RESPONSIBLE TOURISM:
Responsible tourism as a concept is often referred to as ecotourism, green tourism, or sustainable tourism, is a form of tourism which appeals to the ecologically and socially conscious. Generally, it focuses on local culture, wilderness adventures, volunteering, personal growth; typically involving travel to destinations where flora, fauna and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. Responsible tourism satisfies several general criteria including the conservation of biological diversity and cultural diversity through ecosystem protection, promotion of sustainable use of biodiversity, share of socio-economic benefits with local communities through informed consent and participation, increase in environmental and cultural knowledge, affordability and reduced waste and minimization of its own environmental impact. In such ways, it contributes to the long term benefits to both the environment and local communities.

RESPONSIBLE TOUR OPERATOR:
Since Clan Treks has adapted the philosophy of responsible travel, our commitment is to offer low-impact tours that benefits travelers and host alike. We work with local communities to develop sustainable tourism opportunities that help local economies whilst minimizing negative environmental and cultural impacts. This results to a greater multiplier effect in the economy, because local products, materials and labor are used. Profits accrue locally, and import leakages are reduced.

All tourism potentially has an Environmental, Social and Economic impact on the destination involved. We accept, therefore, that we as Tour Operators should aim to be responsible in all our dealings on each of these three levels. To help us to do so we have proposed a set of guidelines intended to help companies, customers and local suppliers recognize their common responsibilities to:

• Protect the Environment – its flora, fauna and landscapes
• Respect local cultures – traditions, religions and built heritage
• Benefit local communities – both economically and socially
• Conserve natural resources – from office to destination
• Minimize pollution – through noise, waste disposal and congestion

OUR TRAVEL STYLE:

The concept of responsible tourism is widely misunderstood, and in practice is often used as a marketing tool to promote tourism that is related to nature. We believe that Responsible ecotourism must above all sensitize people with the beauty and the fragility of nature. We have put together some of the key points in order to minimize the potentially negative social and environmental impacts of tourism. Clan Treks offers small group adventures that respect local people, cultures and their environment. We use local transportation, small-scale hotels and employ local guides and operators. This approach to travel ensures that economic benefit goes directly to local businesses and communities and allows interaction with local people and their culture.

Group size: we are very much conscious about the negative impacts that the mass tourism can bring to the environment. So we try to maintain the group sizes lower 12-16 travelers, however the average tour has 10 travelers. Clan Treks ensures that local operators and other travelers are aware of the benefits of conducting small-group tours and encourage the small groups.

Transportation: By using local methods of transportation (public buses, cars, bicycles, and hiking), our travelers experience face-to-face interaction with local people. This also reduces unnecessary fuel consumption and pollution. While we generally use public transportation, we also offer 'Comfort Class' tours that utilize private transport, operated by local companies and drivers.

Accommodation: The majority of our hotels are small, locally owned and family operated establishments. We also incorporate community and family home stays wherever possible.

Local Guides & Operators: By working with local guides and operators, Clan Treks provides economic benefits directly to local people and businesses. Our local guides are experts in flora and fauna, history and culture, and provide our travelers with insight into local knowledge.

Tour Leaders: Our Tour Leaders receive special training in low-impact travel, regional conservation issues and projects. They are also provided with Responsible Travel guidelines. Tour Leaders are selected based on their knowledge of, and commitment to, responsible travel. All Tour Leaders have a fluency in English and an added language.

Food: While we include meals during camping and in isolated areas, our Tour Leaders are able to recommend locally owned restaurants in all cities and towns. By eating in local restaurants and purchasing food in local markets, we can help to support the local economy.

Local communities: We appreciate the social and economic benefits that tourism can bring to the local communities. Most forms of ecotourism provide few benefits to local communities. We try to eliminate this process by creating jobs for local people, promoting recycling schemes, by promoting energy efficiency, by creating a sustainable income for the local community and by limiting environmental damage caused by travellers.

THE HIMALAYAN CODE OF CONDUCT:

Keep camp site clean:
Remember that another party will be using the same camp site after you have vacated it. Therefore, leave the camp site cleaner than you found it.

Limit deforestation:
Make no open fires and discourage others from doing so on your behalf. Where water is heated by scarce firewood, use as little as possible. When possible, choose accommodation that uses kerosene or fuel-efficient firewood stoves. You will help the cause greatly by taking with you some saplings and planting these on your trail.

Burn dry paper & packets in a safe place:
Bury other waste paper and biodegradable material including food. Carry back all non-biodegradable litter. If you come across other people’s rubbish, remove their rubbish as well.

Keep local water clean and avoid using pollutants such as detergents in streams or spring:
If no toilet facilities are available, make sure you are at least 30 meters away from water sources, and bury or cover wasted.

Plant should be left to flourish in their natural environment:
Taking cuttings, seeds and roots is illegal in many part of the Himalayas.

Help your guides and porters to follow conservation measures:
Do not allow the cooks or porters to throw garbage in the nearby stream or river.

When taking photographs, respect privacy:
Ask permission and use restraint.

Respect holy places:
preserve what you have come to see, never touch or remove religious objects. Remove shoes when visiting temples and shrines.

Refrain from giving money to children since it will encourage begging:
A donation to a project, health centre or schools is a more constructive way to help.

Respect for local etiquette earns you respect:
Loose, light clothes are preferable to revealing shorts, skimpy tops and tight fitting action wear. Hand holding or kissing in public are disapproved by the local people.

TRAVELLER'S GUIDELINES:

Environment Guidelines for visitors to National Parks and Conservation Areas:

Forest Conservation:

Wildlife Protection:

Waste Management: