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Ethical and ecotourism holidays and vacations, listing companies
with a declared ethical and ecotourism policy.

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Want environmentally
friendly holiday accommodation? our new green
accommodation section has a growing list of environmentally
friendly places to stay including hotels,
self-catering, guest houses and hostels all with stated ecotourism
and environmentally friendly aims like green buildings, use
of solar/wind power, use of fairtrade and eco-friendly products,
recycling composting etc.). |
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FULL INDEX > SPECIAL CATEGORIES > ethical
/ ecotourism
RELATED:
ecological tours for dedicated ecological tours
green accommodation – for environmentally friendly holiday accommodation
ethical / ecotourism
2 Wheel Tours
based: East Lothian, Scotland, UK
website: www.2wheel-tours.com
Exploring Scotland by bike is the only way to truly appreciate its majesty and tranquility. 2 Wheel Tours specialise in exploring the most beautiful and interesting parts of this magnificent wee country and design flexible itineraries to suit all tastes and fitness levels. Tours can be guided or self-led.
| cycle touring | tandem biking | ethical/ecotourism | tailor made | Scotland |
Alps and Beyond
based: Ticino, Switzerland
website: www.alpsandbeyond.com
Specialists in active, distinctive vacations of all difficulty levels in Italy and Switzerland. Activities include walking, hiking and trekking in the Alps, Dolomites, Italian lakes, Piemonte, Bernese Oberland and Valais. Also offering cultural and historical tours, responsible travel, family vacations, wine tasting, cooking classes and women-only adventures, all with professional guides.
| walking/trekking/hiking | mountain guides | women only | wine appreciation/tasting | gastronomic | luggage transported | ethical/ecotourism | tailor made | family/child friendly | via ferrata | Italy | Switzerland |
Bison Quest on Wild Echo Bison Reserve
based: Montana, USA
website: www.bisonquest.com
Experience a very private vacation in a log cabin and Sioux tipis surrounded by a bison herd in the Montana wilderness. Ride horses, learn Native American history, use a sweatlodge, join eco projects and participate in bison and wildlife studies as the only guests of internationally known biologists.
| ethical/ecotourism | bird watching | family/child friendly | working/volunteer holidays | ecological tours | native peoples | groups | tailor made | women only | animals/safari | riding | USA |
Cortijada Los Gazquez – Creative Retreat, Eco-Guesthouse
based: Almeria, Spain
website: www.losgazquez.com/en/
Cortijada Los Gazquez is an off-grid destination for the creative traveller; from this eco-guesthouse and farm in the mountains of Andalucia they run small group art courses with a difference. These are multi-media creative courses that explore the flora, fauna, geography and culture in the national park.
| painting/drawing | architectural | photographic | sculpture/carving | walking/trekking/hiking | ethical/ecotourism | Spain |
G.A.P Adventures Featured Site
based: Canada, London & Worldwide
website: GAP Adventures 
Unique and authentic global adventure travel experiences for those willing to go beyond conventional tourism. Wide range of trips for animal and nature lovers, such as game and wildife viewing, safaris, Galapagos trips, Antarctica, rainforests, cloudforests, volcanos, hot springs, bird watching and river journeys. Ethical and sustainable tourism at its best.
| animals/safari | camping safaris | walking/trekking safaris | bird watching | whale/dolphin watching | ecological tours | ethical/ecotourism | expeditions | walking/trekking/hiking | canoeing/kayaking | overlanding |
Worldwide |
Global
Vision International
based: Hertfordshire, UK
website: www.gvi.co.uk
GVI expeditions offer the adventurous individual the chance to work as part
of a structured team on pioneering international projects. With projects all
over the world you can join expeditions as diverse as Rainforest Expeditions
in the Amazon, Wildlife Research Expeditions in Africa and Marine Research Expeditions
in Mexico.
| gap year | expeditions | survival
courses | marine safaris | ethical/ecotourism | ecological tours | working/volunteer holidays | Africa | Asia | South America | Mexico | South Africa
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International Volunteer HQ
based: Taranaki, New Zealand
website: www.volunteerhq.org
International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) provides safe, quality and extremely affordable volunteering placements in developing countries all over the world. At present they have a wide range of volunteering opportunities in Tanzania, Kenya, Kenya-Maasai, Nepal, Vietnam, Peru, Ecuador and Thailand.
| working/volunteer holidays | gap year | ethical/ecotourism | native peoples | groups | South America | Asia | Africa |
John
Muir Trust
based: Hampshire, UK
website: www.jmt.org
The 'Activities Programme' offers adventurous
activities and exploration in beautiful wild areas, canoeing and
sea kayaking trips, conservation work, story telling, music, wilderness
skills, medicinal plants. Also see their 'Conservation Work Parties'
where you can volunteer to help carry out conservation work. The
John Muir Trust is a registered Scottish charity with the aim of
protecting and conserving wild places and increasing awareness and
understanding of such places.
