Our Commitment
The mountain doesn’t belong to us. We borrow it from those who come after.
Tourism to the high Himalaya has real costs — trail erosion, waste, cultural disruption, and an economic model that extracts value from valleys while leaving little behind. Northern Trails was started specifically to operate differently. Here is exactly how.
What We Do
Six concrete commitments, not aspirational statements.
Zero Waste on Every Route
Every camp generates waste. Every piece comes back down. We carry refillable water systems, ban single-use plastics, and brief every yatri on pack-in/pack-out before departure.
Local Hiring — Always First
Guides, porters, cooks, and mule owners are hired from Darma, Byans, and Dharchula — not from agencies elsewhere. We pay above-region wages and provide proper gear to every person in our supply chain.
Community Conservation Fund
A fixed percentage of every booking is routed into a conservation fund used for trail maintenance, reforestation, and community infrastructure. Receipts are available on request.
Capped Group Sizes
We do not run mass groups. Every route has a maximum — enforced, not suggested. Smaller groups mean less trail erosion, more personal attention, and less pressure on the local ecosystem.
Seasonal Cleanup Drives
At the start and end of every season we run dedicated cleanup drives on our most-used routes. In 2024, we cleared over 240 kg of waste from the Gunji–Jolingkong corridor alone.
Cultural Respect Protocol
We brief every group on local customs, sacred sites, and community boundaries before they begin. Our guides are from these communities — they set the standards for respectful behaviour on the trail.
2024 Impact Numbers
2024 season, Gunji–Jolingkong route
Guides, porters, cooks, homestays
Darma & Byans valleys
Every team member is local
Walk with a team that cares.
When you book with Northern Trails, your yatra directly funds this work.