Pioneer Expeditions - about us

The principles and concepts behind a Pioneer expedition


Cotahuasi Canyon TrekThere's more to an adventure than the mainstream, mass marketed holidays that repeat the same itinerary countless times. Real adventures involve new, exciting and pioneering experiences.

Pioneer Expeditions offers real adventures achieving extraordinary 'Pioneer Firsts'.

Our original 'Pioneer' itineraries are only run a limited number of times.   This allows very small groups (usually up to 8 people) to visit exotic and little visited destinations, minimising the negative impact on the local environment and maximising the positives.

Nature and culture are important to us and there are plenty of opportunities on every trip to explore the fascinating flora and fauna, unusual places and landmarks around us. And after comfortably 'roughing it' in the wilds, we tend to spend the last few days
Polar explorer, Greenland relaxing in more luxurious accommodation. We try to make life as comfortable as possible, even when camping out in the wilds.

Our expedition leaders are very experienced field professionals and, while they are highly knowledgeable about their expedition area, we know that no one knows a place better than the people who live there so we always employ local guides and experts to work with our Pioneer leaders.

On many expeditions we aim to be the first group to achieve an unusual objective or particular mission.  Canoeing a river from source to sea, climbing a remote
Matsiatra, Madagascarmountain, swimming a volcanic lake, trekking a glacier or traversing a tropical island; we are constantly researching new ideas and experiences.

You will not need any specialist skills to come on a pioneer expedition – though you may leave with some – and age
Palawan, Philippines is no barrier.

Ready to learn more about these expeditions planned for the coming year?

Click here to view 2009 destinations

 

Got a question?... Have a look at our frequently asked section, or contact us

Environmental and Social Impact Policy

All Pioneer expeditions are organised and led with a commitment to maximising the benefits of our trips to the local community and minimising the negative impact associated with tourism. We employ local agents and staff, not just to benefit the local economy, but also to give you a real sense of the local culture. To greatly reduce our impact on the environment there is a maximum of 8-12 team members, which helps to minimise the damage associated with large scale tourism.

On our trips we do not leave anything behind where we camp, trek, raft, kayak or sail. We leave places like we found them, in fact we sometimes leave them in better condition. Most of our expeditions do involve some sort of environmentally friendly power such as trekking by foot, paddling a raft or sailing a boat.

To support the local communities, we sleep and eat in locally-run establishments where possible, and interact sensibly with locals as we believe in positive cultural exchanges so as not to change their lives – this means trade not aid.

Disclosure Policy

Business Description

Pioneer Expeditions Worldwide Ltd have a network of experienced travel industry professionals and local agencies which enable us to create and organise original scheduled expeditions, tailor made trips, group and corporate challenges as well as provide TV expedition logistics.

Our company registration number is: 05781320
Our company VAT number is: 974 5278 76

Privacy Policy

  • Your privacy is important to us. We will only use the information that we collect about you lawfully, in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 ("data protection laws").
  • We collect information from you for operational purposes: to help process your booking, brochure, dossier and availability requests, and to help us provide you with a more personal service.
  • We use your personal information to provide you with trip information and special offers which we think may be of interest to you.  If you do not wish to receive any of this information please let us know and we will delete your details upon request. 
  • Upon booking we may disclose any relevant personal information in the form of a manifest to our local agencies and/or tour leaders.  This is solely for the purpose of the trip organisation. We DO NOT sell, rent, trade or give away any of your personal information for any purpose.
  • We do not store any credit card numbers, so if you wish to use a credit card for any part of a booking (deposit or balance) you will need to phone us with your credit card details.  After taking payment, these details will be shredded.   .

