Argentina tailor made vacation, Buenos Aires to Patagonia

Planet

In order to ensure we protect the environment and minimise our ecological footprint we:

. Recycle in our UK office and use recycled ink cartridges. We also minimise our waste by limiting the number of vacation brochures we print. Instead, we refer potential customers to our online resources and send most of our vacation information via email.

. Provide pre-departure information including environmentally responsible travel advice, such as carrying reusable drinks bottles, as plastics are hard to recycle in remote areas and have a negative impact on natural environments.

. Work with environmentally responsible hotels where possible, including the Saint George in Iguazu, which has a sustainable travel policy aimed at reducing waste and protecting their local national parks among other things.

. Always recommend overland travel using local transportation as opposed to short domestic flights where possible, however due to the vast distances covered during this trip flying is unavoidable. To put it into perspective the bus journey from Buenos Aires to El Calafate takes at least 2 days. We always recommend extending your time in one or two locations rather than flying to many destinations in Argentina and Chile, by offering suggestions for extra tours and other day trips which may be of interest.

. Include national park entrance fees in all of our vacations. This money goes directly towards protecting and sustaining the parks.

. Follow the strict rules and regulations put into place by the national parks authorities, and our local guides passionately respect these and encourage visitors to do so as well.

People

In order to ensure we have a positive impact on local economies and provide socially responsible vacations we:

. Only use local suppliers, which helps keep the money generated through tourism within local communities through employment of local guides, drivers and reps.

. Always recommend locally-owned restaurants and hotels where possible, aiming to support local communities and give tourists the opportunity to ‘travel like a local’. We also provide customers with a list of recommended restaurants tailor-made to their destination and dietary requirements but with a focus on family-run restaurants.

. Work with socially responsible hotels where possible, including the Saint George in Iguazu, which has a sustainable travel policy aimed at preserving local cultures and creating future possibilities for the local community among other things.

. Only use tour operators with similar ethical beliefs, for example, all of our local guides in Patagonia are fully qualified and passionate about promoting environmentally responsible travel.

. Are a member of Sustainable Travel International, a leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting awareness, appreciation and respect for local people and the environment through education and outreach programmes.

. Offer a range of cultural activities aimed at supporting local economies and preserving local cultures, including: trips to family-owned gaucho ranches in Argentina.

. Provide pre-departure information on social and cultural issues in each location, including language guides, and advice on how to travel responsibly and respectfully.