Montenegro hiking vacation

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

During this trip, we will reduce our carbon footprint by doing low-impact, human-powered activities like hiking. To minimize our environmental impacts during the tour, we avoid internal flights within the small geographic area we explore. When driving between locations, we opt for fuel-efficient vehicles appropriate for the group size and plan routes to reduce travel time. All hikes are concentrated in two regions of a small country, limiting unnecessary travel. On our return, we stop at Kotor, which is along our route, avoiding any extension of travel time.

For those flying into Croatia, we encourage consideration of flight emissions (which travelers can view while comparing flight options) and suggest choosing direct flights whenever possible. That is why we’ve selected Dubrovnik, Croatia as the starting point for this trip - the airport is one of the best-connected airports during the summer travel season and direct flights are available from many destinations. We are also happy to help arrange eco-friendly transportation options like buses, trains, or ride-shares to reach the starting point. We recommend packing light, and a pre-trip packing list will ensure essentials without excess baggage. Our accommodations are in the mountain areas, where cooler nights reduce the need for air conditioning, and during the day we will stay in natural areas doing activities like walking that don’t require any use of electricity or fuel.

Additionally, we stay and dine at local, family-run establishments, and whenever possible, we select partners that prioritize sustainability in their practices. While Montenegrin cuisine traditionally has a lot of meat and dairy, we ensure vegetarian and vegan meal options are available daily, with a focus on locally sourced ingredients.


ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Montenegro is among the European countries with the richest flora and fauna. It is considered one of the most diverse areas in the Balkan Peninsula, home to approximately 3,250 plant species. Protected areas cover 9.21% of the national territory, primarily consisting of the nation’s five national parks. Your walking guide will ensure the group moves respectfully through the environment.

While the country still faces challenges, particularly in waste management, the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency has been instrumental in reforming Montenegro’s legal, policy, and institutional frameworks for environmental protection and sustainable development. The government has increased the proportion of protected land to preserve biodiversity, notably through the designation of Prokletije National Park in 2009. It has also achieved its renewable energy target, with 27.7% of total energy consumption coming from renewable sources.

To help our guests consider and reduce their own impacts while they travel, each traveler receives a pre-departure information packet with tips on how to minimize their environmental impact and follow the principles of Leave No Trace.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

The accommodations on this tour are locally owned and family-operated businesses, supporting the communities we visit. In the Zabljak area, we will stay in an "etno village," where the owners raise animals and use locally sourced ingredients to prepare meals. In this way, we are keeping tourism dollars within local communities and avoiding working with large chains. We are also seeking to provide guests with more authentic experiences of the places they visit and offering them the chance to meet local people and purchase products from local sellers.

For meals not included as part of the tour, we recommend a variety of family-owned restaurants where guests can enjoy delicious and traditional meals while also supporting local small businesses.


EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

Our commitment goes beyond offering unforgettable tours. We ensure fair compensation for everyone involved, from our team members to our local partners. We strongly support equal employment opportunities and do not tolerate discrimination based on race, gender, nationality, or sexual orientation.

We are proud to empower women as guides, not only on this trip but across all our tours, serving as role models for future generations. Over three-quarters of our staff are women, challenging the industry historically dominated by men.

Our tours also foster an inclusive environment, welcoming the LGBTQ+ community and travelers from diverse backgrounds. We celebrate diversity and aim to create spaces where everyone feels respected and valued.