Overview of choosing porter for trekking
The very nature of treks is such that it occurs in a rural setting. At such places, there aren’t many facilities available and as treks last for more than a week, carrying your belongings becomes necessary. Not all of us are blessed with the ability to carry heavy things. Keeping that in mind, porters are available during the trekking. You might be wondering how to select a porter for trekking. This article shall provide a basic guideline for travelers in deciding how to hire a porter.
There are many high Himalayas for trekking in Nepal so it is almost impossible for you to complete the trekking without porter if you are the age of above 50s. In this case, you need to take care on several factors on choosing porter.
Who are porters?
Porters are an integral aspect of any sort of trek. Without them, it is not possible to imagine how the trekking scenario in Nepal would turn out. Porters are the unsung heroes of Nepal’s trekking environment as they make sure that the travelers get to experience a wonderful memory. In some cases, guides and porters are the same individuals. Now that we have learned the role a porter plays in treks, let’s understand how to select a porter for trekking to Himalayas.
A porter is a person who carries your stuff through the entirety of the trek. To do that, he must be strong and durable. So, be on the lookout for hardy individuals. Although Nepalis may look thin, they are undeniably strong. Don’t let appearances fool you in this aspect. If you are traveling with a trekking agency, then chances are they have already selected a porter for you (No problem in that) To keep it short, find a healthy porter!
While searching a porter for trekking to Himalayas, you can hire them either at the city or the commencing point of the trek. The porters in the city are mostly affiliated with trekking agencies and can be accessed when you travel with them. In the trekking areas, porters are hired from the local villages. It helps to promote responsible travel and encourage sustainable development. So, if you want to promote the healthy development of the rural environment, then you should opt. from villages.
Price consideration on hiring porter for trekking
Another factor that needs to be kept in consideration while finding a porter for trekking is the wages and additional benefits. Normally, the wage for a porter is around $25 to 50 per day but may change in reference to country and places. It does not include accommodation costs and tips. Depending upon the load he is carrying and the distance he covers, this cost can either increase or decrease. Before selecting a porter, be sure that you understand the conditions of the contract. Only when the conditions are accepted by both parties, the journey will be fruitful.
insurance
An equally important factor in treks is the issue of insurance. Insurance is useful for unforeseen accidents. While selecting a porter for trekking, you need to check whether the porter is insured or not. It also acts as proof that the company cares about its workers. However, insurance is not available for porters that live in village areas. In such cases, you might have to disregard the issue of insurance.
Experience of porter on the selected region
Experience plays an important role in life. In terms of trekking, the more seasoned a guide or porter, the easier it will be to complete the trek safely and effectively. While hiring a porter, be sure to ask about the experience the porter has. Seasoned porters may charge a bit more than normal guides but if he can get the work done smoothly, then paying a bit extra does not hurt. It is one of the most overlooked factors while hiring a porter for trekking.
The factors that need attention while hiring a porter are pretty simple but people tend to complicate it. You can separate a day for searching a porter or take the help of professionals to help you in it. We hope that you find the porter you are searching for.