We carry around reusable coffee cups. We bring tote bags to pick up our weekly groceries. We say no to straws. When it comes to sustainable swaps, the Gen Zs and millennials of the world have been doing. their. bit.
However, when it comes to travel, it can be difficult to make bigger sustainable swaps without sacrificing time and money. So, what if we told you that paying a visit to Iceland to see its wondrous sites could ALSO help you have a positive impact on the country’s reforestation programme?
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Reforesting in the Haukadalur Valley
The famed Golden Circle route is home to waterfalls, lava fields, volcanic craters and the geothermal wonderland Haukadalur Valley. It’s in Haukadalur that the Iceland Reforestation Programme has been making waves with travellers, who can spend time learning more about eco-friendly practices and assisting with reforestation.
On Contiki’s popular Fire & Ice trip through Iceland, travellers have the chance to join in on the ecological fun. As part of a Golden Circle tour on the way from Reykjavik to Midgard, Contiki travellers get to reduce their carbon footprint and leave their mark in Iceland by planting five trees each in the valley, thereby offsetting the carbon emissions from their journey.
One tree for every traveller using e-documents…
While it’s an incredible experience for travellers roaming through Iceland, not every Contiki trip can have the same experience. That’s why Contiki has always committed to reducing carbon emissions with travellers on other trips. As part of its previous partnership with OneTreePlanted, Contiki would plant one tree for every one traveller who used e-documents.
The reforestation experience in Iceland is part of Contiki’s commitment to people, planet and wildlife. This was one of the many Contiki Cares projects that aimed to make travel matter. Find out more about our current projects here.
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Go one step further
Thinking about offsetting your carbon footprint in other ways? No matter where you’re wandering in the world, there are number of ways to reduce your footprint. My Climate, Fund a Forest, Conservation International Carbon Fund or Rainforest Concern are just a few great resources to find out how you can donate funds to an ethical carbon offset initiative.
And if you want to learn more about how you can reduce waste on your next flight – check out our guide to more sustainable air travel (hint: it’s the little actions that all add up!).