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charity expeditions/holidays | working/volunteer holidays | gap
year | ethical/eco tourism | survival courses | canoeing/kayaking | sea canoeing/sea kayaking | herbalism | storytelling | UK
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Kalikalos Holidays
based: Magnesia, Greece
website: www.kalikalos.com
Kalikalos Summer School offers a full summer programme of holistic community-based workshops, retreats and workcamps. Offerings include tai chi, yoga, monviolent communication, meditation, advaita, mediation and eco-village trainings. The centre is unique in that it is run as a community.
| holistic holidays | tai chi | yoga | self development | meditation | painting/drawing | ethical/ecotourism | vegetarian | family/child friendly | summer schools | working/volunteer holidays | Greece |
Motus in Sardinia
based: Sardinia, Italy
website: www.motusinsardinia.it
A Sardinia known by few, tours and sojourns designed around traveller's
wishes. Travel ideas also suitable for off-site company events.
Genuine cuisine, charming hotels, history, traditions, art and painting.
High-quality trips in a marvellous landscape, in a land of a unique
culture in the Mediterranean Sardinia.
| sailing (large boat/sail ship) | cookery | gastronomic | wine appreciation/tasting
| country crafts | painting/drawing | festivals/carnivals |
historical tours | ethical/ecotourism | tailor made | Sardinia
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Nest Trust (The) – Nicaragua English and Sustainable Tourism
based: Nicaragua and Birmingham. UK
website: www.thenesttrust.org.uk
Voluntary project offering unique opportunities to live and work with rural communities in the coffee growing mountains of Nicaragua. Teach English to young guides and make a valuable contribution to the region's rural tourism programmes, which are vital for environmental conservation and the livelihoods of the small producers.
| working/volunteer
holidays | ethical/ecotourism | Nicaragua |
Nomadic Expeditions
based: Berkshire, UK
website: nomadic.co.uk
Nomadic Expeditions offer adventure holidays, activity and cultural tours in Morocco. Itineraries include hotel based tours, trekking, overland trips, ski and surf holidays, and Xmas and New Year trips. With departures throughout the year and some unique holidays you won't find anywhere else, there's something for everyone!
| surfing | walking/trekking/hiking | winter walking | skiing (piste) | native peoples | overlanding | camping safaris | ethical/ecotourism | Christmas/New Year | Morocco |
Organic Tuscany
based: Florence, Italy
website: www.organictuscany.org
Week-long 'farm to table' organic cooking holidays in the Tuscan hills. Includes visits to local organic farms, cooking classes using organic ingredients, olive oil and wine tastings and tours of Siena, Florence and San Gimignano. Two courses a year are 100% vegetarian.
| cookery | gastronomic | weekends/short breaks | vegetarian | ethical/ecotourism | Italy |
Responsibletravel.com Featured Site
based: East Sussex, UK
website: Responsibletravel.com
Ethical and eco-friendly travel offering over 3,000 hand-picked holidays. All providers have been screened to meet specific environmental, social and economic criteria and this information is displayed next to each holiday description to help you make your choice. The site offers packaged holidays, tailor-made trips and ethical and eco-friendly holiday accommodation.
| ethical/ecotourism | animals/safari | whale/dolphin watching | bird watching | native peoples | retreats | yoga | walking/trekking/hiking | working/volunteer holidays | holistic holidays | tailor made | Worldwide |
Starfish Ventures
based: Essex, UK
website: www.starfishventures.co.uk
Starfish Ventures specialises in volunteer placements in Thailand. They have a wide cross section of projects, from teaching English through to helping conserve Thailand's turtle population. Whatever you choose these are real grass roots projects that improve people's lives and/or help Thailand sustain its environment.
| charity expeditions/holidays | ethical/ecotourism | gap year | working/volunteer holidays | Thailand |
Sunflower
Retreats
based: Leicestershire, UK and
Rieti, Italy
website: www.sunflowerretreats.com
Yoga holidays and retreats in the ancient medieval village of Casperia.
Join in with our yoga sessions or simply enjoy a retreat from the
world at the beautifully restored Casa Latini choose from
a large selection of holistic treatments, explore the mountains
and villages or take part in numerous activities.
| yoga | retreats | relaxation
| massage | reflexology | acupuncture/acupressure
| aromatherapy | ethical/ecotourism | Italy |
Surf-Atlantico – Surf Adventure Holidays
based: Cantabria, Spain
website: www.surf-atlantico.com
Surf adventures which are more than just a surf camp. Surfari your way 1000 km along Spain's Atlantic coast and surf new breaks each day. Suitable for beginner to advanced surfers; transport, accommodation, beach BBQ's, board, wetsuit and tuition included. Discover Spain. Discover surfing. Surf and ski packages also available.
