Porter Welfare on Huma Charity Challenges

Behind every Charity Challenge is a team who make the journey possible

At Huma Charity Challenge, we believe every fundraising adventure must be built on respect, care and dignity for all involved. Many of our Charity Challenges rely on the strength and skill of local porters who carry equipment and supplies to support participants on remote treks. Their welfare is our responsibility. Our pioneering Porter Policy ensures safe and fair working conditions across all Charity Challenges where porters are employed, including Nepal, Peru, Papua New Guinea, Kenya and Tanzania.

When you partner with Huma, you can be confident that every porter on your Charity Challenge is treated with the same care as your supporters. Below are some of the ways we protect and support our porter teams around the world.

NEPAL

In Nepal, porters on our Charity Challenges receive:

  • Wages regulated by the Trekking Agents Association of Nepal and the Labour Union of Nepal, paid in full and on time.
  • Life insurance and income protection insurance.
  • Access to the same first aid care and emergency helicopter evacuation as participants.
  • Protective clothing including waterproof jackets, over-trousers, woolen socks, leather and canvas footwear, gloves, warm caps and sunglasses.
  • Strict weight limits, with no porter carrying more than 30 kilograms.
  • Age restrictions, with only porters aged between 16 and 50 employed.
  • Three nutritious meals daily, prepared by our cooks, along with appropriate tents, sleeping mats and blankets provided on trek.

PERU

In Peru, porters on our Charity Challenges receive:

  • Full medical access equal to that of participants, including coverage for porters and their families.
  • Three daily meals based on menus selected by the porters, along with gas stoves for safe cooking.
  • Access to interest-free long-term loans for personal and family needs.
  • Basic life and accident insurance.
  • Transport to and from the trek provided, including private buses and trains.
  • Comprehensive gear including sleeping tents, mats, sleeping bags (on request), footwear, warm jackets and rain gear.
  • Annual consultation meetings where porters can raise ideas, feedback and requests for further improvements.

We are proud to be among the top five trekking companies in Peru (of nearly 200 operators) paying the highest wages to porters.

TANZANIA AND KENYA

In Tanzania and Kenya, porters on our Charity Challenges receive:

  • Wages above the Kilimanjaro Porter Assistant Project (KPAP) recommended minimum.
  • Two main meals per day plus additional snacks or tea, monitored to ensure every porter is adequately fed and hydrated.
  • Strict weight limits, with no porter carrying more than 20 kilograms.
  • Minimum age of 18, with ongoing health checks to ensure ability to work safely at altitude.
  • Access to the same medical care and evacuation systems as participants.
  • Quality gear including sleeping bags, mats, waterproof jackets, warm hats and walking boots.

We are proud to be actively shifting local perceptions by employing female crew members, including female guides, cooks and around 40 female porters on Mount Kilimanjaro. Since 2012, we have also funded annual scholarships through the Kilimanjaro Guide Scholarship Foundation to train local guides in tourism, wildlife, and leadership skills.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

In Papua New Guinea, porters on our Charity Challenges receive:

  • Wages paid above the national minimum wage.
  • All travel costs covered, including return flights or alternative transport to home villages depending on personal preference.
  • Full support for food, uniform, first aid kits and campsite fees during the trek.


We believe the welfare of every porter and crew member is the responsibility of the company organising the Charity Challenge. We encourage all trekking operators to adopt these high standards of care.

Huma Charity Challenge proudly supports the International Porter Protection Group and the International Mountain Explorers Connection, organisations working globally to protect the wellbeing of porters and their families.