MEET us at WTM 2015 | 02 - 05 Nov 2015

Elders @ Patan Durbar Square #stillSmiling pic: Rocky Prajapati

As we go into World Travel Market 2015, we are just beyond the six month mark of the EarthQuake that changed the course of Nepal’s history altogether.

The flurry of media activity in Nepal post quake unfortunately only focussed on the destruction, not realising that only a certain portion of the country was affected, and very little was actually destroyed. The effect on the backbone of the economy, tourism was devastating.

Pic: Rocky Prajapati

At socialtours, we have worked through rescue, relief, recovery and since just under a month since the earthquake, have been working hard on reviving Tourism, through various campaigns and programs. Our I AM IN NEPAL NOW campaign viralled online and caught even the attention of international media.

For the past months, we have developed a range of limited edition products, showcasing the strength and resilience of Nepal, in earthquake recovery. We feel that this will greatly enhance your product arsenal for Nepal, giving your travellers a first hand look at how strong and skilled we are, and how Nepal is tuned to react to something like this. This is not Disaster Tourism, we are not showcasing disaster, but we are showcasing the pride and energy that exists in Nepal now. 

Please take a look at our special edition catalog "IN NEPAL NOW" that can be downloaded via this link.

Raj Gyawali (@KingGyawali on twitter), who has been instrumental in development of these packages and who plays a key role in the Tourism Recovery Campaign in Nepal, will be best placed to inform you more about how Nepal is responding and what these packages entail.

Raj will be available at WTM all days and will be delighted to meet up, and discuss possibilities, or even just to have a quick catch up on the situation in Nepal.

Contact him direct at raj@socialtours.com to set an appointment or pick a date and time at the online appointment slots on Google Calendar here

TEAM SOCIALTOURS

Meet @socialtours at #ITBBerlin | Hall 4.1b Stall 208, 05 - 09 Mar 2014

For the fifth year running, socialtours will be exhibiting at ITB Berlin from 05 - 09 Mar 2014. This year, we are co-exhibiting with Destination Far West Nepal, an initiative that is trying to develop the Far West of Nepal as a globally recognised Responsible Tourism Destination.

Our FOCUS this YEAR

The tourism landscape is changing. While Nepal’s image as an rough adventure destination is still very strong, there is a bigger market looking into Nepal as a soft adventure and an experiential destination with a myriad of experiences - culture, handicraft, lifestyles, learning and of course adventure

This is where socialtours comes in - working hard to support the industry by developing products that do just that - expand the pie, and provide the industry with new products that are creative, fun, experiential and trip highlighting. 

Examples of the success of this approach is all around. Our COOK like a LOCAL is a hit in Kathmandu, where clients come for a three hour cookery course. To name a few more that are working well - Throw your own Souvenir (pottery and an organic farm day), LUNCH with NUNS (hike to a nunnery for lunch), the WORKING NEPALI (a hike looking at changing lifestyles in the suburbs), CROP to CUP (a look at organic coffee in Nepal)… the list goes on.

We offer this to the industry, an ever changing company that is committed to keep the products dynamic and new, letting you differentiate from the market and offer trips that highlight the all time favourites in Nepal.

This year, we are also making a presentation on another passion of ours - CYCLING. The growth of the market for cycling and Nepal as a destination for Mountain Biking is unprecedented. Industry reports growth of up to 180% in a single year.

At the Adventure and Responsible Tourism Hall at 4.1b, in the small stage, we will be making a presentation on NEPAL by.Cycle - a concept we are promoting where we custom tailor cycling trips to Nepal.

Date: 07 March 2014

Time: 1330 - 1400 hours

Venue: Hall 4.1b, small stage

We cannot wait to meet the industry and discuss and learn whats new in the markets, so that we can adapt the products and support you to find your niche and bring more business to Nepal.

ALSO, NOT TO MISS @ ITB

Date: 07th March 2014
Time: 1300 - 1330 hours
Venue: Hall 4.1b, small stage
Topic: Destination Far West Nepal - Nepal's newest tourism attraction.

This year, the ITB Responsible Tourism Networking is bigger and better. If you have time on the 7th March @ 1730 hours, do come by at Hall 4.1b to meet some of the most inspiring people in the planet. We will network, launch a networking website, hear inspiring stories and conduct a speed pitch. Whether you are going to attend or are just interested in keeping track of whats happening, register using the link below

See you at ITB

raj @ socialtours

socialtours @ ITB Berlin 2013

06 - 10 March 2013 | Hall 4.1b Adventure and Ecotourism Hall | Booth # 208

For the past five years, socialtours has been actively participating at ITB Berlin, and bringing new products and services to the table every time we come. This year we bring a whole selection of exciting stuff for you to choose from. More reason to meet us at ITB Berlin. Booth # 208 Hall 4.1b Read on.

