Yunnan Encounter

Yunnan Province offers an extraordinary variety of cultural diversity. It is home to many ethnic minority groups, including the colourful Bai people of Dali and the amazing Naxi people in Lijiang, and is probably the best place in China to experience these fragile cultures that are linked to the hill-tribes of northern Thailand.

This grass-roots journey through Yunnan allows participants to learn about the history of these peoples, as well as witnessing some of the most remote and spectacular countryside south-western China has to offer. A special highlight is the trek through Tiger Leaping Gorge. You pass through a number of villages – which benefit financially from your visit – and have plenty of time to stop and meet the local people. Participants also have the opportunity to visit the students at Ben Di Wan school, to which the company has provided electric power.

This trip is focused on respecting and benefiting the local people and the environment of this country. On this trip you will be lead by an experienced local leader passionate about their country's history, heritage and natural beauty that will help you to get 'under the skin' of their country and see it through the eyes of a local. This trip stays at locally run accommodation; we eat at local restaurants and travel on local transport. This ensures the financial return to the local economy opens up training and employment opportunities - and allows for informal and meaningful interaction between our travellers and local people.

We are constantly seeking new and innovative ways of neutralising our impact on the environment. We will become the first Australian adventure tour operator to offer a voluntary carbon offsetting option on the land component of all its tours, as well as the accompanying flights. Our Community Trust provides funds for local community projects and initiatives that promote responsible and sustainable tourism development in the destinations in which we operate. First and foremost, but not exclusively, the Trust supports projects and initiatives that advance education and employment within the tourism and hospitality industry. The Trust operates on a not-for-profit basis, with every cent of funds donated by us, our staff and our travellers, going to the nominated projects.

The maximum group size on all of our adventures is 16 passengers – with exception of some African trips (24 max) and in the Polar Regions, where our ship carries a maximum of 110 passengers. Travelling in small groups ensures we make significantly less impact on the natural environment, as well as breaking down many of the communication barriers presented by a larger group.