At Exodus we have always believed in three simple guiding principles for the way in which we want to travel: . We should ensure that communities benefit from our visit . We realise that every destination is someone else's home . We should leave places as we would like to find them For details of our complete policy please visit www. exodus. co. uk/ responsible- travel Tourism - a force for good? Tourism is one of the most important and largest industries on the planet, employing more people worldwide than any other. Millions of families rely on tourism for their daily needs. Exodus believes that our type of small group tourism can and does bring benefits to many communities, helps preserve the environments we travel to see, and provides real and positive two- way social interaction. Benefits can be obvious in parts of the developing world where the income we provide can mean the difference between economic survival and poverty. However, even in Europe, tourism can help stabilise rural communities by providing much needed employment and give powerful economic reasons to preserve shrinking natural environments. What about Carbon Emissions? It is generally acknowledged that the ever increasing human population is causing a rapid increase in carbon dioxide emissions which in turn leads to " global warming". Travel is undeniably a contributing factor, but to stop flying and travelling would have devastating effects on the millions of people who rely on tourism. As for the environment, imagine also, if no one visited the gorillas in Rwanda or chose to seek out the magnificent Bengal Tiger. How long do you think those animals and their environment would survive? What can we do? Some of our projects have elements aimed at reducing carbon emissions such as the installation of solar cookers along trekking trails in the Himalaya and by supporting these you can help us minimise the carbon impact of travelling. W e do make a difference - many companies claim to be responsible but at Exodus we believe in action. We have many successful projects around the world that help house the homeless, educate the poor, protect the environment and wildlife and help reduce or offset carbon emissions. All are designed to ensure that tourism has a positive impact. What do we do? For many years now we have actively looked for specific responsible tourism projects where, as a tour operator, we are in an ideal position to help. These range from helping schools or orphanages, to rebuilding communities after disasters or helping reduce carbon emissions by installing solar cookers. Whatever the project, with some amazing ongoing support from many of our clients we have made a lasting difference to some very real people and environments. We have also ensured that we can fund these projects efficiently and therefore Exodus has a close partnership with Friends of Conservation. FOC is committed to working with local people and partners to find sustainable ways of living in harmony with wildlife, ecosystems and the environment. Because they are a UK registered charity we can ensure that 100% of any donations made through them get delivered to the projects on the ground. You can find up- to- date information about these projects on dedicated pages of our website www. exodus. co. uk Responsible Tourism 12For Trip Notes, availability and up- to- date prices visit www. exodus. co. uk/ families

Exodus projects Himalayan Community Support Exodus has been organising tours and treks in Nepal for 35 years and so it is only natural that we would want to give something back. In 2002 we started supporting the Nava Kiran Orphanage in Kathmandu. Over the next few years we raised the money to build an entirely new home for the orphans and are now involved in funding their education as well as supplying solar cookers and a bio- gas unit to help with their energy needs. You can visit the orphanage on trips ' The Mighty Himalaya' and ' Teenage Teahouse Trek' ( pages 40 and 41). Morocco Tijhza Village Project Tijhza is a small community tucked away in the middle of the High Atlas Mountains. Our project helps the local school, the village and the wider community thanks to continuous donations from visiting Exodus clients. This project offers support to the Berber children and villagers of Tijhza village by focusing on essentials that many take for granted, such as healthcare, education and a sustainable income. You can visit the village and possibly the school on our ' Camels & Kasbahs' trip ( page 22). Kenya Masai Community Project Exodus clients have been visiting the Masai Mara for many years. Close to the safari camp there are several ongoing projects that Exodus, along with Friends of Conservation, helps to support including the Balanites School located in Aitong, and the Siyipei Orphanage in Narok, which we pass en route from Nairobi. Both these projects can be visited on trips ' Big Cat Safari' and ' Big Cat Safari & Coast' ( pages 30 and 31). Since 2008, Exodus has been working with Plan, a child centred community development agency aiming to develop children's potential in 49 of the world's poorest countries. Plan looks at practical ways to provide all the things we take for granted. To find out more visit www. plan- uk. org Smokeless Stove Project in Tanzania Exodus is also funding an innovative Plan project to provide smokeless stoves to rural communities in Tanzania. The project has an obvious beneficial impact on the environment but also on healthcare in the local community. In the Geita District traditional open indoor fires cause various eye and lung problems. The stoves currently used are inefficient and require a lot of wood, which the women and children often have to walk miles to collect. Exodus will contribute over £ 21,000 to provide 140 smokeless stoves in seven villages and train 70 members of the community to ensure long- term sustainability of the project. To find out more about our project work and updates on how the project is running please visit www. exodus. co. uk/ planproject To book call 0845 863 9636 or visit www. exodus. co. uk/ families13