1. Nepal beyond trekking | not just treks

For over two years now, socialtours has been actively developing extensions to demonstrate that travel into Nepal is NOT JUST TREKS! In these two years, we have successfully launched popular products such as COOK like a LOCAL, THROW your own SOUVENIR, Newar Village Tour, WALKING with MONKS, CROP to CUP Coffee tour and many such products. More recently, we have developed newer products such as PAINT like a LAMA, the WORKING Nepali walk etc, building an exciting range of products we have brought together into our GO LOCAL | Discover Hidden Secrets Series of products. This is what we are coming with this year at ITB, and actively searching companies interested in these products and who are willing to talk to us about developing more products such as these.

2. School Partnerships | Tourism affecting real change

For over seven years now, the award winning project Namaste Nepal S-GmbH, has been fostering school partnerships between schools in Germany, Netherlands and Nepal. We plan to give more information about this amazing project and its achievements at a presentation during ITB at Hall 4.1b. The patrons of this project will come over from Freiberg in Germany to also participate during this presentation.

3. Destination Far West Nepal | Nepal's newest attractions

For over two years now, the director of socialtours, Raj Gyawali, has been working with entrepreneurs in the Far Western Region of Nepal to develop the tourism there into a vision that was commonly identified by locals of the Far West - "An Internationally Recognised Responsible Tourism Destination". This is probably one of the most exciting exercises we are involved in, and we will bring a team from the Far West and present the exciting potential of this region during a presentation at Hall 4.1b.

4. The Green Circuit | cross border tourism

Since 2009, the Green Circuit has grown from just an idea to five responsible travel companies in the Indian Sub-continent actively working together, sharing information, jointly marketing and offering clients interesting options to reduce carbon footprints like cross border tourism products such as the GREEN TRIANGLES of Nepal and India. This initiative works with award winning companies such as The Blue Yonder, Grass Routes Journeys, Help Tourism and Spiti Ecosphere

Come learn more about this at our stall.

5. Mountain Biking | Nepal's new tourism frontier

Several years ago, the government declared a "Make your own Village" scheme and disbursed small amounts of money to each village in Nepal. Identifying roads to be the top priority, the villages promptly started building roads. However, the money was not enough to backstop these roads. This means Nepal has the best range of dirt tracks in the world, covering the whole country and becoming a paradise for mountain bikers. Add road access reaching high altitude areas and we have the most amazing rides, from jeep track, to cross country to single track to extreme down-hilling. We offer Nepal's best selection this year at ITB. This is definitely the new Tourism Frontier in Nepal and you do not want to miss the wagon.

6. Gay and Lesbian Tourism | opening doors

Nepal is fast becoming a good destination for Gay and Lesbian Tourism, what with Nepal being one of the few countries in the world to recognise the third gender. In partnership with Pink Mountain Travel, we offer gay and lesbian mountain weddings, and custom tailored packages to the community. (www.gaylesbiantravelnepal.com)

7. Our Regulars | soft Adventure, cultural immersion and philanthropic tourism

Beyond what we get really excited to do, are our regular products, in Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and India, all flavoured by that brand of tourism that we really like, Responsible Tourism. Our Director will be on stand by to explain more about what this means in action.

We cannot wait to meet you!

Your opinions / reviews / feedback mean the world to us!

We take your opinions very seriously. A company which does not listen to feedback and reviews cannot develop very far. This is why we have created multiple mechanism to listen to what you have to say about us and the experiences we offer!

1. TripAdvisor - On TripAdvisor, we are listed under socialtours - day tours on this link. All you have to do is click on this link and put in your review. This will help other travellers benefit from your opinion through the worlds premier review site.

2. Facebook - We have tied up with TourRadar and have put in a TOUR REVIEWS app on some of our Facebook pages. You can make a quick review without having to leave the Facebook pages and do not have to register separately for it at all. Here are the links to the pages.

socialtours corporate page : http://www.facebook.com/socialtours.np
Trekking, Hiking, Walking : http://www.facebook.com/Trekking.Hiking.Walking
Everest Base Camp Trek : http://www.facebook.com/Everest.Trekking
Annapurna Circuit Trek : http://www.facebook.com/annapurna.treks

3. Linked In - We have a corporate page on Linked In where reviews are now possible. If you prefer this social media to leave your review, do feel free to do it at this page -

socialtours on Linkedin - http://www.linkedin.com/company/socialtours.com-travels

4. Our website - We have two corporate feedback mechanisms integrated into our website  - a shorter one which just gives us a gist of your feedback, and an optional longer one which evaluates our responsible action while on the trip. It is your choice whether you want to spend more time improving the industry's responsible action, or just providing us a quick feedback. You can do that at this link

http://www.socialtours.com

You can choose to use any one of the above for your review. If you really want to help us, ideally you would put in your review on all links, each having its multiplier effects that help other travellers. Alternatively you can just reply to this mail too.

Thanks for your time. We value your opinions! It means the world to us

Raj Gyawali
Founder Director

the socialtours pitch – ITB Asia & WTM 2012

Based in Kathmandu, Nepal, socialtours is a highly innovative, soft adventure specialist offering a range of products from trekking and soft adventure trips to special interest travel, village stays and volunteering. Working with local communities, the company strives to provide the clients with locally distinctive, value-added travel experiences that help promote and preserve Nepal's rich cultural and ecological diversity.

