Have you always wanted to go penguin spotting?  Then take a look at Gap Adventures which is committed to responsible tourism.

One of the world’s largest independently-owned adventure tour operators, Gap Adventures offers 1,000+ small group experiences, safaris and expeditions on all seven continents to 100,000+ travelers a year.   The company’s adventures focus on wildlife encounters, active travel and cultural interaction.

Right now, Gap Adventures is offering discounts of up to 15 per cent across several trips which all visit penguins in their natural environment.   Travelers can choose from voyaging around the Galapagos, cruising in Antarctica or an overland tour in South Africa.  Bookings must be made before 1 March 2010 and terms and conditions apply.

Make sure you quote PENGUINDAY10 (for Galapagos and Overland South Africa trips) or PENGUINDAY15 (for Antarctica trips)  if you’re booking online at GapAdventures.com.

The following Gap Adventures trips are included:

• Voyage Galapagos trips. “Visit the world’s most northern located penguins by heading off on a fantastic cruise around the Galapagos.  These unique islands are famous for a variety of unusual creatures, from blue-footed boobies to lava lizards.  As the Galapagos Archipelago is so isolated, these fantastic trips offer you the chance to get closer to the wildlife than you would anywhere else in the world.”

• Two Antarctica trips: Antarctica Classic & Quest for the Antarctic Circle. “Cruise around the spectacular Antarctica on the fabulous new ship, MS Expedition.   On this once-in-a-lifetime trip you will visit scenery that has inspired bold explorers for centuries and travel through the icy and remote realm of the Penguins.  See the beautiful Antarctic Peninsula, immense icebergs and amazing wildlife.”

• Port Elizabeth to Cape Town World Cup Overland. “Didn’t think you’d ever see penguins in South Africa?  Think again.  It is actually possible to see penguins all along the east coast.  This fantastic trip offers both football and wildlife fans a trip filled with cultural and natural diversity.  It is a unique African journey that takes you to the beaches and forests of the Garden Route, wildlife of the Addo Elephant Park and the city buzz of Cape Town with its fanatic football atmosphere.”

For more info, check out GapAdventures.com.

Images courtesy of Gap Adventures

Voluntours worldwide are growing holiday options for green travelers.

Recently, global voluntourism specialist Planeterra announced 11 new 2010 projects and volunteer holidays in The Americas, Asia and Africa.

Founded in 2003 by Gap Adventures, Planeterra is a global non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable community development through travel.

Says Richard G. Edwards, Planeterra’s Director:

“More than ever, community development, environmental and wildlife conservation projects around the world need the support of active travelers who are willing to take the time to understand what is needed and how they can help. Our programs are designed with great care so that everyone genuinely benefits while having fun learning about each other’s cultures.”

Here are Planeterra’s 11 new projects and volunteer holidays:

• Project Argentina “Work with Argentinean youth learning life skills in a subsistence farm environment. Well-known chefs from Buenos Aires connect and teach menu planning, food preparation and cooking skills.”

• Project Cuzco Kids “Meet youth at a drop-in centre with homework, teach English, help with the cooking, and participate in various workshops such as leather working and jewelery making.”

• Project Ecuador Family Adventure “Volunteer on an organic farm and at the environmental primary school in the coastal community of Rio Muchacho; enjoy a visit to the local market, canoeing and horse riding too.”

• Project Ecuador Highlands “Help at a school or on the communal organic farm while living with an indigenous family.  Activities include a guided tour to the Equator, Otavalo market, waterfalls and sacred lakes.”

• Project El Salvador “The hottest new eco-tourism destination!  Work on a highland coffee farm and tour Mayan pyramids and colonial villages, surf pristine beaches and explore the jungle.”

• Project Galapagos “Help build an eco-playground out of recycled materials on the island of Santa Cruz.”

• Project Peru Amazon “Volunteer at a rehabilitation and conservation centre for wild animals after traveling by motorized canoe up the Tambopata River to a remote jungle lodge.”

