured canyon. Its very narrow walls, in some places 40 metres high and a little more than a metre wide, are made of sandstone posessing an incredible array of colours including dark brown, red and straw yellow.

Sample of one of our programs :

• Day 1 :Upon arrival Cairo airport our representative will assist you through procedures, transfer to your hotel in Cairo , overnight.

• Day 2 : Breakfast, transfer to Wadi Ghazala, enjoy Bedouin meals , overnight in tent.

• Day 3 : Early breakfast with Bedouin Tea, transfer to visit ST. Catherine Monastery, lunch, climb Mount Sinai, arrival Elijah Plateau , camping and overnight.

• Day 4 : Wake up at 4.00 A.M. , continue climbing , enjoy the sunrise, return down, breakfast, meet the Bedouin guide with Camels, walking to Wadi Zawateen (Valley of Olives), stopping to enjoy the Bedouin gardens and rock pools we pass along the way. Onto the canyon of Wadi Tal'a and the monastery at the mouth of the Tal'a valley. Here we settle for our final night in the high mountains., overnight.

• Day 5 : Early Bedouin breakfast, we tidy up our camp and head off walking through Wadi Tinia and Wadi Abu Twaita. We have a steep descent down to the beautiful desert pools of Galt El-Azrak (which literally means “Black Pool”). We have a chance to swim in the cool pools and we have lunch here. In the afternoon we walk through Wadi Talaa to Farsh Romana where we have our second camp.

• Day 6 : leave the camp to walk through Naqab Baharia to the fresh springs at Ain El Negila. Then climb to the top Gabal Bab (6850 feet) and have panoramic views of the Sinai Peninsula, including the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba. We spend some time taking in the view and then return down to Ain El-Negila for lunch. We have a good walk in the afternoon to wadi jebal where we make our third and final camp. This camp is often visited by wield donkeys in the middle of the night – so we’ll need to hide away all our foodstuffs!

• Day 7 to Day 10 : We thank our Bedouin friends for their help, take some group photographs, back toward St. Catherine village through Wadi Zawateen. When we arrive back we have an opportunity to have a ride on the camels – a weird experience! Then we have lunch and drive east through the mountains to the Gulf of Aqaba coast. We drive north through Dahab, our home for the next two nights. We have an opportunity to have a shower , swim in the Red Sea Blue Waters, spend nights in Elassala where you can dance , drink Shisha, or else,,,,– a welcome experience.

• Day 10 : P.M. drive back to Cairo, ovrnight in Cairo.

• Day 11 : Breakfast, transfer to Cairo Airport, flight to home.

We can arrange different tours, either by camels or by jeeps are, The duration of the tours varies from five up to ten days.
Most important fact: we wish to show you the beauty of the desert and also the possibility to get to know a little bit of history and culture of the Sinai and its inhabitants.