Socialtours has been five times nominee for the Responsible Travel Awards in the UK and featured in National Geographic Adventure and Lonely Planet. It has also been listed amongst four other companies as the best sustainable tourism companies in Nepal in a UNWTO publication in 2012. Since its foundation in 2002 socialtours has constantly worked to develop new and innovative products into the market.

At ITB Asia and World Travel Market 2012, socialtours is coming with its set of innovative products and looking for industry partners wishing to expand their product base and working with a local partner who understands their markets and will help them constantly keep the market interest dynamic, through active product expansion, creativity and dedication to excellence in delivery.

Why talk to socialtours?

For over 10 years, socialtours has been honing its skills in delivery, understanding of markets and customers, and going deeper and deeper into Responsible Tourism practice. Partners stand to gain from this sort of expertise on the ground, enhancing their profiles through excellent reviews on trips, value addition through the real practice of responsible tourism on the ground, and dynamic changes in offers through an ever expanding product base. Socialtours does not only work in delivery excellence, but works together as partners.

Our OFFERS in Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan & India

The experiences promoted by the company fall under distinct categories

GO LOCAL | Discover Hidden Secrets

In 2011 socialtours launched the Go Local activities, a new initiative to discover hidden secrets only locals know. The objective of these short tours is to give travellers richer, deeper and out of the ordinary experiences into culture, while at the same time making a positive impact on the local communities and environment. These tours have become extremely popular.

A very popular product in this series is Cook like a local, which gives a chance to learn typical Nepali dishes.  The course has been featured in Lonely Planet and has received spectacular reviews.

Splice of Kathmandu is the newest addition to the Go Local series and complements the cooking class. The tour leads through the local Ason markets, a wonderful place to plunge into the aromas and tastes of spices, herbs, vegetables, utensils, the traditional clothing and wholesale markets. The purpose of this tour is to discover the heart of Kathmandu. 

Since 2011 socialtours has engaged in cultural preservation experiences conducting an exotic 20 course Newar feast called Vo'ye. The driving force of this event is to revive the unique Newar, culturally sensitive tradition and prevent degradation of culture by organizing the feast every year during the Kumari / Indra Jatra festival. 

GET ACTIVE | Soft adventuresupported by professionals

This category encompasses a number of activities ranging from trekking to white water rafting through paragliding to jungle safari. Here socialtours strives to push travellers into off beat and community based initiatives, thereby helping spread the benefits of tourism into areas where they usually do not reach.

Communityeco-lodge trek is an off the beaten track trek into the ever popular Annapurnas, with eco-lodge stays benefitting community based tourism.

A Responsible Peak is an educational tour on the intricacies of practice of responsible tourism, and takes people on a homestay based trek and combines it with a twist on the ever popular Jungle Safari.

Socialtours is also working on developing a range of cultural shorter products on the slowly popularising Great Himalaya Trail, striving to reach areas that other treks do not, thereby helping get the spread done there.

GETIMMERSED | Special Interest Travel

The series has been established to create enriching experiences for the customers with special interest. Highly tailor made, each trip in this series focuses on a particular cultural or environmental experience.

Crop to Cup is a Coffee tour developed for the coffee connoisseurs to experience the high quality, organic coffee grown in Nepal. The tour shows all the steps of coffee production and ends in tasting this wonderful product.

Dancing with Shamans is a monsoon trek that goes to a high mountain lake in the August Full Moon to experience apprentice shaman turn into full shaman in a yearly high altitude festival.

The Red Panda Watch is a trip into high altitude herder communities to stay with them and utilise their skill in tracking the elusive Red Panda.

GET INVOLVED | Voluntourism & Philanthropic Travel

This series resolves around the concept of volunteering and charity tours that has been one of the core strengths of the company right from the start.

For the second time this year Socialtours has co-organized Kathmandu Kora Cycling Challenge. The aim of this event is to bring together riders from Nepal and abroad to participate in 50 kilometre cycling challenge around Kathmandu Valley, raising money per kilometre biked for development. In 2012, the challenge brought together about 300 riders and raised money for upgrading birthing centers in a remote district. The fund rising target of NRs 500,000 was exceeded by 180%. The event proved to be highly successful.

The Everest and Annapurna Base Camp trek Challenges raise money per meter climbed to benefit causes which are vetted by Save the Children and implemented via the philanthropic arm of socialtours, Karma Foundation.

 GREEN CIRCUIT | the best eco-products in the Indian Sub-Continent

Since 2009, socialtours has started a regional initiative called the Green Circuit, aimed at bringing together responsible operators in the sub-continent. This has bought together award winning organisations in an effort to join forces to learn together, market together and put up a bigger front in the market.

The Green Triangles of India & Nepal brings together the popular triangles in India and Nepal in a heady mix of responsible experiences in these two countries. The cities of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur are combined with Kathmandu, Pohkara and Chitwan shown in a new perspective, which makes a responsible alternative to mass tourism.

