Guyana tailor made tour

Environment

On this trip we spend 2 nights (days 8 and 9) staying at Las Guacamayas Eco Lodge. This ecotourism project was established by local villagers and offers good insight into the natural wonders of Chiapas which is a project we are proud to support. Social conscience tourism is something we aim to put forward on each one of trips, through mutual respect and encouraging cross-cultural exchange, we as a result develop close relationships and key cross cultural exchange with local communities.

We can also minimise the human impact on the fragile sites we visit which is particularly relevant as this trip journeys through some well-preserved UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as Amazonian landscapes and ancient colonial cities. For example, on day 10 of our trip when we make for the Ikwokrama Reserve home to the Macushi tribe, a particularly isolated indigenous community that still practices the traditions and customs of their forbearers.

We use locally sourced guides throughout the trip who are trained to uphold our policies, including briefing you on appropriate behaviour throughout your trip. In addition, a code of conduct is included in all departure information guides, outlining and preparing our clients on how to travel responsibly, adhere to cultural norms and have the best possible interaction with local communities.

Community

Our tours promote our effort to fully integrate with the local communities as much as possible, to gain perspective, widen ones horizons and get an intimate insight into the lives of the of the local communities. This is especially true of our encounter with the Macushi tribe on Day 10 of the Tour. In another way, we always allow plenty of opportunities for our travellers to discover and buy local handicrafts, which not only keep such skilled ancient craftsmanship alive, but in addition this is also provides a livelihood for the local people. Protecting human rights and promoting livelihood is something of paramount importance to us therefore

Furthermore, on Day 12, we encounter the Galibi tribe, being one of the region’s first indigenous settlements, which holds both historical and cultural importance. This is continued on Day 14 where the group will see the Salvation Islands, which have played a pivotal role in French History since the 1700s. On site one will get a chance to explore ancient cell blocks and prison buildings.

In order to facilitate an enduring support structure for the communities we visit, and to show a commitment to these values, in January 2009 we set up a charitable foundation through which we can directly channel funds to both existing NGOs and our own development projects. In addition to organising ethically sensitive tours, having our own charitable foundation allows us to raise money – through the cost of our tours, charity trips and fund raising events – which can then be used to fund various projects in education, sanitation, reforestations and a number of other important issues facing developing communities. This is of course especially important on this Tour, with such a main focal point being the Amazonian rainforest.