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Destination: PAKISTAN
"Pakistan is blessed with abundant natural and historical riches. Incredible mountain landscapes are set against a backdrop of desert forts and stories of sultans and djinns. In its cities, ancient bazaars are home to intricately etched copper kitchenware alongside pungent spice racks and steaming tea stalls." - From our friends at Lonely Planet To all the meat eaters out there...buckle up. Leave a comment below and share any of your travel experiences in Pakistan...can't misses, helpful tips, how to get around etc.
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Destination: MALAYSIA
"Dynamic cities, fabulous food, beautiful beaches, idyllic islands and national parks with wildlife-packed rainforests – all of this can be found in Malaysia." - From our friends at Lonely Planet A detailed guide that takes you through everything that would be helpful know before travelling to Malaysia. Leave a comment below and share any of your travel experiences in Malaysia...can't misses, helpful tips, how to get around etc.
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A Guide to Responsible Travel in the PHILIPPINES
3 min to skim, 10 min for in-depth info | August 2023 If you’re looking for a thrilling, heart-racing adventure or just want to take it easy, the Philippines has something to suit every kind of traveller. Take it from us, the world travellers behind Traveller Collective, this wonder-filled place is an absolute dream destination. It boasts stunning beaches and lush forests with a vibrant culture and incredibly unique wildlife. It’s truly a magical place. However, with that sense of adventure comes the responsibility for us to travel with a conscious awareness of how we temporarily impact the places we visit. Responsible, aka sustainable travel is an approach to travelling the globe while prioritizing the well-being of local communities, the environment, and the economy. Its main purpose is to maximize the positive impact of tourism while minimizing the negative impacts. Recently, responsible tourism has gained traction in the travel industry as more globetrotters become aware of the impact they make and increasingly hold a deep desire to give back to the communities they visit. They’re changing the world y’all, and you can too. It’s honestly so easy. More specifically, responsible travel in the Philippines has become more important than ever before as the country’s tourism industry continues to grow post-pandemic. More travellers flock to the country’s pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and vibrant cities. But, it’s crucial to do so in a way that uplifts and respects local cultures and preserves their environments. By practising responsible travel in the Philippines, you have an opportunity to preserve the natural beauty and cultural heritage of this incredible country. All while supporting local communities and businesses. It’s honestly a win-win situation which allows you to experience a much more meaningful journey and ensure the preservation of this beautiful country for generations. At Traveller Collective, we’re super passionate about commemorating the places we’ve been in a way that’s eco-friendly and meaningful. That’s why we’ve put together this guide that provides easy-to-implement suggestions for some of the most popular activities in the Philippines. Practice CLAYGO Wherever You Go Local boats take travellers island hopping around El Nido. The beaches and islands of El Nido in Palawan are home to some of the most beautiful coastlines in the entire world. Just one day of lying in the sun here will have you wishing you could bury your feet in the sand and stay forever. For those of you who are fortunate enough to visit this stunning location, you’ll want to get familiar with the term “CLAYGO” or the “clean as you go” mindset. This eco-friendly mentality is the same as the leave no trace principle and it serves as a reminder to leave the places you visit cleaner than when you arrived. Practising this mindset is as simple as bringing a bag solely dedicated to trash pickup with you and collecting all the litter you find along the way. Whether it’s yours or not. It also means being mindful of unintentionally leaving behind personal belongings that could harm the environment. You wouldn’t believe how many stranded flip-flops get found here. If you keep CLAYGO in mind while practising responsible travel in the Philippines you can help preserve these areas for future visitors and protect the local ecosystem. Yet another win-win in the responsible travel guidebook! You can further help out the ecosystem in the Philippines by choosing to purchase and travel with products that have a less harmful impact on the environment. For example, items that reduce the negative impact on the environment include: Oxybenzone-free/reef-safe sunblock Reusable straws and cutlery Deet-free insect repellent Reusable shopping bags Rechargeable batteries Refillable water bottles Additionally, travelling responsibly in the Philippines also means you’ll want to avoid: Touching/petting