RT Regulations

In essence, we ask all of our visitors to follow cultural norms. This might signify various things depending on the country, so do your research on the place you’re going before you go. Try to learn a bit of the local tongue and read up on religion and culture. This will make traveling more enjoyable. With a little effort, you will discover that you leave having gained a better understanding of various cultures and feeling content with having made a beneficial impact on the nation you visited.

We expect everyone on a Green Getaways Trip to behave in accordance with the general rules listed below.

Respecting Cultural Differences

The cultures of Nepal and the West diverge significantly. Unfamiliar with the Nepalese way of life, there will undoubtedly be a few things that are quite intriguing, surprising, and occasionally uncomfortable. These differences are without a doubt what we love to celebrate, and in the same way, we anticipate that our customers will benefit the most from what only Nepal can provide.

There are many factors to think about, including what one wears, what one eats, how one speaks, how close one speaks, and how one keeps eye contact. Furthermore, Nepal follows a distinct idea of time than other nations do; events take place as they do! The traveler should be as composed, upbeat, and amiable as is humanly possible if they want to have a good and joyful journey. The attributes of patience, courtesy, and smiles enable many special moments to occur during the journey.

Friendship

One of the most enjoyable aspects of your trip will be meeting new people. When possible, accept and take advantage of the hospitality offered. You may learn about the locals’ way of life, culture, and outlook on life by taking the time to converse with them. You’ll also have a great time and a few laughs. They have the opportunity to learn more about your culture through this. Think of ways to return the favor, such as by posting pictures.

Be ready to answer a lot of inquiries. You might get asked, “What’s your name? ” while simply crossing the street. From where do you hail? What age are you? What’s your destination?” – Possibly personal questions for you. Do not take offense or think it is impolite or an invasion of privacy. Most often, it’s sincere interest, kindness, or a desire to improve their English. Be patient and cheerful when answering. Some countries may have very different ideas about privacy than your own.

Environmental Responsibility

The sustainability of the travel and tourism sector is becoming more and more dependent on responsible travel. Our guests receive a briefing on our environmental policies prior to the start of our excursions because they are crucial components of every Green Getaways trip. We support initiatives and regularly take part in cleanup activities in order to raise awareness and keep our community clean and healthy. Our commitment to finding new ways to practice responsible tourism is ongoing.

How you can help

The management of trash and pollution is a major issue everywhere in the world. Some nations, including Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, and India, have insufficient waste disposal systems and little plastic recycling.

We advise carrying your own bag when shopping and avoiding plastic packaging whenever possible. You will be given plastic bags for everything, so don’t be afraid to say that you don’t need them. The trash cans on public transportation might just be emptied out the window, so don’t be misled by them! Gather and dispose of at the following hotel or town.

Many trekkers bring an extra plastic bag with them so they can collect any trash they see along the way to help the environment and for their personal garbage. Putting trash on the cooking fire is improper in many cultures. It could be necessary to carry trash until there is a suitable disposal option in the following town.

Although most municipalities sell bottled water, there are very few facilities for recycling the bottles. Please make an effort to reduce the amount of plastic water bottle waste. To cleanse drinking water, think about bringing a water filter, water purification tablets, or iodine. You can refill your bottle with purified water for no cost or a nominal price at several of our hotels’ huge water “bubbler” stations.

The natural world is also highly significant. If we’re in the wilderness, we must be sure to bury our human waste far from any water sources. It is mandatory to carry out or bury used toilet paper. Tampons and sanitary pads must also be removed from the area and properly disposed of. Avoid using soap or shampoo in rivers and lakes; your group leader will inform you when this is not appropriate.

In many Himalayan towns, there is no environmental awareness education, therefore many inhabitants are not aware of the consequences of littering. Instead of lecturing, our goal is to educate through example. When in national parks and rural places, you’ll note that our guides are typically very conscious of their environmental impact. If we have a beach, trail, or reef clean-up, kindly participate.

Make sure your porters are treated fairly

We’ve all heard tales of porters being abandoned on mountain sides or of people shivering outside warm tents while others enjoy themselves. However, our guests are aware that Green Getaway genuinely does treat their porters fairly. The short version of our business’s policy in this regard is as follows:

Insurance: All of our porters have adequate medical and rescue/evacuation coverage.
Weight restrictions: For trekking, we permit a maximum weight of 30 kg per porter. Many domestic and foreign businesses require porters to lift more than 50 kg each.
Health and wellbeing: Our top guides make sure that porters receive fair and welcoming treatment. If a porter needs additional care throughout the journey with regard to their health, nutrition, or sleep, we ask our customers to let the guide know.
Awareness: During the journey, we inform the porters of our environmental policies. The porters are expected to adhere to these rules, and the guides make sure they do. The porters, who are responsible for managing the waste produced throughout the journey, are crucial to effective waste management. Therefore, in order to make the trip as environmentally friendly as possible, we pay special attention to the porters.
Clothing: We provide the porters with warm clothing, sturdy footwear, and all other necessary supplies for high-altitude trekking. Additionally, they receive proper housing, food, liquids, and compensation.
Inspiration: The majority of the young porters double as part-time students and potential guides. Since all of our trekking guides began as porters, leaders encourage and assist the porters in developing into potential guides.

