Ecuador & Galapagos natural history cruise, tailormade

Planet

As an in depth specialist tour operator to Ecuador, we take a considered approach to the social, environmental and economic impacts of the holidays we design. To us, this means much more than a simple donation to a charity for each client. We try to build long and constructive involvements with local guides, wildlife lodges and hotels, in the course of which we, and our clients, can make lasting wide-ranging contributions to the wonderful places and people we engage with.

In this itinerary, we recommend a selection of lodges and Galápagos vessels that have introduced specific environmental and community initiatives within their operations:

Napo Wildlife Centre is located within Yasuní National Park and is managed in partnership with the Añangu Kichwa community. The lodge operates within an area of more than 21,400 hectares of rainforest associated with the community's territory. The Añangu community has made changes to traditional hunting and fishing practices as part of its approach to managing the surrounding natural environment. According to the lodge, revenue generated through tourism is used to support community programmes, including healthcare, education and other local initiatives.

Hacienda El Porvenir, in Cotopaxi, is a working agricultural property incorporating areas managed for different land uses. Approximately 20% of the property is dedicated to the planting and regeneration of native species, while around 60% is used for extensive cattle grazing. The ranch manages cattle numbers in relation to the available grazing area and produces milk and cheese on the property. Vegetables grown on the farm are also used in meals served in the restaurant.

The owners of the Archipel I Galápagos cruise have introduced a number of measures relating to energy use and fuel consumption. These include automated electrical systems and solar panels as part of the vessel's energy system. The operator also supports conservation organisations working in the Galápagos, including the Charles Darwin Foundation, Galápagos Conservation Trust, the International Galápagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA) and the Galápagos Whale Shark Project. These organisations undertake work relating to areas such as species conservation, habitat management, research and environmental education.

We were the first tour operator in the UK to form a partnership with the Rainforest Alliance to work towards the implementation of best management practices in tourism. In practical terms, this has involved working with hotels that have introduced specific social, environmental and economic initiatives within their businesses and local communities.

People

In Ecuador we work with local ground handlers, helping to retain a significant proportion of our operational expenditure within the Ecuadorean economy and supporting employment, including in more remote regions. By incorporating locally owned hotels, restaurants and the services of local guides and drivers into our itineraries, we aim to keep as much tourism expenditure as possible within the local economy, allowing local businesses and communities to benefit from tourism.

We use local guides in all of our destinations. It is our experience that, with the right approach, local guides' detailed knowledge of their destinations makes them particularly well placed to guide our tours, while their local connections enable them to share their knowledge of the communities and places we visit. We also see employing local guides as a way of creating opportunities for people to build careers in their own communities rather than having to move elsewhere to find work.

Napo Wildlife Centre is managed by the Indigenous Kichwa Añangu community, which is heavily involved in the operation of the lodge and its tourism activities. The community's knowledge of the Amazon, cultural traditions and relationship with the surrounding area form an important part of the experiences offered to guests. The lodge's community-based management model provides opportunities for visitors to learn about Añangu culture, traditions and knowledge while staying in the Yasuní region. Tourism activities at the lodge also form part of the community's wider economic activities.

The owners of Hacienda El Porvenir, in Cotopaxi, work with schools in communities around Cotopaxi National Park. Their programmes include support for school facilities and access to resources such as internet, libraries and laboratories, together with training relating to their use. They also undertake educational activities with local communities covering subjects such as waste management and environmental conservation.