Camino de Santiago walking holiday, last 100km, Spain
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
Plan Ahead and Prepare
Before you go check, where possible, if access is allowed and your activity is permitted in the area you wish to visit.
Respect any signs, regulations, policies and special concerns for the area that you wish to visit. Permits may sometimes be needed for activities on public lands.
Where possible travel by public transport or share cars; consider the availability of parking.
Ensure you have the skills and equipment needed for your activity and to cope with emergencies that could arise.
Check the weather forecast and always be prepared for changing weather conditions.
For environmental and safety reasons, and to minimise your impact on other users, keep group numbers small; split larger parties into smaller groups.
Be Considerate of Others
Respect the people who live and work in the countryside.
Park appropriately - avoid blocking gateways, forest entrances or narrow roads. Remember that farm machinery, local residents and the emergency services may need access at all times.
Take care not to damage property, especially walls, fences and crops.
Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
Let nature's sounds prevail. Keep noise to a minimum.
Respect Farm Animals and Wildlife
Dogs should be kept under close control and should only be brought onto hills or farmland with the landowner's permission. Some public areas stipulate that dogs must be kept on a lead at all times, please adhere to local guidelines.
Observe wild animals and birds from a distance. Avoid disturbing them, particularly at sensitive times: mating, nesting and raising young (mostly between spring and early summer).
Keep wildlife wild, don't feed wild animals or birds - our foods damage their health and leave them vulnerable to predators.
Farm animals are not pets; remain at a safe distance.
Community
Travellers Code of Conduct
All guests are given pre-trip confirmation packages about their upcoming holiday. Each package includes accurate information about the area they are travelling to, suggested packing details, best way to get to there staring point and leaving their holiday, places of interest along the way and around the itinerary.
Guests are instructed on water consumption at inns for showers and baths.
Guests are encouraged to use only reusable water containers
Guests are instructed on trail etiquette during their orientation and are advised on Leave No Trace principles.
Guests are encouraged to participate in local festivals and events that will enhance their cultural understanding of the local people.
Guests are encouraged to buy local, fresh, organic and fair trade goods and services.
Guide Code of Conduct
Guides maintain a professional, positive and respectful attitude in all communications and dealings with the local people and businesses.
Guides maintain a strong leadership role and model correct behaviours in regards to responsibilities to the environment and local culture.
Guides educate and ensure the environmental awareness of the group.
Guides are ambassadors for the region, culture and customs.
Guides are prepared to interpret the natural environment to create awareness and identify opportunities of self-discovery for guests.
Guides ensure that guests are properly prepared for their environment and travels to minimize the possibility of use of short-cuts or emergency evacuation.
Guides re-use and recycle wherever possible.
Trail Code of Conduct
We discourage guests from picking flora or removing anything from its place in nature.
We educate on all species at risk in the local environment.
We use way marked trails for the vast majority in respect with local walking offices recommendations;
We will not use trails that have been damaged naturally (ie. rain, wind, water).
We support local volunteer groups that protect and maintain local trail systems.
We only use existing trails that have approval for public use by the local community.
We practice Leave no Trace Principles.
Sustainability Code of Conduct
We work with suppliers that support their local communities and operate with sustainability principles.
All guides hired to escort tours are local to the areas that they travel in and are trained in responsible travel practices, no trace principles, food management & safety, remote wilderness first aid and natural history interpretation.
All activities enjoyed by guests are authentic and representative of the local community.
We understand and promote the practice of low-impact (walking) tourism mostly and make our clients are of each holidays impact on the environment.
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