COMPANY VALUES
Our part in the rich fabric of Nepal tourism is to be the best value quality driven leader.
This means that. . . .
. . . .we will present to you facts, realities, experiences even more wonderous than the expectations you arrive with.
. . . .we will present the Nepalese people’s true selves to you so that you enjoy being amongst us as much as being amongst our mountains and valleys.
. . . .we will provide services to a very high international standard – not least this includes matters of safety, respect, hygiene, hospitality and equipment.
. . . .we will achieve these standards by using as much local resource as possible; everything from training of our workforce to use of Nepali manufacturing and sustainable raw materials.
. . . .we will encourage and motivate all staff to excel, and we will fairly reward the effort and the results.
. . . .we will cost our services very competitively, nonetheless reflecting the caring visitor’s concern for ‘putting something back’, into the ‘grass roots’ of the honest worker and the rural community.
. . . .we will honour the ecological code of ‘minimal impact’ – rehabilitating as well as conserving – ensuring that Nepali and visitor alike is concerned with the realities of this region of our vulnerable planet. |
Our Wilderness and Our Heritage….who really cares?
Himalayan Encounters began more than 25 years ago with a natural, intuitive commitment to make sure wilderness places were left the way we found them. This has become our basis for today’s more clearly articulated code – for the mountains and rivers are enjoyed, appreciated and marvelled at far more when respect and care are an expedition’s hallmark.
But is this enough? Or do we owe our environment, natural and civic, a more pro-active duty of care, by actually making a difference for the better?
Sorry to say, not all trekking and rafting companies apply this simple, sensible code –
Bury, Burn or Carry Out:
- All bio-degradable matter recycled.
- All used metal tins, cans, bottle tops etc removed.
- All glass bottles, jars etc sold or returned.
- All plastic either returned or sold.
- Most paper sold.
- Human waste buried & toilet paper burned.
- Bottled gas for rafting/Kerosene on treks.
Porter Welfare:
Many trekking porters also work the land, and combine these roles. Typically they come from a village/area on or close to our route. They live hard and frugal lives and are used to carrying heavy loads using the traditional ‘doko’ (the bamboo latis basket supported from the forehead). Heights up to 3,500m are part of everyday life and they resist wearing what they consider to be unnecessary personal equipment.
Above that altitude, Himalayan Encounters issues and urges the use of kit suited to the varying levels of more extreme conditions. It’s an incredible job that they do and Himalayan Encounters recognises this and tries to reward accordingly. |
Yes indeed we do care.
We’d be damn dumb not to! |
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