In the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka stretches the Pekoe Trail, a 300 km long distance walking trail that blends breathtaking landscapes with the vibrant communities living along its path. More than a hike, it offers travellers the chance to discover both the natural environment and the culture of the local communities. 

The Female Guide Training Program, created by the Women in Travel Collective (WITC) and led by experienced professionals in tourism and female empowerment, is a four-day program designed to empower 40 women from tea estate communities in Hatton, Ella, Nuwara Eliya, and Kandy. The program combines theoretical learning with practical trail guiding, safety and Red Cross training, and a visit to a tea factory to explore tea making traditions and local heritage. By equipping participants with essential skills, knowledge, and confidence, it prepares them to work as professional guides while fostering sustainable tourism and advancing women’s economic empowerment.

Trainee female guides also learn about responsible travel practices, including minimising environmental impact, proper waste disposal, and respecting the flora and fauna along the trail, lessons that will later be shared with hikers along the trail, once the training has concluded.

The LEF is proud to support this initiative and the Women in Travel Collective by sponsoring essential gear, such as shoes, backpacks, and raincoats, ensuring trainee guides can safely and confidently operate on the trail. The project’s objectives include creating opportunities in tourism, contributing to women’s financial independence and community well-being, promoting environmental stewardship by training guides to educate hikers on reducing plastic waste, respecting flora and fauna, and maintaining the trail, and fostering responsible tourism that benefits both the environment and local communities.