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Best Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel Tour Companies

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What an experience - a 3 day trip in the Atacama desert. Big skies, glorious stars, geysers, deserts, valleys and mountains - all in great company and superbly organ...

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We found Say Hueque by accident in an internet search and liked the fact that we could shape our own trip and pick and choose. The booking process with Lujan was ver...

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14 sustainable travel companies you can feel good about booking with

Do some good while seeing the world when you book with these ethical and sustainable travel companies

Photograph: Guaxinim / Shutterstock

While we don’t want to labour on the negatives, you don’t need to be an expert or activist to understand that we are in a climate pinch. It seems a little contradictory to fear for the future while excitedly encouraging international travel, but we humans are an innovative bunch. Exploring the globe doesn’t need to be devastating, and being a responsible traveller doesn’t mean lectures and negativity. Whether you call it eco-travel, sustainable, ethical, regenerative or eco-travel, there is plenty to get excited about.

An increasing number of sustainable travel companies are creating itineraries that allow curious minds to see the world while keeping the impact down. The experiences are awe-inspiring, from hiking remote mountaintops to embracing the world’s most impressive national parks, allowing visitors to engage with destinations in a way that extends far beyond the superficial. If you’re looking for an ethical and environmentally driven travel company for your next adventure, look no further.

RECOMMENDED: 

🍁   Five of the world’s wildest places and the people working to keep them that w 🥾   The 16 best hikes in the world 🌊   The 15 most spectacular places to swim in the world

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Sustainable travel companies

1.  byway travel.

In an ambitious mission statement, UK travel platform Byway declares that its goal is to make flight-free holidays a mainstream holiday choice. Their way of doing so? By helping people discover the beauty of slow, overland travel across the British Isles and Europe . Founder and CEO Cat Jones launched the now B Corporation-certified company during the first Covid lockdown, determined to find a way to reduce flight emissions. Her explanation was simple: If we continue on the current trajectory, emissions from flying are due to triple by 2050. 

2.  Gondwana Ecotours

Named after the ancient supercontinent that gradually split to become the land masses we recognize today, Gondwana Ecotours says its mission is to bring people from different continents closer together, one trip at a time. The New Orleans -based company specializes in small group and private tours that take on exhilarating experiences around the globe, such as gorilla trekking in Rwanda and eco-adventures in Patagonia and Mendoza.

A key component of Gondwana is its network of guides who live in the communities visited, adding personal knowledge, depth and authenticity to the experience while providing tourism-generated income. The company is also committed to limiting its carbon footprint through sustainable travel practices and is recognized for offsetting more than 580 tons of carbon emissions. Since 2021, its tours have been 100-percent carbon-neutral, as certified by the Cooler emissions tracking organization.

3.  Intrepid Travel

Australian-owned Intrepid has always been forthright in declaring its commitment to ethical and responsible practices. In 2018, it became one of the first global travel operators to be B Corporation-certified. Since 2010, it has been operating as the world’s largest carbon-neutral company, carefully measuring and offsetting all unavoidable carbon emissions for 13 years. 

Their trips are just as impressive. From 15-day expeditions traversing the extraordinary gorges and remote villages of northern Pakistan’s Hunza Valley to nine-day itineraries centred around baby gorilla naming ceremonies in Rwanda’s spectacular Volcanoes National Park, Intrepid offer true bucket list travel adventures suited to guests of all interests and abilities. In 2020, as a part of the Tourism Declares A Climate Emergency initiative, the company published a seven-point climate commitment plan – revealing its intention to transition to 100% renewable energy use in offices by 2025 and on all trips by 2030.

4.  Experience Travel Group

Operating on the belief that ‘travel should be about reciprocation’, Asia travel specialist Experience Travel Group holds responsible travel at its core, enabling guests to interact with the community and experience real cultural immersion on every trip. Another B Corporation-certified company, the team is dedicated to creating experiences that divert away from trendy hubs and big hotels. Instead, they build personalised itineraries with initiatives to give back to the community included in the package. 

On adventures in Indonesia , Laos, Cambodia , Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam , for example, guests can enjoy delicious local dishes at ‘social enterprise’ restaurants that support vulnerable young people through job training and employment. In Cambodia, a trip to the Phare Circus in Siem Reap sends funds directly to a performing arts school for underprivileged children in nearby Battambang. A three-day hike along sections of Sri Lanka ’s Pekoe Trail follows the old horse and cart routes that carried tea to the ports, bringing vital income to little-visited communities. 

5.  Seacology

In 1990, American ethnobotanist Dr Paul Cox was conducting forest research in Samoa when village leaders told him 30,000 acres of pristine rainforest were about to be logged due to a government decree to fund a school. Cox was horrified and quickly devised a proposal to raise the needed money to conserve the forest in perpetuity. His plan worked and has come to define the Seacology model: Provide material benefits to villages that pledge to protect their natural resources.

Today, Seacology offers unique ecotourism adventures throughout the world’s islands, where travelers visit active projects, interact with local people and are part of the formula that helps conserve both habitats and communities. Seacology guests also explore intriguing island environments, from the coral reefs of  Fiji to the rainforests of Borneo, while staying at well-appointed resorts and visiting important cultural sites. With all this tropical splendour, expect plenty of opportunities to scuba dive, snorkel, hike and kayak.

6.  Discover Corps

Discover Corps is the leader in the rapidly growing field of 'volunteer vacations' focusing on children, schools, animals and wildlife conservation. Yes, 'voluntourism' has often become a buzzword to cash in on thinly veiled claims, earning criticism and scrutiny over the years. However, Discover Corps operates with complete transparency and has become something of a gold standard for the model.

Trip itineraries are designed to connect travellers to local communities and provide a deeper understanding of the culture, issues, and ways of life in locations around the world. Many projects are in Africa , Asia , and Latin America and can range from caring for elephants in Thailand to helping to protect the animals in South Africa's Greater Kruger National Park region.

7.  ROW Adventures

From its beginnings as a whitewater rafting company in the US's Pacific Northwest, ROW Adventures has evolved into an adventure travel company that advocates the transformative nature of human-powered experiences. According to ROW, connecting people with nature results in positive impacts, and the company adheres to conducting business in an inclusive and sustainable way while promoting social equity, environmental stewardship and accountability. Human-powered activities allow participants to fully observe the surroundings, whether white water rafting in Idaho's Salmon River, sea kayaking the orcas in Canada, or trekking across Machu Picchu.

ROW also recognizes that travel is a large contributor to the world’s carbon footprint and subsequently mitigates the impact by offsetting carbon-producing activities whenever possible. At the same time, trips also educate guests to be advocates for locations visited, with special recognition given to the awareness of Indigenous communities and honouring their legacies, lives and connections to the land.

8.  Natural Habitat Adventures

Conservation through exploration is the credo of Natural Habitat Adventures , the official travel partner of the World Wildlife Fund. Nat Hab, as it’s called, is committed to environmentally friendly nature travel, stressing that its travellers become a force for change in addressing the planet's most pressing conservation challenges. Polar bear tours in the Canadian Arctic , African safaris and South American nature tours are examples of the company’s itineraries where tourism dollars become an influential incentive for communities to protect their natural resources.

Nat Hab also acknowledges that its 8,000 annual travellers on all seven continents expend plenty of CO2. To mitigate travel’s carbon output, the company leans into offsetting measures. From 2007 to 2019, Nat Hab offset 49,418 tons of carbon dioxide and has become the world's first 100-percent carbon-neutral travel company. They’ve also provided more than $4.5 million to support WWF’s global conservation efforts and continue to give one-percent of gross sales plus $150,000 annually in support of WWF’s global mission. 

9.  Cheeseman's Ecological Safaris

Ecology safaris catering to wildlife enthusiasts looking for an in-depth nature experience is what husband-and-wife founders Doug and Gail Cheeseman envisioned when they started their namesake company in 1980. Doug, a college zoology and ecology professor, and Gail, a naturalist, turned their passion for nature into a travel company focusing on comprehensive wildlife tours all over the globe. Working with local guides and wildlife researchers, tours are designed for hardcore animal lovers who are obsessed with travel and enjoy learning about the animals they encounter.

For example, Cheeseman’s  Palau National Marine Reserve diving trip in the western Pacific Ocean offers 12 days of snorkelling, paddling, sailing and diving among the awe-inspiring tropical islands in the region.

10.  Quark Expeditions

Quark Expeditions co-founders Lars Wikander and Mike McDowell took the first group of commercial travellers to the North Pole in 1991, completing the first-ever tourism transit of the Northeast Passage. That inaugural expedition proved a game-changer and positioned the company at the forefront of polar explorations. In the three decades since, its polar travellers have visited remote parts of the Arctic and Antarctic. 

With the Earth’s polar regions threatened by climate change, Quark is committed to raising awareness of these delicate ecosystems through environmentally responsible tourism. A facet of that commitment is the company’s Polar Promise to reduce its footprint and work with other industry leaders, as well as guests, to address the complex and challenging issues facing the regions. Coordinating with a global network of scientists, community leaders and sustainability innovators, the company plans to contribute a minimum of $500,000 each year in support of key environmental initiatives and sustainable development projects.

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7 Best U.S. Destinations Where I'm Solo Traveling In 2024

8 international bucket list destinations for americans in 2024, you can't find these items in china.

