Dharma Adventures has been curating unforgettable journeys across Nepal, Bhutan, India, and Tibet since 1991. Many of our long-time partners are familiar with how we work. But for new agents or those selling the Himalayas for the first time, this guide helps you understand what to ask, what we recommend, and how we co-create meaningful, sustainable journeys for your clients.
Whether your clients are adventurers, cultural travelers, wellness seekers, or luxury explorers, this document outlines the essential questions and options to help you plan confidently and responsibly.
Trip Style & Preferences
These questions will help us design the right experience:
Travel Pace & Physical Comfort
Trip Duration & Pace
Accommodation Preferences
Transport Preferences
We aim to integrate sustainability into our trips in a practical and meaningful way. Agents can offer clients the following options:
Sustainable Accommodation Options
We prioritize hotels and lodges that align with our sustainability goals. Almost all our accommodation partners have signed our Dharma Adventures Sustainability Expectations for Accommodation Partners guidelines, and we continuously encourage them to improve their environmental and social practices. When designing itineraries, we give preference to properties that demonstrate responsible operations and a commitment to positive local impact.
You can always ask:
“What are the most sustainable accommodation options for this itinerary?”
“Can you brief us on the sustainability efforts of the accommodations booked?”
Cultural & Community Experiences
We integrate experiences that create genuine interaction and meaningful benefits for local communities. Our itineraries can include village visits, artisan-led workshops, monastery interactions, and community-run activities that allow travelers to learn directly from the people who call these regions home. We also offer opportunities to support women-led initiatives, local community centers, or orphanages through modest donations or essential items, ensuring tourism contributes positively and respectfully.
Additionally, we follow a zero-tolerance approach to sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment, particularly involving children and vulnerable communities. All guides and staff are trained to ensure safe, respectful, and appropriate interactions during village visits, monastery interactions, and community-based experiences. You are encouraged to brief clients on responsible behavior and safeguarding expectations before travel.
You can ask:
“What community-based or cultural experiences can we add here?”
“What safeguarding policies do you follow for community visits?”
“How are guides trained to handle sensitive situations responsibly?
Responsible Transportation
We maintain a young and well-serviced fleet to ensure safe and reliable travel across the region. Our drivers are professionally trained in safety standards, guest handling, and fuel-efficient driving techniques. Where feasible, especially within Kathmandu Valley, we provide electric vehicle options. We also plan routes carefully to optimize travel time and reduce unnecessary emissions.
You can ask:
“Which routes and transport options are the most efficient or eco-friendly?”
Environmental Practices
We actively promote low-impact travel across the Himalayas. This includes reducing single-use plastics, encouraging refillable water bottles, and following Leave No Trace practices during outdoor activities. Guides manage waste responsibly, avoid disturbing natural habitats, and stay on established trails. We avoid unethical wildlife interactions and support reforestation and conservation efforts where possible. These practices extend to our office, where we follow similar waste-reduction measures and operate largely paperless. As a Travelife Engaged company, we continue to improve environmental performance across all operations.
We actively discourage the purchase or transport of illegal souvenirs, including items made from endangered species, antiques, religious artifacts, wildlife products, or protected cultural objects. Guides brief travelers on ethical and legal shopping practices, and we encourage purchases from verified artisan groups and community-run outlets. These guidelines are shared with agents and travelers through pre-departure briefings and on-ground guidance to avoid customs issues and protect local heritage.
You can ask:
“What environmental guidelines should travelers follow during this trip?”
“What souvenirs are appropriate and legal to buy in this region?”
“Can we include visits to ethical artisan communities?”
You can ask:
“Can you share your CSR initiatives?”
“What CSR activities are scheduled this month?”
“Are there opportunities for our guests to contribute or participate in any of these initiatives?”
Lead Time, Visa & Permits: When designing itineraries, it is essential to build in sufficient time for visa and permit applications, especially for Bhutan, Nepal, and Tibet. Below is a detailed breakdown agents could use to guide clients:
For Bhutan – Visa / Entry Permit:
For Nepal – Visa / Entry Permit:
For Tibet – Visa / Entry Permit:
For more information on obtaining visa for Bhutan, Nepal, India and Tibet, Click Here.
Trekking Permits in Nepal:
As part of booking with Dharma Adventures, we handle the entire visa and permit-application process on behalf of our clients. To ensure accuracy and avoid delays, it is very important that guests provide their correct full names, passport copies, and insurance policy details at the time of booking.
Payment policy:
Flights: Full payment for the regional and domestic flights will be required at the time of confirmation, so that we are able to issue the flight tickets.
Hotels: Some hotels may require deposits at the time of room confirmation in addition to the US$500 deposit we require. They may also require payments prior to 30 days of trip commencement; this will be communicated to you.
Cancellation Policy:
A trip cancellation fee will be levied as follows:
45 - 30 days: Deposit forfeited
29 - 16 days: 50% of trip cost
15 days or less: 100% of trip cost
Hotels: Some hotels have a stringent cancellation policy that is different to the above. If any of those hotels are part of the itinerary, a separate policy for each hotel will be given and will be applicable.
Note: Where possible, Dharma Adventures will negotiate with hotels and airlines for full or partial refunds on behalf of the cancelled clients. If we can retrieve any funds, it will be given back to the clients. There is, however, no guarantee.
Flight delays and cancellations: All domestic flights can be delayed or canceled owing to various reasons like air traffic congestion, weather, visibility etc. The flights in & out of the mountain airports are weather dependent and there have been cases where flights have been cancelled for several days. Appropriate policy is to be purchased to cover such delays and cancellations. If a flight is cancelled, where available, helicopter will be offered for an added fee. Your policy should cover the added cost for helicopter flights.
Rescue & Evacuation: The client will be required to bear all costs of rescue and/or medical services that may be incurred on his/her part irrespective of whether they are or are not insured. We strongly advise that an insurance policy covering the above details is obtained and copy of the policy to be given to us on arrival.
Changes in Itinerary: By booking with us you accept some leisure and adventure travel carries its own inherent risks and difficulties. Some of our holidays take place in remote and/or underdeveloped locations. Whilst this adds to the uniqueness of the holidays it also means that it is not always possible to anticipate every eventuality that may disrupt planned travel and/or offer alternative arrangements should things not go according to planned itinerary. In some locations alternative arrangements may simply not be available. Whilst we always endeavor to avoid itinerary alterations and cancellations, both before and after bookings have been confirmed, we must reserve this right to do so.
Travel Insurance: We highly recommend that all travelers take appropriate travel insurance in the country of residence to cover the following:
Communication With Our Team: We aim to acknowledge all queries promptly and provide quotations within 24 hours or request additional time when necessary.
For emergencies, our dedicated team can be reached at +977 9801097728, carried at all times by our Operations Manager.
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