Hike’n Sail Turkey testifies that the only way to maintain sustainable tourism in Turkey, we need to understand, promote and practice the GSTC Industry Criteria for Tour Operators.

For this purpose our policies, plans, decisions, and actions should comply with the following criteria:

• Use locally owned infrastructure for accommodation and transport where possible.
• Spread the financial benefits amongst local people and operators.
• Make sure that all employees and others are treated with dignity and respect, and without discrimination, particularly on the bases of racial/ethnic background, ability/disability, neurodiversity, language, socioeconomic status, citizenship or land of origin, faith/religion/spiritual affiliation, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, age, or marital status.
• Respect local customs and culture.
• Provide safe trips.
• Educate our travelers and our providers about how and why we choose to travel this way.
• Avoid pressuring the local lifestyle.
• Leave no trace in sensitive natural and cultural environments.
• Support the organizations and local communities visited by Hike’n Sail groups.
• Provide fun enjoyable trips to Hike’n Sail travelers.
• Provide opportunities for travelers to interact with local people.
• Do not tolerate the leader and passenger participation in or endorsement of commercial sexual activities or illegal drugs.
• Actively discourage the participation of Hike’n Sail groups in activities that exploit animals, and plants – wild or domestic.
• Work with local providers that adhere to Hike’n Sail’s principles and provide the best possible service to Hike’n Sail travelers and staff.
• Work to prevent the exploitation of children in tourism.
• Support and encourage fair employment practices.
• Give our travelers the best possible value.
• Actively reduce our carbon emissions wherever possible and offset the balance, aiming to maintain our carbon-neutral status since 2020.
• Have a strict switch-off policy for all devices if they are not in use. Avoid over-heating and over-cooling.
• If a contracted accommodation has been found to jeopardize the integrity of and the local community’s access to essential resources, essential services, access to livelihood, and access to important sites, Hike’n Sail reserves the right to terminate the contract without warning.

We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting it through our compliance with this privacy policy (“Policy”). This Policy describes the types of information we may collect from you or that you may provide (“Personal Information”) on the hikeandsail.com website (“Website” or “Service”) and any of its related products and services (collectively, “Services”), and our practices for collecting, using, maintaining, protecting, and disclosing that Personal Information. It also describes the choices available to you regarding our use of your Personal Information and how you can access and update it.

This Policy is a legally binding agreement between you (“User”, “you” or “your”) and Hike’n Sail Türkiye (doing business as “Guvercin Turizm Ltd. Şti.”, “we”, “us” or “our”). If you are entering into this agreement on behalf of a business or other legal entity, you represent that you have the authority to bind such entity to this agreement, in which case the terms “User”, “you” or “your” shall refer to such entity. If you do not have such authority, or if you do not agree with the terms of this agreement, you must not accept this agreement and may not access and use the Website and Services. By accessing and using the Website and Services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by the terms of this Policy. This Policy does not apply to the practices of companies that we do not own or control, or to individuals that we do not employ or manage.

Collection of information

Our top priority is customer data security and, as such, we exercise the no logs policy. We may process only minimal user data, only as much as it is absolutely necessary to maintain the Website and Services. Information collected automatically is used only to identify potential cases of abuse and establish statistical information regarding the usage and traffic of the Website and Services. This statistical information is not otherwise aggregated in such a way that would identify any particular user of the system.

Privacy of Children

We do not knowingly collect any Personal Information from children under the age of 18. If you are under the age of 18, please do not submit any Personal Information through the Website and Services. If you have reason to believe that a child under the age of 18 has provided Personal Information to us through the Website and Services, please contact us to request that we delete that child’s Personal Information from our Services.

We encourage parents and legal guardians to monitor their children’s Internet usage and to help enforce this Policy by instructing their children never to provide Personal Information through the Website and Services without their permission. We also ask that all parents and legal guardians overseeing the care of children take the necessary precautions to ensure that their children are instructed to never give out Personal Information when online without their permission.

Use and processing of collected information

We act as a data controller and a data processor when handling Personal Information, unless we have entered into a data processing agreement with you in which case you would be the data controller and we would be the data processor.

Our role may also differ depending on the specific situation involving Personal Information. We act in the capacity of a data controller when we ask you to submit your Personal Information that is necessary to ensure your access and use of the Website and Services. In such instances, we are a data controllers because we determine the purposes and means of the processing of Personal Information.

We act in the capacity of a data processor in situations when you submit Personal Information through the Website and Services. We do not own, control, or make decisions about the submitted Personal Information, and such Personal Information is processed only in accordance with your instructions. In such instances, the User providing Personal Information acts as a data controller.