wildlife: look and take pictures only, don’t domesticate. Leaving trash on the ground: it only takes a second to pick up around you. Taking super long showers: water is a finite resource, do what you can to save it. Purchasing products that contain illegal materials: consider supply and demand. Taking shells and sand home: choose to buy a souvenir from a local vendor instead. Using an excessive amount of electricity: turn everything off when you leave for the day. Wasting food: only order and eat what you’re able not what your eyes think they can scarf down. If you’re able to practice these tips anywhere you travel in the Philippines you’ll be doing more than most, and that in itself deserves a pat on the back. Become a Farmer For a Day The Chocolate Hills of Bohol. The island of Bohol is a top destination for many travellers visiting the Philippines. Although the chocolate hills are a must-see when visiting the island, you might also consider visiting one of their many farms. Participating in agrotourism is a great way to practice responsible travel in the Philippines. These opportunities allow travellers to get up close and personal with local farming practices and rural life. They also help support local farmers by allowing visitors to buy their produce, assist with farm work and even attend cultural activities. This fantastic way of engaging with Filipino culture and learning about the country's environment on a deeper level gives travellers a better understanding of what it’s like to live in the Philippines. One of the coolest farms you can take a day trip to on the island is the Bohol Organic & Strawberry Farm. Here you’ll get the opportunity to pick your own strawberries and other produce as well as learn about farming practices on the island. If you’d like an even more in-depth experience check out the Bohol Bee Farm. Here you’ll have an opportunity to truly immerse yourself into farming life by staying on the farm and soaking in all it has to offer. From learning about sustainable farming to dining in their restaurant that serves up deliciously mouthwatering organic food, to relaxing at the spa, there’s genuinely something for everyone. Not to mention the opportunities here to learn about beekeeping and what we can do to help save the bees. Bohol isn’t the only island in the Philippines with opportunities for agrotourism though. Most of the main islands have farms you can visit and even stay at. When you’re in your research phase of trip planning to the Philippines, consider staying on a farm at least once during your journey. Have a Positive Impact on a Remote Community The hiking trail from Buscalan with a couple of local guides. For those of you who love the art of tattooing and learning about an extraordinary indigenous culture, the Butbut tribe of Kalinga in the village of Buscalan north of Manila will likely be high on your list. In recent years, this village has gained a lot of popularity and attention because of an incredible woman named Apo Whang Od. She is the oldest woman in the world who still practices the ancient art form of Mambabtok or hand poke tattooing. You might have recently seen her feature in Vogue Philippines. People from every corner of the globe flock to this village to receive the honour and gift of being tattooed by her. A tradition which is fortunately shared happily by her and other locals in the village who also practice this ancient art form. If you’re planning a visit to this stunning village high in the Kalinga Mountains, there are a few things as a responsible traveller you’ll want to keep in mind. The first is to hire a local guide from the village instead of hiring a popular tour company. Although it may be tempting and easier to hire a tour company for this trip, it's important to ensure that the money you spend on this adventure directly benefits the village and its people. You can book a guide directly from the village through this Facebook group. Remy, the main guide that runs this group, will be able to: Answer all your questions before you arrive Connect you with the best guides in the village Ensure your stay in the village is unforgettable Speaking of staying in the village, the second thing you’ll want to keep in mind when you’re planning your visit is to make sure you include several days to stay and enjoy the village. Instead of just getting your tattoo and leaving immediately after, staying for a few days in the village will also help to boost the local economy. All of the accommodations in the village are homestays which allows you the opportunity to truly understand what life is like for the people in this village. Although you obviously won't be staying in a 5-star hotel, the chance to stay with a family from the village and learn about their everyday life is an incredibly unique and rewarding experience. Not to mention all the delicious food you’ll get to eat! Last but certainly not least, on your way to the village stop at a local bookstore and pick up as many school supplies as possible. Anything from backpacks to pencils to popsicle sticks; everything helps. However, if you’d like to find out in advance