Excursion Policy

WILDLIFE WELLBEING AND HABITAT PRESERVATION IS CENTRAL TO OUR PHILOSOPHY

This policy will be part of the Sustainability Policy. The policy is applicable to the excursion activities conducted by our company and all employees will follow these guidelines disclosed in this document.

This policy is effective immediately after approval by the Managing Director and circulation to staff. The policy will be formally reviewed every one year to ensure its relevance. The Managing Director or an officer delegated with such authority must approve any deviations to this policy.

SENSITIVE EXCURSIONS CHECKLIST

We offer clients the opportunity to choose between different potentially sensitive activities:

• Daily hiking
• Nature photography workshops
• Wildlife watching
• E-bike guided tours
• Snowshoeing walking trips
• Environmental education activities
• Backpacking trips with night staying private lodge or mountains huts

Excursions and attractions in which captive wildlife is held are usually not offered, except for properly regulated activities in compliance with local, national and international law in rehabilitation centers directly managed by National Parks.

SUSTAINABLE EXCURSION PRINCIPLES

Think holistically
Our wildlife walks and tours focus not only on observing wildlife, but also on experiencing wildlife habitat and the presence of animals in their natural environment, while stimulating contact with the territory and its social and cultural realities. This is done by walking on approved trails, looking for signs of wildlife and understanding environmental issues of primary importance, such as the conservation of biodiversity, the management of wildlife – human conflicts, while offering a deeper understanding of the realities of living with wildlife.

Act sustainably, even in uncertainty
We recognise that the environment is a value recognised by international and national law and that its protection is an obligation in accordance with the principles of solidarity, sustainability, precaution and prevention. We endorse and support local, national and international policies aimed at counteracting the loss of other species and environments.

Be informed and aware
Our company’s belief is that the best way to see wildlife is in its natural habitat or not at all. We do not force wildlife to be entertained and we only offer tours where wildlife can be seen in their natural environment. We are, however, aware that our wildlife walks and tours may have an impact on the wildlife and their habitat, so we act to minimise our impact.

Wildlife species are not harvested, consumed, displayed, sold, or traded. We do not promote souvenirs or food that contain threatened flora and fauna species as indicated in the CITES treaty and the IUCN ‘Red List’.

SUSTAINABLE TREKKING AND DAILY HIKES

We considers the following important general elements of sustainability in excursions:

LEAVE NO TRACE AND KEEP THE ANIMALS WILD

• Guests are given in advance all the information that is necessary for ensuring maximum safety for people and wildlife.
• Guests are advised to dress appropriately and beware of sudden weather changes.
• Guests are required to stay always close to the guide and not stray off the established trails and pathways.
• Members of a single viewing group will stay within a few arms’ lengths of one another.
• We avoid critical wildlife areas such as wintering or feeding sites and, above all, stay on a visible (and authorised) track and avoid going off-trail.
• Noise and movement while watching wildlife or hiking are kept to a minimum and guests are refrained from trying to interact with wildlife in any way.
• We do not use or allow the use of flash in a hide in permitted areas. Mobile phones and cameras must be switched off.
• We do not use bait or attractants and do not habituate wildlife to our presence.
• Food remains should be packed and taken to the valley to be disposed of.
• We minimise the impact of human waste disposing in the forest.

DELIVER THE RIGHT VALUE AND REDUCE IMPACT

• We check each year that we have all the necessary permits to carry out your activities in the protected area.
• We share with and explain to travellers in advance Protected area rules.
• We plan our tours on gravel or paved roads or on visible trails and never off trails to reduce our impact.
• For daily hikes we settle the maximum size of a roving group to 15 guests/guide.
• For wildlife watching we settle the maximum size of a roving group to 8 guests/guide.
• Where possible, we plan our observation activities without creating crowds and consider taking turns in the permitted most critical hide areas.
• We do not encourage animal observation in residential areas or in wildlife jams.
• If we see a bear or wolf and photograph it, we do not immediately post the photo on social networks. We encourage the clients to do the same.

RESPECT OF LOCAL CULTURE AND COMMUNITY

• Key tour leaders, local representatives and guides, are appropriately qualified and are trained regularly and they have high knowledge of the surrounding nature and culture.
• Our company gives preference to excursions and activities that benefit local communities, respecting animal welfare and supporting environmental protection.
• Our company includes locally owned businesses in its packages: accommodations, driver companies, restaurants, cafés, markets and shops.

SUSTAINABLE MOUNTAIN HUT

LEAVE NO TRACE AND KEEP THE ANIMALS WILD

• Noise and movement are kept to a minimum especially at dusk, dawn and dark when wildlife is more active.
• We encourage our clients not to leave food left around the hut.

DELIVER THE RIGHT VALUE AND REDUCE IMPACT

WASTE

• We minimise the use of plastic and as a common practice the offer of plastic water bottles to our guests.
• Instead, we make available places to refill jugs and bottles.
• We separate organic waste for composting and plastic and metal for recycling.
• We take home all litter and leftover food.
• We alternate the use of glass cups and ceramic plates with compostable cups and plates, in order to achieve an appropriate balance among water and disposable goods consumption.

ENERGY

• Electricity is stored in batteries and is linked to the use of solar panels.
• All the light bulbs used are LED.
• We apply our guests to switch off lights policy.

WATER

• The water used comes from rainwater harvesting and is micro-filtered.
• All toilets are equipped with a double button with differentiated flow.
• We advise our guests to save water as much as possible.

FOOD

• We buy and cook only what the guest eats shortly and we try to consume food that is minimally processed and requires little packaging.
• Where possible, meals and beverages are locally sourced, sustainable, varied and authentic. We choose a more balanced diet, low in protein and rich in vegetables, cereals and legumes.
• We favour organic products, short chains and fair trade. If we buy canned food in bulk and we transport it to the mountain hut two times per season.
• If we eat meat or fish, we buy products from free-range, non-intensive farms and possibly from local farmers or fishermen.
• We buy vegetables and fruit grown without the use of fertilisers and >75% produced from local farms or in our own country.
• The cuisine and dishes prepared are in line with local and traditional techniques and recipes. We are used to telling “the history behind the meal”.

AREAS OF SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE

Our company has developed specific policy guidelines for five main areas where we integrate sustainable practices. These policies fall under the scope of this general Sustainability Policy and are available as separate documents.

Sustainable Accommodation Policy
Sustainable Excursion Policy

This policy was revised on 8 May 2023