Delivery policy

  • Prior to completing your booking form and sending Pioneer Expeditions a deposit, we will reserve a place on a trip for up to 2 weeks to ensure your choice of holiday is available
  • Upon receipt of your booking form and deposit we will email you confirmation of booking
  • All monies from your deposit and your balance are held securely in a client trust account until sucessful completion of your holiday.
  • Pioneer will send you joining instructions which includes kit list, visa and medical information.  It also includes your personal details, flight information, insurance details and next of kin details, so you can confirm these are correct.
  • Full balance for your trip is due 56 days before your trip is due to commence. Pioneer will email you an invoice for this balance prior to this date. 
  • Upon receipt of your balance, Pioneer will email you any final details and vouchers if applicable.
  • At all stages between booking and your holiday, we are always happy to assist and will be able to answer any queries by email or phone.

Cancellation policy

  • At time of booking, Pioneer Expeditions will inform you whether the trip has reached minimum numbers to go ahead.
  • Occasionally, we may have to cancel a booking. We shall cancel a trip no less than 28 days before the start date. If we cancel, we will offer an alternative holiday or refund all monies paid by you, but we shall be under no further obligation.
  • If you cancel following receipt of your written confirmation and invoice, or if you fail to pay the full cost of the holiday within the specified time, you will be liable to pay cancellation charges.  These are calculated according to the date when we receive written notification of cancellation or the date upon which your cancellation is treated as occurring because of non-payment.  The changes are based upon a proportion of the total cost of the holiday as follows:

    More than 71 days    -  loss of deposit
    Between 70 & 56 days - 40% of invoice
    Between 56 & 14 days - 90% of invoice
    Less than 14 days - 100% of invoice

Contact Us

  • If you have any questions about Pioneer Expeditions Worldwide Ltd, our trips, how to book, specific country information, or assistance with any aspect of your trip booking, please do not hesitate to contact us.
  • By Phone - 0845 0047801 - available 24/7 - when not in the office this number is transferred to an out of office mobile.  Please leave a message on the mobile and we will get back to you within 24 hours at the most.
  • By Email - info@pioneerexpeditions.com - this email is constantly monitored on a daily basis.  We often respond within 2 hours, however we will always will endeavour to respond within 24 hours (except on Sundays).
  • By Mail - Please send any postage communications to Laurenne Mansbridge, Pioneer Expeditions, The Well House, Chydyok Road, East Chaldon, Dorset, DT2 8DN, UK

 

Pioneer Standards

We at Pioneer lead and encourage our clients to take responsibility for the environmental impact of the expeditions and we try to minimise the impact of our challenges on the environment within which we operate. We are therefore committed to continual improvement in our environmental performance, preventing pollution and minimising our effects through a complete programme of annual reviews of our expeditions and try to make our activities environmentally and socially positive.

Our local guides always include details of the impact of tourism in the area and the positive and negative aspects. Where possible they will encourage participants to follow local customs and adopt practices that work in harmony with the habitat and environment. They will brief on the rights of the porters and muleteers and lead by example in their interaction and conduct.
We will ensure that:
• We pay a fair income for all locally employed staff
• Use local equipment and vehicles when we can
• We purchase food from locally sourced providers
• Use locally owned and run accommodation where possible
• Discourage local begging and giving of cash gifts
• Employ local agents therefore ensuring income is kept in country whenever possible
• Encourage maximum communications between locals and participants to encourage mutual understanding and respect between cultures

As well as the effect we can have on local cultures we also ensure that we consider environmental, cultural, economic and political issues in the planning stage of an expedition. Further considerations are:

• Achieve zero litter, and when appropriate remove local litter
• Avoid pollution from our camp and accommodation activities
• Achieve zero damage and impact to local flora and fauna
• Encourage understanding of the local environment and its fragilities
• Encourage the eating of local foods therefore preserving traditional farming practice
• Encourage the use of biodegradable products especially washing products.
• Ensure good practice on all toilet activities, i.e. avoiding pollution to water courses
• Ensure waste is minimized and recycled whenever possible
• Minimise the use of water

Our commitment to our environmental policy extends to our working environment and all staff recycle and make business decisions with an ethical dimension such as using public transport and maximising the use of email. We are committed to running a business that has as little environmental impact as possible.
 

 

"The world is full of pristine wilderness and unique challenges. You just need to know where to look..."
Adrian Gray, Managing Director