The Himalayan Glacier we have always recognized that we are accountable for the way we affect the local community and environment in the areas we operate in. Over recent years we have made great strides in ensuring that a Responsible Travel philosophy is incorporated into all aspects of our business. We want it to simply be part of how we operate and to be considered at every level of decision making.This section of our website is dedicated to giving you more information about how we are putting Responsible Travel into practice.

Some of the things we have done in this area include appointing a Responsible Travel co-ordinate, setting up a Responsible Travel team, introducing Responsible Travel elements into our trips, auditing all our trips in terms of how 'responsible' they are, linking up with charities and auditing our office energy efficiency.
We welcome your feedback and experiences regarding Responsible Travel, so use your  Feedback and e-mail us to know what you think. Here are links to some of the charities that we support. 
How Himalayan Glacier Trekking met the minimum criteria of the responsible travel standard?

Economic responsibility:

Trekking in any region means bringing wealth into that region in any region means bringing wealth into that region. We are aware that this wealth is not fairly distributed; there is no easy solution to this. However we choose not to use the over wealthy establishments unless there is no alternative and the service we seek to offer our clients is likely to be compromised. Most of these establishments, wealthy or not use local staff. The money received by Himalayan Glacier goes towards maintaining the quality of our operation to include local staff training regarding all aspects of tourism in the country.

Environmental responsibility:

All of our tours have one member of staff whose main responsibility is to ensure we are adhering to good practice and treading lightly. 
Through our study centre in Ghandruk we are able to link people into the aims and objectives of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project. The centre also has a policy of separating waste for appropriate disposal. In the year 2003, Himalayan Glacier had run "Ghorepani-Ghandrunk clean up campaign". The main objectives of this project was to increase environmental awareness between individuals and groups who are directly and indirectly participate in the mountain activities.

Social responsibility:

We provide details to all of clients on how to undertake limited impact tourism; this code is also clearly stated in our travel information.As a responsible company based in Nepal, all money generated remains in the country and we aim to make sure all of our staff are happy and well paid in their work.

We also have a Non Governmental Organization aimed at providing much needed health and educational facilities to the more remote areas of Nepal. For more information;
Child Environment Nepal- An organization works for socially affected child.

KatmanduEnvironmental Educational project- Non profit organization provide trekking-travel Environmental information for Nepal visitors.

A few thoughts for the responsible travelers

Read up on the countries you plan to visit The welcome will be warmer if you take an interest and speak even a few words of the local language.

Think small when booking a holiday for example bed and breakfasts, village houses and locally owned accommodation benefit local families. Help the local economy of developing countries by buying local produce in preference to imported goods.

If bargaining to buy an item, bear in mind that a small amount to you could be extemely important to the seller.

Realize that often the people in the country you are visiting have different time concepts and thought patterns from your own, this does not make them inferior, only different.

Instead of the western practice of knowing all the answers, cultivate the habit of asking questions and discover the enrichment of seeing a different way of life through others eyes.Remember that man travels the world in search of what he needs and returns home to find it.

Use water sparingly it is precious in many countries and the local people may not have sufficient clean water.

Find out where the locals go when they have time off. Visit the main sites but get off the tourist trail too.

Don't discard litter, take it home with you. Waste disposal is a major expense in country like Nepal. 

Respect for local cultures, traditions and holy places earns you respect. For example, ask permission before you photograph local people in some countries it can cause offence.

Spend time reflecting on your daily experience in an attempt to deepen your understanding. It has been said that what enriches you may rob and violate others.

Do not buy products made from endangered species, hard woods, shells from beach traders, or ancient artefacts (which have probably been stolen).

Pack small gifts from home as gifts for your hosts - ask your tour operator to ask the local community what would be of most use to them If you really want your experience to be a 'home away from home' it is foolish to waste money on traveling.