| surfing | skiing (piste) | snowboarding | overlanding | ethical/ecotourism | groups | weekends/short breaks | Spain |
Tikalanka
Tours
based: London, UK
website: www.tikalanka.com
Tailor-made travel specialist to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, organising
private, escorted holidays to your own specifications. Create your
own dream holiday using their online holiday planner. Tropical beaches,
wild elephants, ancient Buddhas, historic cities, tea plantations
and endless sunny days now just a click away!
| tailor made | ethical/ecotourism | sightseeing | weddings/honeymoons | historical
tours | animals/safari | sacred sites | diving/snorkelling |
walking/trekking/hiking | Sri Lanka |
UCA Miraflor
based: Miraflor, Nicaragua
website: www.miraflor-uca.com
Community eco-tourism programmes in Miraflor Nature Reserve and San Ramon, Matagalpa, Nicaragua. Programmes are run by a local co-operative with specialist English speaking guides. Local families offer homestays and group cabanas. Visit a coffee-growing co-operative, go bird watching, see orchids, ride or walk through stunning scenery, visit cloudforest, swim in natural pools, make tortillas and help in organic gardens
| ethical/ecotourism | bird watching | botanical | Nicaragua |
Ulpotha
based: Embogama, Sri Lanka
website: www.ulpotha.com
According to the Observer, 'the best yoga retreat in the world', a beautiful private eco-hideaway open to guests for part of the year; a place of total peace, where you can experience the warm, generous and gentle hospitality Sri Lankans love to offer. Ulpotha offers yoga retreats and Ayurveda therapies.
| yoga | retreats | meditation | massage | ethical/ecotourism | vegetarian | ayurveda | Asia |
Uncover the World Ltd
based: West Yorkshire, UK
website: www.uncovertheworld.travel
Uncover the World specialise in cultural, adventure and family travel to Egypt, Nepal and Thailand, and have been operating holidays for over ten years. They offer a full range of activity based tours with small-group, private and tailor-made options, from economy to luxury level. They are TTA and ATOL bonded.
| walking/trekking/hiking | ethical/ecotourism | tailor made | groups | family/child friendly | sightseeing | cruises (river/lake) | animals/safari | diving/snorkelling | white water rafting | multi activity | Worldwide |
Upland
Escapes
based: Gloucestershire, UK
website: www.uplandescapes.com
Walk independently in Europe's uplands. Base yourself in a traditional village and enjoy life at your own pace. Discover wild-flower meadows, mountain streams, dramatic gorges and breathtaking views. From self-guided to organised walks, half-hour strolls to full day hikes – walk as much or as little as you like, or explore with your carbon-compensated hire car.
| walking/trekking/hiking | unguided
walking | ethical/ecotourism | weekends/short
breaks | family/child friendly | self drive | Italy | France | Slovenia | Gran Canaria
| Austria | Wales |
Viveka Yoga Retreats
based: Aude, France
website: www.franceyogaretreats.com
Ashtanga-/Viny-Yoga, family-yoga (with childcare) – one week holidays in the wild and romantic landscape of South France, sunny and warm climate, yoga tuition twice daily, organic-vegetarian meals, eco-accommodation, holistic sustainable lifestyle (solar powered, own spring, compost loo), pranayama, meditation, massages. Feel the luxury of being in beautiful nature and indulge body, mind and spirit.
| yoga | retreats | massage | ethical/ecotourism | family/child friendly | France |
Voluntourists Without Borders
based: Chiang Mai Provence,
Thailand
website: www.voluntourists-without-borders.com
An initiative aimed at using volunteer tourist (voluntourist) labour
and donor funding to alleviate rural poverty, protect forests, and
promote sustainable eco-tourism. The initiative puts volunteer labour,
and the funding they secure, to work alongside ethnic minority and
rural Thai village groups under a programme to establish a world
class eco-tourism industry.
| working/volunteer
holidays | groups | gap year | ethical/ecotourism | native peoples
| school tours | seniors/silver surfers | singles holidays | team
building/management courses | Thailand |
Walk
Andalucia
based: Middlesex, UK
website: www.walk-andalucia.com
Join Walk Andalucia on their friendly walking holidays and discover one of the most fertile and beautiful regions of Spain, with spectacular scenery and fantastic views. Guided and self-guided holidays designed for all fitness levels to appeal to singles, couples and groups. Also affordable painting holidays in the sun.
| walking/trekking/hiking | unguided walking | ethical and ecotourism | groups | singles
| relaxation |
painting/drawing | Spain |
Wilderness Journeys
based: Highlands and Islands, Scotland
website: www.wildernessjourneys.com
Wilderness Journeys is an award winning adventure travel and ecotourism company. They offer an inspiring range of small group adventure holidays which take you into the wilderness regions of the most beautiful destinations on earth. They also offer family holidays and a tailor-made service for private groups and clubs.
