Kayaking in Turkey, Turquoise coast

Planet

Activity:
This trip is largely nature based with most of our activities having a very minimal impact on the environment, like walking and kayaking. We do believe in leaving no more than footprints and actively try to reduce our impact through attention to waste and energy reduction. However, having said this we do try to leave behind a positive impression through engaging with locals, visiting small cafes and restaurants and buying locally produces crafts and produce. Also in visiting Patara National Park, Sultinaye springs and bath ruins and the ancient city of Aperlae, our fees contribute to the upkeep of these stunning sites.

Water:
Water is a really important issue with active trips and whilst we must stay hydrated, it is also vital that we have a system for providing clean water without causing lots of waste with plastic bottles. It would be a shame to pullte such a lovely environment, so we suggest that instead of repeatedly buying bottled water, guests should re-fill a singular bottle. There are mountain springs on the journey which offer clean, natural water, or you can fill up at the hotel.

UK Office:
It all starts at home so we have first worked at reducing our carbon footprint in our UK Offices. Through energy conservation measures and recycling policies, we are proud to be actively reducing the waste produced and our impact on the environment. We support various projects all over the world to try and give something back to the places we visit.

People

Accommodation & Meals:
The hotel which we stay at hires staff locally and tries to make the most of the fresh, seasonal Mediterranean produce which grows in the area. This trip is on a bed and breakfast basis and the morning meal usually includes locally sourced eggs, cucumber, tomatoes, cheese, bread, honey and yoghurt. Where meals are not included, your local guide will be happy to recommend small restaurants in the area (lokantas) where traditional fare can be sampled. We stop at a local village where they sell regional specialties like Pide (Pizza) and fresh trout and there is even the chance to have a home-cooked Turkish meal with a local family. By using these smaller businesses, we are providing sometimes quite rural communities with a much appreciated income support.

Community & Environment Projects:
We are working with the WWF and local marine biologists to keep to a minimum our impact on the environment. We also support and promote the work of the Dreams Academy – a local center for underprivileged and disabled children. With continuous support, they have been able to transform what was originally a run down, abandoned school building into a play camp with library, music room, accommodation and playground.

Group Size:
This small group tour has a maximum of 16 participants, meaning that we have a low impact on the environments and communities we visit and are able to ensure that we do not disrupt or lead to the displacement of local people. The small number also allows us to stay in unique, family-run hotels that cannot benefit from coach tours and other mass tourism due to their limited sizes.