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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
We have been working with our local partners in Peru for around 20 years. They are extremely committed to staff welfare and to protecting the environment and encourage all their staff to put environmental protection practices into use in their own communities - regular training courses are held for all staff to increase their understanding of how to protect their natural and cultural heritage.
In the Galapagos, we use a small 16-berth yacht to minimise our impact on the delicate marine and land environments. Both the boat and our local partners are certified under the strict environmental and social criteria of the "Smart Voyager" scheme, and their commitment to sustainable tourism in the Galapagos means that we contribute not only to the protection of the animals but also to the welfare of the islanders themselves.
Our motor yacht has received the Smart Voyager sustainable tourism certificate, which awards its seal of approval to tour boat operators in Ecuador who meet a set of strict conservation standards for protecting the environment, wildlife and the well-being of workers and local communities. The crew on board are all excellently trained and friendly locals, whilst our guides have shown a real interest in preservation of the important environment of the Galapagos and not simply earning a living from it.
The motor yacht itself utilises its sails when possible to reduce carbon emisions as it makes its way between sights, although the National Park regulations on being at sights at set times, combined with the frequent calm
of this region of the Pacific restricts this practice. When motoring, its sleek hull and efficient design (as a fully-functional yacht) results in greatly reduced fuel usage compared to other vessels touring the islands.
Kiya Survivors project
On this trip there is the opportunity to visit the Rainbow Centre, a school for children with special needs and those who have suffered abuse or neglect. The centre provides education, physiotherapy and a supportive caring environment for around 40 children and is run by Peruvian registered charity Kiya Survivors. The staff at the centre also provide advice and support to the local community on a range of social issues, and their work has raised awareness and acceptance of children with disabilities in this traditionally conservative region. We have been working with the centre since its inception 10 years ago, and over the years our donations and those of our clients have supported the centre’s craft shop, given a lifeline to an outreach programme so staff can visit children in remote villages, and funded the purchase and installation of a pizza oven which allows the students to make and sell their own pizza.
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.
Activity
WALKING
Few holidays have as little detrimental impact on the environment and local residents as a walking trip. It is a quiet, low impact activity requiring comparatively little resources to support. Erosion on and adjacent to popular paths is a growing problem and our trip leaders encourage clients not to stray from paths to minimise this.
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!
