Guide and Porter Policies
In order to have a beneficial effect on the environment, team members, clients, and community, Green Getaways believes in sustainability and responsible tourism practices. We are aware that if we look after our porters and trekking guides, they will look after our clients. Above all, as a responsible tour operator, we want to provide our trekking staff with the greatest working environments so that they can take care of our guests and help them to get the most out of the trip.
We’ve frequently heard tales of porters being abandoned on mountain tops or shivering outside tents while travelers enjoy themselves inside. To ensure that the working conditions of our trekking guides and porters are of the highest caliber, Green Getaways treats and adheres to the following Guide and Porter Policy:
Insurance:
For the length of the trek, we provide risk and liability insurance to trekking leaders and porters. Accidents, medical bills, high altitude helicopter rescue, and evacuation charges are all covered by the insurance.
Weight limits:
We strictly adhere to the porter weight limits of no more than 20 kg (44 lbs). On the trek, one porter will help two guests. We arrange a meeting with clients during the pre-trek briefing when we advise them to bring only the essential trekking gear, which shouldn’t weigh more than 10 kg (22 lbs) per client. Additionally, the total amount of checked bags and backpacks allowed on domestic flights in Nepal is 15 kg/33 pounds. Therefore, before starting the walk, we make sure that our porters are carrying the weights as required.
Health and Safety:
Our top priority is the health and safety of our trekking crews. We make sure our trekking leaders take care of the porters and let us know if they require more attention for their health or general well-being. Similarly, our business takes necessary safety measures to maintain a secure working environment. The business complies with all guidelines for establishing a safe and healthy workplace.
Lodging and food:
All of the trekking team is well housed and fed by our company throughout the trek. Our trekking crews typically receive breakfast, lunch, and dinner, which are our three normal meals. In the same way, tea houses and guest homes in mountainous areas will be the accommodations provided during the trails. There is no racial, caste, or cultural prejudice against any trekking staff members while they are on the hike, and all trekking crew members will receive the same amenities.
Appropriate clothing and equipment:
During camping outings, we provide our trekking crew with a down jacket, appropriate hiking shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, down, a sleeping bag, a first aid kit, and camping gear. Basic medications like paracetamol, ibuprofen, aspirin, Diamox, and Imodium are included in the first aid box. Similarly, we offer an oximeter so that you may monitor your blood oxygen level while hiking. All of our trekking leaders must use this gadget.
Awareness:
We periodically hold education sessions for our trekking leaders and guides to enhance their working environments and give them more power. We inform them of sustainability principles and the significance of ethical tourism activities. We encourage our trek leaders to teach the porters the fundamentals of first aid so they can deal with any potential medical emergencies that may develop, including high altitude illness, frostbite, and hypothermia. Additionally, our trip guide instructs the porters on the value of environmental preservation, trash management, and personal hygiene awareness.
Preference:
Green Getaways has a strategy of hiring porters and trekking guides from underserved areas and communities. This is done with the intention of helping them financially and raising their level of living, as many porters in Nepal’s mountainous region are uneducated, unemployable, and illiterate. They are also more comfortable leading clients to places they are familiar with and like doing so.
Contract:
When we hire employees, trekking guides, and porters, we prepare an employment contract. Additionally, we make sure that the workers are aware of the contract’s terms and conditions, their job duties, the minimum amenities offered, and their compensation.
Wages:
We provide a fair wage to all trekking leaders, guides, and porters in accordance with the law. The pay for our trekking employees varies according to their level of experience (from beginner to senior level) and their subject-matter knowledge. Even if the client does not complete the trip for any reason, we still pay our guides and porters the usual wages once the trip has been scheduled.
Awards:
To recognize team members’ efforts and all of their hard work, our company has been giving out rewards and benefits. We plan a retreat program for our staff each year during which we present prizes in various categories. As an illustration, consider “Guide of the Year,” “Best Customer Service Award,” “and Best Teamwork Award,” etc. In addition to a certificate, the honored employee will also receive money to support their families.
Solidarity:
We are life members of the organization that looks after the welfare of porters and guides, Porters’ Progress Nepal.