The Explore Nepal group complies with the International Porter Protection Group (IPPG) on its recommendation for all our porters:

• Adequate clothing should be provided to porters for their protection in bad weather and at altitude. This means windproof jacket and trousers, fleece jacket, long johns, suitable footwear (leather boots in snow), socks, hat, gloves and sunglasses.



• Above the tree line, porters should have access to shelter, either a room in a lodge or tent, a sleeping pad and a blanket (or sleeping bag). They should also be provided with food and warm drinks, or cooking equipment and fuel.



• Porters should be provided with the same standard of medical care, as you would expect for yourself, including insurance.



• Porters should not be paid off because of illness or injury without the leader or the trekkers assessing their condition carefully. Sirdars must let their trek leader or the trekkers know if they are paying off a sick porter. Failure to do this has resulted in many deaths. Sick porters should be sent down with someone who speaks their language and understands their illness along with a letter describing their complaint. Sufficient funds should be provided to cover the cost of their rescue and treatment. They should never be sent down alone.



• No porter should be asked to carry a load that is too heavy for their physical abilities. Weight limits may need to be adjusted for altitude, trail and weather conditions. Good judgment and careful observation is needed to make this decision. And if you are going to a remote area, select strong and experienced porters!