Ecuador mountaineering vacation

Planet

The Ecuador mountaineering vacation is operated in conjunction with a local tour operator. Staff are recruited locally and have detailed knowledge of the areas visited. Guides provide informal talks and discussions about local life, helping visitors develop an understanding of the communities and landscapes they encounter.

The organisation supports local businesses by using local transport and locally owned accommodation and restaurants. During trekking and climbing activities, fresh produce is purchased from local sources where appropriate, with local and Andean products preferred to imported goods.

Waste is reduced by using products with minimal packaging and avoiding litter. Water sources are kept clean, campsites are left clean after use, and rubbish is carried out of trekking areas.

People

The organisation works with local partners and businesses on its trips, including locally owned hotels and restaurants. Local partners employ trekking staff such as porters, muleteers, cooks and guides. The organisation states that these workers receive training in practices intended to minimise impacts on the landscapes in which they work.

Fresh produce is purchased from small shops and local markets in and around departure towns and villages, with local products preferred to imported alternatives. Public transport is used where possible, and visitors are given opportunities to interact with local residents and learn about the culture of the communities they visit.