Tamil Nadu & Andaman Islands holiday

Planet

This India itinerary uses a number of travel options within the country. We encourage travel by train through India where possible, which, as well as being an immersive, local experience, reduces transport emissions. Instead of exploring a city in a private vehicle we encourage walking tours and exploration by bicycle

Plastic pollution is one of the most unnecessary threats facing our environment. At the beginning of 2018 we launched our ‘One Bottle At A Time’ initiative to replace disposable plastic water bottles with refillable canisters across our destinations. We aim to provide refillable water canisters in our vehicles, meaning our travellers are not generating plastic waste through the daily use of water bottles (which on a full day of touring can be numerable). We also send our guests a wooden toothbrush to help avoid using hotels’ disposable plastic brushes, and educate clients about the limited recycling facilities in Asia, and best-practice regarding waste-reduction. Within our UK offices we operate strict recycling policies and make sure everyone in the office uses reusable crockery and cutlery.

People

One of our core values is to collaborate with local, responsible companies and partners who share our focus, beliefs and passions. In India we work with a locally owned travel partner who employs only local guides and drivers. By using local guides and naturalists in each destination (rather than bringing in guides from other regions) we are helping to create job opportunities amongst the local community. It also means that, as much as possible, the income guests bring to the country goes directly back into the community.

Our holidays are designed to enable our clients to immerse themselves in local places and experiences, and we make sure that, wherever possible, the income they bring to a destination goes back into the community.

This tailormade itinerary is based on private travel in India, not in a large group. By travelling in this way we have minimal disruptive impact on the environment and communities visited and are able to stay in smaller, locally owned properties, where possible, that are not suitable for larger coach tours.

We have developed a system that allows clients to donate any unused currency to local charities that are vetted and selected by our partners.