26 sustainable adventures around the world for the responsible explorer
Sponsored by Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka
Created on a small North Yorkshire farm with a big conscience, Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka is a drink on a mission to leave the smallest possible carbon footprint. It should then be the tipple of choice for any responsible traveller and we’ve paired up with the team at Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka to bring you our 26 top sustainable global adventures, as well as the chance to win a three-night action packed adventure to awaken your wanderer's spirit.
Win the ultimate low impact adventure with Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka
Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka has teamed up with tourism experience Route YC to offer you the chance to win a three-night break in Yorkshire as part of a prize package worth over £1,000! Your meals will be included throughout your stay, so prepare to dine at places like The Farrier in Scarborough, renowned for its seasonal fare, and Bolli’s Tea Rooms, right on the cusp of North York Moors National Park. You’ll also be treated to activities such as expert-led coasteering, yoga on the beach and a zip-line and aqua park experience while you’re there. Last but certainly not least, you’ll enjoy a tour of Ellers Farm Distillery – the home of Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka – with a goody bag to take home.
To be in with a chance of winning, all you need to do is:
1. Follow @DutchBarnVodka on Instagram
2. Enter your details on their page.
Just like sustainable travel, spreading the word and telling your friends always helps!
6 incredible adventures around the world
1. Hiking: Slovenian Mountain Trail, Slovenia
Despite its cloud-baiting mountains and glassy lakes being splashed across social media and postcards, Slovenia’s rugged wilds remain relatively untrodden. Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj tease you but few stray too far beyond their serene shores. For a more all-encompassing glimpse the 599km-long Slovenian Mountain Trail, the world’s oldest connecting pathway, snakes through an alpine fantasia of ibex-speckled wildflower meadows, snow-sprinkled peaks and eagle-streaked skies in mountain ranges like the Julian Alps. Nearly 50 mountain huts provide respite for weary legs and necks craning to take in the 23 peaks you’ll pass. Raise a glass to Mount Triglav a long day’s trek as Slovenia’s tallest peak and most revered natural icon.
2. Hiking: Fish River Canyon, Namibia
At 160km long, up to 27km wide and 550m deep, the numbers don’t lie. Namibia’s Fish River Canyon is colossal, made even more so by the realisation the epic five-day 85km walking trail through its belly only covers half of it. Drink in startling diversity as you go, including steaming sulphur pools, beguiling rock formations, burbling riverbeds and reed-fringed pools, sleeping under a canopy of bulging stars every night.
3. Cycling: West Coast Wilderness Trail, New Zealand
Skirting 139km along the South Island’s western coast, the West Coast Wilderness Trail seems to encapsulate New Zealand’s scenic patchwork in a few days’ ride. Prepare to be treated to widescreen vista upon widescreen vista as you pedal past steaming mist-dappled rainforest, icy rivers, flaxen-hued beaches and ride under the gaze of the snow-capped Southern Alps. But this is a cycle trail splashed with history that’s worth toasting, too, for this route was once treaded by Maori pounamu (greenstone) gatherers and gold rush pioneers ferrying the precious metal on packhorses, trams and trains to the gold rush town of Ross – one bookend of this trail.
4. Cycling: Cabot Trail, Canada
It might be better known as one of the world’s most thrilling drives but do as carbon-neutral Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka would do and swap four wheels for two on the 298km-long Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island. It also delivers as one of the planet’s finest cycle rides and the slower pace allows you to absorb the wild Atlantic coastal views, copper-coloured cliffs and verdant riverine canyons in granular detail. Slung off the north-western shores of Nova Scotia, Cape Breton retains a genuine sense of wilderness that delivers a rich feeling of isolation but you won’t be totally alone: spy moose and bald eagles inland and breaching pilot, minke and humpback whales offshore.
5. Surfing: Bribie Island, Australia
Australia’s east coast is the planet’s holy grail for surfing and while destinations like Noosa and Byron Bay roll off the tongue, there are plenty of other waves to catch in these parts. Lying in between the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast, Bribie Island is not only convenient (it’s the closest surf spot to Brisbane) but it’s great for beginners, with swells often never rising more than three feet – the largest of those can be found along Woorim Beach. Spend time perfecting your surf craft before celebrating your efforts with either a drink of Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka on the sand or among Brisbane’s craft breweries.