The RT AUDIT | Leading Responsible Tourism Practice

Socialtours was one of the first companies in Nepal to develop a policy for responsible tourism, outlining a set of principles to adhere to in order to respect local people and environment, and to contribute into the local economy. It has committed itself to integrating tourism with social development.

Based on the formats and systems set by Responsible Tourism Reporting, an initiative spearheaded by Jenefer Bobbin and Prof. Harold Goodwin, socialtours has for the second time completed the report on sustainability performance. The report shows in detail how the company gets on in the key areas of social, economic and environmental responsibility. It also sets the targets for the next year.

Contact Raj Gyawali, founder director via email at raj@socialtours.com and via phone at +43 66 47 35 33 48 3.
 … or visit our website @ www.socialtours.com

*end* | 21^st Sep - Kathmandu, Nepal

Whats in a Feast?

Since 2011, socialtours has been engaging in conducting an exotic Newar feast, along with our partners Powerful Hands, with whom we engage in cultural preservation experiences. This is scheduled to happen each year during the Kumari / Indra Jatra and is slowly being developed to be the FEAST of the YEAR.

We felt the need to explain why a travel company is so excited about this feast, and why the whole office and our partners are working hard to make it a success.

Simply explanation is that we love (did I already say love) Newar food, and love the 'exoticness' (if thats a word; must be, because my computer seems to accept it!) of the traditional sit down 'Lapte'. Unfortunately, we do not get invited to many anymore, and there is a reason for it. It is slowly disappearing from the regular 'feast' scene in Kathmandu, replaced by the ease of the rather 'boring' "Chinese food on one side and Indian on the other" type feasts that catering companies are good at.

Its a shame, because the Newar tradition is so unique, and amazingly 'green', 'organic', 'culturally sensitive', 'exotic' and above all, pure fun.

So, this is our thinking. If we can bring the fun back to the traditional sit down, glamourise it a bit, change the ambience, we might have started a small revival of sorts, or if that is not possible, at least slowed down the degradation of culture by just a little bit.

This year, its happening on the 30th of September, 2012 (sunday) on the second day of the Kumari / Indra Jatra in Basantapur, right on the route of the Kumari, in front of the Taleju temple.

So do come by, enjoy the food, lovingly prepared by the Ma Pucha of Lagan Tole, realising that you are also playing a small part in the preservation of this wonderful food culture. There will be over 20 different varieties of food, and free flow traditional alcohol - of course.

See you on the 30th.

REPORT | Kathmandu Kora Cycling Challenge 2012

History

Kathmandu Kora Cycling Challenge started in 2011 bringing cyclists together for a cause. Two teenagers, Maxim Jones from UK and Shishang Lama from Nepal, took the challenge to raise money for SAMATA School and OCCED orphanage in Kathmandu by cycling around the city. The challenge successfully took place in July 2011 with around Rs. 450 000 raised and distributed to SAMATA School and OCCED. The event was conducted by CHAIN bikes along with support from other organisations and 35 other riders who joined the event.

Concept

The route is a Kora, an auspicious clockwise circumambulation around Kathmandu. Traditionally Kora is performed by making a walking circumambulation around a temple, stupa , or other sacred site. In accordance with Buddhist tradition and belief, Kora is always performed in a clock-wise direction.

For the Kora Cycling Challenge, the riders gather to start the challenge and ride along the agreed route (the route is GPS'ed and online). Participation is free. For each kilometre they ride they request people around them to contribute a small amount. Entire donation is voluntary. People can also pledge online and name the rider they are supporting. It is not about winning, but rather something to rejoice about at the end of the challenge.

Kathmandu Kora 2012

Following the success of first ever Kora Cycling Challenge last year, Kathmandu Kora Cycling Challenge 2012 took place on Saturday, July 21st. The event, organised by socialtours, Talent Inc. and Save the Children, brought together around 300 riders from Nepal and abroad for the 50 kilometre challenge around Kathmandu valley to raise awareness and money per kilometre biked for a worthy cause. The flag-off from Patan was quite a spectacle in itself, with the convoy of bikers along the trail certainly gathering a lot of attention during the whole day.

Money raised this this time around goes to upgrading birthing facilities in Rukum, one of the most remote districts in Nepal. Every year, a completely unacceptable 25,000 newborns and children in Nepal die due to bad birthing facilities. Working with Save the Children and the EVERYONE campaign (www.everyone.org) under the slogan “No Child Born to Die” the idea is simple: We need to save everyone. Rukum has some of the poorest conditions of birthing care in Nepal and is often neglected when it comes to social development. With the initiative and the money raised we will assist the process to make changes to the better in Rukum, and act as a trigger to eventually making the lives of people better in remote districts outside Kathmandu.

This year's event gathered support from over 20 corporate companies. With almost 200% of the initial target of Rs. 500,000 raised, the Kathmandu KORA Cycling Challenge successfully put forward the statement of "No Child Born To Die".

Kora Cycling Challenge 2012 from Chakraby on Vimeo.

