The Himalayas are a delicate high-alpine ecosystem. It is important to tread lightly and responsibly when you are in the high mountains. Here at Trekking Planner Nepal we pride ourselves on being a responsible tourism company. We cherish our beloved mountain environment and the beautiful country of Nepal.
Your Safety is Our Number One Priority.
Although we don’t anticipate you having a problem during your stay in Nepal, trekking in the mountains is still a risky activity. All of our guides are trained and certified to help you in the event that something goes wrong. Ensuring your safe and happy holiday is our number one concern.
We Employ Local Guides and Porters.
Trekking Planner Nepal is a locally owned and operated trekking agency. This means that we provide employment for the local community. All of our ownership, guides, and porters are Nepalese. This means that when you book a tour with us, all of the money goes directly to local communities.
We Give Back to Our Community.
At Trekking Planner, we care about our local Nepalese community. We like to give back and have given aid to the deaf welfare society, homes for orphans, and education for underprivileged children. If you would like to participate in one of our programs or donate to one of our causes, please contact us.
We Don’t Condone the Use of Disposable Plastic Bottles.
Here in Nepal, we don’t have a system to recycle our plastic waste. Most of the plastic waste in Nepal either gets dumped into water sources or simply burned. Both of these methods of disposal leave their mark on the landscape and the air.
When you travel to Nepal, we understand that it is unsafe to drink the water, but that doesn’t mean you need to buy plastic bottles. Instead, use a UV pen or backcountry filter to treat your water. Another option is to boil your water at the teahouses.
We Promote Leave No Trace.
At Trekking Planner Nepal, we actively promote leaving the wilderness a better place than how you found it. This means not trashing the trails, following instructed signs regarding waste disposal, and not using the bathroom within 100 feet of lakes, streams, or trails. If you see trash on the trail, pick it up and dispose of it in proper waste receptacles.
We Have Long-Standing Relationships with Lodge Owners.
Nepal is all about community and here at Trekking Planner Nepal, we have built a strong community of lodge owners and teahouse owners on our many established routes. This not only ensures you have the best place to rest your head at night, but it also means you will be treated like family when traveling with Trekking Planner Nepal.
How can you be a responsible traveler?
Through the ways we travel, the regions we decide to cover, and the choices we make on how to spend our money and where, can have a tremendous positive impact on communities and families that are not as fortunate as we are. There’s a name for it – Responsible Travel.
Being responsible is not just about cultural faux pas but about making a positive impact on a destination, bringing benefits to the locals, and not running down natural resources. In simple words, it is giving more than you take. There are several ways travelers can help make a difference by simply being more mindful and educated about the decisions they make while traveling.
Volunteer some of your time.
Doesn’t matter if you are travelling for two weeks or a year, volunteering a portion of your time to worthwhile causes with non-profit organizations can make a difference. If you have skills that might be useful, like medical experience, an engineering background, or have worked in social care, there are a whole array of avenues you can choose to help put your expertise to someone’s good.
Shop local.
When it comes to eating, sleeping, or buying souvenirs, where you choose to put your money has a big impact on the community. By opting to have dinner at a hole-in-the-wall eatery, staying in a family-run motel, or purchasing a bead bracelet from a street vendor, you are helping to pump money directly into the local economy. In addition to helping someone shape a better future, going local also creates a more authentic travel experience for yourself.
Be careful with your wildlife activities.
While making travel plans, it’s common to dream of riding elephants, taking photos with tigers, or swimming with seals and dolphins. However, these irresponsible activities often do more harm than good. While wildlife tourism is a budding business, most of these business operators think about the profits before the well-being of animals. Don’t forget that for one hour of amusement for yourself, you could be contributing to a lifetime of distress and abuse for the animal.
Respect the local culture.
One of the greatest pleasures we can have while travelling is learning about different religions and cultures. It is an astonishing feeling to be privileged enough to experience diverse and fascinating cultures. We must never forget how important it is to show respect to those local traditions and customs when we travel. Study the customs and etiquette of where you are travelling to ensure you don’t inadvertently offend anyone.
Manage your waste.
Waste management is still a major issue in developing countries, and we, as travelers, often unknowingly contribute to this already grave problem. Say no to plastic bags from shops and instead put your stuff in a backpack or a cloth bag. While these all may seem tedious, you can start with small efforts like eating in a café rather than going for a takeaway or carrying a reusable water bottle.
Travel with a sustainable operator.
It may be a little difficult, but it is not impossible to find a sustainable travel agency. Try to connect with an agency that actively works with local communities or has practices that help protect the environment. For instance, they may choose to only employ local guides or workers from nearby villages. Some organizations even donate a share of their profits to charitable campaigns or pay their staff above-average wages.