our ethics
Responsible travel, done properly — for people and for the planet.
Fair Pay for the People Who Make It Happen
Behind every successful expedition is a hardworking local team — guides, drivers, porters, cooks and coordinators. Without them, your experience simply wouldn’t exist.
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That’s why we ensure they’re properly paid, well-treated, and given the respect they deserve.
We don’t squeeze budgets at their expense or rely on vague promises about “supporting locals.” We negotiate fair contracts, with wages that reflect the demands of the job and the value of their expertise, not just the minimum required by law.
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We also ensure tipping is clearly explained and transparently distributed, so that team members are never left relying on unpredictable generosity. When you travel with Crux, you know exactly where your money is going, and that it's going to the right people.
Local Partnerships, Not Just Hires
Our in-country partners aren’t just suppliers, they’re collaborators. Many have worked with us for years. We build long-term relationships based on mutual trust, honesty, and shared values.
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We choose to work with operators who also believe in fair treatment, proper equipment for porters, clear safety standards, and culturally respectful practice. Where these standards aren’t already in place, we advocate for them — and if necessary, we walk away from partnerships that fall short.
Ethical travel is not about doing the bare minimum. It’s about raising the bar.
Real Support for Local Communities
Our responsibility doesn’t end with the guides and porters. Where possible, we direct money into the wider community by using locally owned accommodation, eating at small restaurants, buying supplies from independent shops, and supporting initiatives that benefit the people who live there.
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In some regions, we work with grassroots projects to contribute, either financially or through hands-on involvement, in a way that’s genuinely useful. That might mean funding small repairs to a community centre, sourcing classroom materials for a school, or simply hiring extra local staff when the opportunity arises.
The goal isn’t charity. It’s contribution — directed by locals, not us.
Cultural Respect, Not Just Cultural Exchange
We never treat local culture as a backdrop for tourism. We recognise that the communities we pass through have traditions, beliefs, and ways of life that deserve our respect.
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Before your expedition begins, we’ll brief you on key customs and expectations, including dress codes, gender norms, and etiquette, so you arrive informed, not ignorant. We also make space for questions and conversations along the way, helping travellers engage with real curiosity and humility, not assumption.
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This kind of cultural respect doesn’t just make you a better traveller, it makes the experience richer for everyone involved.
Why it Matters
Because if we’re going to explore the world, we need to do it with care.
Because adventure is only meaningful if it uplifts, not undermines.
And because ethical travel isn’t about ticking a box, it’s about how we treat people, every step of the way.
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At Crux, this isn’t a marketing line. It’s the baseline.
Adventure done properly. People treated properly. That’s the Crux difference.