A Practice Of Social Tourism

Makalu Arun Social Trek (MAST), a government licensed nonprofit distributing trekking company established in Khandbari of eastern Nepal by a social organization entitled Sankhuwsabha Education Scholarship Foundation (SESF), is a new innovative practice in tourism business. It is unique because it is a nonprofit distributing social trekking company established to promote community constructive social trekking activities around Makalu and Arun Valley region of Eastern Nepal. A big part of the generated resources is used to support the SESF child education program and Khandbari Orphanage support Program.
MAST attractions can be divided into two types. (a) Nature and (b) Culture of Makalu and Arun Valley region of eastern Nepal. (a) The Himalayan range like Mt.Makalu (8463m) Mt.Makalu II (7678m), Mt.Kumbhakarna (7129m), Mt. Chamlang (7319m), Mt. Barunotse (7129m), Mt. Himachuli (6424m) and Mt.Mera peak (6654m) have been attracting about 1500 tourists every year. Makalu Barun National Park and Buffer Zone Area,(a paradise for naturalist) which accommodates more than 3000 species of flowering plants with hundreds of orchid varieties 48 primroses, 25 kinds of rhododendron, more than 87 kinds of valuable herbs, 19 kinds of bamboos, 440 kinds of birds, 150 kinds of butterflies, and 50 kinds of mammals including the endangered red pandas are MAST natural attractions.
(b) The charming and interesting rural countryside, art and culture of different indigenous people like Sherpa,Rai,Shingsa (Bhoteya), Gurung, Tamang etc are MAST major cultural attractions.
MAST appeals to socially conscious and budget minded travelers. MAST's clients are guests who are looking for an alternative tourism experience, willing to travel in a sustainable way, ready to observe and study the local people's ways of life and traditions and flexible enough to adapt the local standards. They seek responsible interaction with the local host families, stay in local accommodations like tea houses or home stays, consume local food like Daal Bhat, use local bathrooms. They can buy collect local products as a souvenirs. They use local manpower for guide and porters etc and create employment among local community. They visit local schools, orphanages, health institutions, monasteries, in the area and do some volunteering as they like.
Unlike other trekking companies operating in the region, MAST offer its guests local firsthand knowledge of the unique natural and cultural history of the area. MAST's guests do not merely glimpse village life as they pass through on their way to another camping site, rather they are afforded the opportunity to delve into the local peoples" way of life through home stays in rural villages, guided interpretive village walks, and various volunteer opportunities.
MAST working model is different from other commercial trekking companies. All participants are committed to our community-based tourism concept and want the local communities to be directly benefited from tourism business. MAST organizes, coordinates and facilitates the overall trekking formula from Kathmandu to the destination. Locally hired professional English guide and experienced porters dedicated to provide the best customer service and share their knowledge about the region are ready to accompany the trekkers. Along the way, local people welcome the guests and provide food and accommodations services to the trekkers. In return the guests pay for food and accommodation directly them. In this way 100% of the income generated goes directly to the local people.
MAST Provides tourism awareness, hygienic training to the local tea houses /home stay owners from time to time. The guests have their own ability to design their own trekking itinerary with the help of MAST Company Managing Director.
The End