• Using eco-friendly, green tour companies is an excellent way to enjoy world travel while minimizing negative impacts on the environment and supporting local communities.
• G Adventures, Undiscovered Mountains, Byway Travel, Gondwana Ecotours, Experience Travel Group, Natural Habitat Adventures, Responsible Travel, AndBeyond, Seacology, and Intrepid Travel are some of the best sustainable tour operators available.
• These environmentally focused, green tour operators prioritize eco-friendly measures such as hiring local guides, tracking community profits, promoting flight-free travel, investing in clean drinking water systems, reducing carbon emissions, and partnering with conservation organizations.

Arguably, the greatest joy of travel is the opportunity to experience new sights, cultures, histories, and landscapes. Visitors will often spend months planning, booking tours, scouting restaurants, and scheduling in some needed downtime.

Not all travel is created equal, however. In fact, many of the most common travel practices today have a number of negative side effects on both the destination and the planet as a whole. So, how can travelers still enjoy the wonders of the world without harming it in the process? One of the best tips for environmentally friendly world travel is to use an eco-friendly tour company.

Many of the best eco friendly tour companies in the world offer all the same advantages as traditional tour groups but have also taken extra steps to ensure they hire locally and watch their product consumption, giving back to the community they draw their profits from. The tour companies below are some of the top-rated eco-friendly tour companies in the world, ensuring that responsible and sustainable travel is available for every adventurer.

Related: What Is Eco-Travel? Here's Every Type Of Eco-Tourism You Should Know About

10 G Adventures

When it comes to ecotourism, there are a variety of factors to consider, from wildlife welfare to carbon emissions. G Adventures believes that the key to addressing these issues and everything in between is community tourism. Whether leading guests as they watch penguins in Antarctica or exploring the most beautiful hiking trails through California’s Redwood National Park , the key to sustainable travel is leaving a positive impact on the community.

G Adventures achieves this by hiring only local guides and tracking how much of the money spent on a tour goes back into the communities visited. This dedication to ethical tourism, paired with the hundreds of tours available, makes G Adventures not just an exceptional eco-friendly tour company but one of the best tour countries available for world travel.

About G Adventures

• Tour Locations: 100+ Countries
• Eco-Friendly Measures: Partnered with nonprofit Planeterra , Locally Hired Guides, Track Community Profits from Tours, Partnered with Travel Without Plastic

Popular G Adventures Tour

• Tour: Las Vegas to San Francisco - Hiking Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite
• Price: from $1,849/person
• Duration: 8 days
• Inclusions: Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, Yosemite National Park, Entrance Fees, Camping Fees

Regardless of how visitors are exploring outdoor spaces, one of the best ways to promote eco-friendly travel is to follow the “Pack it in, pack it out” policy, also referred to as the “Leave No Trace” approach. This means that whatever comes into the park for an outing leaves with the individual who brought it, keeping parks free of trash and wildlife safe.

Related: Road Trip Worthy: Exploring The Most Scenic Drives Across The Southwest U.S.

9 Undiscovered Mountains

The French Alps are one of the most unique mountain destinations in the world and, like many mountain destinations, are often the victim of predatory tourism practices. Undiscovered Mountains , which specializes in the French Alps, has a variety of eco-friendly options for individuals and families looking to enjoy the mountain snow.

Undiscovered Mountains offers a variety of skiing, snowboarding, and mountain tour experiences, all with local guides and sources from local businesses. Paired with locally owned accommodation partnerships, Undiscovered Mountains is the eco-friendly key to touring the French Alps.

About Undiscovered Mountains

• Tour Locations: French Alps
• Eco-Friendly Measures: Locally Hired Guides, Partnerships with Local Restaurants and Hotels, Trees Planted for Each Guest

Popular Undiscovered Mountains Tour

• Tour: Ski Adventure Holiday - Orcières in the Alps
• Price: from $780/adult
• Inclusions: 7 nights in accommodation, 6-day ski pass, Leisure Pass, and Tree Planted to help offset the trip’s carbon footprint

8 Byway Travel

One of the most environmentally damaging aspects of travel is the process of arriving at a destination. Traveling by plane can leave a large carbon footprint before visitors ever arrive. For companies like Byway Travel in the UK, creating an unforgettable sustainable travel experience starts with eliminating this problem.

Byway Travel is among the best environmentally friendly tour companies in the world; it promotes 100% flight-free travel, also called overland travel, by offering some of the best tours in Europe, all organized without ever stepping foot on an airplane. By avoiding damaging plane rides, Byway Travel not only promotes low-impact travel but emphasizes the beauty of travel itself by incorporating transportation into the trip.

About Byway Travel

• Tour Locations: Europe (including Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, France, Scotland, The UK, etc.)
• Eco-Friendly Measures: 100% Flight-Free Itineraries, Certified B-Corp

Popular Byway Travel Tour

• Tour: Avignon to the Rivieras
• Price: from $2,150/person
• Duration: 16 days
• Inclusions: London, Paris, Avignon, Marseille, Cassis, Nice, Menton, Alassio, Genoa, Turin

Planning a flight-free vacation? Keep the responsible travel going by booking through a sustainable platform like Fairbnb.coop . Fairbnb reinvests in the host’s communities by donating half of their commission to a social project close to the booking location.

Related: 10 Most Beautiful Eco-Tourism Destinations To Visit In The U.S. (& What To Do There)

7 Gondwana Ecotours

One of the most important things to be aware of when traveling sustainably is using tour companies that work with the local community. That principle is at the heart of Gondwana Ecotours ’ approach to tourism.

Based in New Orleans, Gondwana Ecotours is one of the best eco-friendly tour operators in the world, thanks to its widespread network of local partnerships. Whether travelers choose a local tour right in Louisiana or head to Rwanda on the other side of the globe, Gondwana Ecotours ensures local experts will be ready to assist.

If that weren’t enough, all of Gondwana Ecotours’ tours are 100% carbon neutral as of 2021 , a distinction established by Cooler, an emissions tracking organization.

About Gondwana Ecotours

• Tour Locations: Louisiana, Alaska, Argentina, Costa Rica, Norway, Rwanda, Tanzania
• Eco-Friendly Measures: Locally-Hired Guides, Carbon-Neutral Tours, Donations to Local Nonprofits

Popular Gondwana Ecotours Tour

• Tour: Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Adventure
• Price: from $1,500/person
• Duration: 5 days
• Inclusions: Lodging, All Meals, National Park Admission, Audio Tour of Kigali's Genocide Museum, Cultural Activities, Donation to Aspire Rwanda

The word “Gondwana” refers to a part of the ancient supercontinent Pangea . This one-ness represents Gondwana Ecotours’ goal to unify the planet through sustainable travel and bucket-list-worthy tours.

6 Experience Travel Group

While there are a variety of eco-friendly destinations all around the world , these locations will quickly disappear if travelers and tour companies alike aren’t willing to give back to the places they explore. For the last 20 years, Experience Travel Group has offered tours throughout Asia, emphasizing exactly that principle.

Guides who work for Experience Travel Group don’t earn a commission, keeping the focus purely on an immersive experience. What makes Experience Travel Group one of the best tour companies in Asia, and certainly among the best sustainable travel companies in the world, is its focus on less-traveled areas.

Experience Travel Group makes a conscious effort to avoid areas suffering from over-tourism and instead takes visitors through the undiscovered corners of Asia, creating a truly one-of-a-kind experience.

About Experience Travel Group

• Tour Locations: South Asia, Southeast Asia, Oman
• Eco-Friendly Measures: Avoid Over-Touristed Locations, Promote Local Businesses, Pledge to Cut Carbon Emissions By 50% by 2050, Investing in Clean Drinking Water Systems

Popular Experience Travel Group Tour

• Tour: Hidden Gems of Southern Thailand
• Price: from $5,700/person
• Duration: 15 days
• Inclusions: Round-Trip Flight from the UK, Bangkok, Chumphon, Hidden Island Tour, Khao Sok

5 Natural Habitat Adventures

The official tour company partner of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) , there is perhaps no better way to travel while supporting wildlife conservation than by booking a tour with Natural Habitat Adventures , another one of the best ecotourism companies in the world.

Wildlife enthusiasts can choose from tours across nearly every corner of the globe with Natural Habitat Adventures. From US National Park Tours to Adventure Cruises and Photography Tours, there are a variety of ways to enjoy animals in their natural habitats.

Natural Habitat Adventures promotes responsible small-group tours that get visitors up close to their favorite wildlife, all while donating over $10 million to WWF to conserve natural habitats and protect endangered animals for future generations.

About Natural Habitat Adventures

• Eco-Friendly Measure: Partnership with WWF, Carbon Neutral Travel Company, Green Office Policies, Zero-Waste Tour Options

Popular Natural Habitat Adventures Tour

• Tour: Bears of Brooks Falls: A Photo Pro Expedition
• Price: from $10,395/person
• Duration: 6 days
• Inclusions: Anchorage, Brooks Falls, King Salmon Run Viewing, Katmai National Park

This Bears of Brooks Falls Tour is available only from September through October each year. Since the areas are closed to tourists for the season, this exclusive tour gives its 8-person group private access to this remote part of Alaska.

4 Responsible Travel

An activist company that has been promoting sustainable travel practices since 2001, Responsible Travel believes in unique holidays that benefit not just the traveler but the destination as well.

All of the tours offered by Responsible Travel have been carefully reviewed to ensure that profits will be reinvested into the community and that locals will benefit from the visitors. They have also taken measures to reduce the company’s carbon footprint, including carbon-countering practices and a variety of walking tour options .

