Hong Kong to Istanbul by train vacation

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

We are committed to positive environmental impacts through our Responsible Travel Policy. As an overland company we have extremely low carbon emissions throughout all our journeys. This journey operates over 10,345 km by rail along the ancient Silk Road. We ensure to use experienced drivers who know the areas best when transfers are needed. This allows us to be confident there will be no risk of damage to the environment and local flora.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

We use local partners who work with us to design journeys an optimal way to limit our impact on the environment. We make certain to reduce plastic waste by promoting reusing drink bottles instead of buying bottled water. Where possible our clients stay in smaller-scale accommodation, such as locally owned guesthouses, in support of the local people.

We try to include as many local lunches, dinners and wineries in our journeys which enables us to spread economic benefits while also promote cultural understanding. We also make certain that none of our scheduled sightseeing visit zoos or orphanages.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

We have a very clear mandate to support the countries and local communities we travel through, and we best achieve this by utilising the services of Local Partners, without whom our on-ground experiences wouldn’t be the same.

These Local Partners provide employment opportunities, training, and exposure to both the local and real impacts of tourism on their environment, and the needs for more responsible travel action.

Their local knowledge will also assist with securing high quality locally owned and managed services such as accommodation & restaurants, local guides, local artisans, and other authentic local experiences (cultural performances and family/home-based meals).

We have been operating journeys throughout Asia for 60 years and strive to build on our long-established reputation for demonstrating respect for the places and communities that we visit.

These ‘on ground’ interactions not only enhance the overall experience for our clients but allows us to understand local traditions and create sound relationships between our travelers and local communities.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

All in-country guides, drivers and staff are residents of that country, with many guides being residents of the specific region or city we are visiting bringing a deep local knowledge and cultural understanding.

Further, many of the local people involved in and benefiting from employment in tourism are women.

In addition, many of our Local Guides have progressed to being National Guides on our journeys and even Tour Leaders on our multi-destination tours. Our Operations Manager was once a Local Guide on one of our journeys in Kyrgyzstan.

We require our Local Partners to ensure their guides and drivers are not dependant on income from commissions earned at shops and other outlets by not allowing unauthorised stops at such establishments.