South America

Peru is made up of three diverse terrains – the flat, desert-like coastal regions where the capital, Lima, is located, the mountain regions of the Andes where many Inca ruins are located, and the jungle areas in the region of Cuzco, the old capital of the Inca Empire. When it comes to visiting Peru, archaeological sites such as Machu Picchu are often high on people’s agenda. Eco-tourism ventures in Peru aim to distribute the gains of tourism throughout the poor local communities, and to improve awareness of conservation needs.

The hot and humid Amazonian Rainforest covers nearly half of Ecuador and is home to many indigenous Indian tribes. On the other side of the Andes mountain range are the hot and dry Pacific coastal regions, while in the middle of the Andes is the capital city, Quito, the colonial old-town of which is a UNESCO world cultural heritage site. A range of eco-tourism initiatives have been put into place in Ecuador to help conserve the rainforest and other areas of concern such as the Galapagos Islands, and to protect the indigenous populations.

Home to the Amazon rainforest, river and wetlands, stunning mountain scenery and diverse wildlife, not to mention great beaches and cities, Carnival, friendly people and a great mix of cultures, Brazil is a country of contrasts. Situated in South America it is the biggest country in the region and borders every other country in the continent except for Chile and Ecuador. Brazil is also a destination which is well-suited to, and which stands to benefit from, eco-tourism which is beginning to provide a feasible source of income to some of the poverty-stricken forest and riverside communities. This is important in helping to reduce current illegal practices such as mining, logging and poaching.

The land-locked Republic of Bolivia is a culturally rich country with a diverse landscape. Visitors take advantage of cheap travel costs to explore, from the saltpans of the Southwest and the Amazonian lowlands to the brilliant blue of Lake Titicaca set against the backdrop of the peaks of Cordillera Real. The high-altitude capital city, La Paz, is also a spectacular sight and is renowned for its traditional culture. Eco-tourism projects in Bolivia aim to preserve the nature and culture of the country whilst supporting local communities through sustainable development.