Nepal Responsible Travel: 01 Trekker: 01 Porter
Mountain Monarch has started a Responsible Travel policy to have the ONE TREKKER: ONE PORTER since 2015 on our high passes trekking and climbing trips in the Himalayas. The personal porter is more like having your Sherpa walking or climbing next to you as a part of Nepal Responsible travel. This is because he only carries a much lighter weight of around 15 kilos on a specially designed Mountain Monarch Day Pack on all high passes trek and climbing expeditions. This is much lighter weight than any other porters you encounter en route. Thus, your porter is ready to help and support you and deal efficiently with any problems at higher elevations while trekking and climbing in the Himalayas.
Environment Issue for Thoughtful Travel
Protecting the fragile environment is our topmost concern while conducting tours and trekking programs. Mountain Monarch is aware of preserving and conserving the past glory of our ancestors and handing over all the Natural and cultural affluence to the next generation. As a local company whose lives have revolved around the mountains and valleys, we feel a more significant and increased responsibility to protect and preserve these natural and cultural resources.
We are committed to minimizing the negative impact of tourism and enabling you to take only photos to leave footprints. We cook using kerosene or LPG gas and bring back non-biodegradable items on all trips. As a KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Education Project) member, we are organizing various Eco-Tourism Workshops to protect the fragile environment and indigenous cultures of the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal.
Forestation Program
To put a brick in our commitment to responsible travel to the deforestation in parts of Nepal. We actively participate in a forestation program jointly organized by the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal at Kashi Bhanjang, Kavre.
Building School and Drinking Water Project
Mountain Monarch is aware of responsible travel and giving back to the communities. We, therefore, assist enthusiastic individuals, groups, and organizations with genius support to local community development for school building and drinking water projects in the remote region. For example, we built a school at Gibang with our Sandiago friends and a sister school project, Ron and Dev. Under preparation and planning drinking water project in Nepal, Magdi district in association with Guildford District Scout Group, UK.
Educating Porter Children
Education is the most important wealth of the children; therefore, we are funding and sponsoring the porter’s children to provide them with education. Mountain Monarch has been financing all social activities from its profit in different activities, and we always feel responsible for sharing the values/contributing something to communities. Therefore, we welcome anyone to generously assist us in providing better education to many more deprived children.
Staff Welfare / Porter Protection
We believe in caring for all our staff, from Trek Leaders to Sherpas, Cooks, and Porters, to practice responsible travel in Nepal policies. We ensure good pay, life insurance, helicopter evacuation, and the equipment and clothing for porters and each staff member. MMA has fulfilled all the standards set by IPPG (International Porter Protection Group) for the welfare and safety of all porters and is committed to improving their livelihoods. They are our kith and kin and the backbone of trekking in Nepal. No wonder the staff, including porters, want to work for us repeatedly.
We have set some noticeable guidelines, which we are applying in our trips as a Porter Protection Policy.
- Good & fair working wages.
- Nepal Responsible Travel policy of 01 trekker: 01 porter
- Fair weight of around 15 kilos only all high altitude trek and climb above 4000 meters
- The same standard of medical care for Porters and trek crew as the trek members
- Arrangement of Food and Accommodation
- Accidental/medical insurance
- No porter is asked to return from the middle of the trek
- We provide required trekking gear for all the porters like Gortex wind & waterproof jackets and trousers, fleece jackets, mattress & blanket/sleeping bag, warm woolen hat, woolen gloves, woolen socks, trekking shoes/boots, and sunglasses.
- If a porter gets sick and is required to return, we will never send him alone but with someone who speaks the same language and understands the problem. Moreover, sufficient financial support will be provided to sick porters and helpers to cover the cost of their return and treatment.