At Quasar Expeditions, we believe that travel at its best feels like coming home—only to a place you’ve never been. It’s that sense of awe when you stand on the rim of a volcano or lock eyes with a sea lion underwater. But we’ve always known that these moments come with massive responsibility.
Today, we’re thrilled to share news that feels like a natural continuation of our family’s lifelong love affair with the Galapagos Islands. Quasar is joining the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund (ATCF), with over $15,000 donated to support global conservation projects.
A Gift to Conservation: The 2024 Travel Auction
As part of our partnership with ATCF, we proudly donated an 8-day Galapagos Safari-Style Yacht Adventure aboard the Evolution Yacht to the 2024 Travel Conservation Auction. This journey is a celebration of everything we hold dear: immersive wildlife experiences, expert Naturalist Guides, and a deep respect for the environment.
The auction raised more than $100,000, funding projects that empower local communities and safeguard biodiversity. Being part of this effort is one more way we contribute to the preservation of the places we love.
What is the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund?
The ATCF is a global collective of adventure travel companies working together to fund grassroots conservation projects. Their mission is straightforward but powerful: to protect the ecosystems, communities, and cultural heritage that make adventure travel possible.
Through ATCF, resources go directly to local projects that create lasting change. From the remote jungles of Southeast Asia to the iconic landscapes of the Galapagos, these efforts ensure that future travelers can experience the wild beauty of our planet.
A Shared Commitment: Quasar Expeditions and ATCF
Joining the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund (ATCF) feels like a natural step in Quasar’s journey. For nearly four decades, we’ve guided travelers on immersive adventures that deepen their connection to the natural world. Sustainability has always been at the heart of what we do, and this partnership reinforces our promise to protect the very environments that make our expeditions extraordinary.
Through ATCF, we’re able to collaborate with like-minded organizations and individuals who share our vision. Together, we tackle the challenges of overtourism, environmental degradation, and cultural impacts, always with an eye toward solutions that uplift local communities and preserve the beauty of our world.
Our 2024 contribution to ATCF supports grassroots conservation projects that align with our values of sustainability, authenticity, and connection. It’s not just about protecting these places—it’s about ensuring they continue to inspire for generations to come.
A Legacy Rooted in Protection
My mother, Dolores Gangotena, was a teenager the first time she set foot in Galapagos. It was the 1960s, and she was on a high school field trip—a unique opportunity to travel with friends that changed the course of her life. She came home with salt in her hair, stories of wild tortoises, and a heart set on protecting the islands.
Her dream was simple: to show the world the magic of these islands while ensuring they remain pristine for generations to come. That dream has shaped every journey we offer, every conservation project we support, and every Guest we welcome aboard.
Adventure That Gives Back
Adventure should never come at the expense of the environment or local communities. That’s why we embrace an eco-friendly approach centered on three key pillars of sustainable travel: environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic impact.
By reducing our footprint, supporting local economies, and partnering with organizations tackling overtourism and social injustices, we’re committed to leaving every destination better than we found it. Luckily, innovators like ATCF share and help propel our vision.
Cutting Through the Noise: Why Transparency Matters
These days, “eco-travel” has become a buzzword—and not always in a good way. According to a 2023 Booking.com report, 76% of travelers aim to make more sustainable choices, but 43% are skeptical of eco-friendly claims unless supported by clear certifications.
At Quasar, transparency is at the core of everything we do. We’re not here to impress you with vague promises.
Instead, we focus on tangible, measurable actions:
- The Galapagos biodigester project, which turns waste into fertilizer, reducing the islands’ environmental impact.
- Supporting groundbreaking whale shark research to protect these gentle giants.
- Partnering with The Specialized Educational Unit of Galapagos to ensure that tourism benefits everyone, from the people who live here to the wildlife that calls these places home.
When you travel with Quasar, you’re not just visiting a destination—you’re helping protect it.
The Galapagos: Why It Matters
The Galapagos Islands are home to over 9,000 species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. This is a place where wildlife feels close enough to truly experience, yet wild enough to remind you that some things are meant to stay untamed.
It’s not unusual to watch blue footed boobies perform their charming courtship dance or giant tortoises lumbering through the highlands as they’ve done for centuries. Even after 40 years of Galapagos wildlife encounters, these moments are transformative. But they also remind us of how delicate this ecosystem is—and why protecting it is essential.
How You Can Help Protect These Wild Places
Every traveler has the power to make a difference. Here’s how you can get involved:
- Join the Travel Conservation Auction – Bid on unique experiences that directly support grassroots conservation projects.
- Travel with Purpose – When you choose companies like Quasar, your journey becomes a force for good.
- Support Organizations Like ATCF – Learn more about their work and share their mission with others.
Learn More About Eco-Travel with Quasar
For more details about our sustainability initiatives and how you can join us in making a difference, visit our Sustainability Travel page or the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund. Let’s continue to use travel as a force for good, preserving the extraordinary places that connect us to the earth and to each other.
Explore our latest Galapagos sustainability initiatives:
- From Waste to Resource: The Galapagos Biodigester & Organic Garden Journey
- A Greener Future for the Galapagos Islands (Read more)
- Responsible Tourism: The Backbone of Galapagos Islands Conservation (Read more)
- Supporting Gentle Giants: Quasar Expeditions & the Galapagos Whale Shark Project (Read more)
- Empowering Minds: The Specialized Educational Unit of Galapagos Islands (Watch video)