6. Surfing: Watamu, Kenya
You might have heard of safari and beach but have you ever heard of safari and surf? Enter the humble fishing village Watamu in Kenya, only 90 minutes in the car from the wildlife-rich emerald contours of Chyulu Hills National Park. As soon as you’ve finished searching for Chyulu’s leopards, lions and elephants head for Watamu’s coastline, which regularly witnesses six-feet-high waves breaking off a crayon-coloured coral reef. A handful of surfers is considered a busy day along this 7km-long stretch of cashmere-soft coastline, leaving you to ride Africa’s best-kept surf secret to yourself, with just swaying palm fronds for company.
Top tip
Cut your carbon
Certified carbon neutral since day one, join Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka’s fight against carbon emissions on your travels. Little things go a long way and eating local, packing light, avoiding buying typical tourist souvenirs, picking public transport, and reducing flying where possible all help.
Win a 3-night adventure for you and 3 friends
Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka has teamed up with tourism experience Route YC to offer the chance for you and a friend to win a three-night break in Yorkshire as part of a prize package worth £1,000. Your meals will be included throughout your stay, so prepare to dine at places like The Farrier in Scarborough, renowned for its seasonal fare, and Bolli’s Tea Rooms, right on the cusp of North York Moors National Park. You’ll also be treated to activities such as expert-led coasteering, yoga on the beach and a zip-line and aqua park experience while you’re there. Last but certainly not least, you’ll enjoy a tour of Ellers Farm Distillery – the home of Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka – with a goody bag to take home.
To be in with a chance of winning, all you need to do is follow @DutchBarnVodka on Instagram and enter the competition on their page. Just like sustainable travel, spreading the word and telling your friends always helps…
10 Instagramable hikes
1. Inca Trail, Peru
One of the world’s most iconic hikes and a bucket-list must for avid walkers, Peru’s Inca Trail needs no introduction. The legendary empire’s presence is almost palpable as the 39km route winds past misty cloud forest, grassy Andean passes and strings of pre-Columbian ruins before reaching its majestic crescendo – Machu Picchu itself.
2. Appalachian Trail, USA
Its status concreted by the Bill Bryson classic A Walk in the Woods, the Appalachian Trail (3,500km) is the USA’s longest walking route. While the dramatic McAfee Knob – with its panoramic views of the lush sweeping valley below – is its most photographed spot, the thick woodland, wildflower pastures and odd black bear are well worth filling your phone storage, too.
3. Simien Mountains, Ethiopia
You know you’re wandering somewhere truly wild when you spy more wildlife than fellow hikers. The Simien Mountains is a side of Africa you’ll have seldom seen before with its tapestry of virgin forests, beguiling flora and craggy pinnacles. It’s tough but rewarding, especially if a gelada baboon sidles up while you’re resting on a rocky escarpment. We look forward to returning to the country when it is safe to do so.
4. Tongariro Northern Circuit, New Zealand
Make your friends jealous with out-of-the-world snaps (almost literally) as you tread among the lunar-like landscapes of the Tongariro Northern Circuit. Every inch of its 43km feels like a showcase of New Zealand’s finest volcanic grandeur, with craters, milky blue sulphur lakes, lava flows and active volcanoes – enough to cause an eruption on your Instagram feed.
5. Annapurna Circuit, Nepal
Be under the permanent gaze of the Himalaya when you take on the Annapurna Circuit (160-230km, depending on your route). Have your breath taken away (and we don’t mean the altitude) by its surprising diversity, with snow-dusted peaks blurring with sub-tropical forests, semi-arid deserts and mountain villages whose teahouses let you drink in the views, Nepalese style.
Top tip
Plant a tree
For every person that joins the Climate Tribe, Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka plants a tree through its partnership with Ecologi. Ecologi is helping to restore the planet through a monthly subscription service to fun the highest-standard carbon offsetting project with tree-planting projects. Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka has been supporting Ecologi from the start and have engaged in offsetting projects and funded the planting of more than 2,700 trees in Madagascar, Mozambique and Nicaragua.
Win a 3-night adventure for you and 3 friends
Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka has teamed up with tourism experience Route YC to offer the chance for you and a friend to win a three-night break in Yorkshire as part of a prize package worth £1,000. Your meals will be included throughout your stay, so prepare to dine at places like The Farrier in Scarborough, renowned for its seasonal fare, and Bolli’s Tea Rooms, right on the cusp of North York Moors National Park. You’ll also be treated to activities such as expert-led coasteering, yoga on the beach and a zip-line and aqua park experience while you’re there. Last but certainly not least, you’ll enjoy a tour of Ellers Farm Distillery – the home of Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka – with a goody bag to take home.
