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With a vision for positive change in the trekking industry a group of people
committed to nature and adventure tourism formed Getaway Eco-
Treks. Our team comprises of leaders in Himalayan adventure travel,
naturalists, environmentalist and others, all with a mission:
In other words our mission is to add value to the quality of the traveller's experience as well as to improve the quality of Himalayan people's lives while protecting the environment and cultures typical of the region. We are adding value to people's lives.
To find out more about Getaway Eco-Treks, our vision, the people who make up this unique organization, the treks and tours we operate, and how you can be part of an eco-trekking group, please look up the subjects from the HOME PAGE.
Hence Eco-Trekking is trekking in such a sensitive way that
treks:
Make sure that while trekking through protected and environmentally
fragile areas steps are taken to minimize the impact by adopting eco-friendly
methods such as using only alternative fuel (kerosene, gas) for cooking,
packing out all non-degradable waste, disposing of biodegradable waste
carefully and taking full safety precautions for clients as well as staff.
Make sure that, wherever possible, trekkers directly benefit the village economies by using local services (ie: lodges, products, guides, porters, etc.). Encourage lodges, and other village producers, to adopt eco-friendly methods.
Act in a sensitive manner as regards to cultural and religious beliefs of the region. Help instill a sense of pride in local cultures and values so that children do not just ape the foreigners but learn to adapt their modern methods with local requirements and resources.
Eco-Trekking is also a commitment by the agents, operators and local bodies to make sure that the visitor gets the best value for their money, gets to experience the culture and nature in a safe, peaceful, friendly atmosphere and goes back totally satisfied.
Keeping all these points in mind a group of people committed to nature and adventure tourism have formed Getaway Eco-Treks. Our mission is to make it possible for the visitor to be able to travel in an eco-friendly manner, avail of quality services at a very fair price while benefiting the local economies along the way. In other words our mission is to add value to the quality of the traveller's experience as well as to the villagers' lives while protecting the environment and cultures typical of the Himalayas.
Make sure you go with Getaway Eco-Treks. With us you deal directly with local operators and service providers, get reliable and quality services, best leaders/guides, innovative itineraries, all at prices not available anywhere.
Getaway Eco-Treks offers a choice of camping treks in Nepal Tibet and Bhutan. Managed and operated by a group of dedicated and experienced people who are not only well versed in the adventure travel service business but also are committed to conserving our natural and cultural diversity. Our treks, tours and river rafting trips are well equipped , offers optimum safety, provides guides who have first hand knowledge of the routes, natural history and cultural background.
Trained Trek Guides and Sherpas
Each of our treks are managed by a team of professionally trained trek guide, cook
and sherpas. Many of our famous mountain guides have climbed Everest and other
Himalayan peaks. Our leaders/guides and trek crew are committed to providing a safe
and enjoyable holiday to our clients and in an eco-friendly manner.
High Quality Camping Equipment
All our camping-treks are outfitted with the highest quality equipment available.
Comfortable dome or 'A' frame tents, foam mattress, dinning tent with camp chairs and
tables and a toilet tent are standard equipment on all our camping treks.
Hygenic Food & Water Preparation
Meal are prepared by cooks trained in modern cooking hygiene. Special care is
taken to serve well boiled and purified drinking water everyday on trail to ensure that our
trekkers stay healthy and enjoy their outing fully. Lodge food along the popular trails vary
from basic to those offering a range of choice from pizzas to apple pie.
Kerosene Fuel For Cooking
In order not to contribute to the already rapid denudation of Himalayan forests we use
kerosene fuel for all client and staff cooking on all our camping treks. When we use
local services like lodges we patronize and encourage those lodges who have adopted
ecologically safe methods in use of fuel and waste management - thereby encouraging
other lodges to implement similar, or better, methods.
