Community hiking in Gurage, Ethiopia

Planet

Carbon reduction
When organizing community treks in the Gurage region we usually prefer using some of environmentally friendly mode of transportation such as walk, bike-ride, or take the train for the lowest footprint instead of driving cars all the time. As this tour is human powered it is naturally low carbon. Camping and homestays are included. Food is locally sourced along this route.

We also avoid flying to nearby destinations. We usually try to do our best to minimise using too much carbon dioxide by creating awareness among the local residents, exchanging ideas and experiences through peer teaching.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Apart from hiking through the beautiful villages of of Gurage we often meet the local community and share ideas and experiences with them and our agent as we do in other destinations, it is mainly focusing on how to protect the green areas of the beautiful Gurage villages, because human presence and intervention is one of the most challenging problems existing there. As farming is one of the most important economic activities in Gurage there is an increasing degree of environmental degradation, intensive grazing is also another issue. Therefore, whenever we hike there we discuss these issues with local people like the youth, elders and try to find long lasting solution. We adapt to a changing climate, we practice responsible air conditioning, and fly less or avoid flying to nearby destinations policy and reduce food waste. We also critically think and consider some of the most important terms of sustainability such as choosing our accommodations wisely, dine locally, be an advocate, of go green or go home, volunteer tourism and so forth.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY
As we do in other destinations, when we organize hiking in the Gurage villages we use the local food, typically cabbage is very common here and other vegetables and food like potatoes, carrots or eggs. We hire cooks, rangers and guards, and we also visit families to see their lifestyle, in the meantime we can have a typical Ethiopian coffee ceremony there, to support the local family. We also focus on hiring local guides and drivers, booking locally owned accommodations, working with local communities and partners and dinning in local restaurants.

ENVIRONMENT INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY.
In this village we support schools and students with special needs and we always make sure that people are fairly and equally treated in terms of benefit from this hiking activity. We also remain so concerned about creating a sense of belonging., reconsidering stereotypes, support diverse works and ideas, thinking about whose voices are and aren't) represented.