In order to make the Website and Services available to you, or to meet a legal obligation, we may need to collect and use certain Personal Information. If you do not provide the information that we request, we may not be able to provide you with the requested products or services. Any of the information we collect from you may be used to help us run and operate the Website and Services.

Processing your Personal Information depends on how you interact with the Website and Services, where you are located in the world and if one of the following applies: (i) you have given your consent for one or more specific purposes; (ii) provision of information is necessary for the performance of an agreement with you and/or for any pre-contractual obligations thereof; (iii) processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which you are subject; (iv) processing is related to a task that is carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in us; (v) processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by us or by a third party.

Note that under some legislations we may be allowed to process information until you object to such processing by opting out, without having to rely on consent or any other of the legal bases. In any case, we will be happy to clarify the specific legal basis that applies to the processing, and in particular whether the provision of Personal Information is a statutory or contractual requirement, or a requirement necessary to enter into a contract.

Disclosure of information

Depending on the requested Services or as necessary to complete any transaction or provide any Service you have requested, we may share your information with our affiliates, contracted companies, and service providers (collectively, “Service Providers”) we rely upon to assist in the operation of the Website and Services available to you and whose privacy policies are consistent with ours or who agree to abide by our policies with respect to Personal Information. We will not share any personally identifiable information with third parties and will not share any information with unaffiliated third parties.

Service Providers are not authorized to use or disclose your information except as necessary to perform services on our behalf or comply with legal requirements. Service Providers are given the information they need only in order to perform their designated functions, and we do not authorize them to use or disclose any of the provided information for their own marketing or other purposes.

Retention of information

We will retain and use your Personal Information for the period necessary to comply with our legal obligations, to enforce our agreements, resolve disputes, and unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

We may use any aggregated data derived from or incorporating your Personal Information after you update or delete it, but not in a manner that would identify you personally. Once the retention period expires, Personal Information shall be deleted. Therefore, the right to access, the right to erasure, the right to rectification, and the right to data portability cannot be enforced after the expiration of the retention period.

Data Analytics

Our Website and Services may use third-party analytics tools that use cookies, web beacons, or other similar information-gathering technologies to collect standard internet activity and usage information. The information gathered is used to compile statistical reports on User activity such as how often Users visit our Website and Services, what pages they visit and for how long, etc. We use the information obtained from these analytics tools to monitor the performance and improve our Website and Services.

Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers incorporate a Do Not Track feature that signals to websites you visit that you do not want to have your online activity tracked. Tracking is not the same as using or collecting information in connection with a website. For these purposes, tracking refers to collecting personally identifiable information from consumers who use or visit a website or online service as they move across different websites over time. The Website and Services do not track its visitors over time and across third-party websites. However, some third-party websites may keep track of your browsing activities when they serve you content, which enables them to tailor what they present to you. For a description of Do Not Track protocols for browsers and mobile devices or to learn more about the choices available to you, visit internetcookies.com

Social Media Features

Our Website and Services may include social media features, such as the Facebook and Twitter buttons, Share This buttons, etc (collectively, “Social Media Features”). These Social Media Features may collect your IP address, what page you are visiting on our Website and Services, and may set a cookie to enable Social Media Features to function properly. Social Media Features are hosted either by their respective providers or directly on our Website and Services. Your interactions with these Social Media Features are governed by the privacy policy of their respective providers.

Email Marketing

We offer electronic newsletters to which you may voluntarily subscribe at any time. We are committed to keeping your e-mail address confidential and will not disclose your email address to any third parties except as allowed in the information use and processing section. We will maintain the information sent via e-mail in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

In compliance with the CAN-SPAM Act, all e-mails sent from us will clearly state who the e-mail is from and provide clear information on how to contact the sender. You may choose to stop receiving our newsletter or marketing emails by following the unsubscribe instructions included in these emails or by contacting us.

Links to other resources

The Website and Services contain links to other resources that are not owned or controlled by us. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other resources or third parties. We encourage you to be aware when you leave the Website and Services and to read the privacy statements of each and every resource that may collect Personal Information.

Information Security

We secure information you provide on computer servers in a controlled, secure environment, protected from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. We maintain reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards in an effort to protect against unauthorized access, use, modification, and disclosure of Personal Information in our control and custody. However, no data transmission over the Internet or wireless network can be guaranteed.

Therefore, while we strive to protect your Personal Information, you acknowledge that (i) there are security and privacy limitations of the Internet which are beyond our control; (ii) the security, integrity, and privacy of any and all information and data exchanged between you and the Website and Services cannot be guaranteed; and (iii) any such information and data may be viewed or tampered with in transit by a third party, despite best efforts.

