About Ecuador Galapagos Travels

Responsible Travel consistently prioritizes local suppliers in adherence to internal policies that emphasize both quality and sustainability parameters. We maintain a robust program supporting local enterprises, from which we source the souvenirs provided to our passengers. This includes collaborations with women-led skincare product ventures, where we purchase artisanal soaps, and partnerships with a cooperative of coffee growers in Loja. We extend our support to various entrepreneurial endeavors, such as the production of water bottles and other unique gifts showcased at fairs. Simultaneously, our commitment to expanding employment opportunities is reflected in our efforts to create new positions within the organization.

Furthermore, Responsible Travel actively participates in the Dual Education program led by the Ecuadorian-German Chamber of Commerce. This initiative involves hosting apprentices within our organization, offering them a rotational plan throughout their university studies. The aim is to equip university students with both academic knowledge and practical work experience, ensuring a smooth transition into the professional realm upon completion of their degrees. This underscores our dedication to fostering sustainable business practices and contributing to the growth and development of local communities and future professionals. ....less

As part of its cultural preservation initiatives, Responsible Travel incorporates activities directly supporting various communities in Ecuador within its tour packages. This includes engaging with establishments managed by local communities, thereby contributing to the sustenance of their traditional practices. Additionally, we actively support a group of single indigenous women in Guamote. Through this association, these women find a means of providing for their families by crafting handmade traditional bags. We purchase these artisanal products to support them, and our passengers receive a small gift that encapsulates the essence of Ecuador's crafts and cultures, fostering a meaningful connection with the local communities we engage with. ....less

As part of its social responsibility commitment, Responsible Travel ensures that 100% of its employees are enrolled in the Ecuadorian Government Social Security system and maintains formal contracts, providing at least the minimum wage stipulated by law to all its employees. The company complies with all legal regulations and international standards. Additionally, we offer enhanced benefits to our employees, including more vacation days than mandated by law. Responsible Travel upholds strict policies of zero tolerance for discrimination on any grounds, including sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, disability, origin, race, or any other factor. Annually, we support an initiative called "Chaka-Sucúa," aimed at promoting the education of young individuals in the Sucúa community who, due to various reasons, face challenges in continuing their studies. We provide comprehensive support, including academic assistance, transportation for easy access to educational facilities, school supplies, uniforms, and meals to facilitate the completion of their secondary education. ....less

Responsible Travel are members of THE INTERNATIONAL ecotourism SOCIETY and Fundacion Amazonia Productiva ....less

Responsible Travel are members of THE INTERNATIONAL ecotourism SOCIETY, Fundacion Amazonia Productiva, Calidad Turistica and Ministerio de Turismo ....less

Responsible Travel, Operadora de Tours Cia. Ltda. is a German-Ecuadorian enterprise that offers tours, vacation packages, and cruises in South America.

It was legally constituted on February 17, 2010, having as founders Frank Herken Alte, Paulina Maritza Moreno Cáceres, and Jacqueline de Fátima Arias Ramírez. Responsible Travel was born with the deepest interest in allowing foreign tourists, mainly from Germany, to experience firsthand the magic that, as avid adventurers and travelers, the founders know that Ecuador's Mainland and the Galapagos Islands offer responsibly and sustainably.

For 12 years, Responsible Travel has specialized in fascinating cultural and adventure tours in the Andes, relaxing beach vacations on the sands of the Pacific coast, trips to the mysterious green world of the Amazon rainforest, comfortable hotel accommodations in major cities and cruises to the enchanted islands of the Galapagos. It also operates in the main destinations in South America such as Colombia, Peru, and Chile.

Since 2011, Responsible Travel has been working hand in hand with Fundación Amazonía Productiva (FAP) as the main sponsor of social and environmental projects and support for local and fair trade. Together with FAP, Responsible Travel collaborates directly in the comprehensive educational support to children and young people of the Chaka community in Sucúa and, since 2019, has ventured into the reforestation process of a sector affected by a forest fire that resulted in 6339.00 hectares burned, to obtain an environmental recovery and offset the carbon footprint left by its economic activity.

