Mystik Mountains

Mystik Mountains Adventure and Holidays is an experiential travel company that specializes in designing and organizing life-changing travel experiences for travelers worldwide who seek to explore the beautiful Himalayas of Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. Mystik creates unique experiences that enable travelers to connect with local communities, people, and places while promoting socially responsible and purposeful travel. Whether individuals are in search of adventure, leisure holidays, cultural tours, or spiritual well-being, Mystik Mountains Adventure and Holidays works closely with travelers to tailor their holidays accordingly. Mystik offers unparalleled customization to ensure travelers receive the best experiences possible, providing unique and immersive experiences beyond typical travel offerings, drawing on extensive travel experience and insider knowledge.

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Mission

Mystik's core value is to positively change the lives of mountain people and help them transform into a prosperous and happy community. Mystik is changing the way travel impacts local communities by engaging and supporting local community projects to improve Education, Health, Community tourism, Agriculture, Trail Building, and Tourism Infrastructure Development.

Sustainability Efforts

Sustainable tourism is at the core of Mystik's vision, mission, and ethos, with a commitment to responsible travel practices, supporting local communities in areas such as education, health, and employment, and contributing 10% of profits to READI Nepal to educate underprivileged children. The company's commitment to sustainable practices extends to its choice of vehicles, guides, and accommodations. Vehicles provided are clean air-conditioned tourist-level vehicles equipped with new health and safety guidelines, with an average fleet age of five years. Guides are licensed and experienced in tour and trekking activities, and fluent in languages such as English, German, Spanish, or French. Accommodations are boutique, locally owned, and sustainable, carefully selected to align with the company's values. All suppliers undergo a thorough evaluation, with direct access to owners or top management to ensure quality and sustainability standards are met.

Mystik Mountains Adventure and Holidays aims to continue its commitment to sustainable tourism through its TravelLife Engaged initiative, seeking to engage, partner, and certify sustainable practices in its operations by mid-2025.

As strong advocates, followers, and believers of sustainable and responsible tourism, 10% of the profit for each trip goes to support NGOs they endorse, which work relentlessly for the development of people and communities in Nepal. These organizations include Rural Empowerment and Development Initiative Nepal (READI Nepal) and Great Himalaya Trail Nepal Alliance (an association working for the environment, tourism trail management, and community development in the Himalaya).

Programs:

Rural Empowerment and Development initiative Nepal (READI Nepal)
Every time you travel with us we give 10% to this organization.This partially pays for the education of 82 underprivileged children.

Great Himalaya Trail Nepal Alliance
We contribute regularly to this alliance, so we can get more people employed in tourism as a trek guide.

Immediate Earthquake Relief for Rural Nepal
There are way too many disasters in Nepal, and we make sure we stay engaged, we pack our backs, roll up our sleeves and head out to the disaster area.

When individuals travel with Mystik, they are not only traveling for themselves but also supporting the sustainable development of the Nepalese community and contributing to a noble cause.

Responsible Travel Policy

Mystik Mountains operates with a mission to connect travelers with local communities, supporting socially responsible and purposeful travel. Their core value revolves around positively impacting mountain communities, and fostering prosperity and happiness. They engage in various community projects including education, health, community tourism, agriculture, trail building, and tourism infrastructure development.

As advocates of responsible sustainable business, the operator adheres to the following guidelines and policies:

Respect for the diverse cultures, religions, languages, customs, and traditions of local communities.
Employment of local staff to directly create local jobs and support the economy.
Encouragement for clients to interact with local communities to gain better understanding.
Implementation of fair employment practices and fair wages for employees.
Promotion of purchasing from local markets and social enterprises to support the local economy.
Opposition to child labor in all areas of operation.
Support for gender and indigenous people equality, giving priority to women and indigenous community members for employment and empowerment.
Advocacy for animal rights and opposition to animal cruelty, avoiding trips involving activities like elephant rides in Chitwan.
Promotion of environmentally friendly trips, conservation efforts, and using eco-friendly transportation.
Contribution back to the communities by supporting local NGOs working for development, funded partially from profits.

FAQs

Culture Shock - Be Prepared

Traveling to Nepal means encountering significant cultural contrasts, which may lead to a profound sense of culture shock. To navigate this, remain flexible, open-minded, and observant without judgment. The initial moments in Nepal can be more shocking than months in Europe, with chaotic airport scenes and unconventional traffic practices. Expect to witness bustling streets filled with colorful attire, unexpected animal encounters, and a cacophony of honking horns. Prepare mentally for these differences to enhance your travel experience and ease adaptation to unfamiliar situations. Conducting research beforehand will help manage expectations and maximize enjoyment amidst Nepal's unique cultural landscape.

Some Cultural Tips to Remember

Manners

Nepali Cultural Etiquette:

Sharing food from plates is considered rude in some areas.
Always ask for permission before taking someone's photo.
Spitting and littering are common but try to use designated bins.
Nepali people may not directly tell you if you're being rude.
Avoid stepping over others and obstructing pathways.
Give and receive items with two hands.
Avoid pointing your feet or fingers at people.
Refrain from giving gifts to local children.
Avoid purchasing antiques or items made from protected species.
Be cautious with giving to beggars and avoid giving food to children.
When shopping, ensure fair prices are paid.

Visiting Religious Sites

Do not eat, smoke, or be loud at religious sites.
There are a few rules written on walls for you in specific temples.
Pay attention to signs.
Some temples only allow Hindus to enter inside.
Walk clockwise around stupas or places of worship.
Never touch or step over offerings like red powder or rice/flowers.
When you travel to certain places of worship you may or may not be permitted to take photos or film these sacred places.
Make sure to take note if you are supposed to take your shoes off before you enter.
For the most part, just be aware of your surroundings and pay attention to what the locals are doing and any writing on the wall.

Inquire

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!

Meyer Smolen