We live in a grim age where global warming and rapid development have become a threat to daily life. As expected, these factors also endanger historic sites and some of the world’s most famous getaways, like Venice. Our pick of places you need to visit before it is too late:
The Everglades
With the UNESCO declaring Florida’s Everglades as endangered due to the wetlands’ continued degradation and a decline in marine species, plan a visit soon. Explore alligator-filled waters, stroll through endless mangroves and gaze at over 350 species of birds. The Environmental Adventure Company offers five day ecotours of The Everglades by inflatable boats (eactours.com).
Package: Hotels.com offers accommodation at the Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort Golf Club & Spa from `26,884 onwards per night.
Details: hotels.com
Maldives
It’s no secret that if sea levels continue to rise, the Republic of Maldives will be the first country to disappear into the ocean. Gap Adventures, an alternative travel company, has a Maldives Dhoni Cruise (a dhoni is a Maldivian sail boat) where you can explore small fishing villages and go swimming and snorkelling in the Indian Ocean (gadventures.com).
Package: TUI India offers a 3N stay at Embudu Village for `29,026 for double occupancy.
Details: tui.in
The Great Barrier Reef
Australia’s biggest attraction is threatened by rapid coastal development. The Deep Sea Divers Den offers five-day courses where you get to live on a boat (diversden.com.au). If you prefer mid-air excitement, take a helicopter flight from Green Island for a reef and rainforest trip (cairns-heliscenic.com.au).
Package: Thomas Cook offers a 8N/9D package priced from`1,50,162 onwards for a five star hotel.
Details: thomascook.in
Swiss Alps
With summer just around the corner, the sensible thing to do would be to visit the Swiss Alps glaciers that are already shrinking and could melt entirely by 2050. Do check out Alpenwild’s independent tours (alpenwild.com). You can also opt for the Heidi Trail from the Heidihütte, an 18th-century log cabin.
Package:Yatra.com offers a package for 6N starting from `69,999 on a per person on twin sharing basis.
Details: yatra.com
Rainforest of Sumatra
Recently included on UNESCO’s World Heritage in Danger list, the tropical rainforest faces existential threats due to development. Sumatra EcoTravel offers group and individual treks where you can cross the Bohorok River by a canoe, feed the orangutans and take short walks. There are relaxing tours that involve slow-walking (sumatra-ecotravel.com).
Package: Cox & Kings offers a 3D/2N person.
Details: coxandkings.com
Dead Sea
The super salty lake lying on the border of Jordan and Israel is shrinking fast. Besides the obligatory floating, travel plans should include the ruins of Masada, a natural fortress that overlooks the Dead Sea (guidedtoursisrael.com offers group and private hiking tours).
Package: Viator.com has deals from the Queen Alia International Airport to hotels in Amman and Petra from `2,356 onwards and `10,773 onwards per person.
Details: viator.com
Timbuktu
This city in West Africa has been declared an endangered World Heritage Site by UNESCO due to terrorist forces destroying it. Brave travellers bring back amazing stories about the 23,000 Islamic religious, historical and scientific texts at the Centre de Recherchews Historiques Ahmed Baba. The Nomade Voyage in Bamako offers specialist adventure tours through the desert in Mali and Mauritania.
Package: Tripadvisor offers 9
N accommodat ion for `85,759.
Details: tripadvisor.in