Data Breach

In the event we become aware that the security of the Website and Services has been compromised or Users’ Personal Information has been disclosed to unrelated third parties as a result of external activity, including, but not limited to, security attacks or fraud, we reserve the right to take reasonably appropriate measures, including, but not limited to, investigation and reporting, as well as notification to and cooperation with law enforcement authorities. In the event of a data breach, we will make reasonable efforts to notify affected individuals if we believe that there is a reasonable risk of harm to the User as a result of the breach or if notice is otherwise required by law. When we do, we will send you an email.

Changes and Amendments

We reserve the right to modify this Policy or its terms related to the Website and Services at any time at our discretion. When we do, we will revise the updated date at the bottom of this page. We may also provide notice to you in other ways at our discretion, such as through the contact information you have provided.

An updated version of this Policy will be effective immediately upon the posting of the revised Policy unless otherwise specified. Your continued use of the Website and Services after the effective date of the revised Policy (or such other act specified at that time) will constitute your consent to those changes. However, we will not, without your consent, use your Personal Information in a manner materially different than what was stated at the time your Personal Information was collected.

Acceptance of this policy

You acknowledge that you have read this Policy and agree to all its terms and conditions. By accessing and using the Website and Services and submitting your information you agree to be bound by this Policy. If you do not agree to abide by the terms of this Policy, you are not authorized to access or use the Website and Services. This privacy policy was created with the help of WebsitePolicies.com

Contacting Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints regarding this Policy, the information we hold about you, or if you wish to exercise your rights, we encourage you to contact us using the Contact Us Page.

We will attempt to resolve complaints and disputes and make every reasonable effort to honor your wish to exercise your rights as quickly as possible and in any event, within the timescales provided by applicable data protection laws.

This document was last updated on March 11, 2023

At Hike’n Sail Türkiye, we are dedicated to providing exceptional travel experiences for our clients. However, we understand that situations may arise where clients are not completely satisfied with certain aspects of their journey. We take such feedback seriously and have established this client complaint policy to ensure that any concerns are addressed promptly and effectively.

1. Reporting a Complaint

If you have a complaint related to any aspect of your tour, please follow these steps:

Contact Your Tour Guide: Your tour guide is your primary point of contact during the tour. They are there to assist and address any concerns you may have in real-time.

Contact Our Office: If your complaint is not resolved to your satisfaction during the tour, or if you have concerns after the tour has concluded, please contact our office. Provide us with details of your complaint and any relevant supporting documents.

2. Acknowledgment of Complaint

Upon receiving your complaint, we will acknowledge it within 24 hours through your preferred contact method.

3. Investigation and Resolution

Thorough Investigation: We will conduct a thorough investigation into your complaint, considering all relevant information.

Resolution Timeframe: We strive to resolve complaints promptly. However, more complex issues may require additional time. We will provide you with an estimated resolution timeframe.

4. Communication

Regular Updates: We will keep you informed about the progress of our investigation and resolution.

Dedicated Contact: A dedicated contact person will be assigned to you, serving as your main point of contact throughout the resolution process.

5. Fair Resolution

Resolution Options: We aim to achieve a fair resolution that addresses your concerns and reflects the nature of the complaint.

Compensation: If appropriate, we may offer compensation or an alternative solution as part of the resolution.

6. Feedback and Continuous Improvement

Learning from Complaints: We view complaints as valuable feedback for improvement. Your insights help us enhance our services.

7. Privacy and Confidentiality

Confidentiality: We treat all complaints and associated information with strict confidentiality.

8. Enhancing Our Services

Feedback Utilization: We use feedback from complaints to continually enhance our services and prevent similar issues in the future.

Contact / Responsible person

All staff is responsible for the ownership and undertaking of this policy.

All staff is responsible for the promotion and implementation of this sustainability policy within their departments. The implementation of this policy will be led by the Sustainability Coordinator, Liliana Rios Santana, who can be reached at sustainability@hikeandsail.com.

Effective date

 This policy is effective from August 18th, 2023.

Hike’n Sail Türkiye

Hike’n Sail Türkiye Climate Action Partnership with Tomorrow’s Air 

Inspired by nature and in recognition of travel’s opportunity to help when it comes to our climate, Hike’n Sail Türkiye is joining Tomorrow’s Air, supporting climate action education and accelerating the development of sustainable aviation fuel and carbon removal with permanent storage.

We learned that alongside conventional carbon offsetting and natural climate solutions, new carbon removal and storage approaches are also needed to help us clean up the trillion tons of excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The reality is that even if all carbon dioxide emissions were to halt completely right now, Earth’s warming would continue due to the high levels of carbon dioxide already stored in the atmosphere. The only way to permanently reverse warming is through carbon removal.

