Colombia adventure holiday, viva Colombia

Environment

We have a strict environmental policy to make sure that the environments we visit in Colombia are not damaged or spoilt in any way. Our “Leave No Trace” ethic is applied to this trip and as tour operators, it is something we are careful to promote. Your guide on this trip will have been trained to uphold this policy and will brief all clients on what is appropriate and responsible behaviour when visiting wilderness areas like Tayrona National Park on day 11. Whilst travelling through this stunning marine and coastal park is a great opportunity to enjoy nature walks and admire some of the plethora of wildlife within it, it is important that travellers stick to the designated trails and respect the local wildlife conservation policies. It is also for this reason that we keep the group size to a maximum of 12 people so that we can minimise the human impact on fragile sites and delicate ecosystems such as this.

As part of our efforts to promote a more sustainable travel we look for accommodation which upholds sustainable practices where possible. On day 10 in Tayrona National Park you will stay in the eco-huts of Posada de San Rafael. Not only does this show support for the community’s efforts to maintain sustainable and environmentally friendly accommodation but you will be supporting a government funded community project.

As part of our environmental responsibilities we make every effort to find lower carbon forms of transport where possible. For example on day 4 in Villa de Leyva and day 7 in the Manizales Coffee Region clients will have the opportunity to explore the surrounding countryside on horseback. Not only is this a more eco-friendly mode of transport but it give our travellers the chance to experience rural Colombia in a more authentic way. We also make a contribution to “Carbon Clear” when you take one of our trips –this is an organisation devoted to ‘offsetting’ or ‘neutralising’ harmful greenhouse gas emissions caused by your flight. This is done by funding projects across the world that will reduce greenhouse gases on your behalf through sustainable energy or rainforest restoration.

Community

In Colombia we use local ground handlers - this means that all the operational costs go directly into the local economy and helps to improve employment opportunities in remote regions. By incorporating homestays, locally owned hotels, family run restaurants and the services of guides and drivers into our itineraries, we ensure that money you spend on your trip goes directly into the local economy and local communities benefit from tourism.

On day 10 of our tour on reaching the beautiful town of Santa Marta we will discover how Tourism has benefited the nearby rural community. Our unique accommodation - local posadas - which are wooden thatched huts located on the edge of Tayrona National Park, has been constructed as part of a government funded project to encourage coca farmers to find alternative forms of income.

We recognise the importance of showing support and acknowledgement for these smaller, more isolated rural communities. On day 5, we visit the region of Armenia - the heart of Colombian coffee. Taking a tour of a coffee plantation and learning about the coffee making process gives us a deeper insight into the trials and tribulations of the coffee growers.

As part of our efforts to support local communities we also consider it important to appreciate and learn more about local culture. Visiting craft stalls and sampling local Tamarind delicacies in Santa Fe de Antioquia on day 9 is fantastic opportunity to experience some of Colombia’s authentic local produce.

There is also a lot we can do behind the scenes in order to facilitate an enduring support structure for the communities we visit. 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.