Tel. +44 (0)1273 600030 (UK)
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UK office
It all starts at home so we have first worked to reduce our carbon footprint in our UK offices. Through energy conservation measures and recycling policies in place, we are proud to be actively reducing the waste produced and our impact on the environment. We support various projects all over the world to try and give something back to the places we visit.
Leaders & local suppliers
Our accommodation for this tour, Hotel Kalevala, aims to generate employment and revenue in the Kuhmo region by working closely with smaller local businesses, such as one-man run safari companies, that work to promote and sustain the area in which they grew up in. Local traditions are encouraged and preserved through the hotel as it includes entertainment programmes that see ancient folklore interact with the guests through singing and dancing.
The bear hide is small to minimise interference with the bears’ local habitat and is made from sustainable materials.
Transportation, activity companies, guides and food are also all from the area. The hotel buys and uses as much local produce as possible, i.e. berries, mushrooms and fish and the rye bread that is provided has been created in conjunction with the nearby bakery. In an increasing effort to promote the sustainability of the regions’ wilderness, all decorations, such as flowers, pine cones, stones and bark are from the surrounding Taiga forest.
Group size
We operate small group tours that have a low impact on the communities we visit and we always ensure our operations do not disrupt or lead to the displacement of local people. This allows us to stay in unique and characterful accommodation that would not have benefitted from tourism due to their limited size.
This tour operator was the first to get access to China over 30 years ago and the first to take a truck to Everest Base Camp on the Tibetan side. They have since expanded into 91 countries. Their product is driven by their clients because they listen to feedback and have to constantly evolve to provide a greater experience and better value. The exclusive centres they use have been grown organically and are often owned by ex-leaders. The holidays remain innovative, though you will now be travelling in a Mercedes 16-seater sprinter coach rather than a rusty old Bedford overland truck.
Listen to the podcast below:
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!
