1. Sustainable Development Management and Legal Compliance

Base Camp Trek & Expeditions is committed to sustainable management through the following actions:

• Appointing a designated employee responsible for sustainability coordination tasks;
• Having a sustainability mission statement that is communicated to clients, partners, and suppliers;
• Maintaining a written and accessible sustainability policy aimed at reducing the negative social, cultural, economic, and environmental impacts of the company’s activities, including aspects related to employee health and safety;
• Actively collaborating with and participating in symposiums and working groups that support sustainability in tourism;
• Conducting a baseline assessment of the company’s performance in sustainable practices;
• Establishing sustainability guidelines and an evaluation system to assess the sustainability performance of key suppliers/partners;
• Having a sustainability action plan with clear objectives, actions, measures, responsibilities, and timelines;
• Developing documented procedures to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the sustainability policy, objectives, and targets;
• Ensuring that all staff are fully aware of our sustainability policy and are committed to implementing and improving it.

We are committed to complying with all national laws, regulations, and codes of practice.

2. Internal Management: Social Policy and Human Rights

Base Camp Trek & Expeditions is committed to sustainable internal management through a clear, written, and well-communicated social policy, which includes the following principles:

• Allowing employees the freedom to choose employment and to terminate their contract with prior notice (ideally at least one month) and without penalties;
• Stating the wage rate in the contract, which must be equal to or above the legal minimum wage in Nepal for the Kathmandu area;
• Defining and compensating overtime work based on mutual agreement;
• Providing health insurance in accordance with national legislation;
• Granting employees fixed paid annual leave and sick leave;
• Having a health and safety policy for employees that complies with national legal standards;
• Ensuring the availability of first aid kits and trained personnel at all relevant sites;
• Complying with national regulations regarding the minimum legal working age;
• Maintaining a system to regularly measure employee satisfaction;
• Offering regular advice and training to employees regarding their roles, rights, and responsibilities related to health and safety. This includes fire safety and appropriate behavior during large-scale floods or earthquakes;
• Creating opportunities for foreign students to participate in internships, fellowships, and apprenticeships;
• Encouraging employment opportunities for people with special needs.

We are also committed to upholding human rights by ensuring the following practices are applied:

• Declaring that we do not restrict union membership, collective labor negotiations, or the representation of members by unions;
• Participating in and complying with a collective bargaining framework for working conditions (at the sector level) if one exists locally;
• Prohibiting discrimination in recruitment, employment conditions, access to training and leadership positions, or promotion, based on gender, race, age, disability, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation;
• Ensuring that all employees have equal opportunities and access to personal development

3. Internal Management: Environment and Community Relations

Base Camp Trek & Expeditions is committed to environmental protection and enhancing community relations by ensuring the implementation of the following practices:

• Actively reducing the use of disposable and consumable goods;
• Prioritizing the purchase of sustainable and locally sourced goods and services, including office and catering supplies;
• Setting photocopiers and printers to default double-sided printing and reusing printed paper when possible;
• Using non-hazardous, biodegradable cleaning products certified with an eco-label, when locally available;
• Implementing measures to reduce waste through a “Primarily Online” policy;
• Actively committing to measuring, monitoring, and reducing energy consumption;
• Purchasing green energy and using energy-efficient lighting in all areas;
• Turning off lights and equipment when not in use, and setting equipment to default standby or energy-saving mode whenever possible;
• Choosing low-energy-consuming equipment when purchasing new items, while considering cost and quality;
• Maintaining a comprehensive and active policy to reduce water consumption;
• Using sustainable water sources that do not harm environmental flow levels;
• Installing water-saving devices in toilets, and reusing wastewater and collected rainwater;
• Complying with national waste disposal legislation;
• Developing and implementing a waste reduction and recycling policy;
• Taking steps to reduce packaging materials and avoiding non-recyclable or non- biodegradable packaging;
• Working to eliminate the use of single-use plastic water bottles in the office;
• Separating recyclable materials and organizing proper collection and disposal;
• Applying waste-reduction methods in the use of ink and toner cartridges for printing and copying whenever possible;
• Recycling or properly disposing of batteries and limiting their use;
• Complying with national legislation on wastewater treatment, ensuring it is reused or safely discharged;
• Using water-based and lead-free paints both indoors and outdoors;
• Measuring and reducing staff-related travel and opting for more sustainable transport modes;
• Reducing transport impact through remote work, teleconferencing, and video meetings;
• Properly maintaining and inspecting company vehicles to reduce emissions and energy use, ensuring compliance with legal emission standards;
• Providing staff with regular advice, training, or information on their roles and responsibilities regarding internal environmental practices;
• Contributing to the protection and preservation of historically, archaeologically, culturally, and spiritually significant local properties and sites, while ensuring they remain accessible to local residents.

