Follow these Porter Treatment Guidelines to help ensure the health and safety of your Porter.
Many travellers and expedition companies have always followed these guidelines because they are simply based on caring for other people and taking responsibility for the well-being of those who work for you. Please help spread support for the project by not only following these guidelines, but by checking the well-being of other Porters that you meet, and asking fellow-travelers and expedition operators what their involvement is in the proper treatment of their Porters. Contact IMEC to add your name to the growing list of active supporters of the Porter Assistance Project.

How you can Help: 'Help Carry the Load'. Proper treatment for a Porter.
1. Porters are provided proper clothing and equipment: Porters need adequate footwear, socks, waterproof jackets and pants, gloves, hats, sunglasses, etc. that are appropriate for their destination. Clothing and gear for loan is available at the International Mountain Explorers Connection (formerly Himalayan Explorers Connection) offices in Nepal and Africa, Porters' Progress offices in Nepal, and Inka Porter Project offices in Peru (beginning in August 2003).

2. Porters are provided proper shelter and sleeping arrangements: Where no shelter is available porters need proper sleeping arrangements that include tents and sleeping bags (or a sleeping pad and blanket).

Poorly-equipped Porters have suffered exposure while sleeping in caves.

3. Porters are provided with proper food, cooking equipment and water: Porters should be provided with proper food and water. If they are required to purchase their own food, wages should be increased accordingly.

4. Sick or injured porters are properly cared for: Porters deserve the same standard of treatment, care and rescue as their clients. Sick or injured porters need to be sent back with someone who speaks their language and understands the problem. If available, porters should also be provided insurance.

5. Porters are paid a fair wage for their work and location and given the tips their clients intend for them: Wages vary in each country with trek location, length of trek and weight of load. Approximate wages (after food, shelter and gear expenses are met) are listed below. Trekkers are encouraged to inquire at local agencies to learn about current recommended tips and wages.
Nepal: 300 Rs./day.
Africa: $5/day for the Machame route and $6/day for the Marangu route.
Peru: 120 Soles for a four-day trek on the Inka trail.

6. Porters are carrying loads that don't exceed their physical ability or legal limits: In Africa and Peru loads should not exceed 25 kilos (including personal gear), the legal limit. In the Himalayan region, IMEC recommends loads do not exceed 30 kilos.

Download Porter Partnership Program Application (Word 2002 document).

For more details see our Partnership page and our Partnership Goals page.

Contact information for Proper Porter Wages and Weights.