Way forward

The amount raised by the 2012 event will be channelled to District Health Office Rukum through Save the Children partner organisation, Rukumeli Samaj Development Centre, to buy equipments such as mattresses for birthing beds, torch lights, stainless scissors, etc. In Kathmandu, the money will be channelled via Karma Foundation through a zero leakage mechanism (no administrative costs). In the coming months we will be reporting back via social media and email how the money raised will be used and when the equipment will be delivered to Rukum.

Considering the social development possible through programs like this, we plan to give this initiative continuity in the coming years with the same concept of raising funds based on the challenge of riding. Preparations for next year's KORA to ride again for another fantastic cause are already well on their way. The date is set for Saturday, July 20th, 2013. So mark your calendars! 

The exact cause for the 2013 event is yet to be decided. The money contributed by people who pledge for this event goes transparently and without leakage to the intended beneficiaries. To ensure this we have an established foundation channelling the money and conducting the monitoring.

Being an off-season event (July, monsoon), this event is for the whole community and a chance to be involved in doing something good. Public can make a positive contribution towards change to better. The past events clearly showed how a popular sport like cycling can be used as a means to raise awareness and funds for social inequalities that exist in Nepal.

For the Kathmandu Kora Cycling Challenge community page on facebooka visit www.facebook.com/kathmandu.kora.

For the next year's event details visit www.facebook.com/events/479594385402772.

For more information, please contact:

Raj Gyawali

socialtours | nepal

Tridevi Marg, Thamel

Kathmandu, PO Box 1663 Nepal

Tel: +977 1 4412508

Email: kora@socialtours.com

Socialtours mentioned in SALT – the Dutch magazine for active and adventurous way of life.

The increasinly popular and one of a kind Dutch magazine SALT - for people with active, adventurous and responsible lifestyle – recently covered a story about the mother of all trails, The Great Himalaya Trail. 

Socialtours is proud to be mentioned as one of the local tour operators to book your trek with.

Our thanks go to the whole SALT team – who believe sustainable lifestyle is above all fun and a journey to discover themselves. SALT stands for authenticity, small-scale, humour, people and environment. We think alike!

Our special thanks also go to the editor Ard Krikke, who wrote this article. Ard himself is a devoted cyclist and windsurfer who recently also made his childhood dream of skating the 200km “Elfstedentocht”, Eleven cities tour, on natural ice come true. We are impressed! And we want more SALT!

With the permission from Ard Krikke and the SALT magazine, the following is a translation and partly a summary of the original article that you can read in full here (in Dutch).

THE GREAT HIMALAYA TRAIL - 4500 km on the top of the world

With the official opening of the first stretch (1700km) of the Great Himalaya Trail (4500km) a dream has come true for many adventurers. For the first time in history it is possible to trek right across Nepal by foot. Walking on the top of the world along the highest peaks also the remote mountain dwellers now have hope of some income thanks to travellers passing by. In the meantime China, Pakistan, Bhutan and India are all working hard to complete their parts of “the mother of all trails”.

Nepal is no doubt one of the most well-known outdoor countries in the world. For years already Mount Everest and Annapurna regions have had the magical appeal on adventurers seeking to get a glimpse of the highest peaks of the world. Since the successful summit of Mount Everest by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on 29 May 1953, it has been the holy grail of the Himalayas. The rest of the stretched country does not get so many visitors, and some 1.8 million poor mountain dwellers get hardly any profit from tourism. With the Great Himalaya Trail a traveller will not only learn about these unique, remote areas but will provide the people living in these remote areas a chance for an income - the last being the most important reason for the existence of the trail.

The trail is a result of joining the forces of different people - among whom a Dutch organisation SNV. This non-profit organisation worked closely together with the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) to develop the route that would join together all the Himalayan countries. Not a small task as hardly any information about the route existed. Previously only very few people succeeded to walk across the whole length of the Himalayas and even fewer succeeded to tell their story. It used to be the local traders who walked across the region with their yaks or mules in endless search of the ideal route  over the “Abode of Snow”, the Himalayas.

Until recent times there have been a few of those adventurers who “recreationally” trekked the whole route and brought back with them pieces of information about the rugged mountain range. But it was the Australian, Robin Boustead (mountain guide and travel journalist) who in 2009 with his wife Judy Smith and a few friends and with help of GPS accurately mapped the Nepalese part of the Himalayas. Robin: “It was an enormous task but I saw the potential of this route. That's why I wanted to find a high alpine route that is feasible for the “normal” trekkers.” He succeeded in this – all his findings are recorded in the book The Great Himalaya Trail.

The 10 sections

Although the Great Himalaya Trail is now only accessible through Nepal, the route will eventually be extended through all the Himalayan countries to reach a total length of 4500km. China, Pakistan, Bhutan and India are all busy mapping their parts of the trail.

The Nepalese part runs from Api-Saipal in the far west to Kanchenjunga in the east of the country. On the way one will pass by the highest mountain peaks on our planet - of which eight are over 8000 meters high - as well as the most remote villages in the world. The route is well known for its diversity in landscapes, flora and fauna, people and cultures - from snow leopards to red pandas, from subtropical jungles to frail ecosystems at extreme heights and from Sherpas to Shamanists and ancient Bon Buddhism.