4. Transport

Base Camp Trek & Expeditions strives to ensure that the vehicles used during tours do not contribute to above-average pollution. We believe that transport is a key aspect of sustainable tourism and do our best to reduce overall pollution levels.

Our commitments include:

• Considering and prioritizing more sustainable alternatives when selecting transportation options for transfers and excursions at the destination, taking into account price, comfort, and practical considerations;
• Integrating and promoting multiple sustainable holiday products based on a recognized methodology, including sustainable transport, sustainable accommodation, and sustainable activities.

5. Accommodation

We strive to establish a fully sustainable tourism supply chain. Partner accommodations play an important role in this effort and are encouraged and motivated to adopt sustainable practices.

Our commitments include:

• Selecting accommodations that comply with sustainability and quality standards, with particular attention to the following aspects:
  • Having made formal sustainability commitments
  • Implementing programs for water and energy conservation, and waste management
  • Having a system in place to reduce energy consumption
  • Maintaining a sustainable supply chain, especially by prioritizing local food and cuisine
  • Enforcing a strict child protection policy
  • Training staff in health and safety practices
• Motivating, communicating with, and encouraging partner accommodations to obtain sustainable certification;
• Giving preference to accommodations that are locally owned and managed;
• Offering, where possible, accommodations that employ members of the local community;
• Requesting accommodations to provide evidence and complete assessments outlining their sustainability goals and strategies;
• Encouraging accommodations to follow best practices in responsible tourism;
• Clearly and actively communicating our sustainability goals and requirements to accommodation providers;
• Including standard sustainability clauses in all accommodation supplier contracts, focusing on child labor, anti-corruption and bribery, waste management, and biodiversity protection;
• Ensuring that children's rights are respected and protected throughout our accommodation supply chain, by:
  • Including in contracts a shared zero-tolerance policy against the sexual exploitation of children
  • Terminating agreements early if accommodation providers fail to take adequate measures to prevent child exploitation
  • Training employees on children’s rights, how to prevent sexual exploitation, and how to report suspicious cases
  • Supporting, collaborating with, and engaging stakeholders in the prevention of child sexual exploitation
• Preferably working with accommodations and restaurants that incorporate elements of local art, architecture, or cultural heritage, while respecting the intellectual property rights of local communities;
• Ending cooperation with any accommodation provider if there is clear evidence that their operations endanger the provision of essential services (such as food, water, energy, healthcare, or land) to neighboring businesses or communities.

6. Excursions and Activities

We place great importance on the well-being of animals and local communities and aim to offer tours that leave only a minimal footprint. We are committed to preserving the authenticity of traditional communities and the natural environment, and we strongly oppose any harm to wildlife and environmental pollution.

Our commitments include:

• Advising clients on appropriate behavior during excursions and activities, with a focus on respecting local culture, nature, and the environment;
• Communicating our sustainability goals and requirements to contracted excursion providers through codes of conduct, representatives, emails, discussions, and meetings — in order to minimize negative impacts on visitors and maximize enjoyment;
• Not offering excursions that harm humans, animals, plants, or natural resources such as water and energy, or that are socially and culturally unacceptable;
• Not offering excursions involving wild animals kept in captivity, except for strictly regulated activities that comply with local, national, and international laws;
• Not partnering with companies involved in the harvesting, consumption, display, or sale of wildlife species, unless the activity is properly regulated and ensures that such use is sustainable and legally compliant at local, national, and international levels;
• Employing qualified and certified guides to lead our guests in culturally sensitive sites, heritage areas, and ecologically sensitive destinations;
• Promoting and advising clients on excursions and activities that directly involve and support local communities — through the purchase of services or goods, traditional crafts, local (food) production methods, or visits to social projects;
• Promoting and advising clients on excursions and activities that support the local environment and biodiversity, such as visits to protected areas or environmental and community-based conservation projects.

7. Tour Leaders, Local Representatives, and Guides

We aim to involve as many local people as possible by employing them in tourism-related activities. We are committed to providing a fair and safe working environment that supports and respects local communities.

