| Responsible Travel Guidelines for Travellers
Basically we ask all our travellers to respect local rules and values. This means different things in different countries so be as informed as possible about the country you visit before you arrive - try to learn some of the local language and read about the religion and culture. This will improve your travelling experience. With a little effort on your part you will find yourself coming away with a greater sense of understanding of other cultures and feeling pleased to have left a positive mark on the country you visited. The following general guidelines are standards of behavior we expect from everyone on an Ace the Himalaya trip. RESPECTING CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
Things are done differently in the places we travel, which is why we love them! Please make sure in your dealings with local people you accept these differences and not try to change them for your own benefit or comfort. Remember that many places operate on different concepts of time - things happen when they happen! The traveller who wishes to have a happy and successful trip should keep as calm, cheerful and friendly as humanly possible. Demanding impatient tourists do not earn respect. Patience, courtesy and smiles are virtues that open many doors. 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 travellers 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 a chance 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 jewellery, 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 consider personal. 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 Friend". ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
Pollution and waste management is a huge problem throughout the world. In some countries, particularly in Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet and in India, disposal systems are inadequate and recycling of plastics is limited. We suggest avoiding plastic packaging where possible and take along your own bag when shopping. Plastic bags will be offered for everything - don't be shy in suggesting that it isn't needed. Don't be fooled by the rubbish bins on public transport as they may be emptied straight out the window! Collect and dispose of at the next town or hotel. When trekking, many travellers take an extra plastic bag to pick up any rubbish that they see to improve the area and for their own rubbish. In many cultures it is not appropriate to put rubbish in the cooking fire. Rubbish may have to be carried until a suitable disposal opportunity in the next town.
Bottled water is for sale in most towns, but unfortunately there are few facilities for recycling of the bottles. Please try and minimize the waste of plastic water bottles. Consider packing a water filter, water purification tablets or iodine to purify drinking water. At some of our hotels there are large water 'bubbler' dispensers where you can refill your bottle with purified water for free or for a small fee.
The natural environment is also very important. If in the bush we need to make sure our human waste is buried away from waterways. Burying or carrying out used toilet paper is a must. Tampons and sanitary pads must also be taken out of the area and disposed of appropriately. Minimize use of soap or shampoos in rivers and lakes - your group leader will let you know when using soap is unsuitable.
There is little education on environmental awareness in many towns in Himalaya, so many locals are unaware of the implications of littering. Our aim is to educate by example, rather than through lecturing. You will notice that our guides are generally very good on their environmental impact when in national parks and remote areas. Please join in if we have a beach, trail or reef clean-up. DINING & SHOPPING
Eat local food and drinks and your money supports 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. Here are a few pointers to help you on your way: -Start bargaining with some idea of what you consider a fair price for the item to be. This will usually involve sourcing the item in a number of different stores. -The correct price for an item is the price you agree to pay, that keeps both you and the seller happy. Therefore there's no 'right' price. -Be polite, patient, but firm in your bargaining. No-one ever has received a cheaper price through being rude or insensitive. -Don't appear too interested in an item. Walking out of a store is often a good way to get the price to drop. -Shop with a friend - buying in bulk will often reduce the price. -Learn the numbers in the local language. It will win respect from the seller, and will certainly make the process a lot more interesting. -Once a price you have offered is accepted it is not appropriate to back out of the deal.
-Only say you'll buy something later if you intend to buy later. The sellers usually have amazing memories, and will come hounding you on your promise!
It is our policy that group leaders do not receive commissions from vendors for their group's purchases - there's no need to incorporate commission into a price.
-Most importantly, enjoy the experience, and remember you're often only bargaining over only a couple of dollars - keep it in perspective.
PROSTITUTION
Our philosophy of travel is one of mutual respect towards everyone we deal with, and in particularly the local people who make the regions we travel to as special as they are. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy and we are strongly opposed to any of our travellers visiting prostitutes while travelling with Ace the Himalaya. 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.
DRUGS
Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any Ace the Himalaya’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 possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land, but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is practiced in some parts of the world, but is not acceptable for Ace the Himalaya travellers or staff. DONATIONS & GIFTS
Please do not give money, pens, or sweets to the local people in the communities we visit, as it can promote a 'begging culture'. It can create unequal relationships between tourist and visitor, with tourists being seen as purely 'givers', and it can also strip self esteem away from people when they get money for simply being poor rather than having to solve their own issues of poverty through community action. With sweets - local people may not have access to dentists, nor be able to afford them. If you wish to donate, your group leader may be able to suggest local projects that Ace the Himalaya is involved with. Some local villages can be supported by buying their craft work etc. Pens, note books and other items for children are usually best distributed via a school teacher or community leader. Your group leader would be happy to help distribute these items. In most of Ace the Himalaya’s trip areas leaders collect clean usable clothing from travellers at the end of a trip, for distribution to needy communities. These can be left at some of our base hotels. Please check with your group leader. It is considered proper to make a small donation at the end of a visit to a pagoda, monastery or temple - most have a contributions box for this purpose. GIVING SOMETHING BACK TO THE COMMUNITIES
At Ace the Himalaya 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 can 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 there are other things that can be done to help some other countries on an ongoing basis. After your trip, you will 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.
PROJECT SUPPORTS
Over the years Ace the Himalaya has supported few social, environmental and developmental projects in Nepal. In 2007 the founder of Ace the Himalaya and other local people within Gorkha Nepal established The Sambhav Nepal Foundation. Since then Ace the Himalaya works closely with the Sambhav Nepal Foundation and is one of the main supporters of the foundation; we contribute support in a number of ways. Firstly we donate a percentage of business profits to the foundation on a yearly basis which support the ongoing maintenance cost required for the Bhairabi Primary school. We conduct a number of charity treks throughout the year to visit and support school projects. Our charity trek itinerary combines adventure and kindness, providing the participant with lasting memories of the Himalayas while allowing them to contribute to a remote community within Arupokhari villages of Nepal. A number of our clients have been volunteering there personal skills for teaching school students of the Dharapani and Bhairabi School with our volunteer program. Please contact us if you wish to teach in the schools and work in farms with local people. For more details visit www.sambhavnepal.org |
