Our sustainability policy

We have developed this Nepal travel sustainability policy for ourselves, our local suppliers, and our partners. This document provides specific guidelines regarding sustainability.

Our sustainable development plan is divided into 5 different themes ;

– Environmentally conscious management

– Nepal as a travel destination

– Local employees

Nepalese society

– Our customers

Environmentally conscious management

Wherever we go, we have an impact on the environment. We try to minimize this impact and, where possible, carry out projects and activities that are sustainable for the environment but also contribute to its improvement.

Internal business operations

We run our office responsibly by using fairtrade products, reducing our energy consumption, and recycling. Through the use of our website, social media, and documents, we limit the amount of paper we produce.

Waste management

Sustainable waste management works with three objectives: reduce, reuse, and recycle. We try to produce as little waste as possible and separate glass, paper, toner/ink, and batteries so that they can be recycled.

Energy saving

We work energy-efficiently. All devices are switched off after office hours (not on ‘stand-by’). We do not use air conditioning.

Staff mobility

Employee travel consists of traveling between home and work and for business purposes. We encourage our employees to use public transport, cycle, or walk.

Transport used during the trips

Nepal Inside Out ensures that vehicles used during a tour cause no more than average pollution.

Furthermore, we limit domestic flights during our trips. In Nepal, however, a domestic flight is often the only way to reach a safe destination. We try to compensate for this by making a donation to a nature conservation organization.

Our drivers are actively encouraged to achieve greater fuel efficiency. They learn techniques for more energy-efficient driving and to switch off their engines while stationary. The transport company ensures proper maintenance of the fleet.

Nepal as a travel destination

We know that the travel industry has both positive and negative impacts on local communities and the natural environment in Nepal. However, much depends on how these effects are managed. We are committed to working towards offering travel that benefits local livelihoods and protects the environment.

This is of fundamental importance for maintaining the quality of our trips in the coming years.

Supplier standards

We verbally introduce contractual environmental and social standards for local suppliers. We regularly check whether they have made progress in their sustainability efforts. Furthermore, we now also have a written code of conduct for our suppliers.

Sustainable housing

We prefer small-scale family hotels and homestays that operate sustainably and have independent accreditation. However, the number of accredited accommodations in Nepal is very low.

We work closely with our suppliers and make them aware of the small sustainable efforts they can make. They also receive a newsletter from us several times a year with tips to make their accommodations even more sustainable.

Sustainable projects during our travels

We strive to organize at least one visit on every trip to a project that directly supports the local economy or nature. We encourage our employees to find new initiatives and projects and to communicate about them. We give customers suggestions to visit fair trade shops, social enterprises, or social restaurants.

Waste management

We advise our customers to limit the amount of waste and dispose of it responsibly. We encourage them to use refillable water bottles instead of plastic bottles. In Nepal, plastic bottles are not recycled.

Animal welfare

Animals in captivity is a sensitive subject for both us and our customers. Our goal is to offer our customers only attractions where the animals are treated well. We deliberately do not offer elephant rides, but rather alternative activities that are animal-friendly and contribute financially to the care of the elephants.

Nature conservation

Nature and wildlife are important parts of many of our trips. The pressure of excessive visitor numbers can cause serious damage to wildlife and sensitive areas. We provide information to our customers so that they can experience the natural environment while simultaneously protecting nature, ensuring that others can enjoy it in the future.

Our employees

Working conditions and pay in the tourism sector

Our employees in Nepal do not experience unreasonable work pressure. Their working hours are reasonable and safe within local regulations and do not involve dangerous practices during the execution of the work.

We pay our employees adequate wages and they are paid on time in accordance with the written contract concluded between us. We do not delay the payment of wages.

We provide our guides with a sufficient budget to carry out the trip (to pay for transport, accommodation, food, etc.). In this way, they will under no circumstances use their own money for these payments, which fall under our responsibility. The salaries of our trekking guides are paid at the start of the trek.

