Naturetrek & Sustainable TourismWe have always tried to operate our holidays in an environmentally responsible manner, striving to contribute to wildlife conservation andhabitat preservation at all times. Our detailed, 12-page Sustainable Tourism Policy may be found on our website. Alternatively, we will gladlypost you a copy on receipt of a cheque for £2 - or more! - made payable to the charity 'BirdLife International'. The document cataloguesour contribution (both financial and operational) to sustainable tourism and conservation; it states our own 'ST' policy, and it suggestsguidelines for you - the tourist - to follow whilst on holiday. Please take the time to read it carefully! Just visit: www.naturetrek.co.ukIn this brochure you will find Britain's largest selection of professionally organised naturalhistory holidays. All are expertly guided by a leading ornithologist or botanist (and oftenboth) generally with a good knowledge of the area to be visited. Inevitably, birds, plantsand mammals are the main focus of our attention on many of our trips; however, we doaim to incorporate all other aspects of the natural world in an attempt to be as broad-minded as possible. Additionally, we often take an expert local guide to further broadenthe educational value of each holiday, for on each trip we like to extend our interestbeyond that of just birds and plants, without necessarily compromising our main pursuit.Unlike many other bird tour operators, with the exception of tours in our Bargain Selection(which are action-packed), we do not aim to race from place to place in minibuses, withthe sole purpose of accumulating long lists of birds and mammals, ultimately to beforgotten. Instead we try, as much as is reasonably possible within a particular country, tospend as much time as we can searching for birds, mammals and plants on foot. In thisway we generally cover less ground than other tour operators, but we do see far more inthe areas that we visit. Our holidays are often longer than other wildlife tours, and becausethey usually move at a slower pace than others, we find that we generally have muchmore time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, relaxation, and to take an interestin a region's people, culture, history and architecture. Above all we want your holiday tobe fun as well as informative; and when we take you to a country, we hope that we caninspire you to such an extent that you will be only too keen to return.Whilst Naturetrek started by, and still specialises in, organising birdwatching and botanical treks to remote and mountainous areas of the world, today we do far more-or less -than just trek. Indeed, our holidays now range from a variety of Himalayan treks(some demanding and some gentle in pace) to the more traditional hotel-based minibustour of birding and botanical areas. Thus, whatever your age, ability, and aspirations, we hope that we can offer a holiday for you to enjoy. Just look at the margin of each page, and you will find details on the grading of each holiday, and whether it involves atrek, or day walks, or just a tour; then turn to the back of the brochure for some usefultechnical details.Our groups - except on our cruises - average 10-12 persons (with a maximum of 16),and ages of our clients range equally from 20 to 80+. Nearly 60% of our clients arefemale, and over 50% are single (so the chances are that you will not need to spend anadditional sum on a single room, unless you would prefer to). Most important of all, wefeel, is the complete mix of interests, and varied level of natural history expertise andinterest amongst the members of each group; these complement one another to enhanceour broad approach, and maximise the enjoyment we have on each trip. All too often weencounter bird tour groups whose over-serious and one-eyed approach creates acompetitive and humourless atmosphere within the group. We avoid this, and are proud ofthe happy and relaxed atmosphere that accompanies our holidays.Finally, and most important these days, your financial security! Naturetrek is a fullybonded member of The Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO), and holdsan Air Travel Organiser's Licence (ATOL) and bond, granted by the Civil AviationAuthority, guaranteeing the protection of all payments made to us for your holiday.Our licence number is ATOL 2962. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the CAAwill ensure that you are not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any moneyyou have paid to us for an advance booking. For further information, visit the ATOLwebsite at www.atol.org.uk. Further, all our tours that do not include flights areprotected by an AITO Trust bond (known as AITOT).What is a Naturetrek Holiday?STNaturetrek has achievedAITO's 3-star SustainableTourism accreditation