Responsible Tourism
Responsible tourism is important as it becomes a responsibility of each and every individual within the tourism sector. The sustainability of the industry depends on this important factor. Before, our tour commences our guide brief group members on the importance of conservation in the environment as part of our responsible tourism efforts. This has become a sacred responsibility to avoid efforts. We encourage programs and frequently share or begin clean up campaigns to promote awareness as well as maintaining a clean and healthy living environment. Our commitment continues to be sourced ways we conduct responsible tourism.
Environmental Policy
Our Eco-green practices continue to deliver improved ways of traveling, by minimizing impact of the environment. Every of our treks or tours or climbs we are always conscious of the environment and limit our group numbers to a maximum of 20 packs at any time.
As conscious business owners we have minimized our paper output by creating online brochures and e-newsletters.
Along our tours and treks we use stainless mugs for tea and coffee to reduce paper wastage.
We use Gas for cooking and heating purposes to protect the forest, by eliminating wood fires while reducing gas emissions.
Rubbish is placed in bins provided, unless where are at high altitudes then we Porter the rubbish out, to the main city where it can be disposed of correctly. We ask that trekkers and tour groups remove unnecessary packaging and store items in reusable containers.
We leave the campsites in better condition than when we found them, free of rubbish.
Don't pollute water sources, with soap or rubbish wastage.
Every one of our employees minimizes the water usage, by limited showers and always using sparingly.
We protect natural aspects and avoid creating new trails across switchbacks and fields.
We request that our clients bring water canisters to re-use for boiled/treated water instead of buying bottled water.
Cultural Responsibility & Respect For Each Country
As you are traveling to gain an insight into the Himalayan existence, we ask that you monitor and respect the local way of life, after all this is what you have come to experience. Our clients are given a guideline to follow of the acceptable behaviors and practices throughout each country. We also ask that you adhere to the following list.
Begging is one of the harsh realities of poverty in this country, Asian Hiking Team believe it should NOT be encouraged. Please don't hand out pens, sweets, chocolate or anything else as this only encourages the children at every opportunity to ask the westerner and it's not something we want to promote.
Begging is one of the harsh realities of poverty in this country, Asian Hiking Team believe it should NOT be encouraged. Please don't hand out pens, sweets, chocolate or anything else as this only encourages the children at every opportunity to ask the westerner and it's not something we want to promote.
You have many photo opportunities; please ask if it is ok to take someone's photo. Photography in, monasteries, shrine rooms of dongs and religious institutions are generally not allowed but outdoor photography is allowed. To be sure when visiting such places, ask your guide. We do not believe in discriminating against any person because of their color, sex, religion, nationality, race, age or size.
Nakedness is completely unacceptable for local cultures. Swimming, costumes should be old-fashioned.
Friendship
Making new friends will be one of the greatest joys of your travels. Don't expect any special privileges, though, as you may be only one of many travelers to the area. Accept and enjoy offers of hospitality when you can. By taking the time to chat with the locals you will learn about their daily lives, culture and attitude to life, plus have a very enjoyable time and a few laughs. This is an opportunity for them to learn about your culture too. Consider ways to reciprocate hospitality, e.g. post back photos. Don't make promises that you can't keep. In less developed regions don't flaunt your wealth, use discretion with jewelers, cash and techno gadgetry.
Be prepared for lots of questions. Just walking in the street you may be asked: What's your name? Where are you from? How old are you? Where are you going? Perhaps questions you may believe personally. Don't be affronted or consider it rude or an invasion of privacy. It's usually genuine curiosity, friendliness or a desire to practice their English. Respond with patience and a cheery manner. Concepts of privacy in some countries can be very different to your home country.
Remember This "Come as a Client, Leave as a good Friend".
Dining & Shopping
Eat local food and drinks and your monetary support to the locals, rather than seeking out imported familiar snacks and drinks from home. Buy handicrafts and art directly from the makers in local villages when you can, rather than from fancy emporiums or department stores. This may help the maker to obtain a better price. We try to support community cooperatives and disabled handicraft centers.
We ask you not to purchase endangered flora and fauna products that may be offered for sale. In many cases wildlife products that are offered for sale in popular tourist locations cannot be taken through customs on your return home. The art of bargaining is something you can work on during your trip.
Drugs
Illegal drugs are not tolerated on any Asian Hiking Team's trip and the group leader has the right to expel a member of the group if drugs are found in their possession. It must be understood that having or using drugs are not contravening the laws of the land, but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium are practiced in some parts of the world, but is not acceptable for Asian Hiking Team travelers or staff.
