How Does The
EarthFoot Program
Work?

First of all...

If you didn't like your experience, we'll return your connection fee!

Also, you may want to review our "

quality control" program

Now, here is the short answer:

STEP 1:

 Choose a trip.

STEP 2:

 Send us $20.

STEP 3:

 Work things out with your host via e-mail.

And here is an answer with details:

 STEP 1: Choose one or more EarthFoot ecotour experiences.
At this site we describe a number of ecotours proposed by our hosts. The tours emphasize experiencing nature and native traditions; they are ecotours. Study our hosts' itineraries and areas of expertise, match their interests and times of availability with your own, and design your "dream itinerary."

STEP 2:

 By e-mail, let EarthFoot know which tour or tours interest you.
When you with your choices, we'll contact our host to see whether you can be received at the time you propose. We can also ask about any special requests you may have, such as wanting to camp out instead of staying in hotels, or having a helper along to carry extra equipment.

STEP 3:

 Submit your Connection Fee.
If our host is available at the time you want to visit, upon receipt of your Connection Fee of US $20, payable by check or online with a credit card, EarthFoot will enable you to make direct contact with your host or host helper by sending you the host's full name, e-mail and postal addresses, and telephone and fax number. After your trip, if for any reason at all you feel that your $20 connection fee was not worth the benefits you received from working with us, just e-mail us, explain to us what your problem was, and we'll refund your $20, no questions asked! By the way, once our operating expenses are met by these $20 fees, surplus funds will be directed into EarthFoot's Community-Based Ecotourism Project. This project aims to help isolated traditional communities worldwide gain access to the Internet, not only so they may participate more fully in the EarthFoot Program, but also so they can benefit from the Internet in other ways.

STEP 4:

 With your host or host helper, work out the details.
Having read our tour descriptions and host profiles, you'll know beforehand what to expect of both destination and host, including not only the tour's attractions, but also details of costs, and possible inconveniences. Now, with your host, or the designated host helper, you can craft your upcoming experience to your own liking. We think of the featured itineraries merely as "starting points." Of course, any changes from the proposed itinerary may increase or decrease the final fee you pay the host, so it is important for both parties to agree on the final fee before your departure. By the way, Host helpers are designated only in cases where the host has no access to e-mail. Helpers are never travel agencies or other commercial entities.

Step 5:

 Upon return from your travels, share your experiences with other EarthFooters.
  • Contribute to our "Essays, Stories & Notes" section.
  • Express your opinions about your experiences in our "Trip Feedback" section.

    • And that's how we do it...

    Return to the MAIN MENU

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