As very few people will have the chance to trek the whole 1700km requiring some six months to do in a relaxed pace, the Nepalese part of the trail has been divided into 10 different, manageable sections. Furthermore, each of these sections can be further divided into smaller parts ranging anything from 10 days to a few weeks of trekking.

The choice is also between the upper trail - the highest and also the hardest parts going up to 6000 meters, or the lower trail - reaching heights of no more than 2000 meters. The lower trail is more suitable for getting to know the villages. This way the Great Himalaya Trail caters for all adventurous minds. Hiring a guide is nevertheless always advised as the route is not marked.

Do it yourself

If  attempting to do the trail on your own, you should count on a lot of preparation time. Start with getting yourself a Nepal Trekking and the Great Himalaya Trail guide (trailblazer-guides.com) with extensive information on the different areas and possibilities. However, as the route really still is in its baby shoes, unexpected things are likely to happen. The first challenge is the numerous permits necessary to enter and cross the different areas. Next to this you will need to find guides and porters who want to go with you. All this time and effort can be saved by booking your trek with an organisation, such as Pema Treks (www.pematrek.com/) and socialtours (www.socialtours.com).

Due to extreme heights, the rugged terrain in the isolated regions is a challenge even for experienced mountain trekkers. This does not mean, however, that those who never wore trekking shoes might as well forget it. The route varies so much that there are always areas and sections of it to fit everyone's condition and experience. Some parts can even be done by mountain bike!

Extensive information, including lots of photos and descriptions on each section, trail do's and dont's, maps, guides, local and international organisations with whom you can plan your trek and the latest news about the status of the trail can be found on http://www.thegreathimalayatrail.org/.

Read more about the 10 sections: http://www.thegreathimalayatrail.org/trail-sections/

Lebenshilfe and socialtours making Nepal open to all - also those with intellectual disabilities

An exceptional holiday to Nepal opened doors for a group of Germans with intellectual disabilities.

For their 25th anniversary, Lebenshilfe, a German non-profit organisation, wanted to do something really special – bring a group of Germans - some with intellectual disability  - to Nepal!
Through support from socialtours, Lebenshilfe made this possible in March 2012 when a group of 13 Germans set foot on Nepal's soil to explore what the country has to offer and to meet the Nepalis.

The tour provided an experience of a lifetime, not only to the Germans, but also for the Nepalis. Lebenshilfe and socialtours partner organisation in Nepal, PATAN CBR, gave also an opportunity for disabled Nepalis and their families to travel into and explore another part of their own country.

The tour certainly inspired all involved and proved that Nepal is not out of bounds for those with intellectual disability and a sense of adventure. Nepal is open to everyone disabled or not - all one needs is to bring the desire for a new and rewarding experience.

As one of the guys in the group, Arthur Golz, summed it up: “The Himalayas is simply too beautiful to show only to those not disabled.”

To read the full article (in German) please click here (copyright of Zeitungshaus Bauer).


For more information on the partner organisations, please visit their websites:
Lebenshilfe
Patan Community Based Rehabilitation Organization (Patan CBR)

Advanced Guide Training | day one

Twenty four guides got together at socialtours today to start day one of the Advanced Guide Training. The group was lively and presented many issues to the trainers to discuss. It started with introductions from Raj Gyawali and Robin Boustead and then continued into main sessions.

Ian Wall took the session on Understanding the Mountain Environment and sensitised the participants on the issues of weather patterns, and how it manifests itself in the mountain environment. Also how this effects guiding. He also stressed on the importance of being really interested in learning about the mountain environment.

After this, Robin and Amrit took over to explain about maps and map reading. There was active participation on this session as participants wanted to learn well how to read a map, obviously a skill some of them lacked. They learnt about contours, measuring distances, calculating times required of trekking, and for finding out the coordinates to provide the helicopter for the rescue.

NOTE: Rule of thumb is that in one hour, a person with a backpack can walk about 3.2 kms on a normal track, but if we are climbing, for every 300 meters, one has to add one hour extra.

Prem later spoke informally about how we need to prepare well, and make sure that we have the right equipment with us when we travel as guides. A lot of this build respect for the guide which then helps establish a positive relationship between guides and clients.

Sarita took over after this on the essential of First Aid. She explained about common problems, how to handle a thermometer, how to recognise AMS. Rajesh took over for a while explaining in detail, with demonstrations, on how to handle difficult health situations on a trek. Later, a Gammow bag was taken out to explain how to use it in an extreme situation.

Raj and Ian then took the last session on leadership, going over the Good GUIDE LIST and also other issues in consideration relating to leadership in guiding.

Advanced Guide Training | Schedule

The following is the schedule decided for the Guide Training. Lead Instructors are mentioned below. They will be supported by other instructors too.

Please remember that punctuality is extremely important.

22nd Feb 2012

1000 hrs:
Introduction to the training - Raj Gyawali, Robin Boustead

1015 - 1200 hrs:
Understanding the Mountain Environment and what it means to guiding - Ian Wall
Navigation | Orientation | Map Reading - Amrit Ale, Prem Guvaju

Tea & Snacks Break

1400 - 1600 hrs:
First Aid - the box and how to use it - Sarita Lama
Leadership Skills - Raj Gyawali, Ian Wall, Prem Guvaju, Amrit Ale


23rd Feb 2012

1000 hrs:
How important is the guide to the company he/she works for?

