Travel Policies

Remember that travel and tourism offer the incredible opportunity to learn about amazing new places and meet people of different cultures. However, the only way to guarantee the sustainability of all tourism destinations while providing you and future guests with an amazing travel experience is to promote the following guidelines for Responsible Tourism.

Travellers Code of Conduct

These are a few guidelines to remember when travelling with us:

• Enjoy our diverse cultural and natural heritage by respecting the local traditions and customs.
• Our travel destinations include some of the most pristine natural places in Ecuador. Help us preserve these resources for future guests through the responsible use of energy and water.
• Pay attention and follow the advice of your travel guides.
• Avoid any conduct which may threaten wildlife or plant populations.
• Avoid affecting other people`s susceptibilities by bringing up conversations about religion and/or politics.
• Experience the friendliness of our people and the welcoming attitude of the communities we visit.

A responsible traveller must demand a responsible tour operator. We have implemented our entire operation and developed our tours to provide you with a high quality tourism experience while minimizing the environmental, economic, and social impacts of your visit.

Environmental Concern

• Tourism takes places inside protected areas, private and public. A percentage of what you pay contributes directly to their conservation and management.
• Our partners show an active commitment toward conservation through the implementation of various initiatives including: funding for conservation, reforestation projects, research, clean technology and energy systems.
• We work directly with a partner organization based in Quito, to help strengthen local communities so that they can implement additional alternatives for their sustainable development.

Social Responsibility

• By promoting the sale of handicrafts and goods made by local communities we help strengthen the sense of pride in native customs and traditions.
• We work with projects which are either managed directly by local communities or certified by the Ecuadorian Ecotourism Association (ASEC) or the Ecuadorian Federation for Community Tourism (FEPTCE).
• Our slogan is learning through travel and adventure. Our staff begins every tour with a presentation of Ecuador and an explanation of all the details and information about the country, its social and political situation. As every tour unfolds, our tour leaders and guides present a real and honest perspective of every destination by teaching you about the most relevant environmental and cultural issues.

Economic Benefits

• We hire local providers, guides and assistants for all our tours.
• We pay salaries that range between 20 – 40% higher than the regular wage.
• We believe in tourism as an important tool to reduce poverty; all the projects we work with employ local inhabitants and/or hire additional services provided by local community members to enhance the benefits of tourism.