Recently updated on August 22nd, 2024 at 07:01 pm
Across the world indigenous communities and cultures make our planet a more diverse and special place. There are an estimated 476 million Indigenous Peoples divided across 90 countries, and they speak some 7,000 languages and represent 5,000 different indigenous cultures. Their territories cover 28% of our planet and count 11% of the world’s rainforests. This makes many communities guardians of our remaining biodiversity, yet many are considered among the world’s extremely poor.
Part of sustainable travel is about connecting and supporting the communities that live in the destinations we visit. We feel lucky to be able to share some of these diverse indigenous cultures with Trafalgar guests through our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences. One of these experiences is included on each and every tour, chosen with great care to have a positive social or environmental impact on their communities and those who experience them.
To mark the UN World Indigenous People’s Day on August 9, we wanted to highlight some of our favourite MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences that connect you with Indigenous Peoples.
Connect with Native Americans of the Dakotas
Gain a one-of-a-kind insight into Native American history when you join the very special 9-day National Parks and Native Trails of the Dakotas Trafalgar tour, developed in collaboration with local communities in the Dakotas. You’ll meet passionate locals, visit reservations and National Parks, and connect with their land through the power of storytelling.
This special tour includes many MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences that connect you with the indigenous cultures of Native America, including members of the Oglala Lakota Nation and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Plus, you can opt to join the unique experience of traditional Pow Wow in the Black Hills.
See Uluru through the eyes of Aboriginal Australians
In the heart of the Australian Outback lies Uluru, a fabled monolith that towers over the arid plains. The Aboriginal Anangu People are the caretakers of this remote desert landscape. Their ancestors date back 60,000 years and this indigenous culture is passed down through verbal storytelling, or Dreamtime stories.
Wake up before dawn to experience the magnificent Uluru monolith in a different light. On our Australian Highlights tour, Day 6 starts with a magical sunrise watching the morning light illuminate Uluru with a hot cocoa in hand. A local Anangu guide will lead the way. They’ll share tales about the ancient rock and art, and you’ll hear stories of the Anangu and their lives in this arid landscape.
Meet a master Quechua weaver in Peru
From the city of Cusco, venture out into the Sacred Valley on our Highlights of Peru. Here you’ll visit Manos de la Comunidad, a weaving center, for a special MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience discovering traditional pre-Columbian weaving techniques.
You’ll meet Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez, a master Quechua weaver and the first person from her village to attend university. Nilda keeps Andrean traditions alive and will show you the traditional weaving practice using natural dyeing techniques.
Cross paths with First Nations women in Canada
After soaking up the surreal and breathtaking beauty of the Canadian Rockies, you’ll go a layer deeper by connecting with the traditional owners of these beautiful lands. On our Iconic Rockies and Western Canada trip you’ll wander through the wilderness, explore pristine natural landscapes, and then visit Jasper to meet Matricia Bauer, a Cree woman.
She hosts a very special Be My Guest experience, sharing stories about her life and knowledge about the local flora. Together you’ll forage for ingredients to make a curated bitters drink. After dinner, you’ll sit down for a session of storytelling and drumming.
On the same trip, the MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience takes you to the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre where you’ll discover First Nations history and culture as local ambassadors share their stories, traditions, and artworks.
Experience the richness of Māori in New Zealand
It’s thought that the ancestors of New Zealand’s Māori people arrived on canoes from Pacific islands in the 13th and 14th centuries. Now their incredible culture is interwoven with that of British settlers, making this small nation unlike anywhere else on earth.
You’ll experience the contrasts of the two islands on our Contrasts of New Zealand. In Rotorua, a city famous for its wild geothermal action, you’ll connect with Māori culture during a special dinner. Enter a traditional wooden carved meeting house for a performance of song, dance and storytelling. After you’ll share a special feast of local dishes.
Connect with the Guarani community in South America
The Guarani community live at the border of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay where they are the protectors of the famous Iguazu Falls. When you join our South America Revealed trip we’ll connect you with the community of Fortín M’bororé who open their doors to reveal the secrets of the jungle, their natural medicine, indigenous culture, songs, dance, crafts, philosophy and beliefs.
You’ll follow an indigenous Guarani guide to a temple in the heart of the jungle where the tribe hosts initiation and baptism rituals. Then you’ll see ancestral hunting traps and handicrafts on this immersive MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience.
Jump with the Maasai in Kenya
After spending the whole day on a safari in Maasai Mara’s wilderness – seeking out lions, giraffes and elephants with your camera at the ready – you’ll change tracks to connect with indigenous culture at a local Maasai village.
You’ll Dive Into Culture with this special MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience on our African Safari Adventure trip, and feel knowing your visit supports the village community. Watch as local warriors show off their jumping skills, then tour the village to learn about the daily life of this colorful African tribe.
Do you like connecting with Indigenous cultures when you travel around the world? Let us know your favorite experience in the comments…