High Places takes its responsibilities to sustainable and responsible tourism seriously.

We are aware that every trip has an impact and we do all we can to ensure that this is sensitive to the local environment and benefits the local community. We want our clients to appreciate and respect other countries, their institutions, traditions, religions and heritage and we are committed to creating positive long-term relationships with the communities and places we visit.

To ensure we meet these aims, we work with local people, using local staff and supporting locally owned accommodation. Treks and group logistics are organised to have minimal impact on the environment: groups are limited (max 12); wood is only used for fuel when other resources are not available; cleanliness of water sources is protected at all times; trek leaders are rigorous in ensuring that all litter is removed from campsites and properly disposed of.

We uphold these guidelines on Responsible Tourism:

• Protect the environment - its flora, fauna and landscapes
• Respect local cultures - traditions, religions and built heritage
• Benefit local communities - both economically and socially
• Conserve natural resources - from office to destination
• Minimise pollution - through noise, waste disposal and congestion
• High Places is a member of Tourism Concern

Tourism Concern's mission is to ensure tourism always benefits the local communities they do this through a wide range of exciting and innovative projects. From working with communities in destination countries to reduce social and environmental problems connected to tourism, to working with the out-going UK tourism industry to find ways of improving tourism so that local benefits are increased. (Read more...www.tourismconcern.org.uk)

High Places supports the IPPG (International Porter Protection Group)
The IPPG works to improve the conditions of mountain porters in the tourism industry worldwide. This means porters carrying for individual trekkers, organized groups, climbing expeditions and those who supply lodges. High Places supports the work of IPPG and endorses its five recommended guidelines. (Read more...www.ippg.net)

Responsible office practices We also believe in being responsible to the environment here in the UK. So we try to minimise the impact on the environment here. A sample of some of our efforts are listed below:

• All stationary is printed on recycled paper
• Our brochure is printed on paper from sustainable forests
• Re-using or recycling office waste
• Ensuring office equipment is turned off overnight
• High Places continues to support community-based projects in Peru and Nepal.