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Responsible tourism is very much imperative as it becomes a responsibility of each and every individual in the tourism industry as the very sustainability of the industry depends on this significant factor. Before our trek commences our guide will brief group members on the importance of conservation in the environment as part of our responsible tourism efforts.
Bhutan has a Royalty levy (included in trip cost) which goes into education and health projects. For example community schools, basic health units. We also contribute $10 to the Tourism Development Fund to improve trekking routes and trails. Feasibility studies and implementation of eco-tourism and community based tourism to benefit the respective communities in which we travel.
Although the majority of this trek is camping you do spend four nights in local hotels. Before the construction of any hotel can commence an EIA (environmental impact assessment) must be obtained from the National Environment commission. Hotels adhere to eco friendly methods of operation including minimizing the use of non-bio degradable products and basic precautions like switching off electricity energy when not in use or required. Organic vegetables, fruits and consumables are mostly sourced from the communities to benefit the villages.
We ensure all local vehicles used for transportation are serviced frequently in addition we fully comply with Government Road Worthy standards. The life span of our vehicles is around 5 years after which we purchase new vehicles which allows for new fuel efficient and safe vehicles. This ensures minimal gas emissions are lost from our vehicles, poorly maintained or malfunctioning vehicles can release as much as 10 times the emissions of a well-maintained vehicle.
Along our trek we are very cautious about the human imprints such as garbage and refuse disposal. We bring back garbage from all our treks and dispose them in government landfills for recycling into compost or sales to recyclers. We do not use firewood as means of heating or cooking on our treks.
All entry fees paid for monuments and museums such as the Taktsang Monastery along with Drugyel Dzong victory fortress and all other monumental sites we visit help assist operators to protect and conserve natural and cultural heritage sites which are the dominant factors that add to the magic of Bhutan.
All staff on this trip are local Bhutanese, chosen for their excellent indigenous knowledge of the area and training. Their understanding of the country's flora, fauna and local culture will guarantee an accurate insight to traditional Bhutanese life.
We understand and appreciate the hard work the guides and porters perform. Therefore we treat and obey the following Guide & Porter Policy to ensure the conditions for our guides and porters are of a humane standard. We work towards eliminating avoidable illness, injury and death.
- All our guides and porters receive medical care when ill or injured.
- We provide basic accommodation for our guides and porters or tent with sleeping gear, and they are provided food and warm drinks.
- We have insurance policies for each of our employees.
- We provide appropriate clothing for each season and altitude, ensuring protection from cold, rain and snow. This means windproof jackets, trousers, fleece jacket, long johns, suitable footwear, socks, hat, gloves and sunglasses.
- We never overload our porters for us it’s not all about making money and we strive on being able to employ local people; we respect and treat each and every one of our employees with the up most respect.
Don't pick a fight with a yak! Treat with great respect. Apart from that, the best tip I can give to people is to go to Bhutan.We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!