With so many ways to do good and promote green travel, it’s no wonder Responsible Travel is widely considered one of the most eco-friendly travel companies operating today.

About Responsible Travel

• Tour Locations: 100+ countries
• Eco-Friendly Measures: Carbon Offset Practices, Individually Screening Holiday Packages, Trip-for-a-Trip Initiative , Accessible Travel Options

Popular Responsible Travel Tour

• Tour: National Parks Hiking Holiday in America (Walking Tour)
• Price: from $4,400/person
• Duration: 14 days
• Inclusions: Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Rocky Mountains National Park, Colorado Mesa Verde National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Descent trail into Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Las Vegas

Related: U.S. National Parks: 14 Road Trips To Explore The Best Of America's Natural Beauty

3 AndBeyond

An African Safari is a bucket list item for many travelers around the world, and for good reason. The wildlife here is some of the most recognizable in the world, and there are a variety of wildlife hotspots across Africa for visitors to enjoy.

Travelers looking for the best African Safari will likely find their perfect match with the eco-friendly AndBeyond . With luxury tours across 11 African countries, as well as sustainable lodges in Africa, Asia, and South America, sustainable world travel is anything but ordinary.

Operating for over 30 years, AndBeyond prides itself on its sustainable practices, which range from investing in the local community to decreasing its tour and lodging footprint by building sustainable energy and water structures.

About AndBeyond

• Tour Locations: Africa, Asia, Indian Ocean Islands, South America
• Eco-Friendly Measures: Investing Back into Local Government, Sustainable Electrical Micro-Grids, Employs Locally

Popular AndBeyond Tour

• Tour: Safari Game Drive in Western Serengeti
• Price: Varies (see offers page for current packages and discounts)
• Inclusions: Local Tour Guides, Private Cars, Remote Serengeti Viewing Area Access, Personalized Experience Options

Related: Namibia's National Parks: 10 Best Places For A Safari In Africa

2 Seacology

There is no denying that islands and their surrounding ocean waters are some of the most delicate ecosystems in the world. The nonprofit Seacology not only works to preserve these one-of-a-kind destinations but also offers exceptional ecotourism adventures so that travelers can enjoy these natural wonders responsibly.

This doesn’t mean that tourists will have to rough it on a Seacology tour. As one of the best sustainable tour companies in the world, Seacology has partnerships with green luxury resorts. During the day, tour group members will enjoy cultural sites, coral reefs, and lush rainforests, all without worrying about their impact on the environment.

About Seacology

• Tour Locations: Fiji, Borneo, Southeast Asia, Chile, Madagascar
• Eco-Friendly Measures: Grant Programs for Island Protection Projects, Island Ecosystem Conservation Projects

Popular Seacology Tour

• Tour: Seacology Expedition to Fiji
• Price: $2,310-$6,361/person
• Inclusions: Visit to Nukubalavu Village, Seacology Presentations, Snorkeling at Namena Marine Reserve and Somosomo Straits, Stay at Koro Sun Resort, Rainforest Hikes, Coastal Biking

Expeditions change regularly. To see upcoming expeditions, check the Travel page of Seacology’s website.

Related: 10 Most Beautiful Ecotourism Destinations To Visit In Europe (& What To Do There)

1 Intrepid Travel

Eco-friendly travel doesn’t have to be limiting, particularly for those booking a tour through Intrepid Travel . With tours on all seven continents (yes, even Antarctica!), there is no limit to where travelers can responsibly go.

Specializing in small group tours, Intrepid Travel has over 1,000 different tours available in over 100 countries around the world.

Whether taking guests island hopping through the Galapagos or on an epic journey around the Arctic Circle, sustainability is at the heart of Intrepid Travel. Carbon-neutral since 2010, this B-Corp-certified tour company is one of the best and most eco-friendly in the world.

About Intrepid Travel

• Eco-Friendly Measures: Carbon-Neutral Tours, B-Corp Certification, Community-Based Tourism, Intrepid Foundation Non-Profit

Popular Intrepid Travel Tour

• Tour: Western USA National Parks Loop
• Price: from $1,824/person
• Inclusions: Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Monument Valley, Navajo Guides, Grand Canyon National Park, Kayaking at Lake Powell

Hiking through Southern Utah’s national parks is a strenuous activity. Pack appropriate hiking gear and read up on the hikes available in each national park to ensure a safe trip.

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Green Tours: A Responsible Traveler’s Guide

• By: Madison Micucci

“Gonna travel, gonna travel wild and free. I’m gonna pack my bags because this great big world is calling me” — Elvis Presley

You’ve packed your bags and your blue suede shoes, you’ve cued up your travel playlist, and mapped out a low-impact transportation plan . You’ve booked your eco-friendly accommodations (you responsible traveler you), and now it’s time to decide how you want to explore your destination. Whether urban tourism, wildlife tourism, or something in between strikes your fancy, the internet presents copious options. In fact, with so many booking platforms and tour operators claiming to be “green” or “eco-friendly,” it can be difficult for tourists to make informed decisions. That’s why we’ve compiled a responsible traveler’s guide to green tours, showcasing responsible platforms that connect travelers with sustainable tour operators worldwide.

In addition to our favorite green tourism booking platforms, you’ll find trusted resources for cultural tourism and nature-based tourism, respectively. And just in case you missed our complete guide to responsible ecotourism , we’ll begin with a quick recap of what responsible travelers look for when booking a “green tour.”  

Green Tour Checklist: 

“Green” and “Eco” have recently become two of the most widely abused terms in travel marketing, thanks to the vague, “feel good” associations they conjure. Tour operators often employ these terms as branding tactics with flimsy evidence of any tangible sustainability initiatives to back them up. This common practice of greenwashing pervades the travel industry as a whole, from airlines to hotels to wildlife tours. For our purposes however, “green” is a positive and convenient label for activities that align with the tenets of responsible ecotourism. 

According to The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), “ecotourism unites conservation, communities, and sustainable travel.” As responsible travelers, we want to ensure that our excursions align with these ideals – that our “green tours” are veritably verde. So, responsible travelers, look for a combination of the following characteristics when selecting tour operators: 

• Minimal impacts on the local population. (Impacts can be physical, social, and even psychological). 
• Emphasizes environmental and cultural awareness and respect. (Proper waste disposal, respecting animal habitats, honoring local customs, etc.)
• Provides positive experiences for both visitors and hosts. (Tourists shouldn’t be the only ones having a good time!)
• Financially contributes to environmental conservation. (Do they donate a percentage of profits to conservation or encourage visitors to do so?) 
• Generates financial benefits for local people. (Employing locals is one thing, paying them fairly is another). 
• Helps raise sensitivity to host countries’ political, environmental, and social climates by interpreting these concepts to visitors. 
• Designs, constructs, or operates low-impact facilities. (Solar panels, composting, plastic-free, etc.)
• Recognizes the rights, traditions, and spiritual beliefs of the local Indigenous People and works in partnership with them.

Green Tourism Companies 

What do we mean by green? Is there a difference between green tourism and ecotourism? The travel industry disseminates a lot of vague terms, and prefixes like “green and eco” are often used interchangeably in conversation and travel media. In the context of tours and experiences, “green” is widely regarded as a vapid and ill-defined marketing buzzword, while “ecotourism” has found a more official definition among sustainability advocates. Even so, “green” remains popular in conversation and in advertising as a synonym for “environmentally friendly.”

As travelers participating in and influencing tourism, it would help us to reimagine “green” in this context. In addition to its association with the natural environment, the color green symbolizes the broader concepts of prosperity, health, and balance. Extending this rationale, a “green tour” would ideally support the prosperity, health, and balance of the local environment and its inhabitants.  

Yes, this is extremely broad. And yes, green tourism redefined still closely resembles its more niche relative, ecotourism. The point here is not to get bogged down in precise definitions but to recognize that these terms will likely continue to circulate loosely in the travel world. Until that changes, we can hold ourselves accountable for the environmental, socio-cultural, and economic impacts of our touristic activities – “green” or “eco” or not. 

What a task! If only there was an easy way for travelers to gather and collate all of the information they need to find legitimately green tours… 

Thankfully, we have found some amazing ecotourism companies that do just that. The following sites carefully evaluate the tour operators they promote and hold them to specific, well-documented sustainability requirements:

1. Responsibletravel.com

For two decades, Responsible Travel has been leading by example in sustainable tourism, offering transparent accounts of their evolution as a company. As part of their mission to address climate change, they provide resources to help travelers reduce their carbon footprint on every trip while urging them to “fly less and make it count”. Their extensive online catalogue offers wildlife tours, cultural experiences, adventure tours and more in over 100 countries. By pre-screening listings for responsible/ sustainable tourism initiatives, providing marketing for member companies, and offering direct online booking, this website facilitates a seamless travel planning service for tourists and members. To qualify for a membership, all listings must meet environmental, social and economic criteria. (each member’s specific policies are available online). 

2. G Adventures  

G Adventures wholeheartedly believes that travel can be a force for good . This company has specialized in small group adventure travel for thirty years. It helps keep tourism dollars in the local communities by partnering with small businesses and individuals for tours, accommodations, and more. Their commitment to reducing plastic pollution and partnership with the Planeterra Foundation are just two of the many ways they walk the talk. 