Communication and training

We actively communicate with our employees about environmental and social issues through small meetings and two training days per year at our office.

Training is important at all levels of our company. We encourage lifelong learning and the development of transferable skills. Our employees are given opportunities to develop skills, both internally and externally. Our office staff and guides attend Travelife training courses that are relevant to them.

Code of Conduct for Carriers

We support the guidelines of the International Porter Protection Group (IPPG) .

Inspired by these guidelines, we have drawn up the following code of conduct for porters for our treks:

– Selection of porters : if possible, we choose local porters from the area where the trek takes place, and certainly in remote areas.

– Minimum age : we do not employ porters under the age of 18; we only work with adult porters. Nepal Inside Out is stricter in this regard than the IPPG guideline.

– Wages : All employees receive a fair wage, including their meals. Tips are distributed openly and fairly. All porters are paid for the duration of the trek, including necessary transport days.

– Accommodation : Accommodation is provided and the costs for entry to the trekking region are covered. No porter will have to sleep outside; they will sleep in either huts or tents.

– Load : No porter is asked to carry a load that is too heavy for his or her physical capabilities. Weight limits may need to be adjusted depending on altitude, terrain, and weather conditions. Our customers are informed that the maximum luggage they may bring on a trip to be carried by porters is a maximum of 10 kg. A porter carries the luggage of 2 people.

– Suitable clothing : the staff will have the appropriate clothing and shoes sufficient to withstand the cold and weather in the mountains during a high-altitude trek. We provide extra ponchos for our porters.

– Medical care : All medical bills will be paid for staff who fall ill during the trek. Staff will be evacuated from the mountain if they become ill and will nevertheless be paid for the entire trek.

– Customer awareness and behavior : Carriers and customers are introduced by name at the start of the draw. Customers receive advice on the tip to give and the tipping procedure.

– Awareness : We inform the porters about our environmental policy during the trip. The guides ensure that the porters apply this policy correctly. The porters, who are responsible for processing the waste generated during the trip, play an important role in good waste management. Therefore, we pay special attention to the porters to make the trip as environmentally responsible as possible.

– Inspiration and training : Most young porters are future guides and also part-time students. Guides help and inspire the porters to grow as potential guides, as almost all of our trekking guides started out as porters. Additionally, our porters are given the opportunity to receive further training in English or another skill.

Nepalese society

Code of Conduct for the Protection of the Child

We work according to the guidelines of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The participation of children or adolescents in work that does not affect their health and personal development or that does not hinder their education is generally considered a positive thing.

In our travel agency, we do not permit the following child labor, as it is considered harmful:
– children under 18 years of age driving a car
– children under 18 years of age working as porters (carrying heavy loads); we only work with adult porters
– children working many hours in bars, hotels, and restaurants
– children working daily in the entertainment industry (dancing, singing, etc.)
– children working as guides (almost) daily

Code of conduct against the sexual exploitation of children in tourism

We acknowledge that the sexual exploitation of children is a problem in Nepal. In all our activities and operations, we actively oppose all forms of sexual exploitation of children. If we witness a case of sexual exploitation, we immediately notify the authorities.

Our employees are trained to recognize these cases. We also have a policy that is followed when we come into contact with any form of sexual exploitation of children.

Partnerships with local NGOs

Nepal Inside Out has close partnerships with a number of NGOs in Nepal. We support their work through volunteering or financially. Some of them train our employees in sustainability and raise our customers’ awareness of various topics in Nepal.

Our customers

We proactively make our customers aware of sustainability aspects  on social media and our website. To be able to offer sustainable travel, we need the support of customers through their personal actions during the trip.

This happens in the following ways :

Via our website, blog, and social media : we provide information about various projects and NGOs in Nepal, and about sustainability in general.

* During the trip : At the beginning of the trip, all our clients are informed about responsible travel during a briefing. They receive a document with responsible travel tips. Guests are invited to contribute to projects in Nepal.

