Tel. +44 (0)1273 600030 (UK)
During the volunteer project we work alongside ECOAN, a Peruvian NGO that conducts research, conservation and community development activities in the high Andean region. By assisting in the construction of community halls and on the reforestation program you will have a direct positive impact on the local community. They will have somewhere to meet to discuss conservation issues and the impact it can have on the future productivity of their land. Your involvement in the replanting program will help to provide firewood, construction materials and medicinal plants for future generations.
The project will also help the local community to develop an alternative source of income enabling them to remain in their villages rather than drifting to the city in search of work. Birdwatchers will travel far to see such endangered species such as the royal cinclodes, the ash-breasted tit tyrant or the tit-spinetail. If these birds are provided with the necessary habitat and active measures are taken to ensure their survival, villagers may eventually be able to host visitors, taking them to see the fruits of their conservation labours and gaining some income at the same time.
During the project we also conduct a conservation lesson with the local children. Caring for the environment is best taught to youngsters, so that as they grow up, living responsibly and sustainably become second nature. We travel in small groups (maximum 16) to ensure minimal impact on the environment, the habitats and the communities we visit.
Funding for our development projects comes directly from our registered charity. For each person that joins a project, we as a company, donate approximately US$250 per project week. 100% of the money the charity receives is spent on projects. To date, we have funded over 70 development projects around the world.
Throughout your adventure we only use locally owned accommodation and local guides and staff wherever feasible. We ensure that rather than taking jobs from local people, equal input comes from our hosts, while we buy in skilled technicians where needed, creating jobs that work in harmony with existing social structures. We work to preserve both indigenous heritage and the survival of fragile communities.
Before departing the UK you will be invited to join us on a Travel Safety weekend. Here you will be informed about travelling responsibly, appropriate behaviour and what you can do to minimise your impact. This is also reiterated in our field manual which you will receive as soon as your booking is confirmed.
We are a carbon-neutral company using the futureforests calculation. This means we plant sufficient trees every year to cancel the CO2 emissions we create by flying groups around the globe. Our commitment to responsible tourism is not limited to our overseas operation. We have various measures in place to ensure our UK office operates according to our responsible tourism policy. We walk and ride to work and we recycle everything from paper to plastic to printers to coffee (makes great fertilizer).
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!
