Tel. +44 (0)1273 600030 (UK)
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UK office
It all starts at home so we have first worked on reducing 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 an excellent long-term relationship with the local operator who employ and train all leaders. We provide refresher training with a focus on Responsible Tourism, so our local leaders can educate our clients locally on helping to preserve the way of life in their area. Many local restaurants and shops are also used to purchase items throughout this trip which benefits the local community.
Our Ladakh Projects
Our projects started in the Markha Valley after the heavy rains in 2006 which caused flooding throughout Ladakh. In the Markha Valley floods and landslides destroyed many houses and caused loss of life and livelihood to many families. In 2010 Ladakh was hit by flash floods and mudslides worse than in 2006 and over 140 lives were lost and many houses and fields. In 2007 we rebuilt two houses and provided wire for the school in Hankar so they could build themselves a flood barrier. After the 2010 floods we also helped families who lost their homes and possessions in the floods.
In 2010 we provided the building materials for an all season greenhouse for a hostel for disabled children in Chushot. This will enable the children to grow their own vegetables almost all the year round.
In 2011 we started working with the Youth Association for Conservation and Development in the Hemis High Altitude National Park (YAFCAD) and a Niyamdru Dro, a French NGO, to provide trekkers in the Markha Valley with safe drinking water so that they do not need to buy mineral water. In 2 months along the Markha Valley trekking route 35,000 plastic bottles are bought and left behind by trekkers. By the end of summer 2011 Niyamdru Dro had installed UV filters in Markha, Skiu and Chilling. The UV filters are used to purify water. This means foreign trekkers can buy safe drinking water in these 3 villages. Along the rest of the Markha Valley locals will pressure boil water to sell to foreigners. In December 2011 Valerie Parkinson will take part in training the locals to use the UV filters and to pressure boil the water safely. The plan is that from 2012 the sale of plastic mineral water bottles will be banned along the popular Markha Valley trekking route. In the future, we hope to fund one or two more UV lamps for use in other villages in the Hemis National Park.
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.
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!
