Northern Ethiopia, Simien Mountains and Harar tour

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

We plan journeys around the sites included in the itinerary and use an appropriately sized vehicle for the group. During road journeys, we ask drivers to avoid unnecessary engine idling and to use permitted roads and parking areas. Vehicle sharing may be possible for a group departure; a private departure has transport arranged for that party. We explain which arrangement applies before booking.

Hotels, guesthouses and camps have different electricity, water and waste facilities. When arranging accommodation, we ask providers about the facilities available and pass relevant details to guests. We do not assume that an individual measure, such as solar lighting, describes the environmental performance of an entire property.

Ethiopian meals often offer plant-based choices, such as lentil and vegetable dishes. Travelers can request vegetarian or vegan meals before departure, and we communicate those requests to accommodation and meal providers. The range of dishes may be narrower during long drives or in remote areas, so specific meals cannot be guaranteed at every stop.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

The Simien Mountains are home to wildlife that travelers may encounter during guided walks, including geladas. Sightings cannot be guaranteed. We ask guests to observe animals from a respectful distance, avoid feeding them, and follow their guide’s instructions. Guides also explain where visitors may walk and when an area should be left undisturbed.

On walks and at viewpoints, travelers are asked to take their litter with them and leave plants, rocks and other natural features in place. If the itinerary includes camping, our team explains the arrangements for collecting and carrying out waste. Toilet and washing facilities can be basic; we describe those facilities before departure so guests can prepare.

We encourage travelers to bring a reusable bottle and bag. Safe drinking water and refill options vary by location, particularly on remote sections of the journey, so we explain what water will be provided rather than promising that single-use bottles can be avoided throughout the tour.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

We arrange local guiding where it adds knowledge of a place and where local site arrangements require it. On the northern historic route, guides help visitors understand the history, religious traditions and rules of the sites visited. In the Simien Mountains, local guides, scouts and trekking staff may be engaged according to the route and activities booked. In Harar, a local guide can introduce the city’s history and help guests navigate its streets and visiting customs.

The number of guides and support staff depends on the group size and the final itinerary. Drivers, accommodation staff, restaurant workers and other providers also take part in delivering the tour. We describe these roles without claiming a fixed number of jobs or a fixed share of tour revenue for every departure.

Local businesses and cultural visits

We seek accommodation, meals, guiding and other services from local providers where suitable options are available. The providers and ownership of individual properties can change, so the accommodation proposed for a departure is confirmed as part of the booking arrangements.

Visits to religious sites, markets and neighborhoods are opportunities to learn from the people who live and work there. We ask travelers to follow site rules, dress appropriately where required, and request permission before photographing people or ceremonies. In Harar and elsewhere on the route, guests should respect a person’s decision not to be photographed or visited.

Where an itinerary includes an artisan workshop or market, travelers who wish to buy crafts are encouraged to speak with makers and purchase directly from them when possible. Purchases are voluntary, and we do not promise that a visit will provide a particular amount of income.

EMPLOYMENT, DIVERSITY and INCLUSIVITY

This tour includes places with different physical conditions. Historic sites can have steps, narrow entrances and uneven stone surfaces. Walks in the Simien Mountains involve altitude and uneven trails; Harar’s old streets may also be difficult for some travelers to navigate. If camping is included, facilities will be more basic than those in a hotel.

We invite guests to tell us about mobility, dietary, hearing, vision or other needs before booking. We can explain the demands of each planned activity and discuss changes to pace, guiding or site visits where practical. What we can arrange depends on the route, local facilities and the services available for that departure.