We love travel, but we are also extremely aware of its social and environmental impact. Because of this, we are committed to making only gentle footprints in the countries we explore. By keeping our groups small, supporting local and global charitable causes and approaching all that we do ethically, we are able to minimise any negative effects. Safety, financial security and high levels of service are always top priorities too – we are fully bonded and regulated by the below travel authorities who ensure protection you can trust.
Responsible Tourism
We try to ensure that we tread only very softly in all the countries we visit. Travel enriches people’s lives and boosts communities who rely on tourism. However, mass tourism inevitably brings some negative side effects. We recognise that it is unreasonable for local communities to maintain their traditional lifestyles and possibly primitive living conditions for the benefit of tourists, and that everyone should have the right to improved living conditions and more comfortable lifestyles.
The Walking Partnership
This initiative provides direct financial support to local walking clubs. Sign up for the scheme and your walking group will receive funding in the form of a financial contribution every time you or one of your members books a holiday with Ramblers Walking Holidays, as well as other great benefits. If you feel that your group would benefit, sign up now! And remember to nominate your group each time you book. Read more on rwhtravel.com
Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust
Unlike many tour operators, 'Ramblers Walking Holidays’ profits that are not required for the running of the business are channelled into The Walking Partnership and the Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust which supports environmental conservation projects in the UK. In the UK our Trust supports the Ramblers (formerly the Ramblers Association) and smaller UK charities that provide outdoor experiences including the disadvantaged, the disabled and inner city children. Read more on rwhtravel.com
Heart & Sole
Our initiative, Heart & Sole, which is managed by Ramblers Walking Holidays office staff, is intended to make a long term, direct impact, particularly in less developed countries, where even a small amount goes a long way. We are currently working with SPANA in Morocco, Cockermouth Mountain Rescue, and SOS Children’s Villages in Costa Rica, Cape Verde, Malawi and Morocco.
In South Africa, we sponsor a primary school at Royal Drakensberg, we help support a breakfast club at the Monchy Primary School in St Lucia, in Narlai, India we donate essentials to school children at the Bhero Kakar Primary School and we support Andros Routes, a volunteer organisation on Andros, Greece which promotes sustainable tourism on the island. Read more on rwhtravel.com
What we do
Our holidays are designed for you to discover the essence of the country you are visiting. Travelling in small groups not only gives you an ‘up close and personal’ experience of your destination, but minimises impact on the immediate environment. As members of AITO we support their Sustainable Tourism ethos recognising the social, economic and environmental responsibility of tour operating.
- We aim to operate within the Travellers’ Code set out by the Friends of Conservation and we try to ensure our holidays give consideration to local people and cultures. See the code online here.
- We often use local guides, transport, porters and food to benefit the local economy without exploitation.
- We try not to insulate you too much from the realities of local life. You’ll be on holiday to gain new experiences, and you’ll have them in abundance.
- We like to develop long term relationships with our destinations, hoteliers and other local partners and support valuable local projects in the places we visit through our staff ‘Heart & Sole’ charity.