Sustainability at Neotropic Expeditions

Rooted in care. Guided by purpose.

Sustainability at Neotropic Expeditions

Since 1991, Neotropic Expeditions has been guided by a single belief: travel can be a force for good. Sustainability is not a feature; it is an ongoing, intentional practice woven into every journey we craft, every partnership we nurture, and every community we support.

From the Andes to the Galápagos and the Amazon, our work goes beyond minimizing harm. We design travel experiences that help restore ecosystems, strengthen local economies, and honor cultural heritage.

We believe true impact begins with care, presence, and connection.

Our Commitment to Positive Impact in Travel

Travel That Restores

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Destinations of Living Power

Travelers kayaking by a jungle waterfall in the Amazon rainforest
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Strengthening Local Economies

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Food as Cultural Connection

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Community is Our Compass

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Powered by Women

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Nature-Led Adventure

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Travel as Transformation

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Regenerative From the Inside Out

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Sustainability in Practice

Behind every journey, there’s a system of care.
Here’s how we integrate sustainability into every step:

Locally certified guides and fair working conditions for all staff

Plastic-free field operations with reusable systems in place

Clean water systems and responsible waste management protocols

Hospitality partners that meet strict environmental and social standards

Locally sourced meals using fresh, ethical ingredients

Carbon-reducing travel: walking, biking, paddling, and land-based itineraries

Revenue that stays local by sourcing from small businesses and cooperatives

Indigenous-led cultural protocols and community-designed experiences

Continuous staff training in sustainability, ethics, and safety

Traveler education on local impact and respectful engagement

Sustainability Policy

For a deeper look at our principles and actions

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Global Certifications
& Commitments

We are proud to align with globally recognized initiatives that strengthen our work:

We are active members promoting responsible, community-driven travel.

We are active members promoting responsible, community-driven travel.

We are active members promoting responsible, community-driven travel.

We are active members promoting responsible, community-driven travel.

We are active members promoting responsible, community-driven travel.

Learn More About Our Commitment to Child Protection

We are committed to preventing the exploitation of children and adolescents in all forms, including sexual exploitation in travel and tourism.

As part of our ethical standards, Neotropic Expeditions aligns with the national Código de Conducta para la Prevención de la Explotación Sexual de Niñas, Niños y Adolescentes en Viajes y Turismo, and implements clear internal protocols to protect children throughout our operations.

Visit the official government page
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Travel That Honors Life

We believe that travel, when rooted in care, can restore what matters most—within us and around us.

Talk to our travel designers to co-create a journey that supports life, community, and the living planet.

Travel That Restores

We go beyond low-impact. Our trips support conservation initiatives, protect biodiversity, and reduce emissions across our operations. Each itinerary is crafted to foster deep, meaningful connection with the natural world.

Destinations of Living Power

We operate in three of Latin America’s most life-rich
regions: Ecuador, the Galápagos, and Colombia.

These biodiversity hotspots and cultural powerhouses are alive with ancestral wisdom, vibrant communities, and ecological potential. Through our work, we honor, protect, and actively contribute to their restoration.

Did you know?

Ecuador

  • Holds nearly 10% of the planet’s biodiversity in less than 0.2% of its landmass.
  • Hosts over 25,000 plant species, more per square kilometer than any other country.
  • Home to 14 Indigenous nationalities, many of whom steward ancestral lands rich in biodiversity and traditional knowledge.
  • Includes two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Quito’s Historic Center and the Sangay National Park, which protects both tropical rainforest and snow-capped volcanoes.

Galápagos Islands

  • Over 80% of land birds, 97% of reptiles and land mammals, and 30% of plants are found nowhere else.

  • The Galápagos Marine Reserve shelters more than 2,900 marine species.

Colombia

  • Ranks #1 in bird and orchid diversity worldwide.
  • Home to over 60 national parks and 1,900+ bird species.
  • Cultural richness shaped by 80+ Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities.

Strengthening Local Economies

We partner with small, locally owned businesses, from family farms to artisan workshops; ensuring travel generates direct, lasting value. Ethical sourcing and fair trade are built into everything we do.

Food as Cultural Connection

Our culinary experiences invite travelers to taste the soul of a place.

Whether cooking with local hosts, sampling Amazonian cacao, or enjoying seafood caught just hours earlier, food becomes a bridge to tradition, community, and land. We understand the value of serving meals that supports regenerative practices and cultural preservation.

Community is Our Compass

We co-create experiences with Indigenous nations including: Quichuas, Salasacas, Waoranis, Caranquis, among others, Afro-descendant communities, and rural partners. These respectful exchanges help protect languages, ancestral crafts, and cosmovisions; while inviting travelers into genuine connection with the living wisdom of each place.
 This not only uplifts local voices; it invites travelers to listen, reflect, and expand their own understanding of the world and their place within it.

Powered by Women

Over 80% of our team—from guides to logistics staff to travel designers—are women. We collaborate with women-led projects throughout Ecuador and Colombia, supporting leadership, creativity, and economic autonomy.

Nature-Led Adventure

We design slow, immersive journeys powered by human energy: hiking in the Andes, biking through cloud forests, paddling along island coastlines, and more. These low-impact adventures reduce our environmental footprint while creating space for presence, discovery, and personal growth.

Every step invites a deeper connection; to the land, to the experience, and to ourselves. Nature leads the way.

Travel as Transformation

Travel has the power to restore what truly matters.
 Our journeys invite reflection and help travelers reconnect; with life, with place, and with themselves.

Through meaningful encounters and thoughtful guidance, we return home more aware, more grounded, more alive, and with a deeper sense of belonging to the world we are part of.

Regenerative From the Inside Out

 In our Quito headquarters, sustainability is an everyday practice. We operate digitally, minimize energy use, and train our team in ethics, ecology, and cultural sensitivity. We also participate in reforestation, clean-up efforts, and educational partnerships that give back to the communities we travel through.