Top 10 Ecotourism Destinations

In honor of the 41st anniversary of Earth Day (April 22, 2011), our editors have rounded up 10 ecotourism destinations to get you thinking green. Two on our list may seem like obvious choices (the Amazon and Galapagos), but you'll also find some up-and-comers, like the Caribbean island of Dominica, which is turning itself into the region's primo environmental destination; Australia's Blue Mountains, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site just over a decade ago; and Botswana, a model of sustainable tourism in Africa. If staying at eco-friendly lodges in the midst of a rainforest sounds appealing, consider Borneo or Costa Rica. If getting up close to wildlife and glaciers is more your speed, Alaska and Antarctica offer intrepid travelers the chance to experience both from the deck of a ship or an inflatable zodiac. And if you'd rather sleep in the great outdoors and trek to some of the world's highest plateaus, plan a camping trek in the Himalayas (and be sure to take your trash back to base camp with you). For a list of environmentally friendly tour operators, hotels, and more, visit the International Ecotourism Society website (www.ecotourism.org). Get a preview of our favorite green getaways with our Top 10 Ecotourism Destinations slideshow.

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See China Travel Guide | See Costa Rica Travel Guide | See Dominica Travel Guide | See India Travel Guide | See Alaska Travel Guide | See Amazon Travel Guide | See Galapagos Islands Travel Guide | See Ecuador Travel GuideSee Australia and Pacific Travel Guide