Trekking with Sherpas in the Everest region

Trekking with Sherpas in the Everest region

How this holiday makes a difference

We are a Nepali company and travel through this company makes a direct impact in the economy of Nepal. We tailor make all our trips with the purpose of promoting and preserving Nepal’s rich cultural and ecological diversity. With every trip we strive to exceed our clients’ expectations, whilst minimising the impact on our environment and maximising the contribution to the local economy. Keeping our passion for people and nature close to our heart we endeavour to tailor make extraordinary trips to suit extraordinary people. The company’s founder director is a lead-figure in the responsible tourism movement in Nepal and therefore responsible tourism is at the heart of our operation.

Responsibility audit: We have in place and are constantly modifying an internal audit mechanism that gauges our work in responsibility, and works towards improvements on a constant basis.

On the Trek: We only run small group/private treks staying in homestays and family-owned teahouses to ensure maximum contribution to the local economy. We use a core group of guides who are trained in responsible tourism practices and principles. Throughout the trek the guides encourage our clients to make decisions that will minimise their impact on the environment and maximise their contribution to the local economy.

Our Guides & Porters: Where possible we hire guides and porters from the local area that the trek is operating in. We encourage all our clients to hire porters. Giving local people employment is a great way of directing money straight back into the local economy. Our porters are not allowed to carry more that 20kg. This is well below the national recommendation of 30kg. Each guide is paid up front and is required to take a signed receipt for each porter used to ensure the correct wage has been paid.

Our Office: We take our responsibility towards looking after the environment very seriously and as a company we try to run our offices in as environmentally friendly manner as possible. Year on year we work towards reducing our energy consumption and waste production. Our office is totally furnished in locally made furniture and handicrafts.

All staff members are local Nepalese and from a range of ethnic backgrounds. We do not discriminate on gender or age. 10% of profits are budgeted for staff development and welfare.

Philanthropy: We take our impact on the local community very seriously. Almost all personnel are involved in some form of social/charitable work. Time and funding are given to allow them to support these ventures up to 10% of the company’s profits. On top of this 10% of the company's profits also goes directly into employee benefits.

Trekking with Sherpas in the Everest region

Reviewed 28 Jan 2012 by Allison McEnaney

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Mountain biking around the hills of Kathmandu.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Be prepared to be cold at night in January. I didn't pack enough warm layers.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Yes.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Excellent.

Reviewed 08 Dec 2009 by Joan Anderson

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

It was all great but the highlight was the trek.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Don't worry about whether you'll be up to it or not - just give it a go! It's surprising what resources you can find within among such beautiful surroundings.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Yes - Nepal is unfortunately a very poor country economically and tourism brings in a lot of revenue. We tried to minimise our impact in some small ways. We took a portable water filter with us so were able to get our drinking water from mountain streams instead of plastic bottles most of the time.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Excellent. We booked the trip through a local company and our contact there - Bipin - couldn't have been more helpful. He met us at the airport, took us out for dinner, introduced us to our guide before the trek started and phoned us in Pokhara the minute we got back after the trek. He was extremely willing, helpful and friendly. Our Sherpa guide too - Jangbu - couldn't have been better.

Reviewed 22 Sep 2009 by Joanna Gosse

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Our holiday was so fantastic it’s hard to write a highlight... The scenery was amazing, but our guide Jungbu and porter Sange... actually made out trip the most memorable... they were amazing and we had so much fun... what wonderful people.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Travel early in Sept to miss the crowds, we love it at this time as not many others were around and it felt more special.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Yes, by bringing income. We were very mindful of the environment..

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Words don’t describe what an incredible experience it was for us... but we also had a guide and porter who loved to run like we did, and they had a great sense of adventure and fantastic sense of humor... so it was a blast.

Reviewed 23 Oct 2005 by Vivienne McAlister

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

We had an acclimatisation day at Namche Bazar, during which we climbed a nearby hill in the hope of a cloudless view of the mountains. I can remember - in fact I don't think I'll ever forget - walking by the wall of the Everest View Lodge and suddenly being presented with the most beautiful and amazing sight I have ever witnessed. There before me stood the most majestic and impressive mountain I have ever (and will ever) seen - Ama Dablam. I was absolutely gobsmacked and tears just came to my eyes.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

We meet a number of large groups trekking with well-known trekking companies. I think when it comes to a high altitude trek, that you are more likely to achieve your goal in a smaller group of people. You never know when or who may suffer from altitude sickness. However should it hit anyone in your group it is easier to alter your schedule when you're travelling in a small number.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Most definitely. We got to know our guide incredibly well and learnt a lot about the history of the economy of Nepal. So we realise that the money from Tourism greatly benefits the people and means that they do not have to travel abroad and leave their family for very long periods of time. I do feel, however, that it is a shame that the government appears to be so corrupt and the money paid for permits etc does not go back to benefit the actual people.

4. Any other comments?

***** - completely off the scale!

Reviewed 30 Apr 2005 by Sara Hellberg

Take a look at Sara's photos from this trip.(click photos to enlarge)

I visited Nepal and trekked to Everest Basecamp using this operator, through Responsible Travel, last May. It was the trip of a lifetime and we got such an honest insight into sherpa and Himalayan life from our guide. Fantastically organised by Raj from this operator. Will definitely be going back. The scenery as you can see by the pics, was out of this world.