| walking/trekking/hiking | sea canoeing/sea kayaking | ski mountaineering/touring | skiing (off-piste) | mountain biking |walking/trekking safaris | trekking with animals | camping safaris | ethical/ecotourism | multi-activity | tailor made | Worldwide |
Wildlife Worldwide
based: Hampshire, UK
website: www.wildlifeworldwide.com
Tailor-made journeys using hand-picked lodges, cruise vessels and guides. Wildlife Worldwide is committed to offering a safe, enjoyable and educational natural history adventure; from tiger watching and bear viewing to wildlife cruises, African safaris, giant pandas, whale and dolphin watching. Visit the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon rainforest and Festivals of Wildlife.
| animals/safari | bear watching | photographic safaris | elephant back safaris | whale/dolphin watching | tailor made | ethical/ecotourism | walking/trekking safaris | bird watching | theme cruises | Africa | Antarctic |
Alaska Timberwolf Journeys & Tours
based: Alaska, USA
website: www.alaskatimberwolftours.com
Alaska Timberwolf Journeys customized luxury tours with Alaska native
tour guide Kenny Timberwolf.
| bus/coach holidays | native peoples |
sightseeing | ethical and ecotourism | dog sledding | North America
|
Black Spruce Tours
based: Nova Scotia, Canada
website: www.blacksprucetours.com
Providing adventure, sightseeing, hiking, camping, canoeing, kayaking
and eco tours to Labrador and Newfoundland, Canada.
| canoeing/kayaking | walking/trekking/hiking | snowmobiling/skidoo | small group motor tours | animals/safari | sightseeing | ethical/ecotourism | North America
|
HAKI Cultural Expeditions
based: Mexico City, Mexico
website: www.mexicoculturaltours.com
Cultural tours across Mexico for the traveller interested in eco-adventures and cultural travel.
| ethical/ecotourism | North America |
Inner Journeys
based: New South Wales, Australia
website: www.innerjourneys.com.au
Spiritual and Reiki retreats. Ecotours focused on spirituality and
traditional medicine.
| native peoples | retreats | self development
| botanical | reiki | ethical/ecotourism | Asia | Australasia
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Island
Safari
based: UK
website: www.island-safari.co.uk
African safaris and tropical island beach holidays.
| animals/safari | aerial safaris | walking/trekking safaris | overlanding | family/child friendly | ethical/ecotourism | weddings/honeymoons | Africa |
Lingkor Tours & Treks
based: Thimphu, Bhutan
website: www.lingkor.com
Founded in 1990, we are the specialists in journeys to Bhutan. We
run package and tailor made trips.
| festivals/carnivals | walking/trekking/hiking | winter walking | bird watching | tailor made |ethical/ecotourism
| Bhutan |
Midnight Sun Adventure Travel
based: British Colombia, Canada
website: www.midnightsuntravel.com
Small group camping tours of Alaska, Yukon Territory, Canadian Rocky
Mountains and Vancouver Island.
| walking/trekking/hiking | multi-activity
| walking/trekking safaris | small group motor tours | ethical/ecotourism | groups | North America |
Ragmans
Lane Farm
based: Gloucestershire, UK
website: www.ragmans.co.uk
Short holiday courses in cider-making and willow craft in the Forest
of Dean, Gloucestershire.
| country crafts | cider tours/making |
ethical/ecotourism | UK |
Snow White Treks and Tours
based: Thimphu, Bhutan
website: www.snowwhitetours.com.bt
Providing a simple, homely service, offering a memorable journey to
remember for your entire life.
| architectural | native
peoples | ethical/ecotourism | pilgrimage/religious | sacred sites | Bhutan
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Travel-to-Teach
based: Nongkhai, Thailand
website: www.travel-to-teach.org
Affordable volunteering opportunities in north eastern Thailand.
Teach English or webdesign.
| working/volunteer holidays | Thai language
| English language | ethical/ecotourism | gap year | Thailand
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Wildwings
based: Bristol, UK
website: www.wildwings.co.uk
Packed with ideas and holidays covering all the continents and oceans.
| bird watching | whale/dolphin watching
| theme cruises | working/volunteer holidays | ethical / ecotourism
| astronomy/space | Worldwide |
Yachana Gourmet
based: Quito, Ecuador
website: www.yachanagourmet.com
Stay at Yachana Lodge during the cacao harvest season (MarchJuly)
and watch the making of chocolate first hand. Yachana Lodge is on
the banks of the Napo River deep in the Ecuadorian rainforest and
is a great ecotourism destination.
| chocolate | ethical/ecotourism | Ecuador
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Other useful sites for Eco and Green information:
Green Drinks: informal meetings of people who care for the environment or who work in environmental fields. Simple, unstructured networks for socialising, eco events and discussion of green and ecological issues. |