1015-1200 hrs:
Responsible Tourism - understanding what it relates to guiding, Raj Gyawali
Rescue & Insurance Implications - Prem Guvaju, Amrit Ale, Ian Wall, Raj Gyawali

Tea & Snacks Break

1400 - 1600 hrs:
Client Expectations - understanding and managing them, Ian Wall, Raj Gyawali
Questions & Answers - Final session

END

Advanced Guide Training | Characteristics of a Good Tour Guide

Sent by Raj Tamang, responsible adventures, and one of the trainers

Being a good guide is not rocket science. Using very simple principles and values, internalised deep down, one can slowly develop into a well-respected guide. The list below is by no means complete, but is a guideline for what things to work on.


This has been adapted from Good Guide Guidelines developed for National Parks and Conservation Areas. It applies equally for mountain leaders


20 CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD GUIDE

1. Speaks Loudly and Clearly

2. Uses Non-Verbal Communication
a) Smiles
b) Makes eye contact  
c) Uses body language

3. Acts Professionally
a) Is punctual
b) Greets tourists
c) Is courteous and attentive
d) Dresses well

4. Prepares in Advance
a) Completes a site inventory b) Researches c) Practices

5. Provides Necessary Information for Tourists a) Informs visitors of the location, time, and length of tour b) Informs visitors what they will need to bring and wear c) Informs visitors of norms, rules and special considerations

6. Is knowledgeable
a) Uses appropriate equipment 

b) Uses guide books 

c) Knows about the area being toured 

d) Takes advantage of teachable moments

e) Knows the difference between different types of tours

7. Knows the Audience 

a) Learns about visitors between stops 

b) Uses visitor and universally relevant information to make examples more personal

8. Helps the Tourists Learn by Themselves (Asks Questions) 

a) Asks questions 

b) Engages tourists in “Guided Discovery” (asks questions and gives hints to help tourists figure things out on their own)

9. Has a “Message” for Every Tour 

a) Simple full-sentence “message” 

b) Message is original

10. Prepares a Structure for Every Tour

a) Uses an introduction, stops, and a conclusion 

b) Writes an outline 

c) Stops exhibit attractive natural resources/appropriate examples of message

11. Has a POW at the Beginning of Every Tour

12. Makes the Tour Dynamic

a) Uses games, activities, or demonstrations

b) Uses sense activities besides vision - sounds, smells, touch

c) Uses natural objects or other props

13. Uses Interesting Language 

a) Uses interesting language 

b) Relays natural history stories appropriate to the message

14. Manages the Group
a) Makes sure everyone can see and hear well

b) Assures visitors safe passage
c) Handles unexpected situations 

d) Chooses comfortable locations for stops

15. Knows First-Aid and Carries Appropriate Equipment

a) Assembles and carries a First-aid kit
b) Attends to the injured
c) Carries appropriate comfort equipment

16. Relays Accurate Information and Handles Difficult Questions 

a) Relays only accurate information 

b) Is honest (“I don’t know”) 

c) Writes down visitor questions and follows up with answers (contact info) 

d) Is able to act as a nature detective, suggesting possible answers

17. Suggests a Relevant Conservation Action

a) Illustrates environmental and conservation problems
b) Suggests an action that tourists can undertake to help protect the area
c) Helps visitors to care for the site during their visit

18. Makes Smooth Transitions Between Stops
a) Asks questions or provides an activity to maintain tourist interest between stops
b) Talks to tourists between stops

19. Evaluates the Tour 

a) Asks questions at the end—conducts a “check for learning” 

b) Does a self-evaluation 

c) Distributes and collects a tourist survey

20. Continues to Learn and Improve the Tour

Advanced Guide Training | 22-23 Feb 2012 | Course Outline

This course will have four sessions of two hours each from 1000 - 1200 and from 1400 - 1600 hrs on both days.

This is what is planned for level ONE of this GUIDE Training:-


‘Nepal’s diverse Mountain Environment’ - one session
      The formation of the mountains and valleys of Nepal
      The Himalaya and position in the continent
      How the prevailing winds effect the climate and daily weather
      How the mountain environment affects our judgment as leaders
      Knowledge of the environment and the weather can help avoid problems
      Using knowledge and the environment to aid a safe passage for our clients
      What IS perceived to be safe by the clients ..and Nepal staff?
      Dangers in the environment – from external sources

‘AMS’ - one session
      What, where and why!
      How to deal with the problem
      The Gammo Bag

‘Suggested contents / considerations for a First Aid Kit’ - one session
      Organising it
      What should we consider – who might use it?
      Who carries it and where?

