Why carbon offsets are important in travel

Travel is our passion, but it is also a privilege future generations should be able to enjoy. Air travel is one of the fastest growing contributors to global carbon emissions. A single trip can easily match 50% of a typical household's greenhouse gas (carbon) emissions for an entire year, making it a major contributor to climate change. 

Unlike for other forms of travel, we do not have good environmentally sustainable flight options (yet).  But by doing something now, the travel we love will be possible for our children too. 

 

What can you do about it?

The amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases released into our atmosphere by your flight can be calculated based on flight distance and routing to produce a per seat emission number. By contributing a small portion of your total trip cost to projects that will prevent an equal amount of greenhouse gases to enter the atmosphere, you can mitigate the climate impact of your flight. This is called Carbon Offsetting.

Where will the money go?

Your money will be used in a variety of international projects which will reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.  Without your investment these projects would not have occurred.

Why Offsetters?

We chose to partner with Offsetters, Canada’s leading carbon offset provider.   All of Offsetters'projects are verified by third parties as generating real, additional and permanent reductions in the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere.

So what will it cost?

Offsetting your emissions is easy and achievable. It forms a small portion of your total holiday cost. Use the table below for a reference. 

Destination	Offset Contribution	Cost as % of holiday
Latin America & Europe	$54	2 %
Middle East & Asia	$76	1-2½ %
Africa & Australia	$90	1½-2½ %
Feel Good	$33	1½ %
Polar Regions	$180	2 %

  

Note prices may vary somewhat where governments add taxes in their jurisdictions

Responsible Travel Tips

Responsible Travel Tips

Be the change you want to see in the World!

Know before you go

Use guidebooks to familiarise yourself with the culture, language & customs of your destination.  It will make your travels more rewarding.

Skip the taxi

Consider using public transit to get to the airport - use the money saved to offset your flights.

Carbon offset your flights

Air travel is a major contributor to climate change.  By investing in offsets you contribute to energy efficiency programmes around the globe.  This ensures that the same amount of carbon your flights produce is prevented from entering the atmosphere in the first place. 

Pack light

Each pound of luggage you leave at home diminishes your carbon footprint.

Begging and presents

Giving sweets or presents to children will teach them that begging is rewarding and this can undermine parental authority. Instead, interact with children and have some fun with them.

Then consider giving to a charity in the country you visit. 

Photography

 If you wish to photograph somebody, always ask their permission.

Power and Energy

Please use these sparingly.  Turn lights, heat and a/c off when not in the room.  Consider using rechargeable batteries. 

Religious customs and local traditions

These vary enormously around the world and are often an integral part of the local way of life.  Ask your tour leader when in doubt - a respectful visitor is a respected visitor!

Bargaining

This is part of the way of life in many places.  Be firm but polite, have some fun in the process and remember the shopkeeper has to make a living.  Once you agree on a price, don’t walk away.

Water

Consider bringing your own water bottle & purification drops.   The sale of bottled water contributes to an enormous environmental problem around the world.  The production of a 1 litre plastic bottle takes 2 litres of water and 200ml of oil. A large proportion ends up in limited landfill or discarded in waterways and natural environments.

Transport

Use public transport – shared transport is lighter on the carbon footprint

Litter

Reduce, reuse, and recycle.  Use rubbish bins or take it with you if bins are not provided.

Toiletries

Bring biodegradable soaps from home.  If you use hotel soaps, why not bring them to the next hotel and use it all up instead of opening a new one.  Consider bringing your own towel so the hotel can save on energy and laundry detergent. 

In the wild and while camping

 If no toilets are available, make sure you “do your thing” 30m from a water source, bury waste in the organic layer and take toilet paper with you in a Ziploc bag.  Dispose of it in an appropriate place like a camp fire.  When washing (up), avoid contaminating streams & lakes with soap.  Rinse off grey water at least 30m away from the water. 

Hikes & walks

 Leave nothing but footprints, stay on the trail and avoid taking shortcuts as these lead to erosion. 

Wildlife & nature

Avoid disturbing wildlife and stay the distance.  Try not to disturb their habitat.

Take care not to touch coral reefs and do not feed animals or fish.  Admire flowers but please don’t pick them.   Please do not encourage dancing bears or snake charmers.

Souvenirs & Artefacts

Be careful when buying articles made from plant or animal products. The trade in tourist souvenirs can threaten endangered species: the collecting of sea shells, for example, can greatly damage coral reefs. 

Items from ancient civilisations may still be found or bought in countries such as Peru. Although they may appear discarded or available to buy, leave them where you find them.

Meals and drinks

Buy local produce and meals made locally.  Try those delicious locally produced wines and beers.  If organics are available, enjoy them!  Visit family-owned restaurants.

On your return

Share all the great things you learned about your destination and responsible travel with your family, friends and colleagues.  Suggest improvements where needed.  Be an ambassador for responsible travel!

Why we do not ride elephants

We are happy to share with you we will no longer offer elephant rides to travellers.

Seeing wild animals on holiday should be a once in a lifetime experience. But the demand for elephant rides, lion and tiger selfies and more is forcing iconic wild animals into a lifetime of misery. Sadly it is these iconic animals that often suffer the most at the hands of a cruel and relentless industry.

More than 2,000 elephants are trapped at cruel tourist attractions where they are undergoing great physical and mental trauma to be forced into interacting with people.  Watch this animation and learn about their lives as entertainers.

Our decision is based on an extensive research project by experts from Canadian animal charity WSPA to assess the welfare of captive elephants (and other wildlife) at entertainment venues in Asia and Africa.

Asian elephants are highly endangered and tourism demand has led to the establishment of venues where elephants are forced to do unnatural performances. The demand from travellers is adding to the number of endangered elephants being poached from the wild.

In both Asia and Africa animals are taken from their mothers, their spirit is broken, and they endure cruel and stressful ‘training’ to make them tolerate being ridden.

Clearly this is not something anyone will want to be involved in.

With your help we can stop these cruel practices.

Elephants are best seen in the wild, like here in Periyar, India