3. I like Local  

I Like Local is a travel platform where you can book authentic travel experiences created by locals in Asia and Africa. They offer experiences in various categories such as art and culture ,  trek and tour , lodge and camp , and even volunteering . Created by and for travelers, I Like Local follows a sustainable business model that also supports local people. What makes this site unique and refreshing is its price transparency. Local people earn 100% of their asking prices for the tours, meals, craftsmanship, hospitality and entertainment they offer. Unlike other booking platforms which extract a fee from the asking price, ilike local just adds their 20% administrative fee on top of local pricing. Finally, local tour operators are never charged for their memberships to the platform. 

4. Intrepid Travel

According to the company website, “Intrepid is committed not just to treading lightly, but to making a real difference – by investing in local communities, human rights initiatives, wildlife conservation projects, and the environment.” True to its mission, this company is one of the first and only carbon-neutral tour companies (since 2010). It is a signatory of The United Nations’ Global Compact and is currently working towards earning a B Corp certification. They have implemented sustainability initiatives such as promoting small group travel, employing local guides, and promoting locally owned accommodation. They were also the first travel company to remove elephant rides from their listings due to animal welfare concerns. 

Cultural Tourism Companies

Cultural tourism is an umbrella term encompassing a wide variety of interests, both tangible and conceptual. Cultural tourism can include visiting heritage sites, historic buildings, museums or exhibitions, performances, festivals, rituals, religious events, and more! It can be as simple as eating at a local restaurant or signing up for a city-wide walking tour. From a sustainability perspective, travelers must engage with foreign cultures respectfully. And the easiest way to do that is by forging relationships with local people! 

Enter peer-to-peer travel. P2P travel platforms have recently flooded the internet, and for a good reason: they help travelers find authentic cultural experiences by connecting them with locals eager to share their knowledge. However, not all peer-to-peer platforms benefit locals equally. We recommend supporting P2P’s that don’t charge membership fees and display transparent pricing. 

Airbnb , known originally for its accommodation listings, may be the most widely known peer-to-peer travel platform at the time of publishing this article. Other P2P sites however, focus exclusively on matching tourists with locals who curate cultural experiences or simply want to connect over shared interests. Here are six standouts that deserve your attention: 

• Local Purse

Sightseeing often comes to mind when we think of tours, but shopping is also a fun way to immerse oneself in local culture. Local Purse facilitates live virtual shopping experiences with locals all over the world. Its creators felt inspired to help alleviate the economic hardships that the Covid19 pandemic inflicted upon cities that depend on tourism. So they designed a virtual platform that supports these hard-hit places in rebuilding and diversifying their tourism economies. Travelers can use Local Purse to get acquainted with upcoming destinations in advance, or they can continue supporting communities they’ve already visited. The beauty of Local Purse is that travelers don’t have to go anywhere physically, so anyone who wants a glimpse of the spice markets in Marrakech , for example, can participate. Local Purse is still in beta and will launch soon. Visit their website to learn more! 

• Lokafy  

Lokafy connects travelers with locals who have shared interests and are passionate about their hometowns. Locals, affectionately called Lokafyers, offer personalized tours to travelers, which make for casual and friendly experiences. Initially based in Toronto, Paris, and New York , Lokafy now offers tours in 200 cities worldwide. The company’s mission is to help people understand the world better by “making travel about the people you meet and not just the places you see.”

• Herost  

Herost believes that hosts are the heroes of sustainable travel. This impact travel platform and network showcases responsible hosts, highlights their sustainability efforts, and connects them with like-minded travelers. Herost also participates in the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme , a multi-stakeholder partnership that promotes sustainable consumption and production in tourism. A developing company, Herost is working to expand its online travel guide, directory, and toolkits both for travelers and hosts. The platform is ideal for curious wanderers who aren’t yet committed to a specific destination. 

• Make Your Trip Better  

MYTB is a French platform that connects travelers to locals in over 25 countries. But this is no ordinary travel database. Think of it as the lovechild of Airbnb and Tinder- an online matchmaker for sustainable travel that suggests “matches” based on shared interests between locals and visitors. Because of how it connects people, MYTB feels more like a community where tourists can also offer local expertise in their own hometowns. By cutting out intermediary services for travel planning, this site helps people enjoy authentic experiences while saving money and contributing directly to local economies in the process. To use MYTB, travelers create a free account to start meeting potential adventure buddies, tour guides, and even friends! Make Your Trip Better is originally a French platform and has been translated into six different languages. So English speakers who notice unusual word choices on the landing pages should not feel deterred! 

• Embark  

Embark distinguishes itself as a platform by narrowing its focus to outdoor adventure experiences, connecting locals with travelers who aren’t afraid to work up a sweat. Eschewing gallery crawls and fine dining for rock climbing and diving, this platform supports local businesses exclusively and vets all tour guides for quality and reliability. It cuts a more generous slice of the tourist economy pie for outdoorsy guides, by helping them generate income with their adventure skills and removing the meddlesome corporate obligations with which large tour operators often contend. Although member guides go through careful screening, they ultimately have full control of the experiences they provide.

Be advised that while Embark empowers local guides to fully customize their small group tours, its website does not specify any environmental priorities. So when booking from a site like this one, remember to tread lightly, leave no trace, and ask questions in advance! 

• Context Travel

This platform approaches tourism from an educational perspective, and invites travelers to dive deep into the historical context and present-day culture of the cities they explore. Over 80% of Context Tour guides possess an M.A. or P.H.D. Degree in their area of expertise, which makes this platform attractive to scholars and the intellectually curious. Context Travel also takes its commitment to sustainability seriously by exceeding BCorp standards. Book your first Context Learning experience with our discount code (HIDDENLEMUR) and receive a 15% discount.

Nature Tourism Companies 

Ahhh yes, Nature tourism, yet another vague and overused term leading to much confusion among eco-conscious travelers. Here, we’re simply using Nature Tourism to categorize our favorite ecotourism companies that specialize in wilderness excursions, wildlife tours, and outdoor adventure. All of the travel companies below adhere to the specific guidelines of responsible ecotourism.

1. Origin Travels  

This eco-travel company welcomes all self-identified female travelers who want to explore the world sustainably and in the company of like-minded women. They explore off-the-beaten-path destinations and pride themselves on doing so affordably and inclusively. Origin Travels works with local merchants, artisans, chefs, philosophers, guides, and visionaries to create customizable and unique experiences for women. They also offer slow payment plans to help explorers invest in ethical travel comfortably. The trips revolve around appreciating the raw beauty of nature while integrating with local culture. 

2. Sumak Travel  

Sumak Travel borrows its name from the ancient Quechuan saying, “Sumak Kawsay”, meaning good living , and specializes in community-based ecotourism (CBET) in Latin America. They work closely with community leaders and networks to offer tailor-made, fair-trade experiences for visitors. They typically partner with farmers and fishers, indigenous communities, and shantytown dwellers who offer local accommodations and tours. All the tours include visits to social and environmental projects. Sumak applies fair-trade logic to their pricing with an emphasis on transparency, so tourists pay fair prices in exchange for high-quality (and often unique) products and services. 

When successful, community-based ecotourism creates additional revenue sources for locals that complement but do not replace their current livelihoods (such as fishing, farming, etc). Achieving this helps communities become more economically resilient. Furthermore, local community members decide how much and how far tourism initiatives develop. Sumak Travel increases the global visibility of Latin American destinations and abides by an extensive Responsible Tourism Policy . 

3. Explore  

Explore is a well-known responsible tourism booking platform that offers small group tours and encourages customers to become more responsible travelers. Explore is the recipient of the Responsible Tourism Awards, British Travel Awards, and Travel Trade Awards. And their commitment to sustainability focuses primarily on animal welfare and climate change. According to the website, Explore is actively reducing its carbon footprint through the supply chain , investing in reforestation, and protecting the remaining ancient rainforest in partnership with Cool Earth. They offset the residual carbon through ClimateCare and aim to be single-use-plastic free across all trips in the year 2021.

Like most of the platforms we’ve mentioned, Explore offers all kinds of tours- from food and drink to cycling to solo tours worldwide. They have a robust catalog of wildlife and trekking tours, which makes Explore an excellent resource for nature lovers who want the convenience of booking green tours using a large, well-known platform. 

4. Natural World Safaris

This award-winning global tour operator prefers to be called a “travel outfitter” designed to bring travelers as close as possible to iconic wildlife species across six continents. According to the website, their salespeople aren’t salespeople either – “they’re Destination Specialists, each one an expert in the regions that they work with.” Natural World Safaris closely monitors the impact of their tourism activities from ecological, cultural, and economic perspectives and partners with grassroots organizations and conservation NGOs to ensure long-term sustainability. 

 5. Yugen Earthside

This ecotourism company connects travelers with small-group tour operators in Europe, Africa, and Asia . Although Yugen Earthside does offer cultural tourism experiences, many of their tours revolve around relishing nature’s splendor. While they thoroughly evaluate trip operators before inviting them to the platform, they also acknowledge that the path to sustainability may not always be easy, and allow members to showcase their sustainable actions and goals with or without official certifications. Yugen Earthside also donates a percentage of profits to sustainable tourism development initiatives and encourages travelers to understand and reduce their ecological impacts with actionable advice. 

Disclaimer: Hey reader! Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase using any of these links, we’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Hidden Lemur is committed to promoting sustainable travel, and we only partner with brands that we believe contribute positively to that cause.

