Annapurna base camp trek, Nepal

Planet

We have always believed in tourism that aims to have a low impact on the natural environment and local culture while generating income and employment for local people and promoting the conservation of local ecosystems. This is responsible tourism that is both ecologically and culturally sensitive.

Local communities have a major role to play in sustainable tourism by participating actively and taking responsibility within the industry. We encourage local people to sell handmade handicrafts or simply interact with tourists to give them an authentic understanding of the local culture.

Our guide will provide important information on how to protect the environment, such as not dropping litter, disposing of garbage in designated bins, establishing proper fire points during camping treks and tours, and, where possible, giving food waste to domestic animals. We also encourage trekkers to pay a small extra amount to porters to bring back non-disposable items in duffel bags. Bathing or washing clothes in streams should be avoided to help preserve the natural water sources.

We take only small groups, with a maximum of 16 people, to help minimise our impact on the environment.

During this trek, trekkers will also have the opportunity to make donations to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project, which plays a vital role in environmental protection and community development in the Annapurna region.

The Annapurna Conservation Area Project supports a high diversity of flora and fauna species. The area is home to rare and endangered wildlife such as the Snow leopard, Musk deer, Tibetan argali, Himalayan monal (Impeyan pheasant), and Western tragopan.

The Annapurna Conservation Area Project provides a large protected area with an entire habitat gradient ranging from subtropical Sal forests to perennial snow, helping to maintain the biodiversity and ecological integrity of the central Himalayas.

People

We strive to maximise our contribution to the local community by hiring experienced local guides and porters who are familiar with the region and have in-depth knowledge of the local culture. We encourage all our clients to hire porters, as this is a great way of providing employment to local people and directing money straight back into the local economy.

Our porters are not allowed to carry more than 25 kg to ensure fair and responsible working conditions.

During this trek, we stay at local lodges and teahouses operated by local people. These lodges and teahouses help minimise the impact on the environment by using kerosene or gas fuel instead of firewood.

We are in partnership with the registered charity organisation Chhahari Group Nepal. The organisation has been serving Nepalese society since 2001. Most of its projects directly benefit local communities that have been affected by natural disasters or political issues.

Many other projects also directly or indirectly support our citizens, such as orphanage homes, community schools, health camps, and scholarship programs.

A current project involves helping to run a free community school for children from very poor families who cannot afford to send their children to school.