Sustainability
Small groups.
Careful routes.
Stated plainly.
This is the policy ScandiXplore works to on every tour in Finnish Lapland, Helsinki and Porto. It says what we do, what we're still working on, and how you can hold us to it.
Why this matters to us
Our tours depend on things that can't be replaced: dark skies, clean snow, healthy forests and wildlife, and communities that are happy to share their home with visitors. Lapland in particular is fragile. Winter tourism has grown fast around Rovaniemi, and the pressure falls on the same few viewpoints, trails and villages. Running a small operation gives us room to do this differently, and we'd rather write down how than just say we care.
ScandiXplore is enrolled in the Biosphere Sustainable programme and is working toward the Biosphere Committed award. The commitments below are aligned with that programme and with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
1. Protecting nature
- Leave no trace. Everything we bring into the forest leaves with us, including food scraps and used hand warmers. We stay on established tracks and stopping points where they exist.
- Wildlife keeps its distance. We never feed, chase or approach wild animals, including reindeer on the road. Photography happens from a respectful distance, without flash on animals.
- Fires only where allowed. Campfires are made only at designated fire sites or with the landowner's permission, following the fire warnings in force that day.
- Protecting the dark sky. On aurora hunts we keep vehicle lights and torches to what is needed for safety, and we ask guests to do the same. It helps the aurora and it helps everyone else watching.
- Spreading the load. Because our route follows the weather instead of a fixed viewpoint, we use a wide range of locations and avoid adding to crowding at the busiest spots.
2. Reducing waste and emissions
- Less single-use plastic. Hot drinks are served from thermoses in recyclable cups, which we collect after the tour and recycle. We avoid plastic cutlery and individually wrapped snacks where an alternative exists.
- Buying carefully. Food and supplies are bought for the confirmed group size, from local shops and producers where possible, to avoid waste. Leftovers are used, not thrown away.
- Paperless operation. Bookings, confirmations, invoices, safety information and photo delivery are all digital.
- Driving with purpose. One vehicle, maximum six guests, one route planned around real forecast data rather than aimless driving. We switch the engine off at every stop. The vehicle has a parking heater, so it stays warm for guests without idling.
- Waste sorting. All waste from our tours comes back with us and is sorted and recycled according to local rules in Rovaniemi, Helsinki and Porto.
3. Respecting local culture and communities
- Local guiding. Tours are guided by Jorge, who lives in Rovaniemi, or by trusted local partners. We don't sell tours run by operators we don't know.
- Sámi culture with respect. We share context about Sámi culture and reindeer herding honestly and without turning it into a costume or a show. We don't photograph people or their property without permission.
- Private land and everyman's rights. We follow Finland's everyman's rights (jokamiehenoikeudet) and explain them to guests: where you can walk, where you can't, and why.
- Supporting the local economy. We recommend local restaurants, cafés, producers and businesses to our guests, and buy from them ourselves.
4. Our guests
- Information before you arrive. Every guest receives guidance on responsible behaviour, clothing and safety before the tour, and we explain the nature, culture and history of each place during it.
- Safety first. We keep a written emergency protocol, carry first aid equipment, and adapt or cancel plans when conditions make a tour unsafe.
- Inclusion and accessibility. We guide natively in English, Portuguese and Spanish. We assess the accessibility of each tour and tell you honestly what it involves, so you can decide, and we adapt where we can. If you have specific needs, tell us when you book.
- Listening. We ask for feedback after every tour, including on how we handle sustainability, and use it to correct what isn't working.
5. Being honest about it
Our honest-sky standard applies here too. We won't call something sustainable because it sounds good. This policy describes how we operate now. Where something is still a goal, we'll say so, and we'll report progress on this page.
This policy is reviewed every year, before the start of the aurora season. We share it with every partner and guide who works with us.
Tell us how we're doing
If you see us fall short of anything on this page, or have an idea for how we could do better, write to scandixplore@gmail.com. We read and answer everything.
ScandiXplore (Romualdo Valokuvaus) · Ratakatu 10, Rovaniemi, Finland
Approved by Jorge Manuel Silva Romualdo, founder · September 2026 · Next review: September 2027