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Porters
Whether you choose to go on an organised trek
or opt to travel as an independent trekker you
will meet porters and it is important that you
treat them with the respect they deserve. These
people provide an extremely valuable service
to both trekking companies and independent trekkers.
Hiring porters is one way of getting much needed
cash directly into the community and it will
make the time you spend in their country all
the more rewarding.
Trekking Agencies.
Many trekking companies have always followed the guidelines recently recommended by the I.P.P.G and I.M.E.C. These guidelines are simply based around the principle that we all have a duty of care and responsibility towards anyone we employ.
So, what can you do on a practical basis, if you are going on a commercial organised trek?
Firstly, read the company’s literature carefully and see if they support the I.P.P.G
/ I.M.E.C and its guidelines.
Secondly, any reputable company will supply you with a list of satisfied clients. Take the time and trouble to check some of them out.
Finally, when you are in Nepal and on your trek, spend some time with the porters, talk to them and observe how they are treated. Find out what equipment the company provides for their porters and how they are looked after whilst on a trek portering.If you have any concerns, bring them to the attention of the trek leader.
The Independent Trekker.
The following guidelines are an amalgamation of those developed by the I.P.P.G
/ I.M.E.C and are aimed at ensuring that a porter is fairly paid, adequately equipped for the type of trek undertaken and receives the same standard of care that you would expect to receive.
Don’t over negotiate. A porter/guide who speaks better English will typically earn more. Wages can change based on the area you are trekking and whether or not you are providing food/shelter. Remember that a little extra money goes a long way. 300Rs per day seems to be the going rate at the moment but you can check current wage rates at the offices of K.E.E.P and I.M.E.C in Kathmandu. That rate does not include food. Porters may say that they have their own food with them or decline to eat with you. You should however make sure that porters are eating a proper meal such as Dhal Bhat and not just roti and chia.
Select the right porter for the trek. If you are visiting remote or high areas make sure that you hire strong and experienced porters, ensure that they are properly equipped, receive warm food and drink, and have sleeping facilities that are suitable for the conditions.
Make sure that your porter is outfitted properly. Appropriate to your destination, porters need boots, jacket, trousers, hat, gloves and sunglasses. Equipment for your porter can be hired in Nepal. I.M.E.C in Kathmandu and Porters
Progress in Lukla both have equipment for hire.
Don’t overload your porter. No porter should be asked to carry a load that is too heavy for their physical abilities. The current recommended maximum load for a porter is 30kgs but weight limits may need to be adjusted for altitude, trail and weather conditions.
Take care of sick porters. Your porters deserve the same standard of care, treatment and rescue that you expect for yourself. Ensure that if a porter falls ill, they are sent down with someone who speaks their language and understands their problem, they should never be sent down alone.
Treat porters to meals and drinks. Offering a meal, snack or drink is a nice gesture, especially when the cost is only a few rupees. In addition, make sure that porters are getting proper food and water.
Tip your porter. Tips are normally paid at the end of treks and should be given direct to the porter. If you are not sure how much to tip, the I.M.E.C office in Kathmandu can offer advice. Giving any spare gear at the end of a trek is also a nice way of saying thanks.
Report all instances of neglect or abuse. Contact the I.P.P.G, I.M.E.C, or K.E.E.P when you return to Kathmandu or via their websites when you are back home.
Spend time with your porter. There is so much you can learn from these inspiring people and spending time in direct contact with them will help both of you to understand each others cultures and enhance your enjoyment of Nepal.
Hiring a porter benefits the local economy. Employing a porter is the best way of getting cash directly into the community. Good wages from one long trek could sustain a porter and his family for several months.
Insurance for Porters. Insurance information can be obtained at the Porters
Progress offices in Kathmandu and Lukla.
Most people hire their porters in Kathmandu and although this may be more expensive you are more likely to get better porters. If you are in Lukla or Pokhara a large, well run lodge/guest house should be able to refer you. An alternative in Lukla is the Porters
Progress office. Recommendations from other trekkers are always useful.
You need to bear in mind that, especially in the main trekking season, it is risky going beyond Lukla or up to Jomsom without having organised any porters. Beyond these two locations most porters will already be committed.
I.M.E.C and K.E.E.P offices are located in the same building on Tridevi
Marg, Thamel, Kathmandu.
The I.P.P.G is currently sharing offices with the H.R.A at Dhobichaur,
Lazimpat, Kathmandu.
Porters Progress have offices above the City
Heaven Restaurant, Bhagawati Bahal, Kathmandu (5 minutes walk from the Kathmandu Guest House) and in Lukla opposite the Khumbu
Lodge on the main trekking route to Everest Base camp, (5 minutes walk from the airstrip).
I.P.P.G, I.M.E.C, Porters Progress and K.E.E.P are all working very hard under difficult circumstances to improve the welfare of Nepalese porters. They are helping them to become far more professional and increasing the standard of porter available for hire to both independent trekkers and trekking agencies. Running language courses, educating them on health issues and lending clothing/equipment are some of the ways in which these organisations are helping porters. Lending creates a collective responsibility to keep the resource available for others to use and helps to prevent the development of a charity based culture. Creating changes to trekkers’ attitudes towards porters, improving agencies treatment of porters and increasing the skill level of porters will benefit all parties.
Porters are becoming aware that they can provide a valuable, marketable service to their potential employers but also that they have the right to be paid fairly and treated properly.
Visit the websites for the organisations mentioned, see more about their programmes and consider supporting them in whatever way you can.
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