To be in with a chance of winning, all you need to do is follow @DutchBarnVodka on Instagram and enter the competition on their page. Just like sustainable travel, spreading the word and telling your friends always helps…
6. Camino de Santiago, Spain
Not a singular trail as such but more a network of ancient pilgrimage routes, the Camino de Santiago cuts through a swathe of vineyards, bucolic countryside, honey-hued bridges (many of which were specifically built for the original pilgrims) and grand medieval cathedrals – including at the final outpost of Santiago de Compostela – throughout France and Spain.
7. Lycian Way, Turkey
Most people soak up Turkey’s Turquoise Coast from a luxury hotel or yacht but the 500km Lycian Way offers the most intimate glimpse with this sun-drenched coastline. Hike through sweet-scented pine and cedar forests and past several Byzantine and Ottoman ruins, before emerging on a clifftop among the coast’s cerulean hues from an angle a boat can’t capture.
8. Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay, Yorkshire, UK
Occupying an 11km slice of the Cleveland Way, this walk drip-feeds medieval history, Dracula mystery and a handsome wind-battered North Sea coastline. Plus, Robin Hood’s Bay is only an hour’s drive from Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka’s home in Ellers Farm, so it would be rude not to do a distillery tour while you’re there, right?
9. Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
The planet’s loftiest trekking summit and highest peak on the continent, to hike atop Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895m) is to stand on the roof of Africa. The route you take to get there is up to you – the Lemosho Route delivers panoramas and easier acclimatisation – but the clinking of glasses (don't forget to pack your Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka) to mark your successful summit will always be a special moment.
10. Laugavegur, Iceland
You can really test your camera lens out on the kaleidoscopic mountains you’ll find along the 55km Laugavegur Trail, Iceland’s signature walk. But they’re just a single thread in a patchwork of Icelandic wilderness at its peak, with the blend of calving glaciers, spluttering geothermal pools and barren plateaus as eye-popping as they are bewildering.
Top tip
Off-peak or off-grid
Overtourism causes urban infrastructure and ecosystems to creak, so try to visit off-the-beaten-track places away from the tourism limelight. Sometimes, big-hitters like Venice or Cape Town can’t be resisted so look to visit them out of season – you’ll be supporting businesses that traditionally struggle at that time of year.
Win a 3-night adventure for you and 3 friends
Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka has teamed up with tourism experience Route YC to offer the chance for you and a friend to win a three-night break in Yorkshire as part of a prize package worth £1,000. Your meals will be included throughout your stay, so prepare to dine at places like The Farrier in Scarborough, renowned for its seasonal fare, and Bolli’s Tea Rooms, right on the cusp of North York Moors National Park. You’ll also be treated to activities such as expert-led coasteering, yoga on the beach and a zip-line and aqua park experience while you’re there. Last but certainly not least, you’ll enjoy a tour of Ellers Farm Distillery – the home of Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka – with a goody bag to take home.
To be in with a chance of winning, all you need to do is follow @DutchBarnVodka on Instagram and enter the competition on their page. Just like sustainable travel, spreading the word and telling your friends always helps…
Top 10 planet-friendly travel ideas
1. Go wildlife-watching with responsible tour guides
Wildlife watching is one of travel’s great experiences but it’s important to remember how much of a delicate balancing act nature is. That’s why wildlife spotting with a responsible tour guide is so important, as their innate knowledge of the wilderness you explore and conservation work earns them ‘guardian’ status of these fragile lands; the commitment to conservation in the likes of Botswana and Costa Rica have paid dividends. They’ll ensure you minimise the animals’ disturbance while guaranteeing meetings at close quarters for you to treasure as well – everyone’s happy!
2. Take the train
A method of travel whose appeal has rarely wavered since its Golden Age in the early twentieth century, train travel has taken on new significance for being green as well as glamorous. You’ll see eye-popping scenery on epic journeys that often can’t be seen any other way, like taking the Rovos Rail through Highveld grasslands and barren Great Karoo beween Cape Town and Pretoria or the Sri Lankan railway winding through pristine pea-green Tea Country. Why on Earth would you miss out on all that to save a few hours on a plane?
3. Eat local
Sometimes, the best way to get under the skin of a destination is via your stomach. Eating like a local offers an authentic flavour of a destination but eating with the locals also benefits the community. Experiences like a guided tapas tour in Madrid or a street food tour in Bangkok tap into a local’s palette, while farm-to-fork experiences among the Cape Dutch farms in South Africa’s Winelands or Italy’s masserias (farmhouses) not only serve up fresh and flavoursome feasts but cut air miles out of the food chain.
