walkingliguria : Ethical Trekking in the Himalayas

Ethical trekking

Himalayan Journeys: An Ethical Approach

Lorenzo Gariano is proud to offer a new range of ethical and responsible guided trekking holidays in the Himalayas.

Thame / Gokyo / Cho La Pass / Kala Patthar
Everest Basecamp as an option

Langtang
Full details available shortly...

Annapurna circuit
Full details available shortly...

Travel notes and considerations:

Trekking in the Himalayas with a responsible and ethical approach to the landscape and its culture. We encourage this type of tourism where an ethical approach towards the local population is as important as appreciating the beautiful views of the landscape. We will show you on our scheduled hikes, areas where we have made a small contribution to improve the quality of life of the local people and their schools. A number of small Stupa buildings have also been created with local Sherpa assistance in the Valley of Thame; each one holds a board explaining the trails, custom, culture and wildlife-botany of the specific area in question. They will bring the visitor closer to understanding the interrelation that exists between the population and its Himalayan surroundings. We are very proud to be associated with a veritable Italian Charity by name of: "Travel for Others Onlus" led by the eminent Outdoor magazine: Montagnard. This charity has been leading projects with an Environmental and humanitarian consciousness in mind, and has successfully materialized some important objectives in the fight against "aggressive" tourism in Nepal. We are currently involved in the purchase of land in Kakani near Kathmandu with the objective to build an environmental school for homeless children and to train them to be environmental guides. When opportunities arise, we will point these operational schemes on our journeys.

Small and considerate changes in attitudes can help stabilise and improve the frail ecosystem of the area and we encourage some of the following:

Try not to buy plastic bottled water on the trails, there is no recycling of these products and it is back braking work for porters just to satisfy western tourists
Have water boiled in lodges, it is a great way to utilize it twice, place it hot in your sleeping bag and it will provide untold comfort, plus a clean drink when cooled down.
When ordering it is easier if you can order as much of the same dish at once, it saves on a lot of different cooking procedures and wastes less of the precious fuel in Lodges.
We try and stay in lodges that are a little bit "off the beaten track" this avoids the masses and also helps the other Lodge owners earn some living, this does not affect the quality of your stay in any form
We go trekking a little out of Season and this again helps the local Economy, and you receive a more relaxed service anyway.
Pack only essential gear for your trekking trip in the mountains, spare a thought for your very hardworking porters, they are the backbone of the Country and its trekking industry, but must be looked after.
Try to adapt as best as you can to what is available food wise en route. The food is of excellent quality and not processed, but can be repetitive to some people. We will do our best to give variety but please be aware you will be in some places in areas where little else is available, apart from what is carried.
Respect the local stupas and Chortens (religious monuments) by always stepping on the left hand side of the features on your travels, as the locals do in sign of respect.
Be humble and respectful of Buddhist practices whether in Monasteries or other places.

By observing some of these very simple suggestions we believe you can make a real difference in improving the quality of life of the local Sherpa people and its resources.

Namaste` & Tashi Delek

There is enough to go round for everyone,
but not for each one's greed

Mahatma Gandhi