After our trips : We ask for feedback from customers regarding the environmentally and socially responsible aspects of their trip. In addition, we encourage them to ‘give something back’, in the form of, among other things, supporting an NGO or sponsorship.

How can you help?

Respect cultural differences.

Nepalese culture is completely different from Western culture. There will certainly be a few things that may come across as very intriguing and surprising, and sometimes uncomfortable, to someone unfamiliar with the Nepalese lifestyle. These differences are precisely what make a trip fascinating and make a trip to Nepal unique for our clients.

There are a number of things one should definitely take into account: from the clothing one wears, how one eats, and the tone of voice used when speaking, to the closeness one maintains while communicating. Moreover, Nepal, like all other countries, operates with a different concept of time—things happen when they happen!

The traveler who wants a pleasant and successful trip must remain as calm and friendly as possible. Patience, politeness, and a smile are essential for a successful vacation.

Cultural differences: hierarchy, gender, etc.

All our employees are treated as social equals. Where the Nepalese team accompanies a group, our guides encourage interaction with them, respecting individual wishes regarding privacy. Respect for social and cultural diversity is important.

When visiting the local population, we will always conduct ourselves in accordance with the norms and values ​​of the respective community. Sensitivity to the host culture is important. For example, we ask permission from the headmaster before visiting a school and do so without disrupting the normal course of events.

Meet the locals

Making Nepalese friends is an important aspect of your trip. Accept and enjoy offers of hospitality whenever you can. By taking the time to talk to the locals, you will learn about their daily life, culture, and attitude, including a very enjoyable time and funny situations. This is also the ideal opportunity for them to learn about your culture. Think about ways to reciprocate hospitality—for example, by sending photos.

Be prepared for many questions. If you are simply walking down the street, you might be asked: “What is your name? Where are you from? How old are you? Where are you going?” – perhaps questions you might consider personal. Do not be offended or view it as rude or an invasion of privacy. It is usually genuine curiosity, friendliness, or a desire to practice their English. Respond cheerfully and patiently. The concept of privacy is much less known in Nepal than in your culture.

Limit water usage

We advise our customers to limit their water usage. Water must always be used sparingly. In some areas of Nepal, and during certain periods of the year, there is a severe water shortage.

– Consider a shower instead of a bath

– Think about whether you really need to shower every day. Check if the hot water supply for personal washing runs on solar or gas. If it is heated by wood, consider skipping the shower until the next lodge.

– Do not leave water running while brushing your teeth; If you use ‘bucket’ showers or similar, turn off the water supply while lathering up.

Conservation of natural water sources

– In vulnerable areas, do not take water from springs if it is not necessary: ​​you are depriving the local population of their daily water.

– Dirty water, for example from washing dishes, must be disposed of by spreading it over the ground at a distance of at least 30 meters (100 feet) from the water source / the river if there is no drain.

– Do not use non-biodegradable soap in lakes or rivers. Where possible, look for sources that sell biodegradable products and use these products.

– Do not pour oily water into the streams

– Wash the dishes in a bowl / sink instead of under a running tap, as this uses less water.

Limit your energy consumption

– Turn off the air conditioning, lights, TVs, and fans when you are not in the room, and consider not using the air conditioning, or only when it is very hot.

– Look out for hotels that use more sustainable sources – for example, hotels with solar panels.

– Check if hotels recycle goods and encourage others to adopt the system if it works.

We do not encourage our drivers to let the cars run for more than three minutes before departure.

Do not use firewood and do not make a campfire

– Try to have a campfire only occasionally as a treat, because it depletes natural resources / causes smoke pollution / can deprive the local population of their only source of fuel.

– The collected wood must be only dead wood from the ground. Do not remove branches from trees, as what looks dead may simply be dry or dormant.

– Keep the heat low

– Where possible, use an existing fire ring or the site of a previous campfire.

