Galapagos wildlife cruise
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
We really work hard to keep all our operations green! All our worldwide offices currently run on 90% green energy (we are working towards 100%) from hydro electric, wind to solar power. Being web based, we are close to becoming a paperless environment, brochure prints are at a minimum (and printed on a requirement basis) and all pre departure information is emailed. We use energy saving bulbs in our work centres, and recycle all our waste. Staff are encouraged to ride a bike or take public transport to work
In our pre departure information pack, and throughout the orientation on site, we help you to minimise your carbon footprint on your tour, and help protect the diverse environments which we visit on this tour. This information includes simple advice on waste disposal and the offset of carbon emissions through our carbon offsetting program created for your journey with our company, for instance as bringing rechargeable batteries, a battery charger (and plug adapter if necessary). Batteries are incredibly toxic and many places that we travel do not have proper disposal facilities. Rechargeables are best but if this is not possible we recommend bringing any used batteries back home with you for proper disposal.
Moreover, we support the Galapagos Conservancy (GC) which is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to promoting conservation, education and scientific research in and on behalf of the Galapagos Islands. GC raises funds from individuals and institutions to support projects in the Galapagos. They also conduct seminars, briefings and other public education and advocacy efforts to inform the general public about conservation issues and the work being undertaken in Galapagos by the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park Service.
All donations to this project through Planeterra directly support the Marine Turtle project at Quinta Playa in the Galapagos Islands. Implemented by the Charles Darwin Research Station, this is an ecological project monitoring one of the green sea turtles' most important nesting sites in the Galapagos Islands. The overall goal is to evaluate the green turtle colony in Quinta Playa through systematic monitoring of nesting parameters, hatchling recruitment, basking behaviour and nesting habitat quality.
Main Objectives of this project are:
- Estimate the size of the green turtle nesting colony in Quinta Playa
- Study the effects of human activities such as tourism, fishing and garbage on the green turtle population
- Promote the conservation of green turtles
- Share results with Galapagos National Park in order to protect and conserve sea turtles
So booking the Galapagos Cruise with us is like you making your very own contribution to the environment!
Community
Our trips source as much as possible from the local community. Whether it be our knowledgeable local guides, locally produced meals or the transport on tour, we do not use imported goods when local produce is available. We aim to minimise our impact on the environment and give as much back as possible to the communities we work in. All operations for this tour are done by locally owned companies, a fact we pride ourselves on. Hotels used are all locally owned and we try to choose where possible hotels which hold the same values and understand their responsibilities to the local environment as we do.
Our guides are all highly qualified (most with university degrees) or many years of experience and are paid above the standard wage. We source them due to their unique knowledge of the fauna and flora you will pass on route. This will give you an insight into the history of this fascinating region. The Galapagos Cruise includes a deal naturalist guide, certified by the Galapagos National Park.
Moreover a percentage of the funds generated from your tour (10%) will go back to our charities and assist us support the next generation and the environment they live in.
We currently work with 3 different charities, giving us a broad spectrum and diversifying where our funds go. We work with Project Peru in the UK who run an orphanage in Zapallal in the shanty town outskirts of Lima, ANIA in Peru which is a high profile Peruvian NGO which works with children and helps to teach them about their local environment and how to manage it affectively, and GVI Foundation in Australia which works on several development projects in Latin America and around the world. We help these charities by fundraising treks, through donations as a company and through our clients and also through many of our customers who volunteer their time and expertise. These charities are close to our core of supporting the environment and children in needs.
1of3