what the kiddos really need, a quick message on the Facebook group from above will help you figure that out. Because this village is so remote, everything from clothes to school supplies has to be purchased from surrounding villages and carried in by the locals. The closest bookstore with common school supplies is over 30 km away which makes it difficult for the kiddos and their families in the village to access the necessary supplies needed to learn. Purchasing school supplies from a local shop in the surrounding towns not only makes accessing school supplies for the villagers easier but it also helps boost those towns’ local economies. Yet again you’ll find yourself in the midst of another win-win situation. There are even opportunities here to volunteer to teach English to the children in the village. If this is something you’re interested in, ask your local guide! Even if you’re not a professional English teacher, giving local students the chance to practice their English through simple conversations is more valuable than you might realize. Altogether, we can have a great impact on this community and others if we strive to contribute to its well-being. These tips and tricks for travelling to remote places apply to any village you might visit in the Philippines. Our best piece of advice is to try and get connected with a local and then simply ask: How can I help? It’s truly what responsible travel in the Philippines is all about. The Best Adventures Leave No Trace Practicing responsible travel in the Philippines is more important than ever considering the increase in visitors to this beautiful country post-pandemic. By adopting sustainable and responsible travel practices, you play a crucial role in preserving the natural and cultural assets of this awe-inspiring country. This mode of travelling has an uncanny way of creating some of the most meaningful experiences, whether you’re: Staying in eco-friendly accommodations Respecting and learning about local customs and traditions Supporting local businesses and communities These experiences are guaranteed to stay with you for a lifetime. For us at Traveller Collective, we are passionate about experiences that help us clean up the planet. Help us make a positive impact on the environment by purchasing one of our travel rings. You can use it for your trip to the Philippines and keep it as a collection with all the other countries you’ve visited. You’ll be contributing to a great cause and be able to carry your travel memories with you wherever you go. And the best part? We donate 5% of all our profits to Plastic Change, an amazing organization working hard to reduce plastic waste worldwide. Together we can clean our planet and enjoy travelling through its breathtaking wonders. Let us all strive to be responsible travellers who leave a positive legacy for future generations to enjoy. Especially as we look forward to a post-pandemic future where responsible travel is more important than ever before. If you’re interested in learning more about responsible travel practices in other countries, check out our blog for information on Laos!
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Destination: RWANDA
"Rwanda is known as Le Pays des Mille Collines (Land of a Thousand Hills) thanks to the endless mountains in this scenically stunning little country. Nowhere are the mountains more majestic than the Virunga volcanoes in the northwest, and hidden among the bamboo forests are some of the world's last remaining mountain gorillas. For a change of scene, the shores of Lake Kivu conceal some of the best inland beaches on the continent, while Nyungwe Forest National Park protects extensive tracts of montane rainforest, and is home to many primates. Looking for a more metropolitan experience? Kigali, the capital, is one of the loveliest cities in Africa." - From our friends at Lonely Planet Passport Heavy taking you through all the good eats, hotels and things to do in the capital. Leave a comment below and share any of your travel experiences in Rwanda...can't misses, helpful tips, how to get around etc.
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Destination: PERU
"Peru is as complex as its most intricate and exquisite weavings. Festivals mark ancient rites, the urban vanguard fuels innovation and nature bestows splendid diversity." - From our friends at Lonely Planet The Vaga Brother's take you through all things Peru in this great video! Leave a comment below and share any of your travel experiences in Peru...can't misses, helpful tips, how to get around etc.
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Destination: FRENCH POLYNESIA
"Sculpted by sky-piercing, moss-green peaks and lined with vivid turquoise lagoons, sultry French Polynesia is a place to take it slow and experience warm, laid-back island culture." - From our friends at Lonely Planet Travel in Tahiti on any budget! Leave a comment below and share any of your travel experiences in French Polynesia...can't misses, helpful tips, how to get around etc.
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A Guide to Responsible Travel in LAOS!