Only paper goods may be burned on the campfire. Even lightweight plastics generate toxic fumes.

– Be aware of fire hazards and local fire regulations

– When leaving the camp, the campfire must be ‘buried’ so that you can be sure it is out and not an ugly mess.

Litter and waste reduction

Litter is a major problem in Nepal, where there is little to no infrastructure for waste disposal, let alone recycling.

The first step is to ensure that we use as few resources as possible in the first place, in order to produce less waste. Next, we try to ensure that the waste is disposed of in the most effective way.

– Litter must always be disposed of responsibly. Never throw trash away on the street during your trip.

– Cigarette butts must not be thrown on the street / behind bushes / overboard boats etc., but must be placed in a trash can or in a bag until a trash can is available. We advise smokers to carry a container with them to put their cigarette butts in.

– Campsites must be checked for all waste, including bottle caps and cigarette butts, before departure. Customers and staff assist with this.

– Check if there is a place on site where goods can be recycled and use it where possible.

The following policy applies to the disposal of waste from camps in nature reserves:

– Items that can be burned: paper & cardboard*.

– Items to be buried: plant-based & food waste*

– Items carried out of the area: plastics, glass & cans. Garbage must always be disposed of where it is guaranteed to be collected*.

Please note that we follow the national park guidelines in the national parks.

Our employees will consult with the national park authorities and inform customers about the rules to be followed regarding waste.

Sanitary facilities and toilets

In Nepal, toilet paper is usually not used. Check whether the sewage system is capable of handling this non-human waste before flushing toilet paper down the toilet.

When camping at a location where no toilets are available, the guide will always point out the area where people can enter the bush for toilet facilities. People can bury their excrement. Therefore, a shovel is provided. It is NOT permitted to leave toilet paper behind. In wet areas, you may burn the toilet paper; in dry areas, the toilet paper must be thrown in a trash can.

Respect for fauna & flora

Never feed animals or fish. Giving them different or additional food than what they usually eat will likely make them sick or dependent, so that they cannot survive on their own in the wild.

Do not chase the animals, causing them to be startled, for the sake of a photo / better appearance & do not try to touch the animals; aside from the fact that it is dangerous, it can startle them.

Where animals are used for transport (ponies, yaks), we try to ensure that the animals are well cared for and show no signs of abuse, disease, or malnutrition. Incidentally, we do not offer elephant rides on our tours.

Never pick wildflowers or plants and stay on the designated paths and roads.

Visit to schools, hospitals, slums or development projects

The guide always asks permission to visit a school, hospital, or development project. If they grant the group permission to visit the site, we ask if someone from the school, hospital, or project can give us a brief explanation while showing us around.

After the guidance and explanation, it is respectful to give a gift to the school, hospital, or project. A distinction can be made between a small gift for the supervisor and a gift/money for the project itself.

We do not visit schools during school hours, but only during breaks or after school hours.

We do not encourage the provision of ‘second-hand’ medicines to hospitals with descriptions in languages ​​that the people in the hospital do not understand.

Visiting heritage sites

When visiting old sites, the guide informs customers about certain applicable rules:

– Do not touch old monuments, as oil, acid, and dirt from hands can cause erosion.

– Respect the laws against flash photography on sites, as the bright light can cause damage to frescoes, etc.

– Do not pick up stones, fossils, or pottery shards. These are part of the site!

– Stick to the set paths.

– Never climb on or over ruins / walls

– Do not enter where it says “Hindus only”; unless you are a Hindu.

Giving out gifts and presents

It is not advisable to give money, candy, gifts, medicine, or presents to children, nor to adults.

We discourage giving to beggars who only beg from tourists. While some people in Nepal depend on begging for their livelihood, we view giving money as a short-term solution to a more fundamental problem. Nepal Inside Out tries to find ways for us and our customers to provide more long-term support by supporting local charities and community projects.