Madison Micucci

• / Sustainable Travel Tips

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Green Edventures Eco Tours & Expeditions

Women’s adventure travel – women’s expeditions – learning journeys, 2025 dates coming soon, choose your edventure.

• Women’s Adventure Tours
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Since 2009, Green Edventures has helped people fall in love with the Earth’s coolest animals and wild habitats in off-the-beaten-path places. We specialize in travel adventures for women, educational tours for student groups, and custom itineraries for private groups, individuals, and families.

Green Edventures is proud to be a partner of the Becoming An Outdoors Woman (BOW) program offered by the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point and we offer a number of our travel adventures for women in partnership with them.

Why Choose Green Edventures?

Alaska eco-tours that are active and rewarding. Experience the Kenai Peninsula’s beautiful mountains, rivers, glaciers and incredible wildlife!

Baja Sur, Mexico

Baja Sur, Mexico is your gateway to the Sea of Cortez. Amazing eco-tours including snorkeling with sea lions and giant whale sharks.

Costa Rica’s eco-tours that are all about the rainforest wildlife far from crowds. Specializing in the heart of biodiversity, the Osa Peninsula and surrounding areas.

Vancouver Island Kayaking in Orca Waters, wildlife, and eco tours.

Galapagos, Ecuador

An eco-tour to the Galapagos Islands. Land-based with snorkeling and hiking day trips. See giant land tortoises, sea lions, sharks, and turtles.

Eco-tours in Homosassa and Crystal River introduce you to the Nature Coast and include a life-changing experience snorkeling with wild manatees.

Iceland eco-tours and adventures that make you feel like a Viking! Explore Iceland by glacier trekking, hiking, kayaking, and horseback riding.

Go with the flow in Idaho. This eco-tour on the water include white water rafting the Salmon River, historic settlements, and getting off grid.

Cusco, Machu Picchu eco tours, Inca Trail, wilderness hikes, cultural tours.

Roatan, Honduras

Roatan, Honduras snorkeling, scuba diving Caribbean eco tours.

Tanzania Safari & Eco-tour. Experience the Great Migration, Masaai Tribe, hike Kilimanjaro, and more.

Trinidad & Tobago

Trinidad & Tobago eco-tours. Experience the real Caribbean! Explore rainforests and coral reefs. Meet giant Leatherback sea turtles!

Uganda, Africa

Uganda eco-tour is the ultimate African Safari. See mountain gorillas, elephants, giraffes and other incredible wildlife up close and in the wild.

A Wisconsin Eco-tour is full of fun outdoor activities like hiking historic trails, canoeing and biking. Led by local naturalist, scientists, and artists.

Home to Yellowstone National Park. Join us in any season to experience the Serengeti of the USA. See bison, elk, big horn sheep, bears, eagle, and more.

Or Choose Your Tour Type:

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Notes from the field:, ordinary people doing extraordinary things in wild places worldwide….

Iceland 2024: Magic Yarn Knitting & Northern Lights Zoom Info Session Recording

Jan 29, 2024 | About GreenEdventures , Adventure Buddies , Becoming An Outdoors Woman - BOW , Eco Tour Blog , Eco Tour Destinations , Eco Tours , Iceland , Notes From The Field , Travel Adventures For Women , Women Only Tours , Womens Adventures

Embark on a learning journey through rural north west Iceland that stitches together knitting workshops, cultural experiences and opportunities to see the northern lights! Join us online to learn...

2024 Iceland Multi Sport Zoom Info Session Replay

Jan 13, 2024 | About GreenEdventures , Adventure Buddies , All Tours , Eco Tour Blog , Eco Tour Destinations , Eco Tours , Hiking , Iceland , Notes From The Field , Travel Adventures For Women , Women Only Tours , Womens Adventures

Discover Iceland by paddle, saddle, and on foot! Come see for yourself why Iceland is one of the top travel destinations. We will explore Iceland's popular treasures, and off-the-beaten-path places...

Women’s Adventures Africa Tours Info Sessions January 2024 | Join us on Zoom January 2024.

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So you want to go to Africa? Join us online to learn everything you need to know about our tours and hiking adventures in Tanzania and Uganda, and how you can join us is 2024 or beyond. If you have...

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Explore the world sustainably with our green travel adventures and eco-resorts!

Discover Sustainable Eco-Resorts and Green Travel Adventures for an Earth-Friendly Journey

Looking for an eco-friendly and sustainable way to travel while experiencing amazing adventures?

Green Options

Welcome to the Green Travel List where we explore the best of authentic ecotourism resorts and experiences. Ecotourism is not just about being environmentally friendly but also about immersing yourself in a new culture, learning about the local flora and fauna and supporting the local communities. In this review site, we will take you on a journey to discover hidden gems that offer not just luxurious accommodation but also a chance to understand the delicate balance of nature and the importance of preserving it. From treehouses to eco-resorts, we will show you how you can travel in harmony with nature and leave a positive impact on the places you visit. So join us as we discover the beauty of sustainable travel and the joys of being one with nature. We list and rate green, eco, sustainable travel options from treehouses to yurts In the United States , Canada , or Mexico to the jungles of Costa Rica  and the deserts of  Western Australia.

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Eco-friendly travel has become increasingly popular in recent years as more and more people are looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact while exploring new places. One way to do this is by choosing to stay at eco-resorts, treehouses, and other unique ecotourism experiences.

Eco-resorts are a great option for those looking to reduce their environmental impact while still enjoying the amenities and luxuries of a traditional resort. These resorts often use renewable energy sources, promote conservation of local flora and fauna, and have implemented a variety of sustainable practices.

Treehouses are another unique and eco-friendly option for travelers. These unique accommodations allow guests to feel like they are living in harmony with nature, while also providing a comfortable and unique experience. Many treehouses are built using sustainable materials and are designed to have minimal impact on the surrounding environment.

Ecotourism experiences are also a great way to explore new places while also learning about and supporting conservation efforts. These experiences can include activities such as wildlife safaris, guided nature walks, and cultural immersions. Many ecotourism experiences are led by local experts who can provide valuable insights into the area’s natural and cultural heritage.

When looking for an eco-friendly vacation , it’s also important to consider the mode of transportation used to reach the destination. Choosing to travel by train or bus instead of flying can greatly reduce the carbon footprint of the trip.

Authentic travel is also one of the best ways to experience a new place while also supporting local communities. Staying in locally-owned accommodations and eating at local restaurants are great ways to support the community and learn more about the local culture.

Overall, eco-friendly travel is a great way to explore new places while also reducing the environmental impact of the trip. Eco-resorts, treehouses, and ecotourism experiences offer unique and authentic ways to experience a new place while also supporting conservation efforts and local communities.

Sustainability is a slippery term and is banded around as much by big businesses looking to make a quick buck at the expense of the environment is it is authentically. The proliferation of greenwashing and the like by some big travel websites has also meant it is harder to find travel options which really do enact positive change and enhance biodiversity. We look to take into account the whole spectrum of possibilities that contribute to a truly green hotel, lodge, or resort.  

We ask you to vet the levels of environmental friendliness the resorts on our lists offer. What are the levels of biological diversity they sustain, the richness of cultural distinctiveness demonstrated, how they contribute to local economies and the quality of employment, social equity and community well-being  they provide. All these are aspects of how we could rate resorts and eco travel experiences, and we invite our community to participate in reviews. 

Organic, ethical, and sustainable food is important for both people and the environment. Reading about a farmers’ market or visiting a local grocery store provide insight into seasons and the importance of eating healthy food. 

Learning about the environment can be done through various types of green travel experiences like taking an eco-friendly coffee tour or renting an electric car. These experiences bring nature into the lives of children and help them understand how to take care of the world around them. 

Learning about people: Traveling can provide insight into different cultures and lifestyles. 

Learning about different customs and traditions during a cultural exchange trip in places like Bali or Costa Rica will help children develop an understanding of other people around the world.

Traveling is a great way to get closer to the world and learn about its many cultures. This is why it is significant to find eco-friendly travel options that regenerate local ecosystems and leave a positive impact on the surrounding environment. This article shares some of the best green, eco, sustainable travel experiences with you. The authors provide their own personal experience as well as recommendations for other readers who are looking for eco-friendly travel options.

The authors have also included a list of exceptional destinations that are worth visiting if you want to experience sustainable travel.

All-Inclusive Luxury Adventures: “Imagine sinking your toes into the sand at a luxury resort where every detail is taken care of. From gourmet meals to exciting activities, experience the pinnacle of hassle-free vacations. Dive into a curated list of the finest all-inclusive luxury resorts that offer exceptional value and unparalleled relaxation.”

11 Top Sustainable Travel Companies That Support Eco-Friendly Tourism

These sustainable tourism companies give you endless ethical wanderlust.

Updated by Francesca Brooking

Edited & Fact Checked By Amber McDaniel

Updated September 7, 2023

We independently research all featured brands and products. To avoid waste, we test products on an as needed basis. This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission. Learn more about why we do this here .

We love to travel—but if you’re like us, the conflicting eco-anxieties and GHGs associated with globetrotting can cast a grey cloud over your grand adventure.

For a better way to see the world, discover our favorite sustainable travel companies that enrich not only your life, but the places you visit.

From conservation projects and off-grid lodges to all-inclusive safari tours, boutique hotels and bespoke luxury itineraries that really do help the local communities, the below eco-friendly tourism companies wear their green hearts on their sleeves.

