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The Most Ecofriendly Countries to Visit in 2022

Trying to travel more responsibly? Book one of these small-group tours across glassine glaciers and dense bamboo forests.
Konstantina Pyrnokoki
22 Mar 2022
With global warming posing an imminent threat, the need to travel more responsibly has never been more pressing. Join one of our exclusive trips and reach the most ecofriendly countries on the planet, which prove that nature-led, sustainable travelling is always best – and way more fun. Spend your days trekking through the biodiverse jungles of Costa Rica or river-tubing in Colombia, treading oh-so lightly as you go.
1 . Iceland, for frozen wilderness and hot springs

It doesn’t get more sustainable than Iceland – powered by geothermal energy and fed by all-local produce by virtue of its isolated location. Hike through waterfalls and black-sand beaches, trek along vast glaciers and hop on a snowmobile tour in the Golden Circle. Just beneath your feet, bubbling hot springs call for a long soak, set against the Northern Lights. If fermented shark is not your go-to delicacy, try the geothermal-baked bread at Laugarvatn Fontana – which is buried in the warm ground and left to bake naturally for 24 hours.

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Next available from8 Oct 2022
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2 . Japan, for rural delights and sushi-making in the capital

Discover bamboo forests, grand peaks and ancient Shinto shrines on this super-green 12-day trip across Japan. You’ll tuck into okonomiyaki pancakes in Hiroshima – not to worry about calories, though, as you’ll be practising aikido martial-art techniques right after – climbing Mount Misen on Miyajima island and hiking up to a sacred temple within the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove on the outskirts of Kyoto. Marvel at old farmhouses in the verdant Hida Folk Village and cruise down Lake Ashi before hovering above volcanic geysers aboard a cable car. You’ll end up in Tokyo, where you’ll learn how to make sushi.

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3 . Costa Rica, for a jungle safari amid affable creatures

Want to feel as close to nature as possible? Then this journey through the wilderness of Costa Rica is just for you. Hop on a wildlife safari around the Arenal Volcano and wave hello to capuchin monkeys and jaguars as you cross hanging bridges springing out of the greenery. Catch sloths hunting their midnight snack on a nocturnal hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest and come back in the morning for a zipline ride between lush treetops and elusive hummingbirds. You can also learn how to tame the waves or go fishing and mountain biking in the tiny surf town of Tamarindo.

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4 . Colombia’s Caribbean coast, for an unspoilt, waterside heaven

If coastal adventures are what you crave, give Colombia a chance. The country’s Caribbean coast is ideal for water sports and ecofriendly activities. On this eight-day trip, you’ll be canoeing through mangroves in La Boquilla village, swimming in clear waters or snorkelling through coral reefs around the Rosario Islands, and gliding along the Magdalena River by boat. Soon enough, you’ll be trekking through Tayrona National Park, where tropical rainforest meets snowy mountains and palm-fringed beaches. Then, wrap it all up with some river-tubing time on Río Don Diego to take in the rich biodiversity.

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5 . The Galápagos Islands, for an extraordinary array of wildlife

About 1,000km (621mi) off the coast of Ecuador, the Galápagos Islands are a paradise for wildlife lovers. On this five-day exclusive adventure, you’ll have many opportunities to encounter the unique species here in their natural habitat. Marvel at the giant tortoises, snorkel among sea lions and spot the Galápagos hybrid iguana as you travel around this fascinating destination. You’ll even land on an uninhabited island, accompanied by a naturalist.

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Next available from14 Jan 2023
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Maja Proescholdt contributed additional reporting to this article.