Paphos - Nat Geo Day Tour: Explorer-Inspired Family Snorkel Quest in Cyprus
As you gaze at the clear, turquoise waters of Paphos Harbour, it's easy to imagine Mother Nature has everything under control. But she could do with your helping hand to balance the human impact on the seas. This conservation-based snorkelling experience has been developed exclusively for National Geographic Day Tour guests and invites you and your family to do more than simply admire and swim in the Mediterranean. It's your chance to learn about and care for the sea and everything that calls it home.You'll begin by meeting a local marine biologist, your guide on this conservation quest. He'll tell you about Dr. Emily Duncan, a National Geographic Explorer, whose research on plastics and the local turtles is the inspiration for this tour. You'll learn about threats to these creatures and the wider ocean's ecosystem and what you can do to help turn the tide and protect them.You'll set sail armed with a waterproof board and pen to help identify and record different species among the seagrass meadows and rocky reefs. On your guided 90-minute snorkel, you'll be on the lookout for rainbow wrasse, blue-spotted cornet fish and endangered loggerhead and green sea turtles. As fun as filling in your fishy bingo card is, you'll be contributing important research to the Citizen Science Initiative and supporting the conservation of precious marine life. Round off the tour with an eco-pledge, empowering you to care for and protect the oceans for generations to come.
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On this National Geographic Day Tour, explore Tankah Park in Mexico's Riviera Maya. After an orientation, swim in two cenotes, once considered portals to the Mayan underworld. Enjoy a canoeing session at the third cenote, then end with a refreshing swim at the forth cenote.With insights from a National Geographic guide, trek through the jungle to Cenote Cueva and Cenote Piraña for a refreshing dip. You'll also visit Cenote Naval for an adventurous canoeing session and Cenote Azul for another invigorating swim in its crystal-clear waters. These cenotes were not only sources of fresh water for the ancient Maya but were also believed to be passageways to Xibalba, the Mayan underworld, and were sites for important rituals.Next, head over to a traditional Mayan house to learn about the Melipona bee, a stingless bee that has been cultivated for centuries for its medicinal honey. Enjoy exclusive access to a traditional Mayan kitchen and take part in a demonstration of the art of tortilla-making, where you'll get hands-on with shaping the dough and learn about the secrets of ‘masa' (corn dough). Then, tuck into a buffet meal featuring dishes rooted in the local heritage that highlight the day's discoveries and flavours.Finally, hike to a fifth cenote, learning about the discovery and preservation of these natural sites. Spanning 300 hectares, Tankah Park's cenotes and forests offer Mayan heritage and ecological diversity. This tour also supports the local community and promotes sustainable tourism, helping to preserve these remarkable lands.
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