Cari and family visiting with Sol y Luna students in Peru’s Sacred Valley

1 – SOL Y LUNA:

The Sol y Luna Foundation supports children from the Sacred Valley who live in extreme poverty. The foundation provides housing, education, care, and a stable, loving environment for hundreds of children. The foundation was established in 1998 by the owner of the relais & chateaux Hotel Sol y Luna. Petit meribel is a dear friend of Gray & Co. The school sits near the property which makes it very convenient for guests to visit the joyful classrooms, meet the students, and see firsthand how tourism directly supports the local community. Cari Gray comments, “The proceeds from the hotel are used by Petit to support the foundation. Her devotion to the kids is unwavering. She’s just amazing!”

A morning with the elephants at Mandalao in Laos

2 – MANDALAO ELEPHANT CONSERVATION:

Just outside Luang Prabang, MandaLao Elephant Conservation offers one of the most thoughtful elephant experiences in Southeast Asia, where small groups walk alongside the animals rather than ride them. As Christian from our team noted, it stands out for “the amount of wild space it gives its elephants to simply be elephants.” With a strong focus on ethical care and supporting local mahout families, the sanctuary provides refuge for elephants rescued from mass tourism, logging, and urban environments. There is no lodge on site, but the experience can be easily arranged from nearby hotels, making it a meaningful addition to any stay in the region.

Wild tapir spotted in Tapir Valley, Costa Rica

3 – TAPIR VALLEY CONSERVATION:

Located at the base of Tenorio Volcano in Costa Rica, Tapir Valley Conservation is a project dedicated to protecting and restoring vital rainforest habitat. What was once cattle pasture has been transformed into a thriving reserve through reforestation and wetland rehabilitation. As Carolyn from our team shared, “it’s a conservation success story led by locals Donald and Esteban,” now creating a safe haven for a range of species — from the endangered Baird’s tapir to countless birds, amphibians, and other wildlife — all experienced through a meaningful, low-impact visit. Easily accessed from nearby stays, it pairs well with time in Costa Rica’s northern rainforest region.

A rescued baby rhino at the Sheldrick Nursery, Nairobi

4 – SHELDRICK CENTER:

Based in Nairobi, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is known for its pioneering work rescuing orphaned elephants, rhinos and other species, while protecting wildlife across Kenya. A visit to the Nairobi nursery offers a close look at this process, where Eve from our team shared, “hearing each animal’s story was emotional, and seeing the care behind every decision, like keeping a blind rhino in his own protected space, showed how committed they are to doing what’s best for the animals.” The Trust also operates conservation lodges near reintegration sites and an online adoption program, allowing guests to follow each animal’s journey back to the wild.

World Bicycle Relief in action

5 – WORLD BICYCLE RELIEF:

At Gray & Co., we have long supported World Bicycle Relief, whose work focuses on building and distributing what it calls Buffalo Bicycles — durable, heavy-duty bikes designed for rural conditions where transportation can be one of the biggest daily challenges. The organization works primarily across Africa, with some programs in South America, providing reliable mobility in places where distances are long and infrastructure is limited. In many communities, these bicycles make everyday life more manageable: students can get to school, small businesses can bring goods to market, and healthcare workers are able to reach remote villages that would otherwise be difficult to access. The impact is simple but powerful, and one we have seen firsthand while traveling in the regions where they work.

Phare students performing live

6 – PHARE, THE CAMBODIAN CIRCUS:

In Cambodia, the Phare Circus in Siem Reap is closely connected to the Phare Ponleu Selpak non-profit school, which provides free education, arts training, and support to young Cambodians from challenging backgrounds. The circus was created as an extension of the school, and many of the performers were trained through its programs, using theater, music, and acrobatics as a path toward stable employment and creative expression, all without the use of animals. Guests can attend a performance or take part in a workshop, and revenue from the shows helps fund the school’s ongoing work while providing well-paid jobs for its graduates, making it a strong example of responsible tourism in practice.

APOPO rat at work in Cambodia

7 – APOPO:

Based in Siem Reap, APOPO trains rats to detect landmines in the Cambodian countryside — remnants from both the Vietnam War era and the Khmer Rouge conflict. Cambodia is still believed to have millions of landmines scattered across the country, and more than 20,000 people have been killed by them since the end of the conflict in 1998. While landmine clearance is complex and resource-intensive, APOPO’s work stands out for its innovative approach. The trained rats allow staff to search large areas more efficiently and safely, while the organization also places strong emphasis on education, helping both local communities and visitors better understand the scale of the issue and its lasting human impact. Hero rats have recently garnered support and accolades for their years of heroic service — read more here.

Life returning to the reef at Peninsula Papagayo

8 – PENINSULA PAPAGAYO CORAL RESTORATION PROJECT:

In Costa Rica, guests can take part in Coral Restoration along the Peninsula Papagayo coastline, an area known for its rich marine life but also for reefs that have been affected by warming waters and changing ocean conditions. Visitors can join guided outings to help replant coral fragments, including coral planting, gardening and snorkelling, all while learning how reef systems are being rebuilt piece by piece. This program also allows guests to adopt a coral, supporting its long-term care while contributing to broader reef recovery efforts. Experiences like this can be arranged during stays at properties in the area, including Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, where conservation work is closely tied to the surrounding natural environment.

A Few More for Good Measure:

HUTAN
The HUTAN Project works to protect endangered wildlife in Malaysia through conservation, research, and long-term community partnerships.

OCK POP TOK
Ock Pop Tok in Luang Prabang supports traditional Lao weaving through fair employment, education, and the preservation of local craft.

GREAT PLAINS FOUNDATION
The Great Plains Foundation supports conservation and community projects across Africa, focusing on wildlife protection, education, and sustainability.

SONG SAA FOUNDATION
Song Saa Foundation supports marine conservation and local communities in Cambodia through reef protection, education, healthcare, and environmental initiatives across the Koh Rong Archipelago.