LONDON, June 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

 

There is an exciting new way to see Latin America's majestic landscapes, wonderful cities and vibrant neighbourhoods. Sumak Travel,  a new operator, is offering inspirational community-based eco-tourism tours and adventures across the continent. Sumak offers a way to escape the mass tourism 'bubble', connecting you directly with communities and local life. You won't be seen as a tourist at all: you are instead a welcome guest. This is because as a non-profit, Sumak's key aim is to work in partnership with local partners to support positive social and environmental change.

As more people become aware of the social and environmental issues surrounding tourism, demand for ethically-minded travel is growing. Travellers are becoming more discerning, seeking to escape the well-trodden mass tourist trail. Sumak says its business model is designed to promote smaller scale, truly sustainable and more meaningful forms of cultural exchange.

Latin America has a wealth of fascinating cultures, communities and traditions to explore, as well as some of the most breath-taking landscapes and eco-systems on the planet. Offering tailor-made tours across South America, Sumak lets travellers combine community-based eco-tourism with visits to the well-known highlights of each of these countries.

On Sumak's Argentina tours, as well as exploring the exciting capital city of Buenos Aires, travellers can discover the mountain landscapes and culture of Northern Argentina. Staying within rural settlements and villages around Salta they take part in the daily life and activities of the local communities. Each activity or excursion draws the visitor into the heart of rural Salta, offering a unique insight into its people, culture and places. On these tours you can dance the tango, eat some of the most tender steaks in the world, drink organic wines, and feel the spray of the majestic Iguazu Falls on your face. And you can go hiking or horse-riding if you are the sportier type.

Other Sumak experiences include Amazon adventures, seeing the deserts and salt flat in Chile and Bolivia, visits to dynamic urban and coastal communities in Brazil and to fair-trade projects in rural Colombia. On all of Sumak's eco-tours travellers will see incredible sights, meet inspirational people, sit down to talk and eat (and sometimes cook) with the locals, and gain a true insight into life and customs in Latin America.

The website features a range of hand-picked eco-tours, from 8 to 16 days long, but all are entirely flexible itineraries and can be tailor-made to suit each traveller.

Sumak Travel also caters for school and university groups on field and research trips to South America, organising expert guides, local specialists and academics, as well as workshops with social entrepreneurs and innovators. Sumak Travel is a member of Tourism Concern, the International Ecotourism Society, Responsible Travel and the Travel Foundation.

For more information or questions write to pr@sumak-travel.org
To book a tour visit http://www.sumak-travel.org
For travel enquiries contact Felipe at enquiries@sumak-travel.org or call +44(0)20-36424246.

SOURCE Sumak Sustainable Travel Ltd