Caucasus tour

Environment

We have a strict environmental policy to make sure that the fragile eco-system of the mountains is not damaged or spoilt in any way. Our guides are trained to uphold this policy and all clients are fully briefed on appropriate/responsible behaviour whilst in wilderness areas. Our “Leave No Trace” ethic is applied to all trips in all regions, and as tour operators is something we are careful to promote.

We attempt to reduce plastic bottle use wherever possible by promoting use of reusable and filtered water bottles. Our partnership with Water-To-Go provides a discount on filtered water bottles to our clients. We do not provide water from plastic bottles to our clients in country but always ensure there is regular access to drinking water on our tours.

When you take one of our trips, we also make a contribution to Carbon Clear – 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

Responsible travel and sustainable tourism are fundamental ideas that we have been committed to since our conception. It is part of our core sets of beliefs that these words are not simply scattered nonchalantly into our literature and on our website but moreover that they are central to each and every trip. Our adventures are therefore carefully curated celebrating all that is local from the people, to the culture. We believe that a successful trip delivers a unique and authentic journey for our clients, but furthermore benefits the people whose land we have the privilege of encountering.

In Georgia and we use local ground handlers who in turn book locally run hotels, providing employment for a number of members of staff and support families. The ground handlers also use local drivers and camp staff, and ensure that all supplies are purchased locally for the journey. This means that all the operational costs go directly into the local economy and helps to improve employment opportunities in remote regions.

In the Caucasus - and in particular in Georgia - we have developed unique relationships with many of the mountain peoples of the region and through our form of interactive tourism with a social conscience we have helped them by providing an important additional income. On this trip we travel through regions where conditions are harsh and there is limited opportunity for earning an income. By visiting local families we are able to put much needed funds directly into the local communities. In addition all foods are produced locally so several members of the village benefit financially, which improves several familys’ standard of living. The great thing about this kind of interactive tourism is that everyone gains – the locals financially and us from the fuss they make of us!

The Caucasus have suffered over a decade of civil war and turbulence, and have been left with an abundance landmines and UXO in several areas. All landmine casualties place additional strain on the already overburdened health care system that has been damaged or destroyed by decades of conflict. We support the Adopt-A-Minefield project, an NGO that saves and improves lives by raising funds to clear landmines and help landmine survivors around the world.

In addition we sponsor the following project:
Children of the Caucasus is an excellent charity, set up and run by the British Georgiaphile and author Peter Nasmyth, dedicated to helping the young people of the region, many of whom have been displaced, orphaned or traumatised by civil war.