We have continually been awarded a three-star rating from AITO for our work on Responsible Tourism, and in were winners of the 2007 AITO Responsible Tourism Tour Operator Award. For more information on AITO's responsible tourism policies and star ratings for tour operators, please visit their website www.aito.co.uk/corporate_Responsible-Tourism.asp
If you would like to find out more about our work on responsible tourism, or make a donation to any of our charities, please contact the office.
Responsible Tourism Project |
Our Actions |
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Responsible Tourism section in our trek dossiers |
We have a comprehensive section highlighting our responsible tourism practices and policies in our trek dossiers. These are sent to all our clients when they book their trip with us. We advise our clients how to trek sympathetically with awareness of, and sensitivity to, local customs and culture. Specifically we give information on: Visitor Impact, Preservation of local culture, Protecting the global environment, Porter Protection and Himalayan charities. |
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Sponsoring Northpoint School, near Bhaktapur, Nepal |
Himalayan Kingdoms has committed to working with SHIVA Charity to support Northpoint English School, near Bhaktapur, Nepal.
The school, currently housed in a rented building, is struggling to pay the teachers whilst still providing the necessary books and equipment.
The Himalayan Kingdoms team will be undertaking a number of fund-raising initiatives to raise money for the school and if you are interested in helping, or would like to make a donation for the school, please contact our Responsible Tourism Manager, Niki Morgan. |
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English lessons, Kathmandu |
Himalayan Kingdoms is offering a course of English lessons to Nepalese trekking staff in Kathmandu. Many have not had the benefits of a good education and yet good spoken & written English would significantly improve their career progression to become sirdars (head guides), and/or to work in offices in later life. The first of these intensive 45 day courses began in December 2007. Thirty regular trekking staff who were keen and have the aptitude to become lead guides were invited to participate, and their progress will be assessed and graded by oral and written exams. |
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Sir Edmund Hillary Trust Trek, Everest Region, Nepal |
On this trek we visit Khunde hospital and Sir Edmund Hillary School at Khumjung. Sponsorship forms are given to all clients on this trek, and they are asked if they would like to raise some money by persuading family and friends to sponsor them for every 1,000 feet they ascend during the trek. |
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Code for porters' rights and working conditions |
In conjunction with Tourism Concern, we have drawn up comprehensive guidelines for porters' rights and working conditions which our agents are obliged to adhere to. The welfare of porters is monitored by our clients through specific questions on our post trek questionnaires, and also by our European trek leaders, through a feedback form.
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Porter protection written into suppliers' contracts |
Every year we include a section on porter's welfare and working conditions in our contracts with suppliers. The suppliers' must adhere to the contract in order to continue to do business with us. |
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Machermo Porter Shelter/Rescue Post |
We actively support IPPG (International Porter protection Group) who, in association with CAN (Community Action Nepal), have established a first aid post and rescue centre for porters in the Gokyo valley. The facility not only saves lives but also acts as a place to educate porters on the dangers they face in the mountains. The shelter has been so successful that IPPG and CAN are now aiming to build a second centre at Gorak Shep, close to Kala Pattar and Everest Base Camp. Himalayan Kingdoms is helping to raise funds towards establishing this vital facility.
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Raised thousands for Ginette Harrison School |
Ginette Harrison was the second British woman to climb Everest and the first woman to climb the 3rd highest peak in the world, Kangchenjunga. She was a friend and Trek Leader for Himalayan Kingdoms, and we have been closely involved in raising funds over the last few years which have gone to build a school outside Kathmandu. The school is up-and-running and has been a great success. |
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Everest Base Camp Clean up treks |
Some years ago, we organised 2 successful clean up treks to Everest Base Camp. |
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Tourism Industry Carbon Offset Service (TICOS) |
Himalayan Kingdoms have teamed up with TICOS to enable clients to contribute towards offseting their flights. Revenues raised by TICOS go towards funding projects where there is a real additional and measurable carbon saving as well as wider social and environmental benefits. |
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Charities leaflet |
We send out a charities leaflet to all our clients after their treks. Since January 2005 we have raised nearly £5,000 for our combined charities from the generous donations of our clients. Please see below for a full list of the charities we support. |
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Himalayan Kingdoms - Top of VSO survey |
We previously came top in a VSO survey of 50 UK tour operators relating to the depth and quality of advice we give to our clients on the subjects listed above. |
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Recycling |
We recycle all our paper, and send any unused brochures to a special recycling centre. |
The Charities we Support
Responsible Tourism Charity |
Why help is needed |
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NEPAL |
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Northpoint School, near Bhaktapur, Nepal |
Requires funds for running costs, to provide books, computers and equipment and, long-term, new buildings and a science lab www.shivacharity.org. |
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Sir Edmund Hillary’s Himalayan Trust |
Needs funds to support 13 health clinics they have established in Solu Khumbu. |
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Machermo Porter Shelter/Rescue Post |
IPPG (International Porter protections Group) in association with CAN (Community Action Nepal) has established a first aid post and rescue centre for porters in the Gokyo valley. www.ippg.net.
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KINOE |
Raises money for school projects for the people of Mustang. www.redrice.com/kinoe.
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Ginette Harrison Memorial Fund |
Raises money for Shiva Charity which supports a poor school near Banepa, near Kathmandu. www.shivacharity.com. |
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Global Action Network |
Aims to improve the education of children in Nepal and also work within a number of different areas including environmental, health and sanitation issues. www.gannepal.org. |
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Roseberry School Darjeeling |
A nursery school set up in 2007 for disadvantaged children in Darjeeling, India up to the age of 11. The school is funded through the charity School Aid, India and all donations and visitors are welcome. http://www.schoolaidindia.org/. |
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The Gurkha Welfare Trust |
Helps to provide financial, medical and community aid to alleviate hardship and distress among the Gurkha ex-servicemen and their families when they leave the British Army. www.gwt.org.uk. |
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Everest Memorial Trust |
Raises money for the Pherice Redevelopment Project, a high altitude hospital, as well as other environmental, health and education projects within the Solu Khumbu region of north east Nepal. www.emt.org.uk. |
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Jimmy Roberts Memorial Fund |
Helps to provide funds for the Pipar schools in the Annapurna region and also funds local teams of field workers and ornithologists from the WPA’s affiliate organization, Bird Conservation Nepal, in their conservation and survey work. |
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BHUTAN |
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The Bhutan Society of the United Kingdom |
Encourages cultural and educational links between the peoples of the Kingdom of Bhutan and the UK. www.bhutansociety.org. |
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TIBET |
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The Michael Aris Memorial Trust |
This is an educational and research trust for Tibetan and Himalyan studies. |
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Other Tibetan Charities |
We support various Tibetan charities including: The Tibet Foundation (www.tibetsociety.com), The Office of Tibet (www.tibet.com), The Tibet Society (www.tibetsociety.com), and Free Tibet Campaign (www.freetibet.org). |
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LADAKH |
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Druk White Lotus School, Leh, Ladakh |
Inspired by the vision of His Holiness the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa, spiritual leader of Ladakh, this multi-award winning charity aims to provide a modern education for Ladakhi children - an education that is grounded in their own
culture and which can prepare them to lead happy and productive lives.
To find out more about this NGO and how you can help, either through volunteering, donation or child sponsorship visit
www.dwls.org |
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PERU |
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Dental Project Peru |
Needs donations to continue providing dental care to the indigenous people of the remote and rural villages of Peru. With their portable dental equipment and small teams of volunteer dentists, they treat over 3,000 patients each year |
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Everest base camp trek
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