Self-guided hiking Bulgaria, Rhodopes

Planet

- We always encourage our tourists to learn about the vital ecosystems in Bulgaria and to follow some of the projects of our partners – WWF Danube-Carpathian Program and BALKANI Wildlife Society before arriving to the country.
- Transport – thinking about the reducing the carbon emissions during your travel, starts at home. While in Bulgaria we always use vehicles with low carbon emissions.
- Save paper – try to gather as much information possible online and print trip information sparingly. Only order the brochures you really need.
- All our guides demonstrate environmentally protecting behavior and are inducing such behavior as a standard for the whole group.
- Your guide will provide you with general guidelines, involving staying on trails, maintaining set distances away from wildlife, and not encouraging drivers to move too close to wildlife, even if it is tempting for getting a better picture. Do not buy any animal products while travelling. Do not remove any objects, plants or animal products from nature.
- All our tours and actions comply with local and international environmental conventions and laws.
- During our wildlife observation tours we never approach to a close distance nesting sites, night roosts, endangered species and always try to set as less as possible pressure to the environment.
- Our guides and groups will never leave litter behind.
- During our wildlife observation tours we meet you with local environmentalists and pay a visit to conservation centers, where you can donate directly to a nature protection project.
- Of course, following eco-practices and socially established norms is not enough. That is why besides our responsible travel policy, we have our environmental protection initiatives, to which we are zealously committed, so we know that we are also giving back. We make donations or directly help our partners WWF Bulgaria – The Danube Carpathian Program and BALKANI Wildlife Society in their work for wetland restoration and mitigation of the conflict between large carnivores and humans.

People

- We believe that we will achieve our aims far more effectively if we involve local people and organisations wherever possible.
- We strive to recruit local people in both office and field positions wherever possible. These members of staff are trained by us and receive the same remuneration as “foreigners” doing the same job.
- Wherever possible supplies and equipment are purchased locally.
- Small, family-run establishments make up a high percentage of the accommodation we use where it is practical. Almost 100% of such accommodations are used in our wildlife observation tours.
- Although generally more basic, homestays provide an invaluable insight into the local lifestyle.
- We endeavour to work with enterprises that treat both the traveller and the local community in a fair and just manner.
- By recruiting locals we always try not only to capitalize the natural and cultural assets of an area, but also to build their pride of what they can offer as unique product.
- Our guides always act as an example of how to behave and what is appropriate. They will inform you to what the locals are sensitive and how to respect their wealth of traditions.