Tel. +44 (0)1273 600030 (UK)
Gecko's Adventures has an unwavering policy of ONLY employing LOCAL TOUR LEADERS. This is by far the greatest way in which we can put something back into the local economy. We employ many hundreds of leaders around the globe, providing them with a steady income, as well as training.
Gecko's also uses small, local tour operators, and locally owned accommodation, ensuring that money goes directly to the local people, rather than multi-national chains.
Gecko's provides all travellers with a 'Guidelines for low impact travel' document, which suggest ways they can minimise their impact on the environment.
We were the first company to run 'Clean Up' trips in places like Egypt, where, each year, we run 'Clean up the Nile' trips at a subsidised cost, clearing rubbish from the banks of the Nile. 'Clean up Kilimanjaro', 'Clean up Botswana' and 'Clean up the Inca Trail' trips have also run.
In Nepal, we use kerosene stoves for cooking instead of wood, are developing hydro power for our lodges, and train our leaders every year on low impact travel techniques.
Travelling in a small group minimises the impact on local cultures – a 40 seat coach full of tourists is a great way to make the locals feel like they are in a zoo.
By travelling with a local leader, you are also ensuring that cultural differences are understood, and avoid acting in a way that might seem fine in your country, but is inappropriate in the country you are visiting. Gecko's designs its tours so that cultural diversity is celebrated, breaking down cultural and social barriers and fostering understanding.
Gecko's also funds many charities around the globe, from orphanages in Vietnam, to schools in China.
In Nepal we provide them with the highest quality clothing, good wages, the safest working conditions, insurance and medical benefits – in fact our porter gear has set the industry standards. Gecko's is a member of the International Porter Protection Group (IPPG), a body formed to protect porters from poor treatment by unprofessional trekking operators and private trekkers, and to raise awareness among trekkers for the need to ensure porters are treated as equal members of a trekking group.
