Nicaragua Tuk Tuk small group adventure

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

We are honest that international flights represent the largest single source of emissions for travelers on this trip, and we do not offset or greenwash this. What we can control, we take seriously. Every adventure is an overland journey where there are no internal flights within the itinerary. The entire route, around 500km, is driven by Tuk-Tuk.

Tuk-Tuks are small-engine, three-wheeled vehicles that consume significantly less fuel per journey than the diesel coaches or minibuses typically used to move groups through Central America. They are not electric, but they are considerably more efficient than the alternatives. All departures operate in small groups of 4-10 teams, which maximises the efficiency of any support vehicles and reduces the per-person logistical footprint. We plan routes carefully to avoid unnecessary mileage and match support vehicles to the size of each group.

Human-powered activity is built into the itinerary: rest days include hiking Isla Ometepe's volcano trails, kayaking Lake Nicaragua, and surfing at Popoyo and San Juan del Sur, all under your own steam. Nicaraguan cuisine has naturally plant-forward options and vegetarian meals are available throughout the trip.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

We also sponsor SEE Turtles, an organisation working to end the trade in tortoiseshell products and protect sea turtles across our operating destinations, including the nesting beaches of Nicaragua's Pacific coast. This is renewed annually.

We do not include animal performances, captive wildlife handling, or any attraction where wild animals are kept for visitor entertainment. All wildlife encounters on this trip are in the wild, at appropriate distance.

We partner with Travelers Against Plastic (TAP) and we communicate to all participants to take reusable water bottles. We provide all travelers with reusable cloth bags for shopping etc. We do not print materials unless absolutely necessary. Single-use plastic is actively discouraged throughout the trip. All travelers receive pre-departure information on reducing their environmental impact during the journey.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

Accommodation on this route includes Pacaya Lodge on Laguna de Apoyo, developed in partnership with Opportunity International Nicaragua as a community-development project supporting local microenterprises and breaking cycles of poverty. Other properties on the route are independently or locally operated. Lunches and stops are taken at local restaurants, markets and roadside stalls along the route, chosen as part of the daily challenge format that actively routes guests off main roads and into local interactions, putting money directly into the hands of people who would not typically benefit from tourism. Up to 5% of profit from each departure is directed to vetted community and conservation partners. Since 2009 we have raised over £60,000 for our initiatives and helped adventurers raise an additional £40,000 for their chosen charities.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

All in-country staff such as the mechanics, support crew and ground contacts are Nicaraguan nationals employed from local communities. The only international team member is the company tour leader who leads each departure. All local staff are paid at or above the national minimum wage.

We run bespoke charity departures with UK organisations including CAFT (Children's Adventure Farm Trust) and Wooden Spoon (The Children's Rugby Charity), combining adventure with direct fundraising for disadvantaged and disabled children. All travelers receive a pre-departure cultural briefing covering appropriate behaviour and dress, photography guidelines, and a non-negotiable no drink-driving rule.

This trip is LGBTQ+ friendly. We do not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in any aspect of our operations or guest experience.