Mountain Porter Welfare

Mountain porters play a vital role in every World Expeditions trekking and mountaineering adventure. Their contribution enables us to explore remote and rugged landscapes through self-sufficient camping, a trekking style made possible by their dedication. On any trek or climb, the entire group—including travellers, guides, and porters—functions as a unified team, prioritising safety in the challenging mountain environment.

We employ mountain porters for treks across Nepal, Pakistan, Peru, Papua New Guinea, Tanzania, Guatemala, Thailand, and Indonesia.

Historically, mountain porters have faced difficult working conditions, including low wages, insufficient gear, and exposure to extreme weather.

In collaboration with welfare organisations, we actively champion their rights and well-being by advocating for:

• Fair wages regulated by local labour unions
• Access to medical care and emergency evacuation services
• Proper clothing and equipment suited for harsh conditions
• Load restrictions to prevent excessive burdens
• Education and awareness programs to inform porters of their rights

We encourage all trekking companies to implement similar ethical standards, as we firmly believe that ensuring the well-being of every trekking team member—from porters to senior guides—is the responsibility of the company organising the trek.

• Salary: a liveable working wage that is regulated by the Trekking Agents Association of Nepal and the Labour Union of Nepal. 
• Meals: Three meals a day, prepared by our cooks. 
• Accommodation: Lodging or tents, sleeping mats and blankets.
• Gear: On treks, porters receive a windproof and waterproof jacket, a pair of over-trousers, a cap, 1 pair of leather shoes, 1 pair of socks for a short trek, 2 pairs of socks for a long trek, gloves, and sunglasses. On mountaineering and wilderness treks, porters receive a sleeping bag, a sleeping mat, a dome tent, a warm jacket, a fleece inner thermal, a pair of windproof trousers, 1 pair of leather shoes, 1 pair of canvas shoes, 2 to 4 pairs of socks, 2 pairs of gloves (heavy and light), and a cap. On mountaineering trips where required, additional items are provided, such as crampons, gaiters and all safety gear. 
• Insurance: Accident insurance including medical during trekking/mountaineering. 
• Medical Care: Access to the same first aid care that our travellers receive, including emergency helicopter evacuation if required. 
• Weight Restrictions: A weight restriction of carrying no more than 30 kgs (in addition to their own clothing). 
• Age Restrictions: We have a restriction on age of a minimum of 16 years of age and a maximum of 50 years of age.  

Through KEEP Nepal's Porter’s Awareness Workshops, we have supported porters located outside of Kathmandu (not employed by World Expeditions) who are unaware of their rights and, as a result, can end up in poor employment situations that compromise their welfare. 

• The same access to medical service as clients.

• Three meals per day based on a menu requested specifically by the porters as well as gas stoves for all cooking.

• Access to interest free long-term loans from us, provided they can clearly indicate how the funds will be used.

• Basic life and accident insurance.

• Full coverage of any medical costs incurred, regardless of if it is work related, to any porter or member of their family.

• Transport (private busses and trains) to and from the trek.

• Sleeping tents, sleeping pads, sleeping bags (if requested), footwear (shoes or boots), warm jackets and rain gear.

• Yearly meetings to discuss any other needs porters may have and areas they feel improvements are possible.

Additionally, we are one of the five companies (among almost 200) that pay the highest wages to porters.

• Salary: Although the government declared a minimum wage, the salary amounts paid to porters are variable and can be as low as 10,000Tsh per day. We pay at least 25,000Tsh per day excluding transport to and from the mountain, and payments are made within 2 days after the descent of a climb.  
• Tipping: Our guides provide tipping recommendations to climbers so that porters receive a proper living wage from the combined salary and tip. We use a transparent tipping procedure to ensure that the porters receive the full amount of tip intended for them. 
• Meals: we are committed to providing 3 meals per day and covering all costs for food while porters are on the mountain. 
• Accommodation: porters sleep in good-quality tents; ground sheets are provided, and there is appropriate sleeping space for the crew. 
• Gear: we inform the crew of the company’s requirements regarding gear and equipment and ensure proper kit prior to the climb. 
• Medical Care: we assist with the descent of an ill porter and provide for medical treatment as necessary. 
• Weight Restrictions: we weigh the bags each day to ensure porters are carrying no more than 20 kgs per porter. We ensure an appropriate number of porters per climb so that each porter carries only 20kg of company kit. 
• Regularity of work: we offer equal climbing opportunities to all porters registered with the company.

We qualify as an International Mountain Explorers Connection (IMEC) 'Partner for Responsible Travel' by adhering to these local and national government standards and regulations. We support IMEC and KPAP in ongoing monitoring and oversight of every climbing season to guarantee compliance with the Guidelines for Proper Porter Treatment, and as such, we are recognised as part of IMEC's list of travel companies, affirming our commitment to porter welfare and well-being whilst working on Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru climbs.

We address gender inequality in the portering industry by employing female crew members on Mount Kilimanjaro. We have two highly successful female lead guides, five assistant guides, two female cooks, and around thirty female porters.

Since 2012, we have been committed to the professional development of guides, porters and crew that we employ on Mount Kilimanjaro. World Expeditions has sponsored several guides to complete scholarships through the Kilimanjaro Guide Scholarship Foundation each year. The course trains the guides in Tour Operations, Tourism Geography, Wildlife Knowledge and Basic Computer Applications.

• Salary: wages that are above the minimum wage for Papua New Guinea.  
• Tipping: the tipping system is managed fairly and transparently to ensure that the porters receive the full amount of tip intended for them. Tips are collected from tour participants, counted and announced at the last evening meal on the trip for staff and participants to hear. It is divided fairly among all staff. The Australian guide or any other staff members not working on the trip do not receive any part of the tip money. The personal porters receive their tip directly from the client. The porter is not required to disclose the amount to anyone and keeps the entire tip. 
• Transport: payment for the return trip home or flights to return home (depends on location and personal preference). 
• Meals: porters are allocated money to purchase their preferred food for the trek, uniform and first aid kit, as well as having their campsite fees paid for. 
• Medical Care: is given on site, at aid posts and evacuation is provided if required. 
• Accommodation: porters are supplied with sleeping mats and sleep in purpose-built huts. 
• Weight Restrictions: porters carry a maximum weight of 18 kgs. Bags are weighed at the beginning and middle of the day as well as during random ranger inspections.  
• Age Restrictions: the minimum age of porters is 17 years old, and the maximum age of porters is 62 years old. Older porters have a reduction in weight, or they offload the bulk of their weight on the first few days of the trek.