Walking in Bhutan vacation

Planet

The way we operate this trip helps to minimise the purchase and waste caused by single-use plastic as much as we can. Before traveling, we advise customers to take reusable water bottles, preferable with an inbuilt filter, and reusable lunch boxes such as tupperware to use for picnic lunches whilst trekking. Our local Bhutanese leaders actively encourage everyone to refill their reusable water bottles. In addition to this our ground operator is, with our support, working with local hotels to provide facilities such as boiled and filtered water to fill reusable bottles rather than selling bottles individually.

On this walking trip we explore the towns, villages and countryside on foot, thus minimising the carbon footprint of our travel. In Kathmandu, which is becoming increasingly congested, although it's a small contribution, by exploring the city on a walking rather than bus tour, we avoid adding to the problem.

In the Phobjika Valley our visit helps to support the Royal So­ciety for Protection of Nature (RSPN) Information Centre, also known as the Crane Information Centre. Over 300 rare black-necked crane migrate from Tibet to Bhutan in late autumn each year. The center both educates visitors about the cranes and the importance of preserving their environment and leads important conservation initiatives.

As a travel company we are continually looking for ways to improve and are proud to be ‘Responsible in everything we do’. Education is key, and so all staff, Tour Leaders and partnering suppliers are trained in responsible and sustainable tourism. At our Head Office, we continually strive towards a sustainable and planet-friendly working environment, including having solar panels installed and a company commitment to reducing our plastic usage.

People

This trip spends two nights in Nepal where our main local partner has set up the PP Prasai Foundation to recognise the contribution of teachers to their communities, and encourage additional training and education. This gives teachers throughout Nepal the opportunity to exchange educational ideas, skills and support and has a positive knock on effect for the country's students.

Our Bhutanese tour leaders have been trained and supported by us since we first started using only local rather than UK-based leaders in Bhutan in 2010. They are passionate about Responsible Tourism and brief each group on arrival on how to get the best from each location without causing any damage or offence, and by contributing to the economy. They help to bridge the gap between travelers and locals, ensuring that both parties benefit from the interaction. Whilst walking through villages our tour leaders use their local knowledge and connections to facilitate visiting local homes,such as in Gangtey where groups are usually able to join a family for tea. When visiting monasteries, such at the Chimi Lhakhang, they may ask a resident monk to help explain some aspects of Buddhist philosophy.

$65 USD per day from the cost of any trip to Bhutan ( with any tour operators) goes to the Bhutanese government’s sustainable development fee. This helps to fund Bhutan's free health care, free education, poverty relief, and infrastructure for Bhutan’s people.

As a company we have valuable and longstanding partnerships with UK charities Toilet Twinning and Send a Cow, plus many smaller initiatives and projects around the world. We’re members of the UK travel industry body AITO because we believe it’s important to share our knowledge and experience, as well as learn from other operators.