July 25, 2025

In a world full of travel companies making sustainability claims, how can you tell who’s really walking the talk? For us at Von Kathmandu, the answer lies in accountability—and certification. That’s why we’re proud to be working toward Travelife Certification, one of the world’s most respected standards in responsible tourism.

What Is Travelife Certification?

Travelife is a globally recognized system that helps tour operators like us integrate environmental, social, and economic sustainability into every part of our business.

It’s not just a badge—it’s a rigorous process based on international standards and real-world results.

Why It Matters to You (The Traveler)

Travelife ensures that your trip:

  • Supports local communities fairly
  • Minimizes negative environmental impact
  • Promotes authentic culture
  • Upholds employee rights and working conditions
  • Protects wildlife and natural heritage

What We’ve Already Done

We’re proud to have already built a strong foundation for ethical travel:

  • 100% Nepali guiding staff
  • Porter care: gear, insurance, fair wages
  • Plastic-free treks (we banned single-use bottles years ago)
  • Locally sourced food and family-run accommodations
  • Carbon-light transportation when possible
  • Culturally immersive experiences like homestays, not just sightseeing

What We’re Working On

The certification asks us to formalize and document everything we do—making our systems stronger, scalable, and even more transparent.

We are:

  • Measuring our carbon footprint
  • Developing sustainability policies
  • Conducting community impact assessments
  • Implementing supply chain ethics
  • Auditing guest feedback for social/environmental learning

Why It’s Not Just About Us

When we become Travelife Certified, it sets a new standard for the region. It pushes the industry forward. It invites travelers to demand better from everyone.

As travelers become more conscious, certifications like Travelife empower people to choose operators who align with their values—not just their bucket lists.

Final Word

Choosing a Travelife-certified company means choosing impact over image. It’s a small decision that creates big change—for mountains, for people, for future generations.

At Von Kathmandu, we’re not just guiding treks. We’re guiding a movement toward more conscious travel.