Dining & Shopping

Instead than splurging on familiar foreign snacks and drinks, we strongly advise eating local food and beverages. Local cuisine not only offers you an authentic Nepali taste at a very affordable price, but it also boosts the local economy. We recommend the most authentic Nepalese restaurants in Kathmandu and other locations to our visitors.

Similarly, purchasing handicrafts and souvenirs directly from local artisans in the villages rather than from upscale emporia and chain stores will benefit the community at large. By assisting community cooperatives and centers for disabled artisans, we aid the creators of the goods in securing a more equitable price for their goods.

We kindly advise our customers not to buy any products made from endangered plants or animals that could be on sale. It’s likely that the wildlife items were brought in illegally, and because of our strong regulations, we ask our customers to do the same.

You can practice the skill of bartering while on your trip. Here are some guidelines to get you started:

Start the negotiation process by having an idea of what you believe to be a fair price for the item. This usually entails making inquiries about the product at several retailers.
The price you agree to pay for an item is the price that will satisfy both you and the vendor. There is no “right” pricing as a result.
When you are negotiating, be kind, patient, yet tough. Being nasty or insensitive will not lead to a lower price.
Don’t show excessive interest in anything. It’s frequently effective to leave a store in order to negotiate a lower price.
Shop with a friend; mass purchases frequently result in price reductions.
Understand the numbers in the regional tongue. The seller will appreciate you for it, and the process will become much more engaging as a result.
It is not appropriate to back out of a deal once you have provided a price and it has been accepted.
Only promise to purchase something later if you actually intend to do so. The sellers typically have incredible recollections, so they’ll hound you about your commitment!
We have a policy that prohibits group leaders from receiving commissions from vendors for the items their group purchases because there is no need to charge a commission.
The most important thing is to have fun and keep in mind that you’re usually only haggling over a few dollars.

Prostitution and Drugs

We vehemently condemn any of our clients visiting brothels while traveling with Green Getaways. Due to the fact that families sell women and children into the prostitution trade and that they are “imprisoned” in brothels, prostitution is a flagrant violation of human rights. Many develop substance abuse issues and sexually transmitted illnesses. Due to a lack of resources and knowledge on the part of the government, sex workers are not checked for disease. For moral, legal, and medical reasons, our customers choose to play it safe in this situation.

Any Green Getaways trip does not accept the use of illegal substances, and the group leader has the authority to remove a participant if narcotics are discovered in his or her possession. It must be understood that drug usage or possession is illegal not only in the country but also puts the other members of the group in danger. Although smoking marijuana and opium is common in some cultures, it is not permitted for Green Getaways guests or employees.

Donations & Gifts

Please refrain from giving cash, pens, or treats to residents of the towns we visit because doing so may encourage a “begging culture.” When tourists are perceived as just “givers,” it can lead to unequal relationships between tourists and visitors. It can also undermine people’s self-esteem when they get aid simply for being impoverished rather than being required to address their own poverty via collective effort. Locals may not have access to or be able to afford dentists when it comes to sweets.

Your tour leader might be able to recommend nearby initiatives that Green Getaways is associated with if you want to give. You may help certain local villages by purchasing their crafts, etc. It is typically recommended to give out pens, notebooks, and other goods to kids through a school teacher or other local authority figure. Your group leader will be pleased to assist in distributing these supplies.

Most Green Getaways excursions end with local leaders gathering clean, functional clothing from guests to donate to underserved communities. You can leave these at a few of our base hotels. Please consult the leader of your organization.

After visiting a pagoda, monastery, or temple, it is customary to provide a little payment. Most have donation boxes for you to contribute.

Giving something back to the communities

Our travel philosophy at Green Getaways includes the development of tourism as a two-way form of communication. We want you to consider how you may contribute to the nation you visited when you get home. You’ve just spent a significant amount of money on treating yourself to a fun experience by learning about another culture and getting to know the locals. Your purchases undoubtedly boosted the regional economy, but there are nevertheless additional methods that may be done to consistently aid some other nations. After your journey, you’ll probably be more aware of the issues that some local communities are dealing with in terms of the environment, society, politics, and culture. Numerous organizations and groups are working to address these problems in an effort to help emerging nations preserve their cultural identities, create sustainable resources, and enhance social justice conditions. They are all resource-intensive.

Money is not the only way you can assist, as simply providing your time and/or skills might be as valuable and useful. Things you could do:

Join a development organization or other organization that addresses issues in developing nations.
Volunteer your time and efforts to charitable organizations.
Visit stores run by various third-world charitable organizations to purchase gifts for Christmas or your birthday.
Send Amnesty International letters to support political prisoners or to demand that governments modify some terrible conditions.
Learn more about the policies of your own country and how they affect the “two-thirds world.”
Alternately, make your home more eco-friendly and contribute to more effective resource utilization.