Responsible Tourism & Our Environmental Philosophy

As walking holidays grow in popularity, more and more rubbish is being left unnecessarily in some beautiful yet increasingly fragile areas, in spite of promises by tour operators to curb this. Walks Worldwide adopts a 'Pack it in - Pack it out' policy on all our holidays - in Tanzania and Nepal we even pay a 'trash bonus' to staff to clear up the main campsites. Our ground operators are actively involved in training to raise local awareness and educating people in camouflage camping techniques such as cooking on gas rather than firewood and providing hot washing water in bowls to avoid polluting streams.

Porter welfare is also carefully monitored and we follow strict IPPG guidelines to ensure that adequate clothing, food and equipment are provided. Porters have access to the same medical kit as clients and load weights are strictly adhered to. Due to salaries being paid promptly there is no pressure on clients to tip heavily - a pressure which often leaves a sour taste for many people.

Our local agents pride themselves on the long-term relationships formed with their staff and invest heavily in regular training courses. It is through these various educational projects, encouraging people to take responsibility for their future that we can really help the local people to help themselves.

In order to help you clean up the CO2 emissions that are produced as a result of your travel, Walks Worldwide, by working with Climate Care, offer you the opportunity to offset your aviation emissions. We have indicated the contribution due for your journey in the information box of the appropriate trip as calculated by Climate Care. This amount will be automatically added to your invoice, but you will be given the option of NOT paying this. For more information visit www.jpmorganclimatecare.com.

Please note that the amount added to your invoice may vary from the amount stated in the brochure as these figures are constantly reviewed.

As a partner in the Know Before You Go campaign, we are working with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to do all that we can to help British travellers stay safe overseas. Before you go overseas, check out the FCO website at www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo. It is packed with essential travel advice and tips, and up-to-date country information.

SPANA and Walks Worldwide

We are proud to continue our association with the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA). Walks Worldwide pledges to donate £7.50 per passenger to this worthy cause. Over the past two years we have donated in excess of £10,000 and operated a very successful members' trip to Marrakech as well as the mountain town of Imlil where clinics are provided for the many pack mules that the region, and indeed our trips, depend on. In places like this, SPANA really does provide a service which helps working animals and the communities that rely on them for their livelihoods. We hope to continue this tradition with a visit to Jordan in 2008 - please see www.spana.org or contact us for further details.

"The support being given by Walks Worldwide to SPANA is really making a difference not just in towns like Marrakech and Imlil, but in places like Mali, Ethiopia and Jordan too. Wherever you travel to, I hope you enjoy it, and in doing so you'll be helping to support a very worthwhile cause." Jim Broadbent, Oscar-winning actor and SPANA supporter.