Galapagos and Machu Picchu holiday

Planet

With hundreds of tourists trekking to Machu Picchu every day, the routes can end up pretty dirty over the course of the year. While our local supplier always takes all their rubbish with them, unfortunately not everyone does. To combat this, our supplier organises clean up treks where the guides and porters work together collecting up the plastic bottles and other rubbish in order to return the trails to their original condition.

In the Galapagos, preserving and protecting the unique wildlife and environment is especially important to us. Our tours are carefully co-ordinated with the local authorities to minimise the environmental impact of visitors to the Islands and the number of visitors allowed is strictly controlled. Guests are encouraged to use re-fillable water bottles and to avoid single-use plastics while on the islands, plus upon arrival all of our travellers are given a document with advice for sustainable ways to travel around Ecuador without damaging its ecosystem, people and culture.

People

We work with local operators who share our commitment to responsible travel wherever possible. Our local operator in Cusco is owned and run by a local family who take pride in employing local people and in giving back to the wider community. On our Inca Trail treks our porters are known for being the best treated and considered part of the family. Despite regulations, all too often irresponsible operators still give porters too much weight to carry and provide inadequate food and camping equipment. In contrast, our porters are provided with quality equipment, uniforms, insurance and good pay along with clean and comfortable accommodation in Cusco.

In Ecuador, the small tour operator you will travel with is also owned and run by a local family. A donation to a day centre project in Quito which offers support to around 100 children from disadvantaged family backgrounds is made on behalf of every person who travels with us.