ADVERTISING FEATURE
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World Expeditions continues to show the way in Nepal trekking.
They do this not just by leading memorable and adventurous tours, but through the sustainable initiatives they've put in place to minimise their impact.
Australia's own Himalayan trekking specialist, World Expeditions believes its range of trekking adventures in Nepal are among the greenest, healthiest holidays on the planet, and they say trekkers are embracing the opportunity to travel sustainably.
World Expeditions has been committed to sustainability since the 1970s, when the company pioneered trekking in the Himalayas, and its operations there today continue this tradition with a focus on no plastic, no unnecessary wood and no litter, along with best practice when it comes to treatment of porters, guides and employment creation for locals.
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"Minimising the use of wood in Nepal is critical because it is a major contributor to deforestation, which is one of the most serious environmental challenges facing Nepal," they said.
To ensure it played no part in deforestation, World Expeditions clients avoid wood-built tea houses, instead staying in a network of permanent campsites, which provide trekkers with comfortable sleeping accommodation including off-ground beds. The communal dining rooms and bathroom facilities are constructed from wood that was purchased from controlled forestry in Nepal. For treating it was then heated by burning dried yak dung rather than wood, with the added benefit of being an odourless and efficient source of heating.
Meanwhile the Nepali kitchen crew use kerosene or gas to cook meals for the entire group.
"Avoiding the use of plastics everywhere is important, especially so in poor countries like Nepal, and it's taken sustained effort to go plastic-free."
While water on the treks has been boiled and provided to trekkers for many years, World Expeditions has now installed filtered water dispensers for clients in pre- and post-trek hotel accommodation.
That means you'll be able to avoid the use of disposable and single-use plastic during your entire time in Nepal.
Kitchen crew are also trained to minimise single-use plastic in trek kitchens, because the issue of disposal becomes more complex in remote regions.
With regard to no litter, World Expeditions is the founding partner of 10 Pieces, a litter minimisation and education lobby, based on the idea that the collective effort will help reduce plastic litter. All World Expeditions trekkers have the opportunity to participate in this program while they're in Nepal, thereby actively helping to reduce the litter problem.
According to World Expeditions Responsible Travel Manager, Donna Lawrence, the company is constantly reviewing operations to ensure practices adhere to its sustainability goals.
"In addition to no wood, no plastic and no litter, World Expeditions buys credits to offset carbon emissions from all its itineraries, so travellers have the opportunity to travel sustainably from a carbon perspective as well," Ms Lawrence said.
"We are seeing more and more people wanting to travel sustainably, with many getting a real sense of satisfaction being able to do that in Nepal."