Located in the heart of Quito-Ecuador, with operators of various nationalities and several years of experience in tourism, Responsible Travel has managed to grow steadily over the years, until today, which has more than 20 workers within the organization.
Despite starting as a venture aimed primarily at the German market, the organization is now proud to have the ability to offer the wonders of Ecuador and South America to North Americans, Europeans, and Spanish speakers, who seek to travel consciously and considering the socio-cultural, environmental and economic impact that tourism has on the destinations they visit.

Although in 2020 and 2021 the organization went through hard times due to the health crisis caused by the SarsCov-2 pandemic, thanks to the efforts of a team committed to sustainable tourism and hard work, Responsible Travel was not only reactivated with the hope of continuing as they started, but with the hope of going even further.

Currently, with Flor Maria Gaona as General Manager and Frank Alte as President, Responsible Travel, in honor of its name, in addition to the joint work with Fundación Amazonia Productiva, has achieved membership in The International Ecotourism Society of the Ecuadorian-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce, has been certified for several consecutive years with the "Distintivo Q" for tourism quality awarded by Quito Turismo, a governmental institute, obtaining the Platinum level of 100% compliance, has obtained the AHK-Prevention certificate in the prevention of violence against women, is part of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce and Tourism of Ecuador, members of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association - IGLTA, and in January 2024 obtained the Travelife Certified certification as a sustainable tourism operator.
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Responsible Travel proudly upholds its sustainability policy, publicly accessible on our website. While the policy comprehensively outlines our commitment to responsible tourism, it is crucial to emphasize our operational priority of engaging with local suppliers practicing both environmentally and socially responsible approaches. We have established a partnership with our primary transportation provider, ensuring that the fleet remains in optimal condition to minimize carbon footprint. Additionally, we actively engage in passenger education initiatives, providing relevant information about the places they visit and specific codes of conduct for various activities to reduce their environmental impact.

Furthermore, our commitment extends to annual carbon footprint compensation reports, publicly available on our website. Through this, we support a reforestation program aimed at offsetting the CO2 emissions generated by air travel for all our passengers, as well as those associated with our employees' business trips. This multi-faceted approach underscores our dedication to not only practicing responsible tourism but also actively mitigating and offsetting the environmental impact associated with our operations. ....less

Responsible Travel, as part of its internal sustainability initiatives with a focus on environmental considerations, implements the following measures in its offices:

All faucets are equipped with water-saving devices.
LED lights are used exclusively for all lighting needs.
All computers adhere to the Energy Star certification.
100% of generated paper waste in the office is recycled.
A comprehensive control and record-keeping system is maintained for waste management.
Various manuals on effective waste management and resource utilization are in place, outlining ways for employees to reduce their consumption of electricity and water, while also minimizing waste generation. ....less

Responsible Travel Operadora de Tours Cia. Ltda. is a German-Ecuadorian venture that offers tour deals, vacation packages and cruises to South America. ....less

- Travelife Certified
- Ahk Prevention
- Distintivo Q Platino
- Sello Inclusivo
- Friendly Be+ International Certificate
- Environmental Godparent by Fundación Amazonía Productiva
- Members of International LGBTQ+ Travel Association - IGLTA
- Members of The International Ecotourism Society
- Members of The Ecuadorian-German Chamber - AHK ....less

COVID protocols:
At your arrival, you must present a COVID-19 vaccinations certificate with at least two doses completed at least 14 days before arrival. This is the only vaccine the government asks as a requirement to enter the territory. Nevertheless, kindly note that Ecuador is a tropical country, and you may want to consult your personal doctor if additional vaccinations are recommended for you.

The authorities will ask you to fill out a Traveler’s Health Declaration Form, we recommend filling it out online before arriving, so you will save some time during the migration process.

If for any medical reason, you cannot get the COVID-19 vaccine doses, in this case, you should present a negative PCR test. The test should be performed no longer than 72 hours before arrival. (Doctor’s note should be presented too)

Even when you are fully vaccinated, masks should always be worn in public areas. Nowadays, in many places such as parks, malls, and supermarkets, they will ask for your vaccination card to be presented before allowing you to access it. ....less