Recent world events have affected almost everyone. Many of us have been left in uncertain positions due to government/school/business closures. The impact for some has been more devastating than it has for others. Especially for those in areas that have relied on tourism as their major income source. Of course, it can be really easy to get discouraged in times like these and I’ve got to admit that some days are worse than others. I’m lucky to have access to some of the best hiking trails in the world, so I’ve decided to put them to good use by joining the Planeterra Trek Challenge.
What is Planeterra?
Planeterra is a non-profit organisation that’s all about social enterprise in tourism. They are committed to positively impacting local communities and helping them derive sustainable income from tourism. In other words, they work to ensure that tourist money spent in communities goes to improving those communities. That starts from the grassroots by employing youth and empowering disadvantaged groups, such as women.
They believe in using tourism as a tool for wealth distribution. Planeterra’s Projects are currently running on all seven continents and in 51 countries. The projects are aimed at being the catalyst for change by empowering disadvantaged groups, like women and youth, preserving culture and protecting the environment. You can find out more about Planeterra and what they do on their website. They can also be found on Instagram,
Linkedin, Twitter and Facebook
What is the Planeterra Trek Challenge?
The Planeterra Trek Challenge is an event set up to fundraise for Planeterra projects in areas that have been affected by recent global changes. These projects include rebuilding community tourism in the places most adversely affected by tourism lockdowns. Myself and some fellow Nomads Giving Back have come together and we are planning to trek 65 kilometres to Everest Base Camp in the mountains of Nepal. Oh, did I mention virtually?
Obviously, we can’t make it to Nepal right now. Our plan for completing the challenge is to do our individual ‘treks’ in our own backyards. For me, that means climbing hills in ridiculous humidity and heat. For others, it means running around suburban streets in the cool of autumn. Our team of five is located all around the world, from Australia to South America and Asia. We each aim to do 85,000 steps in the week starting on Monday the 21st of September and ending on Sunday the 27th.
Want to help?
We’d be ever-grateful for any support that you could offer. You can support us by making a donation to our team via my fundraising page. Your donations will be matched, up to CA$25,000 by the Planeterra Foundation’s Founder Bruce Poon Tip. Can you help Planeterra reach its next milestone of $50,000?
We’d also love it if you could share this post with everyone you know. It’d even be cool if you could share it with people you don’t know. Any social media shares will be greatly appreciated! The more people that we can reach, the more help we can offer to those that need it the most. Doesn’t that sound like something that would be great to be a part of?
Encouraging comments are also welcome. I’m sure that spending a week climbing hills in 30°C temperatures at 80% humidity probably isn’t anyone’s idea of fun. It’s definitely not mine! So if you’d like to offer motivational quotes in the comments below, I welcome them. I mean, I’m sure I can do it. It’s just nice to hear other people say it, you know?
Follow the Story
During the week of the trek, I will endeavour to document the journey with fitness app screenshots, photos of scenery and funny anecdotes. There may even be videos. Some of them might end up on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook. There will also be a round-up post of the whole Planeterra Trek Challenge next week. Keep an eye out for it.
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We’d love to get the word out about the Planeterra Trek Challenge, to help raise funds for those affected by current travel shutdowns. Please help us do that by sharing this with your friends and followers. Just click any of the pictures below to Pin it for later! Thank you! :o)
I haven’t heard of Planeterra before, but this is such a great project to take part in! Good luck!
Thanks :o)
This is such an amazing project! I will follow it with interest :)
Thanks for your support! :o)
Seems like a great Project and I have always wanted to trek the Everest Base Camp.
I don’t think my lungs would handle the altitude of the real base camp, so this this trek is better for me!
I have never hear of Planeterra before and I like that you take the challenge. Good luck and don’t overdo it. Temperatures will get lower soon.
We won’t get cooler temperatures until November, haha.
I’m trying to do all my treks in the morning preventing cause the.middle of the day is too hot.
This is such a cool idea Kez!
One of my blogging friends did something similar, but rather than distance, she climbed to Everest base camp on her stairs at home during lockdown. She she went up and down, up and down until she’d climbed up the same amount of elevation change!
65km!? It’s a long way, but you’ve got this!
Wow. I hate stairs and I only live on the second floor so that’d get boring very quickly, haha.
We have 7 days to do it. I only have 54km left now!
Love this! A virtual trek, complete with a team sounds incredible. And what a fantastic goal to work towards – Everest Base Camp!
Good luck with it, and let us know how it goes :)
I’m exhausted after one day, haha!
I’ve never heard of Paneterra, will definitely read up on it. The project seems really exciting though, and a virtual trek sounds so much fun! Especially in these times! I wish you all the luck and let us know how it goes!
It’s a nice way to keep occupied for a bit.
Wow, a virtual trek with a team and for such a noble cause! I hope the heat isn’t too bad and you are able to swift your way to 85k steps and beyond by Sunday! Stay hydrated and wish you the very best! :)
The heat was a bit much today because I made the mistake of starting too early, haha.
What a great way to give back and make an impact on communities that need help! I love how you found a way to do this in your own backyard. Though I am sure a trek to Everest Basecamp would be a true bucket list adventure, at least you can say that you are working on your Helping Others Bucket List with Planeterra!
Everest Base camp is definitely a bucketlist item, but I’m not sure my lungs could handle it, so virtually it’s probably the only way I’ll be able to do it!
This is a great way to make a difference for those communities. I love that you are doing this virtually. Good luck on reaching your goal.
Thank you! :o)
Last day! Well done
This is a cool idea, I’ve never heard of it! I love when we can use our passions to help make the world a better place!
This was the inaugural event. I definitely agree that mixing things you already do with helping out is a good feeling! :o)