By working with Rainforest Concern, we encourage people to visit the extraordinary Amazon rainforest and help to protect this threatened natural habitat and the indigenous people that live there.
When people book with Andean Trails, we ask them to donate to Rainforest Concern – a registered charity in the UK – to help to protect the amazing areas that are being visited, or to offset their carbon with Rainforest Concern’s Forest Credits carbon offsetting scheme.
Biodiversity
The world’s tropical rainforests are the richest and most diverse habitats on earth. They represent a vast reservoir of knowledge and contain a wealth of ecosystems and wildlife, with many species still undiscovered. Rainforest Concern was established in 1993 to protect threatened natural habitats, the biodiversity they contain and the indigenous people who still depend on them.
Central to Rainforest Concern’s philosophy is the establishment of strong partnerships with small yet dynamic organisations in the countries where it operates. Such long-term partnerships have repeatedly shown to result in the continued success of projects.
Conservation work
This sometimes includes the purchase of land, usually in the name of the local NGO or the local communities. Emphasis is placed on the creation of forest ‘corridors’ that connect existing protected areas, avoiding the risk of fragmentation and enabling species to move freely from one to another. Programmes of alternative income generation, health and education are developed with the local communities living near the projects.
These are designed to reduce the negative human impact on forests arising through, for example, cattle ranching and subsistence farming. It also has well established volunteer programmes. These include groups of gap year students as well as mature volunteers who work on projects that include tree planting, trail maintenance and data collection.
Carbon offsetting
Rainforest Concern’s Forest Credits, is a not for profit carbon offset programme, running and managing Rainforest Concern’s own offset projects. This well established programme protects threatened areas from deforestation. Forest Credit’s current priority is the Neblina Reserve, in North West Ecuador. The cloud forest is part of a larger plan, the Choco-Andean Corridor Project, to create a biological corridor in one of the most biodiverse regions of the world.
The carbon offsetting program has the aim to not just offset carbon but also to protect endangered habitats and species; protect the important water storage the forest provides, that helps regulate the climate; and protect the local communities who have always relied on these forests. Forest Credits are independently assessed and audited in line with IPCC methodologies.
You can calculate and offset the carbon emissions for your trip, or find out more about Forest Credits by visiting www.forestcredits.org.uk
Or let us know if you’d like us to offset with Rainforest Concern’s Forest Credits programme, and we’ll offset on your behalf. Rainforest Concern will send you a Forest Credits certificate acknowledging the offset.
Work in the UK
Rainforest Concern operates an ‘acre sponsorship’ programme to encourage the public to become directly involved in rainforest conservation.
The GBP 25 per half acre requested, goes towards purchase and protection of rainforest at one of our projects.
Andean Trails donates annually to Rainforest Concern.
Please visit the Rainforest Concern website or contact us for more information.
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+44 (0)131 378 5593
+44 (0)131 554 6025
info@andeantrails.co.uk
I had a fantastic adventure! So many things to thank you for! The highlight was the trip to Galapagos. The combination of the Bonita, the activities (snorkelling and kayaking in particular), the wildlife, the weather, the companions and the crew made it easily the highlight of the trip. I was sorry to leave and could have stayed another week. The low point was when I suffered from vertigo on day 2 of the Highlands walk. We came across a narrow ledge with a steep drop. Pablo, our guide guided me across the ledge confidently. I also found the final ascent to the Ruminahui volcano too steep to attempt. Accommodation was very good. All the staff at every accommodation were excellent, very welcoming, friendly and happy to help us with anything. The food at every accommodation on the trek, on the cruise and at the cloud forest was very good - I loved eating new fruits and fruit juices. The food was always freshly made and of good quality. The only 'satisfactory ' food was at the hotel in Quito! Guides were excellent, a particular shout out for Pablo on our trek. He was very knowledgeable, good company and good fun. Excellent organization, we were looked after every step of the way. It would be helpful to say in your information that some sections of the walk are very steep (the Ruminahui volcano) and there are some narrow ledges which may not be suitable for people with any kind of vertigo. We had a somewhat frustrating day in Quito as two of the churches and a museum we had planned to visit were closed. Perhaps a note in your information to tell travellers to check websites of churches/museums/places of interest before they set out might be useful. A fantastic adventure! The trip was so well organised and you have been incredibly helpful in sorting out our itinerary. So many experiences and memories, thank you!
After an initial chat on the phone, Tom received our general brief for a month-long trip to Patagonia, to include a few specific places and activities with an emphasis on trekking. His first comprehensive draft arrived soon after. Subsequently, it was a joy to work with Tom as he swiftly and effectively amended the plan to reflect our evolving appreciation of where we were heading. Nothing seemed too much trouble, repeat questions included. The result was a relaxed and thoroughly enjoyable introduction to South America. The itinerary was thorough and well briefed, the travel arrangements practical. All the necessary paperwork and ticketing clear and correct. There was never a hitch, doubt or wasted day. The in-country agents were also on the ball and supportive on the occasion we made a minor change at short notice. No drama, no problem. We recommend Andean Trails, and Tom, without reservation and aim to use their services again. We heard about Andean Trails from family & by reading travel books. (On spotting a puma on the Paine W trek) The puma was around the Central hotel area on our way up to the Torres, initially seen as two green eyes in the dark at about 30m. We waited at the hotel until half light, tried again only to face it coming aound the corner here. We finally continued 15 minutes later passing it lying in the grass about 20m off the path. Seen by others up to an hour later. One of a pair apparently. Kind of (not) cuddly!
Lars and Susie Smith » Guided or Self-guided Torres del Paine W Trek