Responsible Travel Worldwide

Crooked Trails
Working to Ensure Travel is a Positive Force for Change Worldwide
Crooked trails is a responsible community-based organizationt that offers a variety of projects in Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mongolia and in other lands. You can intern or volunteer for the fascinating projects in these countries where you will have intimate contact with the locals to help them fundraise, develop social media, help local tour operators, and many other needed skills.

Dragoman
"It's The Journey Not Just the Destination"
Dragoman was a strong commitment to responsible travel at the various countries where it offers small group tours worldwide. The company has a lengthy policy outlining their credentials in this field with the stated goal to benefit communities through which their trips pass by using locally-run hotels and campgrounds. Their trucks also carry drinking water for their passengers to reduce reliance on plastic bottles. In 2009, they won the Responsible Tourism Achievement Award in recognition of their work on community-based tourism in the Peruvian Andes.

Earthwatch
Travel the World. Make a Difference
Since 1971, this international nonprofit organization has placed thousands of volunteers with field researchers and scientists, engaged in a dazzling menu of scientific and social science research around the world. With a strong emphasis on sustainability, it presently supports about projects in 50 countries. The organization also offers expeditions all over the world for people of all ages.

Explore!
Adventure Travel: Tours and Vacations
Explore also strongly supports sustainable, responsible travel by funding charities in the regions they visit and ensuring that all those who work for the company are treated fairly and paid a good wage. They also ensure that locals benefit economically by being employed as leaders, guides, and drivers. Tours also use local restaurants and hotels where possible. For reduced environmental impact, they offset their carbon emissions and support conversation projects in the regions they visit. Founded in 1981, with 350 trips to 100 countries, there are plenty of exciting options.

Global Routes
Your Journey Starts Here
Global Routes is a pioneer in the world of value-driven, experiential-based, international programming. Since 1967, they have led over 10,000 students around the globe on meaningful, fun, and growth-oriented summer programs. We offer our students an unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves into small rural communities, develop long-lasting cross-cultural relationships, and make positive contributions that will last a lifetime. Journeys for High School students and teens include Costa Rica, Ecuador and the Amazon, Fiji and New Zealand, Greece, Italy, Nepal, and Thailand & Cambodia — in addition to Gap Year and Customized programs.

GVI
Conserve our Planet Ethically
GVI has a huge range of volunteer programs to suit the environmentally conscious traveler who seeks adventure and new experiences around the globe, from conservatoin to community volunteer projects. Be it training as a safari field guide in South Africa, teaching English in Laos, or diving as part of a marine research team in the Indian Ocean, you will find a huge range of exciting opportunities with GVI.

Intrepid Travel
Fun, Affordable and Responsible Travel Since 1989
For travelers with a yearning to get off the beaten track, Intrepid opens up a whole new world. With an average group size of just 10 people, Intrepid gives travelers the freedom and flexibility to get off the tourist trails and really experience local cultures at an affordable price. Whether it's a Thai homestay, a Peruvian trek, an Italian feast or an African safari, Intrepid prides itself on its ethical approach to travel, and escorts small groups to over 100 countries Worldwide, with an emphasis on sustainable, community-based and experience-rich travel.

Oceanic Society Expeditions
Travel for Nature Lovers
The Oceanic Society is a nonprofit organization working to protect marine wildlife and the marine environment through conservation-based research and environmental education. Half its itineraries are volunteer holidays, the rest are educational. Participants become research assistants, working side by side with academics and field researchers, logging, recording, and collecting data, including bird banding and measuring nesting sea turtles. Sixty percent of clients are older adults.

The Center for International Service Learning
Service Learning Internships Where Every Moment Counts
International Service Learning offers a unique and exciting opportunity through humanitarian/service learning programs for pre-med, health and education students to experience hands-on clinical and field work in Central America, Mexico, Africa, and the Caribbean. Adventure travel, professional field instruction, academic credit!

WWOOF International (Willing Workers on Organic Farms)
Responsible Living on Local Organic Farms and with Families Worldwide
Many countries participate in this unique worldwide exchange organization. In return for volunteer help, WWOOF hosts offer food, accommodation and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles. WWOOF organizations link people who want to volunteer on organic farms with people who are seeking volunteer help. Each country works slightly differently, but generally a very small membership fee is charged in exchange for a listing of available opportunities.