Experience Nature & Sustainably with
Y Travel and Belmond
Nature-positive holiday experiences that not only preserve endemic ecosystems, but in special cases, foster conservation and empower local communities, are the gold standard of sustainable travel.
Our ‘Nature & Sustainability’ Y Factor is all about showcasing the travel brands and experiences that are going the extra mile to protect the planet and its inhabitants; and when it comes to travel companies using their business as a force for good, one of the first names that comes to mind is Belmond.
As one of the hand picked members of the prestigious Bellini Club, we are Belmond’s brand ambassadors in the travel industry. This allows us to pass on exclusive offers, amenities and resort credits to our clients.
Make it Bespoke.
Core to the Belmond philosophy is the idea that sustainability should be an effortless, joyful affair that emphasises locality and connection. Join us as we unveil some of our favourite ways to experience nature, joyfully and sustainably, with Belmond.
A Luxury Safari in the Okavango Delta
When executed correctly, safaris can be hugely beneficial to the environment. The staff, including guides and conservationists, can provide on-the-ground intel about the local flora and fauna; tourism revenue can support conservation efforts; and they can help raise awareness of important issues.
Africa’s ultimate experiential safari lodge – Eagle Island Lodge in Botswana – aims to achieve all of the above. The modern, sophisticated sanctuary on a private island at the heart of the Okavango Delta, along the Boro River, brings both timeless luxury and guardianship to the Botswana wetlands.
Guests are invited to experience the UNESCO World Heritage Site and its unique wildlife in an intimate fashion. High-ceilinged tented rooms flood with light; and each has a plunge pool and oversized bed with views of the Delta, where hippos glide past and eagles soar overhead.
In wet season, this unique wetland system swells to around 22,000 square kilometres: a wonderland of floodplains, palm groves and papyrus swamps that is visible from space. The spectacular ecosystem attracts a wealth of wildlife including elephants, over 500 species of birds, 160 mammals – including endangered species such as cheetah, white and black rhino, and African wild dog – fish and around 1,500 plants.
As part of its efforts to protect this amazing area, Belmond is proud to support the World Rangers Fund with Ride4Rangers, in partnership with the conservation charity TUSK. Their aim is to raise funds to support African rangers as they continue to protect the region’s wildlife. Their work ensures these beautiful creatures survive for future generations.
Honour Mother Earth with an Ancient Andean Ceremony
The only hotel located at the entrance to Machu Picchu, Sanctuary Lodge is a stylish retreat that allows guests to beat the citadel's crowds and experience the iconic destination in chic intimacy.
Nestled in the shadows of the Lost City, the lodge is an oasis of calm that makes for the perfect launch pad to explore Machu Picchu. Guests can unwind with a yoga session, sip muña tea in Tampu Bar, or most famously, take part in a traditional Sharman ceremony in the garden.
This unforgettable, time-honoured ceremony gives thanks to Mother Earth, the Pachamama and is led by an Andean shaman, who helps guests make an offering of cereals, grains, fruit, and coca leaves. During the hour-long ceremony, natural perfumes will create a transportive aroma, and participants will be led to sing in the traditional Quechua language, asking Pachamama for her blessings of health and prosperity, as the powerful natural energy of the nearby ruins fill them with vitality.
As Belmond guests will learn during their stay, Pachamama, the Earth Mother, has long been one of the most revered deities among the indigenous people of the Andes. She is a fertility goddess with the power to give and sustain life. She is present in every mountain and rules over the planting and harvesting season. The wife of Pacha Kamaq, the Creator of the World, she is mother to Killa, the Moon Goddess and Inti, the Sun God—the most venerated deity of them all.
Help Baby Turtles at a Sea Turtle Sanctuary in Bali
Hemmed by jungle and lulled by the lap of the Indian Ocean, Jimbaran Puri is rich in island spirit. Located on one of Bali’s most beautiful beaches, the luxury hotel is evocative of a secret garden, with cottages and villas scattered throughout.
One of the most captivating elements of this property is the local Saba Asri Sea Turtle Conservation it supports. Of the seven sea turtle species in the world, Indonesia’s waters are home to six and all are classified as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered.
The silky-soft sands of Jimbaran Puri’s private beach have become popular among nesting sea turtles, where they dig deep chambers, lay dozens of eggs, and then leave their offspring to their fate.
One of the best things to do in Bali is volunteer at this conservation and spend a day learning about the turtles and reveling in the unique opportunity to release a baby hatchling into the sea.
The Ultimate Jungle Expedition at Iguassu Falls Brazil
Hotel das Cataratas is a pastel-pink hideaway surrounded by lush rainforest beside the spectacular Iguassu Falls. Promising the ultimate jungle escape, the luxury bolthole grants exclusive access to the nearby National Park – minus the crowds.
The hotel’s unique location makes the perfect base for exploration. Guests can take a hair-raising speed boat ride or helicopter charter, hike hidden trails teeming with wildlife, or explore the majestic falls by first light or moonlight.
For a slower pace, the hotels indulgent, colonial-style rooms are spacious and relaxing. Likewise, the grounds are the perfect place to soak up the jungle chorus while you float in the pool, stroll gardens bejewelled with orchids and sip caipirinhas as the sun goes down.
The thing we love the most about Hotel das Cataratas is that it supports an ecology school and a project to protect endangered jaguars and pumas!