Porters in Nepal (sherpas, porters) - FAQ
How much does a porter cost? How much weight does it carry? How to find and choose a good porter? This article contains answers to frequently asked questions about working with Nepalese high-altitude porters. If you're planning on trekking in Nepal, be sure to read these tips, even if you don't plan to hire Sherpas just yet. After all, very often, tourists realize that they need a porter already on the trek, where they have neither the time nor the opportunity to read the FAQ.
Are Sherpas and Porters the same thing?
No, these words are not synonyms. Sherpas are a tribe living in the Himalayas (mostly in the Everest region), and porter is a profession. Of course, Sherpas have become famous as excellent porters on high-altitude routes, but not all representatives of the Sherpa ethnic group work as porters, and vice versa - not all porters come from Sherpas. However, many people use "Sherpa" precisely as a synonym for a high-altitude mountaineer porter.
Is it true that all tourists MUST hire Sherpas?
No, you don't have to. You can absolutely easily issue permits and go on trekking on your own. But keep in mind that with a porter, many bureaucratic and organizational issues on the route are resolved more easily.
How much do porter services cost?
At the moment (autumn 2017), working as a porter on a regular trekking route costs an average of $20 per day. Prices are slowly but surely growing - just six months ago the average salary of a porter was $15. However, I did not express myself entirely correctly, since not all the money goes directly to the porter - he gives part of it to intermediaries. In general, portering is hard and dangerous work. Therefore, I consider it wrong to bargain with porters and pay according to the accepted tariffs.
How many kilograms can a porter carry?
The generally accepted cargo norm for porters working with trekking groups is 20 kilograms. “Cargo” porters delivering food and building materials to shelters along the routes, as well as serving large expeditions, often wear much more. For example, a washing machine (this luxury is available in some lodges) is usually carried by 1 person. And this is about 40 kg.
But I have not 20, but only 10 kg of cargo? In this case, can I hire a Sherpa cheaper?
If you want to save money, you can hire a porter and share with other tourists. For example, take one porter for two, three, four... Each person takes off a few kilograms of cargo, thus achieving the standard load of the porter and everyone’s happiness:)
How to hire a porter?
Most often, porters are hired through intermediaries. For example, in our tours in Nepal we, the organizers, are engaged in hiring porters:) If you go to Nepal on your own, then Nepalese intermediaries will help you find a good porter. There is no need to do this remotely - fly to Nepal and resolve the issue on the spot, in Kathmandu, Pokhara (if you are going to Annapurna) or Lukla (if you are going to Everest). You don't have to go to a travel agency. The easiest way to ask for help in finding a porter is the owner of the shelter where you are staying. He, as a person with a reputation and address, will act as a kind of guarantor of the honesty and quality of the porter.
What is the difference between a good porter and a bad one?
The hiring of a porter is usually preceded by a "bride." You meet your future travel companion at the agency or at your lodge and have the opportunity to get to know each other. A good porter speaks at least some English. This can be easily checked by asking him a couple of questions (for example, about the weather in the mountains). Be sure to ask if he has a warm jacket and normal shoes - not flip-flops, but sneakers or boots. A good porter not only carries cargo, but also takes care of tourists - finds good lodges, helps in the dining room, etc. But, unfortunately, you can’t check this at the shows. A good porter does not drink on the job and does not “pump” money from clients...
How safe is all this?
Most porters are honest guys. These are simple rural guys with traditional morals and respect for customs. They don't steal, if that's what you're wondering. Sometimes women traveling alone, for greater peace of mind, hire Nepalese girls rather than boys as porters. There is even a specialized agency that helps with this. But such measures seem unnecessary to me, and it’s not a woman’s job to carry heavy things, especially at high altitudes.
Do Porters walk fast?
Yes, the average porter is many times faster than the “average” tourist. He is already acclimatized to the altitude and even with heavy luggage he can easily overtake you. Some do just that - they run ahead and wait for you somewhere at the next shelter or at a fork. In this case, it is useful to have the phone number and photo of your porter. But it's even better to ask the porter to go at your speed. The already mentioned “good porters” themselves know about this and try to go along with their tourists, despite the fact that this requires additional effort from them.
They are so small... Are they sure they can handle it?
Nepalese porters are really quite miniature guys (height 160, weight 50). But they are very strong, dry, sinewy and effective. You will be ashamed that you are so huge, eat so much, and some Nepalese boy is dragging a backpack for you and also encouraging you, saying that the rest is coming soon, just be patient. By the way, most of the porters actually begin to carry loads at school age (starting from 8 years old). But this is usually work for large expeditions, and not accompanying trekkers like you and me.
Is it necessary to tip porters? When and how much?
Yes, you must pay a tip. Usually they are presented once, at the very end of the track, before saying goodbye. According to unspoken norms, the minimum tip is equal to one daily rate (i.e. 20 bucks). But if your porter turned out to be “good”, if he was helpful and caring, then it would be logical to increase the tip at least 2 times. In addition, you can give the porter clothes or equipment you don’t need.
Do I have to pay for my porter's food and lodging?
No. It is usually assumed that all this is already included in the $20 per day that you agreed on. The owners of the shelters make money from tourists, not from their fellow countrymen. Therefore, food and housing for porters costs much less than for you. And often they are even fed for free, because they brought rich clients to the owner of the lodge (i.e. you).
Why do porters carry loads on their heads?
It's easier that way. It is much easier to attach a rope ring to an irregular load (a haystack, a barrel of water, a box of groceries) rather than backpack straps. And if you don’t need to constantly turn your head to the sides, then walking with a loaded neck is quite comfortable and ergonomic. Don't believe me? Try it yourself!
How will the porter carry my things? Does he have any suitable container?
No. Porter usually has nothing. Right on the spot, for a couple of rupees, he will buy a piece of rope “for your head,” tie it to your cargo and drag it in a given direction. Packing the cargo and protecting it from rain and dirt is entirely your responsibility.
Then what should I give him? Backpack?
You can put your things in a large and durable backpack that you don’t really mind. It is better to carry expensive, delicate and fragile backpacks yourself. The porter, of course, will not spoil the backpack on purpose, but he is also not obliged to babysit it. His job is to carry. Therefore, a good option is to buy a special trunk in Nepal (it also costs $20) and put things in it. The trunks are very durable and spacious (from 60 to 120 liters), slightly waterproof and not too heavy (2 kg per 100 liters).
What if it rains heavily?
To protect against heavy rainfall in Nepal, it is customary to use homemade raincoats made from large plastic bags. Such a bag is cut along the long side and used to cover the luggage together with the porter. The package can be purchased at most shops along the route.
Where does the porter put his personal belongings?
Are you wondering if he will stuff his dirty socks into your backpack? Most likely he won’t, since he will only have one pair of socks - on his feet. Porters generally do not tend to take extra (spare) things on the route. They have no sleeping bags, no change of shoes or clothes. The most they can afford is a small bag with a powder puff and a case with sunglasses. All this will easily fit somewhere between your load and the porter rope and will not require space inside your backpack.
Where do porters spend the night?
Porters live separately from tourists. Lodges often have special rooms for porters, or they sleep on benches in the dining room. Since porters do not have sleeping bags, shelter owners provide them with blankets.
Damn, why is everything so complicated?
Do you need help? Didn't find the answer to your question here? Write to us!
Kirill Yasko, October 17, 2017