4. Travel by bicycle
An even slower choice of travel than the train, cycling truly immerses you in your surrounds. There are epic bike routes in their own right (Australia’s Munda Biddi Trail and North America’s Great Divide Mountain Bike Route spring to mind) but where you can make a difference is choose a bicycle over the high-emission alternative. Plump for a world-class road trip on two wheels rather than four, pedalling Yorkshire's Route YC or the legendary Route 66 with the breeze tickling your face and without a pesky window in the way.
5. Meet the locals
Hiring local guides not only helps you understand a destination straight from those who know it best but you’re directly giving back to the community, too – for many guides, this is their entire living. Try to be a conscious consumer as well by visiting local artisans and traditional markets, chatting to them about the products they’ve made so you can learn their story, get to know who you’re buying from and make sure your money really sticks where it matters.
Top tip
Travel slow... and less often
Vodka making is a patient process and travelling should be, too. Constantly hopping around a country doesn’t do either the planet or your experience any good, so pick a couple of bases and linger in those for longer so you can really immerse yourself in a destination, rather than at surface level.
6. Snorkelling and diving with responsible tour operators
Snorkelling and diving’s popularity have made marine worlds the victims of their own success. Thankfully, pairing up with a responsible tour operator means you can still explore the likes of the Maldives (where you can dive alongside manta rays) and Belize (home to the second-largest barrier reef in the world) sensitively, as your instructor will know what’s best for both you and the marine life. They’ll take you to reefs suited to your skill level to avoid accidentally damaging the delicate environment and help preserve it for generations to come.
7. Volunteer your time
To really give back to the places you’re visiting on your travels, there are plenty of ways you can volunteer in the local community. You can shadow rangers patrolling West Bali National Park in Indonesia, help lay camera traps to photograph nocturnal animals slinking through Gal Oya National Park or join in coral reforesting programmes off the coast of Zanzibar. You can even get involved with beach clean-ups in Thailand, something the Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka team would approve of – their brown bottle was specifically chosen as it uses a higher percentage of recycled glass.
8. Take a kayak
In many ways, kayaking is vastly underrated in the world of sustainable travel. It offers a far quieter and carbon-minimising alternative to polluting speedboats, whose motors can also disturb marine life, while guaranteeing you complete freedom to explore at your own pace. Swap the traditional boats that ford Halong Bay for a kayak (they’ll make its limestone karsts seem even more supersized), paddle the 150-odd islets sprinkled in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands or even glide among icebergs during the Arctic summer.
9. Visit responsible sanctuaries
Nothing enhances a wildlife encounter more than the knowledge they’re being cared for properly. Visiting a wildlife sanctuary gives you that warm, fuzzy feeling as they nurture endangered animals, many of which are rescued from abuse, and allow them to roam freely so they can, well, be themselves. Two of the best are Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, which rehabilitates badly mistreated elephants, and the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi, which was set up in memory of former anti-poaching warden David Sheldrick and cares for orphaned black rhinos and elephants.
10. Stay in eco-friendly accommodation
Going green is becoming a more important factor in our travel plans and that includes where we stay. Hotels and resorts are wising up to this fast and there seems to be no end of cutting-edge techniques they’re employing to trim waste, save water and cut carbon. More importantly, they ensure their eco-friendly measures don’t dampen the guest experience. We’re thinking of places like Pacuare Lodge in Costa Rica, a jungle-enveloped escape employing clean energy, or Three Camel Lodge in Mongolia, whose profits support needy nomads come wintertime.
Win a 3-night adventure for you and 3 friends
Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka has teamed up with tourism experience Route YC to offer the chance for you and a friend to win a three-night break in Yorkshire as part of a prize package worth £1,000. Your meals will be included throughout your stay, so prepare to dine at places like The Farrier in Scarborough, renowned for its seasonal fare, and Bolli’s Tea Rooms, right on the cusp of North York Moors National Park. You’ll also be treated to activities such as expert-led coasteering, yoga on the beach and a zip-line and aqua park experience while you’re there. Last but certainly not least, you’ll enjoy a tour of Ellers Farm Distillery – the home of Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka – with a goody bag to take home.
To be in with a chance of winning, all you need to do is follow @DutchBarnVodka on Instagram and enter the competition on their page. Just like sustainable travel, spreading the word and telling your friends always helps…
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