Responsible Travel

Responsible T

Nepal is a beautiful country with so much to offer to tourists from all over the world, however in order to preserve that natural beauty it is important to tread lightly, and practice sustainability at every stage of your adventure.

A Commitment to Care

We are committed to promoting responsible travel in the region, and we do this in a number of ways. Firstly all of the guides, porters, and other members of the team you will work with are local to the region, meaning the money we spend on staffing and the skills we teach to our newest employees stay in the communities we visit. This means that when you tour Nepal with us, you are actually supporting local Nepalese economies. We also offset as many of the main carbon emissions created by your trip as possible. We do this in a way that has a community benefit and supports local environmental projects.

What is Responsible Travel?

Many travellers are unfamiliar with the concept of sustainable travel, or responsible travel. At its simplest, responsible travel is simply visiting a place and then leaving it as you found it: we love sharing our country with others, but don’t believe that its beauty should be damaged by the tourists that trek and explore its mountainous regions. Responsible travel means experiencing a place like a local: eating local foods, rather than foods that have been imported from overseas (often specifically for tourists) or taking your rubbish with you, rather than leaving it out on the mountain side where it could cause a hazard both for the environment and other travellers. It sounds like it could be hard work, but it is actually easier than you think to travel responsibly during your time in Nepal.

How You Can Help During Your Trip:

The first thing you can do is choose a tour company (such as our own) that is committed to responsible travel. We will do a lot of the hard work for you, such as offsetting your emissions and choosing the best local places to eat and drink, meaning that all you have to do is focus on enjoying your trek and having fun. For many adventurers, sampling the local produce and purchasing local handicrafts and other goods is the highlight of their trip, so this is one of the easiest ways in which you can ensure your travel is sustainable!

Another easy way you can help is to say no to plastic: that means both plastic bags and plastic water bottles. Both of these can be incredibly harmful to the delicate biology of the Himalaya region. If you plan on shopping, we ask that you carry a reusable cotton bag. We also recommend that you carry a reusable water bottle or, better still, that you stop for a drink in one of the local Nepalese tea houses are really explore and enjoy the local culture. Finally, don’t forget to recycle! It’s easy, and it means you don’t have to carry your waste-products with you for the duration of your trip.

A Few More Super-Simple Tips

1. Being a responsible traveller isn’t just about the environment: it’s about enriching the lives of the local people you meet too! One of the best ways of doing this is to engage with them: learn a few simple Nepalese phrases before you arrive. It’s a great ice breaker and a good way to really experience Nepal like a local!
2. Avoid anywhere that uses wild animals for entertainment or for a photo opportunity. This is completely against the spirit of responsible travel, and is a horrible life for the animals involved. If in doubt, ask your tour guide.
3. Don’t give money or gifts to beggars. If you wish to support the local people, help the homeless or give gifts to local children then talk to your tour guide – there are plenty of legitimate charities you can support that will ensure your money gets to the right places.
4. Finally, don’t forget to enjoy yourself and smile! A smile is often the most powerful gift you can give.