3 min to skim, 10 min for in-depth info | July 2023 Laos is a Southeast Asian country with many fascinating cultural and historical attractions. Its rich history, diverse cultures, and stunning landscapes make it a great destination for travellers. But it’s about more than just sightseeing – Laos is a country where many people are in need of help. The importance of giving back to these communities when you visit cannot be overstated. Through initiatives like: Volunteering Partnering with NGOs Supporting charities Helping fundraising campaigns We can help provide essential services to underserved communities in Laos and improve life for its citizens - some of the kindest people on earth. At Traveller Collective, we believe in responsible travel. Within the last 30 years, tourism has exploded all over the world. And Laos is no exception. With over 1.2 million visitors to Laos in 2022 alone, the country has seen an immense increase in tourism which has both positive and negative impacts. The best part about visiting Laos is getting to know the people who live there and creating memories with them that will last a lifetime. We strongly believe that travelling brings countless benefits for those who are willing and able, but we also acknowledge that it can also impact local communities in various ways. The communities in Laos are being impacted at a high rate with big changes being made to the ecological system of the Mekong River and a large increase in the number of visitors each year. If you’re considering visiting Laos, please do! And while you’re there, carve out some time in your sightseeing schedule to give back to their community. The experiences you’ll have doing so will be some of the most rewarding of your entire trip. Here are some super easy and cool ideas to responsibly elevate your trip to Laos that don’t take much planning. Volunteer to Teach English at Big Sister Mouse in Luang Prabang The beautiful city of Luang Prabang where Big Sister Mouse is located. Big Sister Mouse is an incredible non-profit project-based organization located in the heart of Luang Prabang with a mission to help Laotian students improve their English language skills. This organization is a small branch of a larger organization called Big Brother Mouse which is dedicated to increasing access to all aspects of education in Laos. What began as an initiative to get more books into the hands of rural students has blossomed into a project tree to help make education more accessible to students in all communities throughout Laos. You can easily help out this organization by spending a day at their new Big Sister Mouse school and helping the local students practice their English skills. And the best part is you don’t need to have any sort of qualification to do so. Even if you’ve never taught a day in your life, you can still help these students out just by reading a picture book to the first graders or having a simple conversation with a young adult learner. No advanced degree or preparation is needed. Just show up, and be yourself. There are no reservations needed in advance either. You’ll just need to arrive at their central location in Luang Prabang at exactly 9 a.m. with $10 in hand. From there they will take care of transportation and food for the day for you. You’ll spend the day hanging out with some of the coolest people in Laos and when the school day is over, they’ll take you back to town just in time for dinner around 4:30 p.m. Easy right? Learn How to Make Local Handicrafts and More at the Lao Disabled Women’s Development Centre in Vientiane Women and visitors at the LDWD center in the capital of Laos, Vientiane. Women with disabilities in Laos face an immense amount of challenges when it comes to their education, health care and employment. The Lao Disabled Women’s Development Center in Vientiane is a remarkable example of how we can empower and support individuals with disabilities. This organization provides women with the necessary resources to gain education and develop skills to become financially independent. What initially started as a sewing group in 1990, has grown into a phenomenal organization aimed at creating practical opportunities for as many women as possible. They accomplish this mission through training and advocating for the rights, recognition, and equality of opportunities for women who are disabled throughout Laos. The best way to support this organization is by visiting the centre and participating in one of the many activities they have to offer. On any given day, the centre is a swarm of excitement overflowing with people participating in a plethora of different activities. You can: Take a tour of the centre Participate in a handicraft class Eat traditional Laotain food Be blessed with good luck in an ancient ceremony Teach a skill to the women at the centre, and so much more This place is truly filled to the brim with exciting experiences. Spending time at the centre can be easily organized by sending a quick email to one of their staff members who will be sure to tailor your visit however you like. You can expect to spend a minimum of 50,000 LAK (approx. $2.83) on your visit with options to add additional activities as you see fit. Take a Tour of the COPE Visitor Centre in the Heart of Laos’ Capital City and Enjoy a Scoop of Their Famous Ice Cream The entrance and cafe to the COPE visitors center in the capital of Laos, Vientiane. In 1997 the Lao Minstry of Health and a group of NGO’s formed the Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise, or COPE for short. Due to the increase in the number of survivors with major