Our Curated List Of The Best Eco Tour Companies For Responsible Roaming

How can the travel industry be sustainable.

It’s no secret that the tourism industry has its fair share of ethical and environmental issues. 

Carbon and fuel-intensive flights, over tourism, exploitation, animal cruelty—the list goes on.

Not to mention tourism leakage, a process in which most of the money generated by tourism goes into the pockets of billion-dollar travel companies rather than into local communities that need it. 

However, you don’t need to hang up your suitcase for good. If done responsibly, tourism can have a profoundly positive impact on both the traveler and the destinations they visit.

With the right planning or travel companies, sustainable travel supports livelihoods and funnels your money directly into the local economy. 

It allows small businesses to flourish, funds community projects, and helps protect the environment by showcasing its economic value if left intact. 

To us, the environment is already priceless, but what we mean here is that sustainable tourism (whether solo or with the assistance of eco travel agents and tour operators) can help conserve the natural world by preventing it from being turned into farmland or apartment buildings! 

While tourism still has a long way to go, sustainable travel companies are pioneering positive change in the industry. 

From employing local guides to offering flight-free holidays and measuring their environmental and cultural impact, these tour operators make sure they benefit every destination they facilitate trips to.

Keep reading to find our top recommended environmentally conscious trips and jump to the bottom to learn what we consider when planning a trip with eco-tourism and sustainable travel in mind.

11 Eco-Friendly Tourism Companies To Book Your Vacation With

1. responsible travel.

The clue is in the name with Responsible Travel . They’ve led the way in eco-friendly vacations and ecotourism tours since the turn of the century.

This eco travel agency has over 5,000 adventures on offer to destinations all over the world.

Choose from hiking, conservation, diving, kayaking, cycling tours or head off to track snow leopards, swim with the whales or cruise Antarctica.

Responsible Travel has a give-back program, which campaigns for positive change with NGOs and activists.

Its eco travel options focus on local culture and local people, making sure your money goes to independent businesses and supports animal conservation.

You won’t find any elephant rides or exploitative practices here. In fact, they’re an excellent resource for learning about the difference between ethical and unethical wildlife experiences. 

2. &Beyond

One of the top eco-friendly travel companies for luxury safaris, &Beyond goes above and beyond investing back into the local environment. They focus on small-group and tailor-made tours in Africa, Asia, South America, and the Indian Ocean.

If you’re keen to tick off the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino), you have plenty of ethical choices with their range of responsible luxury safaris in 11 African countries with 29 camps and lodges that all employ local guides.

Search for wildlife on the Serengeti, track the great migration, explore Masai Mara national park or glide in a hot air balloon over the Namib Desert.

One example is their Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp in Botswana which has a state-of-the-art Tesla solar power plant that gives them 80% of their energy.

They also have a responsible travel policy which looks after the land, people and animals. Environmental projects in Botswana include rhino conservation, supporting local isolated communities and providing them with access to safe drinking water. 

Kynder cuts to the chase.

This eco-travel platform brings together the best hotels, cafés, bars and restaurants in Europe and the USA that are eco-friendly, humane, kind and community loving.

We’re talking kind to the planet, to staff, their locality and kind to you, too. 

Find the off-the-beaten-track places that make your sustainable trip, from coffee shops hiring only refugees to the coolest eco hotels and holistic retreats.

All hotels and hospitality establishments must pass a rigorous set of guidelines to be accepted onto their platform. 

That way, you can be confident that these small businesses are truly genuine. No greenwashing here. 

4. Undiscovered Mountains

Undiscovered Mountains is one of the top travel companies for sustainable tourism in the French Alps.

From skiing and snow-touring to building an igloo in winter to mountain biking, rock climbing and cycling in the summer, it’s all here. 

It’s possible to do horse riding, wildlife holidays, walks, kayaking and fishing holidays. Any active, outdoor adventure holiday you can think of, you will most likely find it. 

It has special packages for families and singles, so you can guarantee you’re always paying a fair price. 

Plus, Undiscovered Mountains only works with local guides, independent accommodation and responsible partners. 

Rest assured, all your hard-earned cash goes to the people who deserve it and those who help protect this stunning European mountain range.

5. Adventure Alternative

Among sustainable travel companies, UK-based Adventure Alternative is calling other mountain enthusiasts with sights set on remote, rugged adventures worldwide.

This responsible travel tour operator is based in Ireland but takes intrepid souls all over the world, from Borneo to East Africa. This is the company for you if you’re interested in climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or making the trek to Everest Base Camp. 

For slightly more laid-back trips, there are also wildlife tours and safaris. 

As well as hiking and trekking, Adventure Alternative is a member of Fair Trade Volunteering. 

The sustainable travel company runs volunteering trips through Moving Mountains in various countries across the globe, which makes sure each project is needed and useful.

They also invest heavily in their whole supply chain, from local guides to community projects, and they works to a framework set by sustainable travel principles.

6. Intrepid Travel

While Intrepid Travel has been around for years, the eco-tourism operator is no slow coach when it comes to slow and sustainable trips. 

They’re not just a Certified B Corp , but the largest travel company in the world to become one.

They pride themselves on incorporating the principles of sustainable development in the way they provide travelers with authentic and real-life experiences.

Simply put, these are small group trips all over the world, from Greenland to Oman that get you up close and personal with wildlife and cultural highlights with local guides and specialist experts.

You can book cycling, sailing or wildlife trips with them, too. There are family-friendly tours, expedition cruises, women’s expeditions, tailor-made itineraries, National Geographic expeditions and budget-conscious tours for those aged 18-29. 

Whatever your travel style, you’ll find your perfect eco travel experience. 

The Intrepid Foundation also supports 50 community and conservation projects all over the world. Plus, they cover all administration costs so 100% of your donation goes directly to the project of your choosing. 

7. Kind Traveler

Kind Traveler is a socially conscious ‘Give + Get’ hotel booking platform that empowers travellers to be a force for good.

$10 goes to a local community or charity close to where you’re staying, and you’ll unlock an exclusive rate at that hotel or destination across the US and beyond.

Kind Traveler is one of a growing number of eco travel companies that want to harness the power of routine bookings we already make and use them to benefit the planet. It’s a simple yet effective way to give back when booking your trip. 

An example of one of the best traveler companies that have implemented sustainable tourism policies, Kind Traveler’s goals are aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): preventing poverty and hunger, protecting the planet, and promoting well-being for individuals and animals.

One of the top sustainable travel companies South America -bound travelers have, Aracari organizes eco-luxury holidays and boutique trips around Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador—including the Galapagos Islands.

In recognition of their ethical efforts, sustainable brand consultants Positive Luxury has awarded the tour operator the prestigious Butterfly Mark.

They’re also a favorite with Conde Nast Traveller, and their specialist guides are some of the best in the business.

They infuse all of their tours with environmental and social good, foster long-term relationships with local communities, help you reduce your environmental footprint, and ensure everyone gets paid a living wage.

Really experience Latin American culture with authentic homestays on Lake Titicaca or get access to exclusive local accommodation from Aracari’s black book of contacts that no one else has. 

For a more hands-on experience, spend time with community projects like Tierra de los Yachaqs, a philanthropic organization determined to preserve the history and traditions of local people in Peru’s Sacred Valley.

9. Rickshaw Travel

Rickshaw Travel has a whole host of independent and authentic trips that get under the skin of Southeast Asia.

Explore Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand with their ethical and impactful itineraries.

The global sustainable tour operator also offers trips to India, Japan, China, and Bhutan as well as destinations in Central and South America plus Europe and North America.

This company is all about meaningful travel experiences, meeting people and discovering unique local cultures and customs.

Choose to go trekking, discover landscapes by bike, tuck into amazing street food and meet the people that make an eco-travel trip an unforgettable experience.

Head out on a flight-free holiday with slow travel experts Byway .

This eco-friendly tour company arranges slow travel adventures across the UK and Europe by train, bike, ferry and foot – no planes in sight here. 

Their dynamic trip builder creates personal trips and tours based on your interests, while your virtual guide can assist with your journey via WhatsApp. 

Byway manages all your itinerary and bookings and comes up with the perfect sustainable tours for solo, couple, or family travelers.

We love their commitment to authentic travel without the carbon footprint of flying. 

All your accommodation is locally owned, too. Think: family-owned B&Bs and boutique hotels, all with the utmost comfort—and of course, fabulous breakfasts!

11. Earth Changers

Inspirational, transformative tourism is what’s on offer at Earth Changers , an online travel booking platform which features a list of environmental holidays whether it’s adventure, active breaks, or conservation trips. 

At the moment there are ten destinations which include the first-ever marine conservation reserve in Tanzania to Floreana, which is the smallest of the inhabited islands in the Galapagos archipelago.

You don’t have to book far-flung destinations either. Join an authentic mountain ranch in Croatia or do an adventure trip in Wales much closer to home. 

Earth Changers is a global eco-tourism project that truly has a positive impact, and you’ll get to meet world-changing pioneers along the way. 

How Did We Choose The Top Eco-Tourism Companies?

Eco-tourism and sustainable travel are often used interchangeably. 

So what is an eco-tourism company? And how does it differ from a sustainable travel company?

An eco-tourism operator tends to focus on low-impact, nature-based tours that conserve the environment through culture and education. 