Our commitments include:

• Ensuring that all employees have a written employment contract that includes their working conditions and a job description, and that they fully understand the terms and conditions;
• Prioritizing the hiring of local tour leaders, local representatives, local guides, porters, drivers, cooks, and other local staff when equally qualified, and providing them with training;
• Paying tour leaders, local representatives, guides, porters, and other local staff under contract with us at least a living wage, equal to or above the legal minimum wage;
• Ensuring that our tour guides, hosts, and other contracted staff are properly qualified and receive regular training;
• Ensuring that our local staff are informed about the aspects of our sustainability policy that concern them and that they comply with it, through reference materials, contract addendums, training, and briefings;
• Making sure that our tour leaders, local representatives, and guides are capable of informing clients about relevant sustainability issues at the destination (e.g., protection of flora, fauna, and cultural heritage; use of resources), as well as local social norms and values (e.g., tipping, dress code, photography) and human rights;
• Training our tour guides and local representatives on the prevention of child sexual exploitation.

8. Destination

We aim to maximize positive impacts and minimize negative impacts at our destinations in order to ensure the sustainable development of the places where we operate.

Our commitments include:

• Taking sustainability aspects into account when selecting new itineraries, and where possible, proposing alternative and non-traditional routes;
• Avoiding the selection of routes where tourism causes structural negative impacts on local communities—unless clear compensatory measures are implemented;
• Considering the development of new itineraries that are accessible by more sustainable modes of transportation, and always prioritizing trekking over vehicle-based cultural tours;
• Complying with legal regulations related to land use, protected areas (such as Conservation Areas, Buffer Zones, and National Parks), and heritage sites, as well as aligning with the destination management strategies of local, regional, and national authorities;
• Supporting initiatives that strengthen relationships between accommodations and local producers;
• Influencing and supporting local governments (where possible, in collaboration with other businesses and stakeholders) on issues related to sustainability, destination planning and management, natural resource use, and socio-cultural matters — such as advocating for plastic bottle bans and promoting sustainable alternatives;
• Supporting biodiversity conservation efforts, especially in protected and high- biodiversity areas (e.g., through reforestation), via financial contributions (to community- run lodges), political support, and by integrating these initiatives into our product offerings (such as homestay projects with community lodges through Planeterra).

9. Customer Communication and Protection

The well-being and information of our clients are very important to us. At Base Camp Trek & Expeditions, we ensure clear and consistent communication as well as a high level of customer protection.

Before booking, we are committed to:

• Ensuring customer privacy is protected;
• Respecting relevant standards and voluntary codes of conduct in our marketing and advertising messages, and not promising more than what is delivered;
• Making sure that product and pricing information is clear, complete, and accurate, including any sustainability claims;
• Providing accurate, balanced, and comprehensive information about the destination, including sustainability aspects;
• Informing customers about the environmental impact of different transportation options to reach the destination (not included in our packages);
• Promoting sustainable accommodations and excursions using logos or other clear messaging that helps consumers recognize them as the “better” option;
• Clearly informing clients about sustainable alternatives for accommodation, excursions, and transport where applicable;
• Clearly communicating our sustainability commitments and actions to potential customers.

After booking and during the trip, we are committed to:

• Providing customers with information on the natural environment, local culture, and cultural heritage of the destination (via email, trained guides, FAQs, and destination briefs);
• Informing customers about key sustainability issues at the destination and offering recommendations on how to make a positive contribution;
• Informing clients about health and safety risks and precautions at the destination;
• Providing emergency contact numbers and a 24/7 emergency helpline;
• Training staff and maintaining crisis management guidelines;
• Supplying clients with FAQs and country briefs that include codes of conduct for sensitive excursions and activities, to minimize negative impact and maximize enjoyment;
• Providing information to clients on commercial, sexual, or any other form of exploitation or harassment, especially involving children and adolescents;
• Informing clients of local laws regarding the purchase, sale, import, or export of historical or religious artifacts, and items made from endangered flora and/or fauna;
• Encouraging customers to buy and consume locally at restaurants and shops;
• Informing clients about sustainable transport options when available;
• Encouraging customers to donate to local charities and sustainable initiatives.

After the trip, we are committed to:

• Systematically measuring customer satisfaction and using the results to improve services and products;
• Including sustainability as a key component in customer satisfaction research;
• Having a formal protocol in place for handling customer complaints.