10 Expert Tour Companies Best Right Now for Responsible Travel

The world has re-opened post COVID-19, and everyone we know seems ready to hit the road. Is it possible to do that in a more mindful manner than we might have done before the pandemic hit? If you’re interested in ecotourism, our correspondent Abbie Martin Greenbaum has curated a list of 10 expert tour companies best right now for booking sustainable, eco-friendly responsible travel for an individual, family or group vacation.

what’s the best way to book responsible travel for a sustainable, eco-friendly vacation right now?

In 2022,  we are all faced with a conundrum: we want to travel, see the world, and make memories – but we also want to do the right thing. We are all too aware of how fragile the world can be, and we want to know the best way to do good, while still having a good time.

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Fortunately, it’s easier than it sounds. These ten companies are all champions of “responsible travel” – also known as “sustainable travel,” “ethical travel,” “green travel,” and a number of other popular phrases – and they are here to help you travel the right way. That means leaving as small a carbon footprint as you can, and having a positive impact on local communities.

Next time you’re looking for a getaway – whether for yourself, a family vacation or even a group trip for work – consider booking with one of these expert tour operators. You’ll have a great time, and you’ll feel great about the entire experience.

10 tour companies best for booking sustainable responsible travel vacation right now

1. Responsible Travel

Trips with Responsible Travel do more than mitigate harm – they do good. Founded in 2001, this activist tourism company operates under one simple belief: we shouldn’t be working to minimize the impact of travel; we should be ensuring that travel actively benefits everyone involved. And if you book a trip with Responsible Travel, you can feel certain that you are supporting both local communities and the natural world.

 

They offer journeys to every continent and to almost every country, and you can search by destination, or by “vacation type.” Perhaps you are interested in a biking trip, or a bear watching trip. What about the Northern Lights? Luxury and honeymoon destinations are also available, as well as a special category called “last minute vacations.” If you’ve decided to take a last-minute trip this summer, you don’t need to sacrifice your morals to do it.

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2. Steppes Travel

Steppes Travel is a champion planner of luxury vacations, and those vacations just so happen to encourage positive social and environmental change. And since 70% of Steppes’ business comes from repeat customers and referrals, you know that what they’re doing works.

Each trip centers sustainability, with Steppes doing the hard work of offsetting your carbon emissions and partnering with local organizations. Join any of their world class adventures, or check out the “hot for 2022” picks to stay on-trend.

3. Audley

When you book a trip with Audley, you’ll have the opportunity to work with one of their talented specialists. These are experts who know their destinations inside-and-out, and they can help ensure that you plan a responsible trip – as well as a trip that meets every single one of your personal requirements.

You’ll have the opportunity to explore the world in a way you never would have gotten to otherwise, seeing sights that are off-the-beaten-path. No tourist traps here! Look through dozens of destinations and vacation types, and find the one that’s right for you.

4. Gondwana Ecotours

Gondwana Ecotours specializes in small and private group tours – and yes, they are certifiably sustainable. Their tours are 100% carbon neutral, meaning that the company carbon offsets every single guest’s flight – very few travel agencies can say the same.

They also strive to work with local businesses, sustainable accommodations, and family-owned vendors, as well as donating part of their revenue to non-profits in the areas where they travel. If you want to feel awesome about your next trip, choose one of their eight very-special tours.

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5. G Adventures

“Change the world just by having the time of your life.” Sounds good to us! G Adventures believes that travel has the power to change the world. But in order to change the world, travelers need to give back more than they take away. Simple, right?

By the way, the “G” in “G Adventures” stands for good. They call their trips community tourism, because they are built collaboratively with the communities they visit, thus ensuring that those communities are the ones who benefit. They travel to destinations all over the world, and host themed vacations such as wellness trips, trips for 18-to-thirtysomethings, marine trips, active trips, and more.

6. Enchanting Travels

Enchanting Travels has been making a difference since 2004. They want “responsible travel” to mean more than donating money to charity – they want to make sure that each trip they run supports local communities, boosts local economies, and promotes natural conservation to a wider audience.

 

Responsible travel is in the details, so they look at all the small things – booking sustainable travel and accommodations; minimizing the CO2 emissions of each trip; and helping guests to support local community projects. A little goes a long way. Be sure to browse through their themed trips, which include “wine & food,” “relaxation & spas,” and “adventure & outdoors.”

7. Traverse Journeys

We love Traverse Journeys, because they have a clear and easy-to-understand plan for responsible travel. They work with local guides, they ensure that all their vendors use fair labor practices, and they promote only destinations where tourism income opportunities would be beneficial to the people who live there. They also partner with non-profits, support local organizations, eat local foods, mitigate consumption of single-use plastic, and so much more.

And they are champions of slow travel – a form of vacation that is more sustainable, and allows travelers to more fully immerse in the place they are visiting.  You can view Traverse Journeys’ trips by calendar month, by destination, or by style – there are cycling trips, hiking trips, adventure trips, and more.

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8. Exodus Travels

Exodus Travels has been in the business of vacation-planning for more than 50 years.  They are up to the challenge of sustainable travel. With each trip, they are looking to benefit people, places, and the planet – and they have a plan. By 2030, they hope to have halved their carbon footprint, compensate for all flight emissions, and eliminate single-use plastics.

 

In the meantime, you can check out their full roster of global adventures, which are broken down by location, age group, transportation style, number of travelers, and trip-type. And for those looking to get away this summer, they have plenty of voyages departing over the next three months.

9. Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel understands that although responsible travel is up to individual choices, it can be difficult to make the right ones without someone to guide you. And that’s why they’re here.  Their gentle hand helps their travelers to leave as small a footprint as possible.

 

And as well as offering excellent advice – on reducing carbon emissions, behaving respectfully, and more – they also have plenty of trips for curious individuals to join. Search by destination or theme, with the option for tailor-made trips that are just for you.

10. National Geographic Expeditions

Of course, there’s no one better to travel with than National Geographic. No one is working harder to protect the planet, and there’s no one we’d rather have showing us the world.

 

And when you join one of their expeditions, you help to fund their preservation efforts around the globe. A win-win. They offer trips for every interest – including photography, kayaking, and birdwatching – and to every corner of the globe.

best tour companies for booking sustainable responsible travel vacation

Those are our picks for the expert tour companies best right now for booking sustainable, eco-friendly responsible travel for an individual, family or group vacation. Happy travels!

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For access to insider ideas and information on the world of luxury, sign up for our Dandelion Chandelier Newsletter here. And see luxury in a new light.

This article contains affiliate links to products independently selected by our editors. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, Dandelion Chandelier receives a commission for qualifying purchases made through these links. 

Abbie Martin Greenbaum grew up in New York City and currently lives in Brooklyn, where she drinks a lot of coffee and matches roommates together for a living. At Oberlin College, she studied English and Cinema, which are still two of her favorite things, along with dessert and musical theater. She believes in magic.