Classic Bolivia holiday

Environment

The logistics of this trip have been put together with responsible tourism in mind, and designed to be as eco-friendly as possible. The majority of the accommodations featured on this trip are small, locally-owned boutique properties, as well as an eco-lodge; the environmental benefits of using small properties over large hotels are extensive, and this is a significant factor we have considered on this and many of our other tours. Similarly, we arrange for our travellers to use eco-friendly means of transportation such as walking or car-sharing, and only use internal flights where strictly necessary and where we have deemed the positives of our responsible travel in rural communities or distant locations outweigh the negative environmental impact.

This trip supports the La Senda Verde animal refuge. The money that responsible tourism brings is vital in continuing the incredible work the refuge itself and all those who work there do. To date, they have rescued hundreds of animals across 65 indigenous Bolivian species from the illegal wildlife trade, and provide them medical attention and a safe home within their 22-acres of protected forest landscape.

We ensure our guides are mindful about protecting the environment in which you travel, and they do a fantastic job of promoting having a minimum impact to the environment whilst travelling. To you, our travellers, we ask you to be vigilant about disposing of your waste and recycle where possible. During your trip you will be asked if you have any waste to dispose of when it is a suitable time in the itinerary. Similarly, we strongly advise all travellers to bring a reusable water bottle - this is an easy way to save plastic waste and is detailed in our ‘What to bring’ trip notes for all trips to all destinations. Your guide will remind you where and when you can fill up your re-usable water bottle.

Community

As regular travellers, one thing that never ceases to amaze and inspire us is the kindness and generosity of local people, often people who have very little to their name. We firmly believe that they are who make these places special should and that they should benefit from our visit. Therefore, as first preference, we use local guides offered fair working conditions and pay, and locally-owned lodges, shops and eateries. We do our best to ensure that the benefits of our tours reach as widely as possible into the communities where they operate.

In addition to the numerous social benefits that all of our tours bring as a result of our responsible ethos, this trip features a number of fantastic opportunities for additional support and positive community impact. One stop on this itinerary is Bolivia’s famous Witches’ Market. Not only is the market culturally significant, but it offers our travellers an excellent opportunity to purchase local goods and handicrafts directly from the local craftspeople.

Other significant stops include a local winery tour and a number of museums. In the case of the winery, our travellers are able to learn about this significant part of Bolivian culture while supporting a local business; as far as the museums are concerned, the money responsible tourism brings is vital in the maintaining of these institutions, and ultimately the preservation and exhibition of Bolivia’s proud history.

We believe these things are of particular importance when travelling in small communities such as those included on this itinerary, and we are proud to benefit these communities in any way possible, whether it be through economic growth or any other means.