My life hasn’t been the same since July 2003 when I visited a remote region of Himalayan Nepal on the border with Tibet. There, an ancient Kerong Tibetan community live in scattered villages of a few hundred people each. The lifestyle is largely as it was many centuries ago with no roads leading there, and no mains electricity or machinery. It is in many ways the ultimate, sustainable, organic community with no chemicals used on the terraced, mountain fields and water provided direct from the mountain springs. The people’s Buddhist spirit is reflected in the peace, warmth and fun with which they go about their timeless existence.
Yet not all is as idyllic as it may appear. There is very little health care or education available. As the locals are almost completely self-sufficient, there is virtually no money economy. So while well fed, they generate few funds to pay for medicine, treatment or education. As awareness of such facilities has increased, the younger population has been leaving these remote communities usually to take extremely low-paid jobs in Kathmandu in appalling conditions. The result has been ageing and declining mountain populations.
However, given the current Western interest in holistic holidays, not to mention Tibetan culture and Buddhism, I felt that this sorry trend could be reversed. I established a company, Dolma Ecotourism (http://www.dolmatours.com), in partnership with my friend and professional mountain guide, Tsering Lama – a local of the area who was lucky enough to receive an education and speaks fluent English. The company provides training and an income to the local community in an area where tourists have rarely been seen, as well as investing in health care and education with assistance from H.H. Dalai Lama’s Tibetan Government in Exile office in Kathmandu. Indeed the name Dolma comes from the first child to receive full education sponsorship from us. Crucially, we are moving away from the model of volume, budget, backpacker tourism so common to Nepal, which has resulted in significant environmental and cultural degradation. To learn more of the problems of unsustainable tourism, see the excellently written article from Maurice Adshead in the June 2003 edition of Authentic Business.
Our model brings small groups of around eight people for two weeks to exclusively experience the culture, lifestyle, hospitality and surroundings of these people. Being a community-backed project, visitors are actively welcomed to participate in the festivals and local events, not to mention frequent village socialising, excursions to legendary sites and a chance to witness the ancient art of Tibetan Shamanism. To add to the spiritual dimension unquestionably heightened by the awe-inspiring mountain scenery and deeply peaceful culture, we have a relationship with the Kopan Monastery in Kathmandu who supply English-speaking experts (Tibetan Buddhist lamas) to lead meditation sessions in the ultimate surroundings and convey the basics of Buddhism. While optional and non-intensive, this element of the adventure provides an uplifting and educational experience assisting the visitor to appreciate the culture and nature around them. And not to ignore the power of the surrounding nature, we take visitors on a route known only to locals up to 4,500m among the jutting-white mountain peaks and some of the most breathtaking scenery anywhere on earth. All this can be wrapped up with an exhilarating helicopter flight over the mountains and back to Kathmandu.
To appeal to a more sophisticated, culturally and ecologically-aware visitor, we provide facilities and comfort unparalleled in this region for the level of remoteness. A renovated Tibetan eco-lodge is home for much of the stay, with access to solar-powered hot water, shower and modern toilet facilities. A kitchen staff of four, three of which were trained from the village, serve visitors with multi-course Nepali, Tibetan and international meals. Even while high in the mountains, professional camping equipment and a support staff of 10 ensures the maximum possible comfort and safety in such conditions, with food amazingly prepared to the same standard.
And so it was that I came to take a break from my job as a management consultant to the renewable energy industry and establish this business. My enthusiasm for the model was given a huge boost by the response of our first group last November, who came from UK, Germany, Hungary and the US. The outcome was another child sponsored and plans for local education investment. I don’t think there was a visitor among us who didn’t shed a tear as we left the village – such was the bond established with the local people.
experience their timeless lifestyle and culture, in comfort
see some of the most spectacular scenery on earth
learn meditation techniques and the basics of Buddhism
save a unique culture and transform lives
save £500 on the Tibetan New Year adventure (24 Feb)
send a child to school for free, even if you can’t join us
win a free Himalayan adventure
The Tibetan New Year adventure, leaving on 24th Feb 2004, will kick off this year’s season after the winter. This special trip will include exclusive participation in the spectacular celebrations lasting many days. A British doctor is joining us to help establish a local medical programme. As this will be the most fascinating cultural time to visit, and we want to create a buzz, we are offering Authentic Business readers a significant £500 off the list price, bringing the all inclusive ground trip down to £1,099 each. Just by referring someone that subsequently books, we will send a child to school for a year and give the referrer the option of receiving letters and photographs from the child. This is designed to create a viral effect that is good for everyone, even those that can’t make the journey.
Finally, we are giving one of these adventures away for free. To enter the draw, all you have to do is sign up to receive news and special offers from us.
If you would like to know more, and receive a free DVD video of the adventure, please e-mail tim@dolmatours.com or telephone 020-7449 9530.
Tim Gocher