Trips & Supply Chain Impact

Partners & Places

At Chimu, we design every trip to create value for our travellers, local communities, and the natural world. From planning itineraries to selecting supply partners, we strive to embed responsibility into every step.
 

Designing Travel with Purpose

• Work with and prioritise locally owned partners in Latin America to build long-term relationships, support community-based tourism, and maximise local employment opportunities.
• Design and integrate off-the-beaten path experiences, such as guided walks, local artisan visits, rural excursions, and family-style dinners to enrich trips, support local communities and help spread tourism more equitably.  
• Work with local guides and locally sourced products in Latin America to deliver authentic knowledge, cultural insights, and high-quality experiences.  
• Audit and engage suppliers to build capacity and align on sustainability goals.
• Embed climate-conscious decision-making into trip planning from transport to accommodation and activities.
• Use local guides to support authentic cultural exchange and local employment.

Respecting People and Cultures

• Work with locally owned suppliers who employ local people, prioritising fair wages and recognising their skills and expertise.
• Embed ethical standards via our Supplier Code of Conduct & Ethics, covering fair employment, non-discrimination, and human rights.
• Zero tolerance for bribery, corruption, or fraudulent activity.
• Support inclusive procurement, prioritising where possible women led, First Nations, and underrepresented suppliers.
• Provide travellers with pre-departure guidance to encourage respectful cultural engagement.

Partnering for Progress

Collaborative onboarding: Our Supplier Code of Conduct & guidelines set clear expectations for social, ethical, and environmental practices, and we work with partners to embed these standards.

Continuous improvement: We regularly review our major suppliers in Latin America and Polar regions for social and environmental impact, identifying strengths and areas for growth and collaboration.

Review and feedback loops: Our team undertake familiarisation trips to assess hotels, services, and itinerary quality. Feedback is shared with suppliers and used to improve products, training, and customer experiences.

Pilot initiatives and scaling: We trial new practices—such as electric vehicle transfers or hotel sustainability checks—with willing partners, scaling successful approaches across itineraries.

Polar Travel  

When it comes to Antarctica and the Arctic, responsibility and sustainability take on an added layer of oversight. All polar trips we offer are operated by International Association of Antarctic Tourism Operators (IAATO - Antarctica) and Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO - Arctic) member companies, whose frameworks ensure environmental stewardship, ethical conduct, and rigorous compliance with international treaties and standards.

Governance and Oversight

IAATO and AECO members are subject to extensive governance systems that include mandatory adherence to international, national, and local laws.

IAATO

IAATO operates an on-board observer program, including for provisional or probationary members, to verify compliance with operational standards and the Antarctic Treaty System.  

Qualified IAATO-appointed observers monitor compliance with environmental protection, pollution prevention, biosecurity, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), emergency response, waste management, wildlife protocols, and site-specific regulations.

AECO

AECO requires all members to comply with its comprehensive Operational Guidelines, developed with input from scientific and conservation bodies, to safeguard the Arctic environment and communities.

These guidelines cover environmental protection, waste management, climate and emissions reduction, biosecurity, wildlife and community interaction protocols, safety, and detailed operational procedures for landings and vessel activities.

AECO requires all staff to pass seasonal Field Staff and Mariners Assessments, ensuring that personnel are trained to operate responsibly in sensitive Arctic environments.

Environmental Stewardship

IAATO members comply with the Antarctic Treaty Environmental Protocol, covering protection of flora, fauna, and ecosystems, strict waste management, biosecurity procedures to prevent non-native species, and adherence to protected area restrictions.

AECO members follow comprehensive guidelines in the Arctic, including minimizing environmental impact, preventing alien species introductions, reducing emissions, responsible wildlife observation, and ensuring positive engagement with local communities.

Both organizations require environmental impact assessments before trips and encourage continuous improvement in emissions reduction and sustainable operations.

Science and Conservation

IAATO operators support scientific research by transporting personnel, equipment, and supplies for national Antarctic programs, and by providing logistical support to conservation projects.

Both IAATO and AECO emphasize educational initiatives, promoting awareness of polar conservation and enabling travellers to return as informed ambassadors for these fragile environments.

Enforcement and Accountability

Operators face disciplinary measures if they fail to meet IAATO or AECO standards, including reprimand, probation, or expulsion.

These governance frameworks ensure that trips to the Polar regions are not only compliant with international law but also aligned with best-practice principles in safety, environmental protection, and community engagement.

Empowering Responsible Travellers

• Pre-departure materials and on-trip briefings reinforce respectful, low-impact behaviour.
• Promote support for local economies, conservation, and sustainable products.
• Invite travellers to contribute to the Make A Difference Foundation, with 100% of donations going directly to impact.
• Use feedback loops to continuously improve itineraries, supplier engagement, and travel guidance.

What you’ll see in practice:

• Locally led itineraries with partners.  
• Trip audits and famils that continuously improve quality and sustainability.
• Polar voyages designed for environmental compliance and guest education.
• Low-carbon activity and local community choices integrated into itineraries.
• Pre-trip guidance, on-trip briefings, and post-trip feedback driving continuous improvement.