Everest base camp trek & Sherpa culture

Planet

Water is a precious commodity in the Khumbu valley, despite the amount of ice! In addition, safe water is a key requirement for Western visitors. All lodges help in the provision of clean water, but we encourage our travelers to take life straws and water containers to ease the process and we ensure two litres per day are provided from boiled water sources. We therefore reduce the need for disposable plastic and waste.
If people need power to recharge phones or cameras, we encourage portable chargers rather than using the local power, which is solar generated and limited in supply.
The local people already use Yak dung as fuel and most stoves are powered by this readily available source.
We work with local accommodation and meal providers to ensure local people gain from our visits through our spend and share the same values, which as the Sherpa people are spiritual and worship the mountains and nature, is more about us learning from them!

People

You are welcomed in Kathmandu and hosted on this visit by Nepalese and Sherpa people, who are proud of their country and knowledgeable about its history and beliefs. The accommodation you stay at all benefit the local people, both the guest houses and lodges on the trek and even the higher quality Hotels in Kathmandu and Nagarkot, which are Nepalese owned. These Hotels also employ local people and acquire local food produce for their restaurants.
Visitors contribute to the local economy through buying gifts and we ensure there is plenty of time to stop at the small shops along the trek.
We encourage meeting local people and schools and where possible will actively seek out contact. We are looking to offer optional extensions to the main itineraries to allow days where school visits can be accommodated. We encourage visitors to visit the monasteries at places like Phakding and Tengboche to understand the faith and beliefs of the Sherpa people.