Think gorilla trekking in Rwanda with Intrepid Travel, staying in an eco-lodge with Aracari or booking a conservation holiday with Earth Changers. 

Sustainable tourism is the umbrella term for eco-friendly travel. It’s based on the three pillars of sustainability: economic impact, sociocultural impact and environmental impact.

The idea is that travelers have the option to choose sustainable practices in all aspects of their trip. Kind Traveler’s hotel booking platform and Kynder are perfect examples of this. 

Let’s explore some of our essential criteria for evaluating each sustainable travel company.

Carbon Goals & Achievements: 

A truly eco travel company should prioritize carbon footprint reduction by offering flight-free alternatives, promoting train, bike, and ferry travel over flights.

If flights are part of the experience,they should be utilizing some of the best carbon offset programs to counteract the carbon footprint of those flights.

Sustainable Accommodations:

We want to explore with sustainable travel companies that curate experiences with eco-friendly hotels and restaurants, guaranteeing that your stay supports businesses that are kind to the planet and their communities.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: 

Respect for cultures being visited is an obvious essential, sustainable travel or not, but we also want companies that support local communities with meaningful cultural exchanges, fair employment of local guides, and additional investment in economic development in destination regions.

In other words, your money should be mostly staying in the community you’re visiting.

Pay It Forward:

We love to see charitable initiatives that give back to these communities in additional ways, such as supporting local conservation and social programs.

Closing Thoughts On Sustainable Tourism Companies

As you can see, eco-tourism and sustainable travel work towards creating an industry that gives back, uplifts local communities and protects fragile environments.

 They also provide you with much more authentic and rewarding travel experiences.

Have a green travel lover in your life?

Share this list of the top eco tour companies and spark their eco-friendly wanderlust.

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Exciting and educational travel experiences for students

Unforgettable performance opportunities, inclusive trips at a great value, worry-free group travel planning, memorable learning opportunities, captivating destinations to explore, featured destinations, london and paris, corpus christi, new orleans, create a memorable group trip without the frustration.

Green Light Group Tours plans all-inclusive trips that offer a great “bang for your buck.” We specialize in performance group travel for bands, choirs, orchestras, theatre classes and dance teams. You don’t travel with a tuba? We also provide travel for those with less luggage: 8th grade class trips, IB classes, college visits, family reunions. We even had a group of Australians fly across the globe to attend a space camp in Alabama! If you have a group and you want to travel, give us a call!

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When you choose to tour with Green Light, you're giving your students an immersive, educational experience. We'll take care of the details so you can have a stress-free trip and your students can see the curriculum brought to life.

School Leaders

We work to create a personal and ongoing relationship. We offer all-inclusive trips that give students experiential learning opportunities and give your staff the chance to expand upon their teaching outside of the classroom.

We are dedicated to giving your child an enriching travel experience - keeping them completely safe and your budget intact. They'll return home inspired and confident, with memories and lessons that will shape their future.

Get out of your comfort zone and out of the classroom when you sign up for a trip with us. You'll have a blast learning and making memories that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

What people say

Green Light Group Tours Rocks! I have had the pleasure of working with them for MANY years and I have them handle my group’s travel details. I have a large chorus and musical theatre program from St. Johns County Center for the Arts at St. Augustine High School and all I have to do is call them up, tell them what I want / need and like magic it happens! I would not use another company for my travel needs AND the staff is so easy and friendly to work with. If you are not using Green Light Group Tours then you should switch…TODAY!

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Auntie Karen was great! She was flexible in our pickup and drop off location. She showed us many sites and gave us plenty of time to explore each site. We visited the Japanese garden, black sand beach, the volcano and lava tube. We also stopped at the big island candy shop to purchase some delicious treats. Auntie Karen gave us lots of information about each site and shared stories of Hawaiian tradition and personal experiences.

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Discover 15 of California's Top Wine Tours

Posted: July 6, 2024 | Last updated: July 6, 2024

Painted Ladies Wine Country Tour

The Painted Ladies Tour Company is famous for its San Francisco city tours in vintage VW buses. They also offer small-group tours through Sonoma Valley, visiting up-and-coming wine producers. Guests appreciate the friendly guides, road-trip atmosphere, and thoughtfully selected wineries, including an Italian winery for lunch. Don't miss the Golden Gate Bridge photo op that’s perfect for an Instagram selfie!

Paso Robles Company Toast Tours

Toast Tours is perfect for groups with varied tastes, offering visits to distilleries, microbreweries, cideries, and wineries. Their 12-person shuttle bus tours in Paso Robles include stops at Tablas Creek Vineyard, known for organic Rhone-inspired wines and its adorable alpacas. Other tours combine wine tasting with visits to Hearst Castle and Pismo Beach.

Bin 415 Private Tours

Bin 415 sets itself apart with guides who are certified sommeliers. They offer private, customizable tours in Mercedes SUVs, exploring the celebrated varietals of Sonoma and Napa. Highlights include French country cooking and farm-to-table lunches. For those looking to splurge, Bin 415 can try to secure a reservation at the coveted French Laundry.

Squire Livery Tours

Squire Livery Tours, led by Napa/Sonoma expert Kent Higginbotham, offers personalized tours with a two-car fleet. Whether you prefer to be hands-on or leave the planning to the guides, Squire Livery ensures a delightful experience with private tastings and expert knowledge. Past guests rave about the warm, unhurried tours.

Baja California Wine Tours

Starting from San Diego, Baja California Wine Tours takes you to the highland vineyards of northwest Mexico's Valle de Guadalupe. Enjoy chardonnay to malbec, stunning mountain scenery, and stops at a 19th-century horse ranch, film studio water tanks, and Mexican beach towns like Ensenada and Rosarito for ceviche and horseback riding.

Food & Farm Tours

Food & Farm Tours celebrates Northern California’s artisanal food scene with visits to food producers and organic farms in Marin and Sonoma. Popular tours include Hog Island Oyster Farm, Cowgirl Creamery, and Brickmaiden Breads. Tailored tours offer sparkling honey wine at Heidrun Meadery and organic whites and reds at McEvoy Ranch.

Sustainable Wine Tours

Sustainable Wine Tours specializes in small-group tours of Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara wine country. Touring in Tesla SUVs or Mercedes Sprinters, guests visit family-owned wineries for private tastings and learn about winemaking from estate owners. Enjoy charcuterie boards while sampling exquisite wines.

Noble Wine Tours

Noble Wine Tours, led by Austin Smith, offers personalized itineraries in Napa and Sonoma based on guest preferences. Whether you're a wine novice or an expert, Smith's knowledge and professionalism make the experience memorable. Smith also doubles as a photographer, capturing the highlights of your tour.

Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley

The Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley is a hand-built replica of a San Francisco streetcar offering six-hour tours. The tour includes three winery visits, a boxed lunch, and a history lesson of the area. It's perfect for wine lovers wanting to explore Sonoma's sprawling estates and wine caves.

Fantesca Estate & Winery

Fantesca Estate & Winery, nestled in the hills of Napa Valley, offers an exclusive wine-tasting experience. Known for its limited-production wines, Fantesca focuses on quality and craftsmanship. The winery, co-owned by Susan and Duane Hoff, provides a serene atmosphere where guests can enjoy stunning vineyard views and guided tastings of their acclaimed wines.

St. Clair Brown Winery & Brewery

St. Clair Brown Winery & Brewery in Napa Valley stands out for its unique combination of winemaking and brewing. Owned by Elaine St. Clair, the only female commercial winemaker and brewer in the U.S., it offers tastings of small-batch wines and craft beers. The urban garden setting enhances the experience, making it a must-visit for wine and beer enthusiasts.

Green Dream Tours

Green Dream Tours offers private and small-group tours of Napa and Sonoma. Ride in luxury vehicles with a private guide for a day of wine tasting. The Combo Tour of Napa and Sonoma is popular, including all tasting fees and a stop at Oxbow Public Market for lunch. Green Dream's attention to detail makes each tour special.

Napa Valley Wine Train

The Napa Valley Wine Train combines the elegance of train travel with wine tasting. The three-hour journey from Downtown Napa to St. Helena includes sipping varietals from vineyards like Castello Di Amorosa and Sequoia Grove. Enjoy picturesque views and gourmet meals with options for special experiences like murder mystery dinners.

Sonoma Valley All-Inclusive Wine Tour

Enjoy a Sonoma Valley wine experience with ease with this private all-inclusive wine tasting tour. Depart from your Bay Area accommodation in a private vehicle and make your way to Sonoma. Taste a variety of local wines at different wineries in the area and take a midday break for a picnic lunch.

Crocker & Starr

Crocker & Starr, located in Napa Valley, is renowned for its exceptional wines crafted by co-owner Pam Starr and winemaker Evyn Cameron. The winery focuses on sustainable practices, producing highly-praised cabernet francs and sauvignon blancs. Visitors enjoy intimate tastings and stunning vineyard views, making it a must-visit for wine lovers.

For more travel tips and hacks , visit our website and explore our resources to enhance your next adventure .

The post Discover 15 of California’s Top Wine Tours appeared first on Travel Reveal .

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Some Caribbean islands see almost 'total destruction' after Hurricane Beryl

A more complete picture emerged Wednesday of the extensive damage wrought by Hurricane Beryl's trek across the Windward Islands, revealing destruction and at least seven deaths.

