Privacy Policy

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

Igloo Himalaya Treks ("we", "our", or "us") is an officially registered local trekking agency in Nepal (Government Reg. No. 128475/071/072). We operate in full compliance with Nepal Tourism Board regulations, Department of Immigration standards, and international data protection principles.

This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, process, safeguard, and handle your personal details, travel documentation, medical safety records, and payment information when you browse our website or book a trekking package in Nepal.

1. Information We Collect

To organize customized teahouse treks, restricted area permits, domestic mountain flights, and safety operations, we collect the following categories of information:

• Personal Identification Data: Full legal name, date of birth, nationality, gender, passport copy, and passport-size photographs.
• Contact Details: Email address, phone number, WhatsApp contact, and home address.
• Travel & Logistics Data: Arrival/departure flight schedules in Kathmandu, hotel bookings, dietary preferences, and trekking experience level.
• High-Altitude Emergency & Medical Data: Pre-existing medical conditions, emergency contact details, blood group, travel insurance policy details, and altitude evacuation coverage verification.
• Payment Details: Bank deposit receipts, transaction references, or online payment confirmation tokens (credit/debit card numbers are processed directly via secure payment gateways and are never stored on our servers).

2. How We Use Your Data

Your information is processed strictly for legitimate operational purposes required to run your expedition safely and legally in Nepal:

• Government Permits & Entry Visas: Submitting official applications for Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) cards, Sagarmatha/Annapurna/Langtang National Park permits, and Restricted Area Permits (e.g., Manaslu, Upper Mustang, Dolpo, Nar Phu).
• Domestic Flight & Hotel Bookings: Issuing domestic flight tickets (Kathmandu–Lukla, Pokhara–Jomsom, etc.) and securing teahouse lodge accommodations.
• Emergency Helicopter Evacuation: Sharing critical insurance and medical details with licensed helicopter rescue operators and hospitals in Kathmandu in the event of severe Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) or injury.
• Trip Communication: Sending pre-departure packing checklists, equipment recommendations, altitude safety briefings, and booking updates.

3. Medical Safety & Emergency Evacuation Data

Due to the inherent high-altitude environment of Himalayan trekking (reaching elevations over 5,000 meters / 16,400 feet), trekker health safety is paramount.

Health declarations and daily pulse oximeter readings taken by your Sherpa guide during the trek are kept strictly confidential within your guide and operations team. In medical emergencies requiring helicopter evacuation, relevant insurance policy numbers, rescue authorization codes, and emergency contact details are shared immediately with rescue coordinators to eliminate delays.

4. Payment Security & Encryption

All online deposit transactions made via credit card, debit card, or international wire transfer are handled through PCI-DSS Level 1 certified banking partners in Nepal (Himalayan Bank Ltd. / Nabil Bank Ltd.). Our website uses SSL 256-bit encryption for data in transit.

We do not store credit card numbers, CVVs, or bank login credentials on our servers.

5. Authorized Third-Party Service Providers

We share necessary personal data only with trusted partners directly involved in delivering your trek:

• Nepal Tourism Board & Immigration Department: For mandatory trekking permits and checkpoint registrations.
• Domestic Airlines & Transport Companies: Tara Air, Summit Air, Sita Air, Buddha Air, or private jeep operators.
• Emergency Rescue Operators: Helicopter charter services (Simrik Air, Altitude Air, Kailash Helicopter) and medical clinics (CIWEC Hospital, Era Health).

6. Media & Expedition Photography

During treks, our guides may capture photos or short video clips of trail scenery, mountain peaks, and team moments for promotional use on our official website and social media channels. If you prefer not to appear in any marketing photographs, simply inform your guide or team at the start of your trek, and we will honor your preference completely.

7. Your Rights & Data Enquiries

You have the right to request access to the personal data we hold about you, request corrections to inaccurate information, or request the deletion of your account history after your trek is completed (subject to legal government tax and permit retention requirements).