If people want to help children, we advise setting a number of requirements for non-governmental organizations that focus on special target groups, such as children, orphans, people with disabilities, etc.

Where possible, we will inform our customers about a development project or organization within this destination. Customers therefore have the option to follow up by contacting this foundation.

Photographing people

We inform our clients about photography. The following general advice is provided:

– Always ask for permission in advance when taking photos of a person or their property (for example, their house or livestock).

Never take photos secretly; if people do not want to be photographed, we must respect that.

If people ask for money to be photographed, please be aware that this is not the norm in Nepal. We do not encourage paying to photograph people, except when it is the social norm for tourists, such as the Saddhus (holy men) in Pashupatinath. In this case, it is advisable to discuss the price beforehand. The guide can advise you on this.

– Do not make promises to send the photos if you are not sure whether you will keep your promises.

Dress code

We inform our clients about the customary attire in Nepal. During the initial briefing, our guide will mention the general dress code. For certain events or visits during the trip, the guide will advise clients on how to dress. Especially when visiting remote regions and sanctuaries, ensure that your upper legs and shoulders are covered.

Local food and artisanal products

We promote locally grown food and other local products. We encourage our customers to visit local eateries and restaurants and experience the local products and cuisine.

Our guides inform our customers about local dishes and crafts and encourage their appreciation; this can help make a real difference in preserving local skills and jobs.

You can also try out a craft yourself or take a cooking workshop where you make a local dish.

Buy responsible souvenirs: no antiques, fossils, ivory, butterflies, etc.

Be aware of goods that may be manufactured using child labor and inform yourself about local laws regarding the purchase and export of antiques.

Do not buy items derived from endangered / vulnerable species (flora and fauna). Be aware of goods made from prohibited animals or plants. It is forbidden to bring such souvenirs into Europe, and you risk a large fine.

Here is a list of examples of prohibited products/materials:

– ivory and products made from ivory

– cacti or orchids (e.g. rain sticks are made of cacti and are prohibited)

– Chinese medicines and plasters

– all products made from the skins of crocodiles, snakes, and big cats

– butterflies and parrots

– fossils from the rivers

You can find more information about this topic on the CITES website .

Tipping in Nepal

Tipping is very important in Nepal, but we do not force customers to tip, as it is ultimately voluntary. However, we do advise our customers to give a fair, reasonable tip to local guides, porters, drivers, cleaners, cooks, etc. Our recommended amount depends on the work they do.

In their travel proposal, we explain to our clients what tipping means for local staff and provide them with a guideline. We point out that it is important in Nepalese culture, ensuring that clients are aware of this.

To give something back

Giving something back to the communities

The travel philosophy of Nepal Inside Out is that travel is always a two-way street.

Upon returning home, you can take a moment to reflect on how you can give something back to the beautiful Nepal you have just visited. Naturally, you have already spent a considerable sum to give yourself a wonderful time by experiencing a different culture and meeting the locals. Your expenses have certainly helped the local economy.

However, there are other things that can be done now to help Nepal on a permanent basis. After your trip, you will likely be more aware of the environmental, social, political, and cultural problems that some local communities in Nepal face.

There are various organizations attempting to address these problems. Their mission is to help a developing country like Nepal preserve its cultural identity, develop sustainable resources, and improve social justice. These organizations need resources and are seeking donations.

Of course, donating is not the only way you can help. Investing your time and/or skills can be just as valuable and useful.

Things you could do after your trip:

– Join a development organization or another group that focuses on addressing problems in developing countries such as Nepal

– Become a volunteer and donate your time, the number of options here is very extensive

– Consider joining a sponsorship program so that a disadvantaged Nepalese child can go to school

– Buy your gifts in fair trade shops that sell goods from the developing world at a fair price.

Or make your own household more environmentally friendly and use the world’s resources more efficiently

Support projects

Nepal Inside Out supports a number of projects annually with a donation.