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Environment
We chose to work with Ecoventura, the operator of the Letty, Eric and Flamingo boats for their recognised efforts towards sustainable and responsible travel in the region. Ecoventura established the Galápagos Marine Biodiversity Fund in tandem with the World Wildlife Fund in 2006. Its objective is to strengthen the local community’s ability to manage the islands’ natural resources through environmental education and conservation. In 2008, the company won the prestigious Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Award for ‘Best in a Marine Environment.’ The awards are run in association with the Daily Telegraph, World Travel Market, BBC World News and Geographical Magazine. The judges noted Ecoventura’s contribution to scholarships for local women to start their own small businesses as well as being one of the first cruise operators to be environmentally audited independently. Additionally, the Eric has become the first hybrid vessel in the archipelago, with solar panels and two wind generators on the top deck.
On our Peru and Galapagos holidays we are committed to minimising the environmental impact caused by travel by supporting local projects and charities thus helping to ensure tourism has positive and long term benefits in the countries where we work. In Peru we support the work of The Dental Project Peru. We encourage clients to donate toothbrushes to the charity based in Cusco, who then administer dental treatment and hygiene to poor remote communities where dental treatment and hygiene awareness does not exist and can prevent children attending school and adults from working.
Community
In Peru, we have been working alongside the same local operator for at least 20 years offering unrivalled personalised service and ground knowledge of Peru. Experienced local guides, proficient in English, are used throughout. Entrance fees are included in the cost, which help maintain the preservation of Machu Picchu and other sites.
We use centrally located hotels when we can and encourage visitors to visit local shops, cafés and restaurants that benefit from your custom. Tourism can also make an invaluable contribution to preserve and even help revive traditional skills such as producing handicrafts. Indian markets such as the one in Pisac are a treasure trove for gifts such as alpaca blankets and scarves.
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!