Correct Disposal Of Waste
Our trail staff are trained in the correct disposal of waste. All biodegradable waste is
burned and buried before breaking camp every morning. Care is taken to fill in toilet
holes after use. It is our policy to porter all non-degradable waste (viz: used batteries, tin
cans, bottles, plastics, etc.) out of the mountains. All our trip members are briefed about
requirements regarding waste disposal before starting. All paper and dry tissue are
collected and burned by our crew. Plastics, tins, foils, batteries and other non-
biodegradable items are to be taken back to Kathmandu (used batteries cannot be
properly disposed in Nepal hence we encourage that batteries to go back to where they
came from to be disposed properly).
Staff Insurance, etc.
We take pride in the fact that every single porter and guide employed by us is not
only well paid but also protected by a life insurance policy. They are provided with warm
clothing and proper shelter on all high altitude treks. All our treks benefit the village
economics by using local services (manpower, produce, lodges and other services).
Getaway Eco-Treks also contributes funds, leadership and time in fields such as
environmental protection and in providing opportunities at the micro-economic (family
and village) level.
All our camping treks are managed by a team of professionally trained sherpas with the Leader/guide responsible for all aspects of the running of the trek. Our special departures and nature/birdwatching treks are led by qualified leaders who are well versed in the culture and natural history of the Himalayas. Our Lodge-Treks are led by a local guide supported by porters to carry luggage and equipment.
A trek-day starts around 6 a.m. with a cup of tea/coffee. Soon a bowl of warm water is provided for washing. After packing your duffel and day-pack a breakfast of porridge/muesli/cornflakes and biscuits with tea/coffee is served. The day's trek starts around 7.30 a.m. Porter/pack animals carry all camp equipment, food and duffel bags. All you need to carry in your day pack are water bottle, rain/wind jacket, camera and other small items you may need on the trail All trekkers walk at their own pace with the lead and "sweep" sherpa providing support throughout.
The morning's walk to the lunch spot takes about three hours. In Nepal we usually stop for a hot lunch on the trail where as in Tibet a picnic lunch is provided. After hiking for three to four hours in the afternoon our camp, or lodge, is usually reached between 3-4 p.m. In the late afternoon and evening you can relax, wash, read or take a walk nearby. The evening meal is served between 6 and 7 p.m. in the dining tent (or dining room on a Lodge- Trek). After dinner the leader/guide will brief trekkers on the next day's hike.
Meals on the camping trek are prepared by our sherpa cooks whereas on the Lodge Trek we order meals at the restaurant attached to the lodges where we stay. Each days hike is planned so that trekkers have time to see, photograph and explore the countryside. Anyone who is healthy, fit, enjoys the outdoors and hiking will qualify to participate in our treks.
Grade 1 - Easy
Easy trekking, by Himalayan standards is generally between 900m/3,000ft. and
2,000m/6,500ft. There are always plenty of 'ups and downs' anywhere in the Himalaya
and clients need to be regular walkers to get full enjoyment from their experience. It is
possible however to design 'easier' three to four day treks with perhaps only three to four
hours walking per day on request.
Grade 2 - Moderate
Moderate trekking 900m/3,000ft. and 3,000m/10,000ft. but possibly involving side
trips to higher elevations.
Grade 3 - Difficult
Reasonably demanding trekking at altitudes up to 4,000m/13,000ft. with side trips to
higher elevations. Some treks included here will, in part, be well away from villages on ill-
defined mountain trails.
Grade 4 - Strenuous
Treks of a demanding nature, requiring all participants to be fit and in excellent health,
often in remote alpine areas and sometimes reaching altitudes in excess of
5000m/18,000ft. Here we include all Tibet trips primarily because of the rigors of the
climate and overall altitude, varying between Lhasa, at 3,700m/12,000ft., to high pass
crossing, by vehicle or on foot in excess of 5,000m/16,000ft.
Alpine
Extremely demanding treks sometimes in very remote areas on rough terrain and perhaps
including ( in Nepal) one or more of the so called 'trekking peaks' - maximum altitude,
Mt. Mera at 6,461m/21,192ft. Participants should have at least a basic knowledge of use
of crampons and ice axes, though first time climbers may be accepted on some of the so
called 'easy' routes on these peaks. Medical certificates are required prior to acceptance on
any climbing treks.