Hike’n Sail Türkiye made a carbon removal contribution to Tomorrow’s Air in 2023, funding an order for one ton of carbon dioxide to be removed and permanently stored. Hike’n Sail Türkiye will also support climate conscious travel and carbon removal education with Tomorrow’s Air, supporting online social campaigns, research and industry event content.

Additionally, beginning in January 2024,  Hike’n Sail Türkiye is incorporating a $30 contribution to Tomorrow’s Air into all its trips. Hike’n Sail Türkiye traveler contributions support:

• Inspiring traveler education about meaningful climate action 
• 50% to carbon removal and permanent storage 
• 50% to CO2e via sustainable aviation fuel 

How It Works

The Tomorrow’s Air portfolio of carbon removal innovators includes pioneering companies selected for their technical and hybrid nature-tech solutions that can help restore our climate: Climeworks, Pacific Biochar, Eion Enhanced Rock Weathering and Neste Sustainable Aviation Fuel.  

Traveler and Hike’n Sail Türkiye’s contributions support climate conscious travel education and directly fund emissions reductions via sustainable aviation fuel and carbon removal provided by these companies. 

About Climeoworks

With direct air capture, carbon collectors capture carbon dioxide from ambient air. Air is drawn into the collector with a fan, and adheres to a filter within the collector. Once the filter is saturated, the collector is closed, and the temperature is increased, releasing pure carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide is dissolved in water, just as a soda machine makes sparkling water.

Graphic courtesy Climeworks

This water mixed with carbon dioxide is then injected deep underground into basaltic rock in Iceland. The basaltic rocks release metals that mix with the carbon dioxide in the water and turn this carbon dioxide into stone. The process safely and permanently removes the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere since rocks cannot leak out of the ground. The entire process is powered by geothermal energy.

About Pacific Biochar

Pacific Biochar captures and stores carbon dioxide by stabilizing natural processes of decay in organic matter and keeping it safely in the ground. The biochar created is used in soil applications. Biochar can help enhance the overall health of soil by helping hold plant nutrients in topsoil. It also supports increases in crop yield, and can also help conserve water used for crops by improving the water retention of the soil.

About Eion Enhanced Weathering 

Eion’s novel process speeds up the natural process of chemical weathering that causes the breakdown of rocks and minerals, storing carbon dioxide along the way. Eion applies crushed silicate rock – olivine – to soil. Through existing moisture and acidity in the soil, the crushed rock dissolves, resulting in carbon dioxide being pulled from the atmosphere into the solution. The bicarbonate ions that are formed as part of the process over time make their way to the ocean. Once they reach the ocean, they improve ocean alkalinity and remain at the bottom of the ocean for 500,000 years.

About Sustainable Aviation Fuel 

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a  biofuel that can be used to power airplanes. It  is “drop in” fuel that can be mixed with conventional jet fuel and requires no modification to existing jet engines and airport infrastructure. SAF is created from renewable sources such as waste oil and fats, green and municipal waste and non-food crops. These products are processed to produce a more sustainable, safe and powerful jet fuel substitute that can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80 percent compared to using fossil jet fuel. Despite its benefits the International Air Transport Association (IATA), reports that the use of sustainable aviation fuels was only 0.1 percent of the total jet fuel consumption in 2022. Tomorrow’s Air is helping to expand the use of sustainable aviation fuel by aggregating and coordinating traveler and travel business demand for it, which will help grow the supply and expand its use.

Hike’n Sail Türkiye Travelers Are A Valuable Part of the Solution

As a global community, travel holds immense potential to support our society’s transition to sustainability. Millions of travelers along with countless travel companies around the world form a potentially powerful collective to embrace climate-conscious travel and support innovative carbon removal solutions that will be needed alongside our forests, oceans, and soils to absorb and store carbon dioxide.

Through their stories and perspectives as well as through their direct contributions to carbon removal with permanent storage, Hike’n Sail Türkiye’s travelers are building the carbon removal movement and providing vital funding for pioneer decarbonization solutions. 

Hike’n Sail Türkiye travelers are encouraged to share their personal travel stories and perspectives with the Tomorrow’s Air community and are invited to 

• Follow Tomorrow’s Air on Instagram @tomorrowsair_
• Sign up for the Airrow Bulletin for travel insights and carbon removal highlights
• Join the collective as a Supporter, Leader or Champion member

We All Share the Same Air

Carbon dioxide is extremely well-mixed in our atmosphere: emissions from one part of the world mix in with emissions from other parts of the world. When we reduce the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide—regardless of where on Earth the reduction occurs—the entire atmosphere, and all of us on Earth who are protected by it, benefit.

Let’s band together to restore our climate.