"Respect the Himalayan culture, society & environment, so that it respects you as a responsible traveler."
 

Tourism has mixed impacts. On the positive side tourism provides jobs, brings foreign exchange and provides income to support local development. It can also directly support local industry and encourage communities to place greater emphasis on environmental protection. However, one of the main problems is that the benefits of tourism often bypasses the local population, and tourism related activities can contribute to the degradation of the environment. They can put pressure on scarce local resources such as land and water, pollute the environment and reduce biodiversity. Money may not reach the local economy, and the jobs available may be poorly paid and provide insecure employment.

Responsible Tourism takes an action to increase the positive impacts and reduce the negative impacts is vital to the future sustainability and profitability of tourism.

Responsible Tourism: What is it?

There are many definitions, but in a nutshell, it means making sure that tourism organizations look after destinations, so that their attractions & resources - whether natural or cultural - are not spoiled either for local people or for future visitors.
 

Responsible Tourism :

• To protect the nature & environment

• To respect local cultures, traditions, religions and built heritages

• To benefit local communities, economically & socially

• To conserve natural resources

• To minimize pollution or negative impact of tourism

Responsible Tourism: Our Request

As a traveller, we believe that you have as important a role as we do. We believe that we provide a framework for Responsible Tourism but your choices and actions before, during and after your holiday have considerable part to play.

Responsible Trek in Nepal Himalayas

Social and Economical Issues

• Prefer stay in lodges rather than camp. There are numerous comfortable trekking tea houses and lodges in Annapurna, Everest, Langtang and almost trekking route of Nepal Himalayas. Therefore it would be wise and comfort for a responsible trekkers to get accommodation and food in such lodges.
• Involve and participate local people in every activities of trekking, so that they can achieve some benefits directly from trekkers.
• Encourage the local products buying handicrafts fruits foods and other agro products instead of buying the packed fruits from city.
• Discourage trading of products made from the body of wild and endangered animals.
• Do not buy medicine and flowers plants but let them know its importance and how to preserve them. Many parts of Nepal Himalayas have popularity as the house for the Ayurvedic medicinal herbs.
• Do not give money directly to the begging children. Instead it patronize by stationery and other useful stuffs.
• Donate to community rather than individual.
• Give honour to the Temples & Monasteries doing ‘namaste’ & taking off your shoes or leather dress out side the gate.
• Don’t smoke & drink inside the temples & monasteries
• Ask permission to take photos. Respect a “no”
   

Responsibility to porters

• Porters should be provided adequate clothing for protection from bad weather and high altitude.
• Porters should have perfect proper shelter and cooking equipment.
• Porters should have access to medical care as trekkers.
• Adequate procedures should be in place for medical evacuation if necessary.
• Porters won’t carry more than 25kg in high altitude of Himalayas.
• We would like to request you to be generous for the wages of your porters, as they are helping you carrying heavy loads in the high Himalayas.
• Himalayan Respo Trek has arranged the insurance of our porters for the high altitude accidents.
• Tip each porter separately & directly rather than via the cook, guide or agency.
• Spend a few time with your porter. Offer them your candy and learn a few words of Nepali or exchange the feelings each others. It is an interesting experience.

Environmental Issues

• Let the Himalayas change you - Do not change them
• Nepali food (Dal Bhat) is comparatively fresh, hygienic and inexpensive. Fuel consumption to cook dal bhat is less than the other food. Therefore prefer Nepali food while you trek.
• Avoid using camp fire. Use the warmth clothes to protect yourself from the weather.
• Prefer hot water prepared by solar energy instead of firewood.
• Purify your own water instead of buying mineral water in non-biodegradable plastic bottles.
• Bury or dump properly the biodegradable wastage in constructed pit.
• Don’t bath or soap up cloths in stream.
• Use bowl, pan or bucket to throw the soapy water away from water source. Toilets should be build fifty to hundred meter away from water source while camping.
• Pack up and carry out non bio degradable or non disposable wastage such as plastics, aluminum foil , batteries, glass, can medicinal rubbish.
• Give side on the way while you meet suddenly the herd of sheep, cows, buffalo, Yak or wild animals.
• The animals on the way can be frightened and run way or attack due to the bright and coloured umbrella. Be aware and safe it yourself.
• To whistle, talk loudly,& play music is not favorable to animals. Respect it.
• ACAP, & other National Park Conservation Authority of Nepal have issued some
  regulations trying to minimise the negative impact of tourism in the area. Himalayan Respo Trek expects our valued guests to follow it.

The mentioned concept of Responsible Tourism is merely integration of our experience and views proposed at various International Issues. We, however anticipate personal or intuitional variations and show due respect towards it. Advice and suggestions regarding this issue is expected and will be highly appreciated. Please e-mail us at info@himalayanrespotrek.com