Sustainability Policy: Travel To Nepal

Sustainability Policy: Travel To Nepal

Our Mission: Securing the Living Shangri-La

At Travel To Nepal, we recognize that Nepal is not just a destination; it is a “Living Shangri-La” defined by its abundant natural assets, diverse heritage, and spiritual depth. Our mission is to transition from purely extractive tourism to a Green Economy model where every trek and tour contributes to safeguarding the environment and uplifting local livelihoods. We are committed to stopping “pervasive degradation” by placing the environment at the center of our decision-making.

Core Principles

Derived from the Safeguarding the Future framework, our operations are guided by three pillars:

Wise Management of Natural Assets

We acknowledge that our business depends on healthy forests, clean water, and stable landscapes.

  • Zero Waste in the Wild: We enforce a strict “Carry In, Carry Out” policy for all non-biodegradable waste. We go a step further by incentivizing staff and guests to collect litter left by others (“1 Bag Per Trek” initiative).

Pro-Poor Growth & Social Equity

Sustainability must benefit the people. We ensure that the economic benefits of tourism reach the grassroots level, specifically marginalized communities who are the guardians of these landscapes.

  • Fair Wages: We pay our guides and porters above the industry standard, ensuring they have insurance and proper gear.
  • Local Sourcing: We source at least 80% of our supplies (food, gear, handicrafts) from local producers and “User Groups” (community forestry groups) to support the local green economy.

Operational Commitments

For Our Treks & Tours

  • Transport: We prioritize shared and public transport options where feasible. For private transfers, we always try to use electric vehicles.
  • Water Security: We refuse single-use plastic water bottles.
  • Wildlife Protection: We maintain a respectful distance from wildlife and strictly forbid the purchase of products made from endangered species (e.g., yarsagumba illegally harvested, animal parts).

For Our Culture

  • Cultural Respect: We brief all guests on local customs, dress codes, and religious etiquette before they enter sensitive areas (e.g., temples, monasteries).
  • Preservation: We donate a percentage of our annual profits to local heritage restoration projects or community forestry user groups in the Bagmati Province.

4. Advocacy & Education

We believe in “investing in the environment” by investing in people.

  • Staff Training: All Travel To Nepal staff undergo annual training on climate resilience and sustainable practices.
  • Guest Awareness: We provide every guest with a “Green Trekking Code of Conduct” based on the Securing Shangri-La principles.

5. Monitoring & Improvement

As Nepal emerges as a leader in green development, we pledge to adapt. We will review this policy annually to ensure we are not just paying “lip service” to the environment but actively building a resilient, sustainable future for Nepal.