Prostitution
Our philosophy of travel is mutual respect towards everyone we deal with, and in particular the local public who make the regions we travel to as special as each area. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy and we are strongly opposed to any of our travelers visiting prostitutes while traveling with us. Be aware that prostitution in most cities and towns is a gross infringement of human rights, as women and children are sold into the industry by their families and are "imprisoned" in brothels. Many end up with drug problems and sexually transmittable diseases. We strongly condemn anyone who supports prostitution.
Donations & Gifts
Please do not give money, pens, or sweets to the local peoples in the communities we visit, as it promotes a 'begging culture'. It creates unequal relationships between tourists and visitors, with tourists being seen as purely 'givers', and it also strips self esteem away from peoples when they get money for simply being poor rather than having to solve their own issues of poverty through community action. With sweets - local peoples might not have access to dentists, not able to afford them.
If you wish to donate, your group leader is able to suggest local projects that Asian Hiking Team is involved with. Some local villages supported by buying their craft work, etc. Pens, notebooks and other items for children are usually best distributed via a school teacher or community leader. Your group leader should be happy to help distribute these items.
Asian Hiking Team's trip areas leaders collect clean, usable clothing from travelers at the end of a trip, for distribution to needy communities. These be left at some of our base hotels. Please check with your group leader. It is believed proper to make a small donation at the end of a visit to a pagoda, monastery or temple, almost having a contribution box for this purpose.
Health & Safety
Asian Hing Team are fully trained in the following Health & Safety areas:
• We provide fresh hygienically prepared food on all our trips also catering for any particular diet requirements or food allergies.
• First aid procedures.
• Safety while Mountain Climbing
• High Altitude Sickness
• Monitoring all aspects of government policies and weather that may affect your trip.
• 24 hours a day communication
• Helicopter Rescue
Small Groups
• Leading small groups contributes to the organization of our tours in a productive way. You are guaranteed that while traveling with our team you are sure to feel like one of our family.
• We are attentive to your individual needs.
• We are able to answer any questions while trekking and touring in Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan.
• With each of our trips it includes some free time for you to explore and do as you please.
• All our groups are smaller which avoids making a negative impact on the environment
Qualities Of Service
• Our professional, dedicated and highly motivated team is always at hand to make certain that every aspect of your journey is heart-warming and rewarding.
• International standard of service.
• Flexibility to accommodate any requirements.
• All our clients are met at the airport upon arrival to ensure hassle free transfer to your hotel. Upon your departure we are there to bid you a farewell and safe onward journey.
• We build strong partnerships with our service providers to ensure quality.
• We use local leaders, guides and porters on all our tours and treks.
• Our trips are not the cheapest although we can ensure the quality of service you receive is unmatchable.
Porter Trekking Policy
Asian Hiking Team appreciates the hard work our guides and porters perform, without them your trip should not be possible. Therefore, we treat and obey the following Guide and Porter Policy to assure the working conditions of our guides and porters are of a humane and fair standard. We continue to strive towards eliminating avoidable illness, injury and death. We ask that you follow our guidelines for ethical trekking and treat them as you should like to be treated yourself; after all are human.
• All our Guides and Porters receive Medical care when ill or injured.
• We provide basic accommodation for our guides and porters or tents with sleeping gear and we also provide them food and warm drinks.
• We have insurance 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 jackets, long johns, suitable footwear, socks, hats, gloves and sunglasses.
• We never overload our porters, for us it's not all about making money. We thrive on being able to employ local people; we respect and treat each and every one of them as we would expect to be treated with the utmost respect.
Giving Something Back To The Communities
At Asian Hiking Team part of our travel philosophy is to develop tourism as a two-way means of communication. When you return home we'd like you to think about how you give something back to the country you visited. You've just spent quite a bit of money on giving yourself a great time by experiencing another culture and meeting the people. Your spending has certainly helped the local economy, and now probably be more aware of the environmental, social, political and cultural problems that some local communities face. There are various agencies and groups trying to address these issues, aiming to assist developing countries maintain their cultural identity, develop sustainable resources and improve social justice situations. All of them require resources.
Money is not the only way you can assist, as simply providing your time and/or skills might be as valuable and useful.
Things you could do:
• Join a development agency or other group devoted to concerns in developing countries.
• Become a volunteer and donate time to aid groups.
• Buy your birthday or Christmas presents at shops run by various third world charitable groups.
• Write letters for Amnesty International to assist political prisoners or to put pressure on governments to change some intolerable situations.
• Become more aware of your own government's policies and how they influence the 'two-thirds world'.
• Or just be a more environmentally friendly household and help to use the world's resources more efficiently.