• Project China “The destination is Sichuan and volunteering at the largest panda reserve in the world between visits to Shanghai, Xi’an, Chengdu, Beijing and the Great Wall.”

• Project Nepal “In the heart of the Kathmandu Valley, work on a reforestation project, plant vegetable and herb gardens and help construct a community centre while immersing yourself in local culture.”

• Project Cambodia and Laos “Explore the historical, sacred and scenic highlights of Cambodia and Laos helping construct a water well, plant trees and getting involved with child literacy initiatives.”

• Project South Africa and Overland Adventure “Get involved in various community projects around Cape Peninsula near Cape Town followed by bush walking in the Kalahari, canoeing in the Okavango Delta and visiting Victoria Falls.”

For info on voluntours and other green travel options, check out Gap Adventures.

Images courtesy of Planeterra

Japanese Macaque, © Mark Brazil

If you’re looking for the perfect eco-tour in 2010, then you might find it with Natural Habitat Adventures.   A member of Adventure Collection and exclusive Conservation Travel Provider to World Wildlife Fund, the company offers all carbon neutral trips.

“Seasonality matters in travel, and eco-tours in particular are dependent on the lifecycles and climates of the wildlife and destinations they visit,” says Natural Habitat Adventures.  “But whatever the season, someplace on the globe is perfect for discovery.”

Natural Habitat Adventures experts recommend these 12 months of  their 2010 nature adventures:

1. January: Wolves and Wildlife of Yellowstone

2. February: Bhutan: Spirit & Nature

3. March: Wild Panama

4. April: Classic Galapagos

5. May: Scotland’s Wild Highlands and Islands

6. June: Family Canyons Adventure

7. July: Hidden Alaska

8. August: Wild Madagascar

9. September: Mexico’s Sea Turtles

10. October: Classic Polar Bear Expedition

11.  November: Journey through Copper Canyon

12.  December: Secluded Botswana

Gap Adventures is increasing its worldwide offerings by 185 new trips in 2010.   The company is featuring dozens of new destinations, a new trip style and an expanded list of activity options.

Here are Gap’s Top 10 New Trips for 2o10:

1. Paris to Prague Adventure

2. Project Kenya and Safari

3. Budget Galapagos

4. Istanbul to Cairo Adventure

5. Thailand Sailing – Koh Phi Phi to Phuket

6. El Salvador Express

7. Mayan Encounter

8. Machu Picchu Adventure

9. Vic Falls to Zanzibar Overland

10. Sail Belize

For more trips, visit GapAdventures.com.

Are you planning a cruise vacation and looking for greener options?  Cruise company Ecoventura is a greener cruising leader recognized for its commitment to sustainable tourism in the Galapagos.

In September, the company was named the winner of a Condé Nast Traveler 15th Annual World Savers Award in the category of Cruise Lines. Recently, Travel + Leisure’s Global Vision Awards named Ecoventura the winner of the 2009 award for Green Cruising, featured online and in the magazine’s November issue.  The annual Global Vision Awards “recognize the latest and best efforts at cultural preservation, environmental conservation, and community building through tourism.”

Ecoventura is a family-owned company based in Guayaquil, Ecuador, with sales offices in Quito and Miami.  This Galapagos cruise company transports 4,000+ passengers annually aboard a fleet of three expedition vessels, 20-passenger motor yachts with 10 double cabins, and a 16-passenger dedicated divelive-aboard. Ecoventura says all its vessels have been retrofitted to meet high environmental standards.

Says Santiago Dunn, Ecoventura president:

“It’s gratifying that today’s opinion makers are seeking out companies like ours that understand it takes an unwavering commitment to sustainable change and purpose instead of blind profit..Ironically, booming tourism in the Galapagos has added to the challenges and problems faced by those looking to restore and protect the island’s native species and ecological balance.”

For more information, check out Ecoventura online.

Image courtesy of Ecoventura