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Adventure Travel - Big World Made Small
Welcome to the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, where we go far beyond the beaches, resort hotels, and cruises to explore the really cool places, people, and activities that adventurous travelers crave. If your idea of a great vacation is sitting on a beach at an all-inclusive resort, you’re in the wrong place. However, if you’re like me, and a beach resort vacation sounds like torture, stick around. You’ve found your tribe.
My name is Jason Elkins, and as an adventure travel marketing consultant and tour operator myself, I am on a mission to impact the lives of adventure travelers, the tour operators they hire, and the communities that host them, creating deeply meaningful experiences that make this big world feel just a bit smaller.
Are you ready to discover your next great adventure, whether that looks something like climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa, SCUBA diving in the South Pacific, or hot air ballooning in Turkey? Then you’ll be happy to know that each episode of the Big World Made Small Podcast features a fascinating interview with an adventure travel expert that has agreed to share, with us, their own personal stories, favorite adventure destinations, and even some incredibly helpful tips and tricks they’ve learned while in the field. I trust that by the end of each episode you’ll feel like booking a ticket to enjoy the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of these amazing places, and getting to know the incredible people that live there.
I’ll be your guide as we explore this amazing planet and its people on the Big World Made Small podcast. I am a former US Army paratrooper, third generation commercial hot air balloon pilot, paramotor pilot, advanced open water SCUBA diver, and ex-Montana fly fishing guide and lodge manager. I have managed boutique adventure tour operation businesses in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, off-shore in Belize, the Adirondacks in New York, and the desert of Arizona. I also spent nearly a decade with Orvis International Travel, leading a talented team of tour operation experts, putting together and hosting amazing fly fishing and adventure travel excursions around the world. I have tapped into my experience and network of travel pros to put together a weekly series of exclusive expert interviews that I am excited to share with you.
For the last couple of years I have lived a fully nomadic lifestyle, feeding my passion for exploration, creating amazing adventures, and meeting some of the most fascinating people along the way. I record every episode while traveling, so in a sense you’ll be joining me on my journey. Let’s discover some great adventures together and make this big world feel just a bit smaller.
And, don’t forget to take a quick trip over to our website at bigworldmadesmall.com and join our adventure travel community, where you’ll benefit from new episode announcements, exclusive adventure travel opportunities, and special access to the experts you’ve met on the show. You can also follow us on social media, using the links in the show notes below. And, if you’re getting value out of the show please help us grow by sharing it with your friends, family, and anyone else you know that wants to get far beyond the beaches, resort hotels, and cruise ships, the next time they travel.
And finally, if you’re listening right now, chances are you’ve found some great off-the-beaten path locations and met some great tour operators in your travels. I’d love to hear about them as well, so please let me know what ideas you have for the show by reaching out directly at jason@bigworldmadesmall.com.
I’ll publish another episode soon. Until then, keep exploring. It’s the best way to make a big world feel just a bit smaller.
https://bigworldmadesmall.com
Adventure Travel - Big World Made Small
Adventure Travel with Maria Samper - Calanoa Amazonas
Area/Topic
Colombian Amazon, Indigenous Communities, Ecotourism
Maria Samper
Co-Owner
Calanoa Amazonas
Maria is a global humanitarian, artist, and singer who has lived in 14 countries, embracing the diversity of cultures and experiences. Maria also facilitates healing workshops, inspired by deep roots in the Amazon, channeling the wisdom and magic from her early years spent with indigenous communities and shamans. Passionate about reconnecting people with their pure human essence, Maria is deeply involved in the Calanoa Project, her family's initiative that invites visitors to explore their true nature in harmony with the natural world. Her life's work is a fusion of art, spirit, and the beauty of human connection.
https://www.calanoaamazonas.com/
summary
In this episode of the Big World Made Small podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with Maria Samper, co-owner of Calanoa Amazonas, about her journey, the importance of responsible tourism, and the deep connection between the Amazon rainforest and the indigenous communities. Maria shares insights into her family's commitment to environmentalism, the cultural exchanges facilitated by Calanoa, and the transformative power of travel. The conversation highlights the significance of understanding local perspectives and the impact of tourism on communities and ecosystems.
takeaways
- Calanoa Amazonas is more than a lodge; it's a project of love.
- Maria's upbringing in Colombia shaped her connection to nature.
- Responsible tourism can provide economic benefits to local communities.
- Cultural exchange is vital for preserving ancestral traditions.
- The Amazon rainforest is a unique and generous ecosystem.
- Traveling helps individuals discover themselves and their values.
- Community involvement is essential for sustainable tourism.
- Maria's family has dedicated 40 years to environmental education.
- The importance of listening to local voices in tourism.
- Traveling with purpose can lead to meaningful experiences.
Learn more about the Big World Made Small Podcast and join our private community to get episode updates, special access to our guests, and exclusive adventure travel offers at bigworldmadesmall.com.
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