injuries from unexploded bombs during the Secret War in the 60’s and 70’s COPE saw a need for ongoing support. Since its establishment in the late 90’s COPE has fitted thousands of prosthetics for survivors and increased its awareness efforts through various outreach programs. But that’s not all they do. They are an all encompassing disability rehabilitation organization that works all over the country to ensure people are trained to care for survivors and surviors receive the care they so desperately need. Their visitor centre is located in the heart of Vientienne and the best way to give back to this organization is to go for a visit and learn. The centre is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Although it’s free to visit the centre we would encourage you to make a donation and buy a scoop of their delicious and famous ice cream at the Karma Cafe while you’re there. They also have an educational cinema where you can watch a range of short documentaries that talk about COPE and why it was formed. They even have a really cool gift shop with unique gifts you can bring back home to remember your time in Laos. The best part is that every purchase and donation you make here goes directly back to the efforts COPE is making to improve access to quality rehabilitation services. An opportunity to learn about the history of Laos, have a fantastic sweet treat, and give back to the country’s impacted communites all in the same visit? That’s what we’d call a triple win in our guidebook! Contribute to Girls Education in Rural Laos by Purchasing Unique Souvineers from La La Laos Inside the LaLa Laos gift shop. Sithong's incredible journey began with two generous travellers gifting him tution money for college. After graduating with a business degree, he set up a shop in beautiful Luang Prabang with one mission in mind: to use the profits from his shop to help girls in the rural areas of Laos gain access to higher levels of education beyond grade five. Although boys in Laos have opportunities to learn past grade five by becomming monks, girls in Laos are often expected to return home after finishing school and contribute to the wellbeing of their family. Together with his two traveling companions, they worked hard to provide more opportunities for education and even set up a dormitory for girls who wanted to continue their studies in Luang Prabang. In 2019 they established an official non-profit foundation called Do The Kindness so that anyone who is willing to assist thier efforts can do so from anywhere in the world. The best way to contribute to Sithong’s tireless efforts while you’re in Laos are to visit him in his shop. He and his family are great people to spend time with and get to know. The shop is also just steps away from the Mekong river and around the corner from one of the most popular coffee shops in all of Luang Prabang. He has a wide variety of incredibly unique items for purchase that you truly wont see anywhere else in Laos. He can even print you a t-shirt! Every sale at his shop will go toward helping create a brighter future for the children of Laos. But, if you’re pressed for time and not able to visit the shop, we understand. You can still help him out by making a donation to his non-profit foundation. Every little bit helps. It’s Important to Give Back When You Travel Giving back to the communites you travel to is, in our opinion, an essential part of not just traveling with meaning but living a meaningful life. Whether it’s donating your time, money, or resources, giving back has profound effects on you as a traveler and the people you help. When we give back, we create a sense of connection and belonging that helps foster positive social change in the world. By investing in the communities you travel to, even in small ways, you can have a profound impact on those around you and create a better world for everyone. For us at Traveller Collective, we are passionate about cleaning up the planet. That’s why when we travel anywhere we make sure to: Use a refillable water bottle. Carry a reusable shopping bag. Say no to disposable straws and cutlery. Use our own toiletries and carry them in reusable containers. Support eco-friendly establishments. Pick up trash wherever and whenever we can. Help us make a significant impact on the environment by purchasing one of our travel rings for Laos that you can keep as a collection with all the other countries you’ve visited. Not only will you be contributing to a great cause but you’ll also be able to carry your travel memories with you wherever you go. Together we can clean our planet up and enjoy travelling through it’s breathtaking wonders.
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Destination: SHANGHAI
"Shanghai: few cities in the world evoke so much history, excess, glamour, mystique and exotic promise in name alone." - From our friends at Lonely Planet Your guide to all things Shanghai...enjoy! Leave a comment below and share any of your travel experiences in Shanghai...can't misses, helpful tips, how to get around etc.
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Destination: FINLAND
"Finland's fusion of wild beauty, contemporary design and culinary excellence is a beguiling mix. Throw in winter magic and irresistible summers, and you've one cool country." - From our friends at Lonely Planet Tide Knot Travellers vlogging their way through Helsinki and sharing some of the top sights to visit. Leave a comment below and share any of your travel experiences in Finland...can't misses, helpful tips, how to get around etc.
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