At least three islands report more than 90% of the homes and buildings either destroyed or severely damaged, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency reported Wednesday . All three are within the chain of Grenadine Islands, where Beryl roared into the Caribbean on the southern end of the Windwards, between St. Vincent and Grenada.

With 19 participating states across the Caribbean , the agency was helping coordinate disaster response on Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines even as it continued to track Beryl’s movements across Jamaica, Cayman Islands and Belize. The eye of Beryl, still a Category 4 storm, raked Jamaica's coast Wednesday afternoon and was expected to pass near the Cayman Islands Thursday morning, before making landfall in the Yucatan on Friday morning.

The damage estimates for the Windwards – where Beryl made landfall over Carriacou – are only "a very preliminary look," said Elizabeth Riley, the disaster management agency's executive director. Beryl struck the islands with sustained winds of 150 mph and higher gusts on Monday, and the National Hurricane Center had warned that winds could be up to 30% higher on the tops of hills and mountains.

The impacts to the Grenadine Islands are "quite significant," Riley said, leaving residents exposed and vulnerable. Even as recovery efforts began, a tropical wave brought rain and gusty winds Wednesday to the suffering residents.

Grenada prime minister discusses damage on Carriacou

In a briefing late Tuesday after spending more than two hours in a helicopter provided by the government of St. Lucia, Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell described "total destruction" on the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

"There's really nothing that can prepare you to see this level of destruction," Mitchell said. "It is almost Armageddon-like, almost total damage and destruction of all buildings. Complete devastation and destruction of agriculture. Complete and total destruction of the natural environment."

"There is literally no vegetation left anywhere on the island of Carriacou; the mangroves are totally destroyed, the boats and the marinas significantly damaged," he said. "There is almost complete destruction of the electrical grid system in Carriacou. The entire communication system is completely destroyed."

However, Mitchell added, he'd been heartened by the volunteers "showing true Grenadian spirit" by arriving from other less damaged areas in boats and fishing vessels to begin delivering relief supplies to those affected.

Hurricane Beryl's fearsome seas As Beryl tears through Caribbean, a drone sends back stunning footage

Beryl damage updates

The following are the preliminary assessments Riley listed:

Carriacou, Grenada

• The total population of 6,081 has been affected, so shelter is "a significant consideration."
• Majority of homes and buildings have been extensively damaged
• Communications have been significantly compromised

Petite Martinique, Grenada

• Estimated 80% of the houses and buildings extensively damaged or destroyed
• 900 people affected
• Majority of the island is sheltering in place

Canouan, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

• 100% of the island's population (12,600) has been affected
• An estimated 90% of the houses were damaged, either extensively or destroyed
• Police station in Charlestown lost its roof

Union Island, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

• Full population of 3,000 was affected by extensive damage
• Estimated 98% of buildings, including houses badly damaged or destroyed
• Airport control tower destroyed, hospital roof destroyed
• Power plant received significant damage
• Government assisting people who wish to evacuate

Mayreau, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

• Total population of 300 people affected
• 90% of the housing stock and buildings have been damaged or destroyed

Palm Island, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

• Resort and desalination plant significantly damaged
• More than 40 homes with damage, a number expected to rise
• Confirmed significant damage to the fishing sector
• More than 200 boats damaged
• Significant damage to the coastal infrastructure, particularly along the south coast 
• Partial road obstruction
• Significant damage on southern end 

Trinidad and Tobago

• Power outages
• Water disruption on Tobago 
• Roadway blockages on both islands

Bequia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

• An estimated 10% of the homes and buildings suffered roof damage
• Airport and runway are usable
• Minimal damages reported

Mitchell, Grenada's prime minister, said the island's northernmost parish, Saint Patrick suffered significant damage. The parishes of Saint Andrew, Saint Mark and Saint John also suffered much more damage than the parishes of Saint George and Saint David.

"It is clear that agriculture has taken quite a battering. It is clear that many persons have lost their roofs," Mitchell said. "It is clear, in some instances, many people have lost their entire homes."

Dinah Voyles Pulver covers climate and the environment for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] or @dinahvp.

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How to Choose the Right Tour Group

Group size, participants’ age range, style of travel and budget are among the factors you should consider when selecting an itinerary.

By Elaine Glusac

Elaine Glusac is the Frugal Traveler columnist, focusing on budget-friendly tips and journeys.

Tour companies that offer multiday trips arrange most everything for you: lodging, sightseeing, food and transportation. But group size, style of travel and budget are among the considerations travelers should assess before picking a tour. Read on for tips.

Big group or small

Start your research by thinking about how many people you want to travel with and what your tolerance is for the social demands dictated by group size.

Smaller groups can move more nimbly and possibly see more. But they can also be more intensely social as you spend a great deal of time with the same people touring and dining.

Larger groups tend to require more time to get around, but they can also offer more social variety — for example, you can change up your lunch partners more easily.

“Large groups offer anonymity, allowing travelers to choose their level of interaction,” said Deborah Miller, a travel adviser and the owner of Edge of Wonder Travels Unlimited in San Francisco. “Conversely, smaller groups foster intimacy among travelers, guides and the destination itself.”

Look for age-appropriate trips

Think about the demographics of your travel party and consider matching that to a tour company.

Operators often segment their trips by age under the assumption that similarly aged people have more in common or prefer the same pace. Road Scholar , for example, caters to an intellectually curious 50-plus crowd.

On the other end of the spectrum, G Adventures offers a category of trips for “18-to-thirtysomethings” and Intrepid Travel has trips for 18-to-35-year-olds.

With their inherent age spans, families can be a tough demographic to fit into larger group departures, which is why companies tend to break up family offerings by age group.

The active tour company Backroads has three age segments for families, including trips for those with children 4 to 19, those with older teens and younger adults into their 20s, and those with children in their 20s and beyond.

“By definition, that creates somewhat of an age segmentation among parents, too,” said Tom Hale, the founder, president and chief executive of Backroads.

Go general or specific

A popular option for first-timers, a general tour will hit the highlights of a destination, like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre in Paris or major sites in Tokyo and Kyoto in Japan.

Beyond the general approach, alternatives abound based on themes, styles of travel or hobbies.

Themed trips include a culinary tour of Sicily , a deep dive into literary England , Europe’s World War II battlefields and how women live in India .

In addition to topics, trips often revolve around the means of travel, such as going by train , on foot or by boat (a category that can be further segmented by size, from a cruise ship to a barge or a kayak ).

Tours can also allow you to pursue an interest like swimming or knitting in a unique destination.

Analyze tour inclusions

Once you determine where and how you want to go, prices will range from budget to luxury.

“For travelers on a budget, large group tours tend to be the best fit because it’s a great way to see major attractions at a lower price point,” said Cheyenne Schriefer, a travel adviser and the owner of All Travel Matters in Golden Valley, N.D.

But not all tours are built the same. To compare them, consider what they include.

For example, G Adventures has a 10-day hiking trip in Switzerland from $1,799 a person and a 10-day hiking trip in Portugal for $4,499. The latter is billed as a luxury trip, so the accommodations are pricier, but it also includes most meals, transfers and activities. The Swiss tour offers more basic lodgings, transfers, optional activities available for a fee, and fewer meals.

“Sometimes fewer inclusions are better than more,” said Pauline Frommer, co-president of Frommer Media, which publishes Frommer’s guidebooks . She pointed out that restaurants that can accommodate busloads probably don’t attract local traffic and that independent sightseeing allows you to “wander through local neighborhoods to get the feel of local life.”

Expertise of the guide or tour leader can also alter the price and the experience. You can expect to pay more for a tour led by a specialist, such as an Egyptologist guiding a group along the Nile.

Gauge your level of independence

Do you prefer to follow a strict schedule that relieves you from having to find, say, a restaurant for dinner? Or do you appreciate some structure — like knowing your hotel reservations are covered — but also want free time to explore independently?

Tour companies run the gamut. Before booking, read the itineraries carefully to find out if the schedule is tight or loose. If that is not clear, call the company to ask.

For truly independent travelers, self-guided tours offered by companies such as Inntravel , Exodus Adventure Travels and Macs Adventure make your ground arrangements and provide an itinerary to follow. Popular in Europe, these itineraries tend to be inn-to-inn walking or cycling trips that include luggage transfers.

“Self-guided travelers are independent but love the support of having a trip arranged for them, and they don’t want to hike with a big backpack anymore,” said Jasper Verlaan, the U.S. sales director for Macs Adventure.

Ask for recommendations

If you’re still unsure about putting down a deposit once you’ve done your research, ask the tour company if you may speak to a past client.

“Ask for references,” said Lynn Cutler, the senior vice president of travel for Smithsonian Enterprises, which runs the tour company Smithsonian Journeys . “We’ll find them a traveler who has done this trip in the past and put them in touch.”

For more travel advice, visit our collection of Travel 101 tips and hacks.

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Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

London:  A writer used Camille Pissarro’s paintings of suburban London and a “lost” railway as a lens for exploring the city’s history  — and settling an arcane mystery.

Dublin,:  While the Irish capital has become a more international hub, locals have made efforts to ensure what makes the city unique — its spirited personality and famed hospitality  — doesn’t get entirely swallowed up.

Norway:  Can A.I. devise a bucket-list vacation to the Scandinavian nation that checks all the boxes: culture, nature, hotels and transportation? We put three virtual assistants to the test .

The Berkshires:  A writer shares his favorite ways to experience the often-overlooked  Housatonic River in western Massachusetts.