"Immersion Travel" has long been the province of student exchanges and language instruction. Today, however, the idea of cultural immersion has reached far beyond that to become accessible, and highly popular, among travelers of all types.

Culturally aware and responsible travel seeks to minimize the environmental and cultural impacts of tourism, with the premise that tourism does not have to threaten the cultures and environments of popular destinations and fragile regions. And the benefits for travelers are immense as well; a more meaningful experience that enriches their lives long after they return home. True cultural exchanges bring the world closer together, making positive contributions to host communities and providing lasting effects to the visitors.

Crooked Trails is a Seattle-based nonprofit organization offering programs to improve the cultural, ecological and economic conditions around the world by changing the way people travel. They operate travel programs in support of indigenous peoples in Peru, Thailand, Nepal, India, Ecuador, Kenya, and other destinations. Participants return home having learned ways to incorporate lessons from these exchanges into their own lives and communities.

Chris Mackay, Co-founder and Executive Director of Crooked Trails, says, “The world is losing a language every two weeks and with that, a way of understanding the world. The last thing anyone wants is a world of Big Macs, I-pods and jeans. We need to find a way to help everyone understand why all the cultures of the world are valuable. By providing travel opportunities that are community based and driven we are saying that a people’s music, art, and knowledge are of value to all of humanity. Culturally sensitive travel is a great way to introduce western travelers to a unique way of life, one they may have never considered before.”

As the Crooked Trails website states: "Imagine a journey, a real journey where you can connect and share with people you do not know, whose language you may not understand, but whose dance you will join. Who in this world do you want to be?"

Details: Crooked Trails trips range from 11 to 19 days and start at $1,895, excluding airfare. To see current travel programs, go to http://crookedtrails.org/travel.php.