Map Reading Skills and Orientation - one session

Understanding Client Expectations and Managing it - two sessions


Responsible Tourism in a Trekking Environment - one session
      Environmental Sensitivity - LNT etc.
      Cultural Sensitivity
      Contribution into the local economy

Rescue and Problem Solving in the mountains - one session
      Dealing with Helicopter Rescue
      Emergency procedures - preparing for an emergency

Easing out the Visa Process

On our other blog, Nepal Travel Advisory, we have listed what needs to be done to get your VISA on Arrival in Nepal. The best advice is to download the form, fill it up and bring it when you come. This will make it faster, as you will be head the queue, while others fill up the forms just before immigration.

Here is the link to the advisory on that: http://nepaltraveladvisory.blogspot.com/2012/02/visa-on-arrival.html

Welcome to Nepal!

Advanced Guide Training | 22-23 Feb 2012

It's high time guides in Nepal raised the standards of guiding to international levels. With a small team of dedicated people from the Nepalese Tourism Industry, socialtours is launching an initiative this February to kick-start this process, slowly priming up the standards through short highly concentrated advanced skill and leadership trainings.

Step one is to register yourself for the training. Use the form below! This will close on 19th Feb 2012. So hurry!

IMPORTANT: the decision of the team as to who is selected as a candidate is final. If you do not make ti to this first round of trainings, there will be others that will be conducted too in due course. The training material will also be 'copylefted', and will be all available online.

Watch this space for more information regarding this training! Curriculum, expert team profiles etc.

Happening at ITB 2012 | do not miss it

Its all happening at ITB. And we will be there at the thick of it. Our stall is at Hall 4.1b # 221 and all the following is happening right around us.

09 Mar 2012 - 1300 hrs - A presentation by Raj Gyawali, Founder Director on the GO LOCAL series of products - all brand new from the socialtours stable.

Later we partner with The Blue Yonder, India and our other partners at the Green Circuit Initiative, to present the following.

Responsible tourism clinics:

These are series of clinics where you interact with practitioners who run social businesses in tourism. Pose your questions on related topics and find solutions from experts.

07. Mar. 2012 | 14.00-15.00 Social Media for destination promotion: How to increase business through social media marketing? - Damian Cook - E-Tourism frontiers

08. Mar. 2012 | 11.00-12.00 Power of Story Telling : How to use stories to promote your business?
- Zainab Kakal - Chief Enthusiasm Officer at The Blue Yonder

08. Mar. 2012 | 14.00-15.00 Moving beyond conventional tourism - How to develop innovative experiences ?

- Monk for a month
- Ethical Travel Portal
- Cape Town tourism

Experiences shared by suppliers in India, Thailand, Nepal and South Africa

09. Mar. 2012 | 11.00-12.00 Power of networking: How collaboration can bring more business ?
- Raj Gyawali - The Green Circuit | socialtours nepal

**All the clinics will be at stand Hall 4.1/201(The Blue Yonder)

RT NETWORKING

09. Mar. 2012 Friday | 1730-1800
Venue: Stage of the Exhibition Area: Experience Adventure, ECOtourism & Expeditions in hall 4.1

Inspiring stories from destinations.

Listen to inspiring and innovative stories from destinations that are chosen from a collection of applications from around the world.

ITB-Berlin responsible tourism networking
Partnering : The Blue Yonder, The Green Circuit and Tripbod
Supported by: Pocket village
Media partner: Vision Travel Mole
1800-2030

1800: Welcome:
- Rika Jean-Francoise CSR commissioner ITB-Berlin

1810-2030 : RT pitches and networking
- listen to 2 minutes pitches from responsible tourism initiatives around the world and interact with those involved in sustainable tourism

socialtours at ITB Berlin | 07 - 11 Mar 2012

Namaste!

For the fifth time, socialtours will be at ITB Berlin. As exhibitors, we have once shared the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs CBI programme stand with other participants from Nepal and Thailand, but as of last year we now come in with our own stand.

Who is socialtours?

Socialtours is a five-time award-nominated responsible soft adventure specialist with mentions in Lonely Planet and National Geographic Adventure. We run our operations from Kathmandu, Nepal, offering trips to Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and India.

What do we bring with us?

This time we have a whole new range of products classified as the GO LOCAL series, amongst other products. These hidden secrets of Nepal include cooking courses, pottery classes, organic farm stays, coffee farm visits, watching a city waking up, learning the process of converting elephant dung into paper, and even cross-border tours - an amazing collection of unique experiences in Nepal.

We will be available for meetings between 7 and 11 March at our booth no. 221 in Hall 4.1B, ITB Eco & Adventure Hall, the perfect location to find us.

Location of socialtours booth in Hall 4.1b

Raj Gyawali, Founder and Managing Director of socialtours, will give a presentation on the new products on Friday, 9 March at 13.00h in Hall 4.1, ITB Eco & Adventure Stage, right behind our stall.

You are cordially invited to come, learn and develop your new products around our suggestions. Please let us know if you are coming, so we can prepare for it.

You are also warmly welcome to the annual Responsible Tourism Networking Event taking place on Friday evening, 9 March in hall 4.1b. This happens right behind our stall.

Looking forward to see you at ITB Berlin!

Best regards,
Raj Gyawali and socialtours team