Nepal Choose a Guide
From our independent local female trekking guides

Sonam is originally from the Tsum Valley a remote valley inhabited by people of Tibetan origin that branches off the Around Manaslu Trek. In addition to being a trekking guide, Sonam has been trained in Mountain Rescue in both Switzerland and Nepal. When not leading treks, she works as a helicopter mountain rescuer, and for a small NGO called Earth C-Air (www.earth-c-air.com). Earth C-Air helps transfer mountain rescue knowledge from Switzerland to locals in the mountainous regions of Nepal. Soman became a trekking guide because she loves nature, sighting, and hiking in the mountains. She enjoys being able to meet people from all over the world and being able to learn from about the language, culture, and lifestyle of her clients. She has led treks in Manaslu, Tsum Valley, Langtang, and Annapurna Regions of Nepal. In her leisure time she likes to read, rock climb, and hike with friends and family.

Phurwa is from the solukhumbu district of Nepal, home to the highest mountains in the world. Trekking is a family business for Phurwa, she has been working in the industry since 2012, before getting her trekking license she assisted her uncle and other relatives with their treks. After completing her trekking guide training, she has lead treks in Khumbu (Everest), Manaslu, Tsum Valley, and Annapurna Regions. Phurwa loves to visit new places and finds working as trekking guide allows her to see and experience the diverse culture of her own country as well as learning about the culture of her foreign clients. When not leading treks Phurwa is studying to complete her bachlor’s degree, she is also studying German.

• Langtang Valley (Jan 2018)
• Langtang Valley (Nov 2017)
• Langtang Valley (Dec 2018)
• Around Manaslu via Manaslu Base Camp (Oct 2018)
• Around Manaslu via Tsum Valley, via Manaslu Base Camp, and via Punggen Gompa (Sep 2018)
• Annapurna Circuit via Tilicho Lake, Bus to Tatopani and trek to Poon Hill, via Kagbeni, and via Marpha (Oct 2018)
• Around Manaslu via Tsum Valley (Sep 2019)
• Around Manaslu via Tsum Valley (Oct 2019)

Chhopema is originally from the Lantang region of Nepal. She received her trekking guide training from Nepal Mountain Academy. Chhopema has guided expensively in the mountains around her home, including treks to the Langtang Valley, along the Tamang Heritage Trail, to Gosainkunda Lake, and over the Laurebina La to Helambu. In addition to these treks she has climbed Yala Peak in Langtang Valley and also led treks in the Annapurna, and Everest regions of Nepal. When asked why she became a trekking guide, Chhopema said because “I love travelling and want to meet with different people from different places” and that she wanted to “give empowerment to women.” When not in the mountains Chhopema enjoys visiting with her friends and playing sports like basketball and table tennis, and looks forward to learning yoga.

• Langtang Valley Upper Langtang Day Hike (Dec 2023)

Nim is originally from Lukla, home of the airport that serves the Everest Region. While being a female trekking guide “is not easy work,” she said she became a trekking guide because there is a lack of female guides Nepal. Many people come from all over the world to visit Nepal including to female clients, she wanted to give them an option of hiring a female guide if they preferred. Nim has completed first aid training in addition to her trekking guide training. She has lead treks in Annapurna (Thorung La, Khopra Danda), Helambu, and Everest (Cho La, Everest Base Camp) Regions of Nepal. Nim has studied French, and when not leading treks in the mountains, she likes swimming and traveling to see new places.

Growing up in Lukla, the gateway to Mt. Everest, Pema has seen thousands of tourists pass through her home village. Watching her father work with trekkers, Pema knew that the industry offered good jobs that could support a family and allow her to meet people from all over the world. Inspired by these opportunities, Pema began working as a lead guide in 2007 and has since led treks in the Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, and Helambu Regions. During her time as a trekking guide she has enjoyed visiting many beautiful places and has gained friends from all over the world. She enjoys teaching others about her own Sherpa (and Nepali) culture while at the same time learning about her client’s culture and home country. Pema says “I have been loving my job and I will continue [as long as] I have energy.” When not trekking in the mountains, Pema enjoys studying English, visiting new places, reading, and watching travel documentaries. Pema is a self-described, “energetic, talkative, responsible, hardworking, female trekking guide.” She looks forward to sharing her country and culture with you.

• Mardi Himal (Nov 2018)
• Everest Base Camp via Cho La (Feb 2018)
• Langtang Valley via Gosainkunda (Sep 2018)
• Ghandruk Loop (Oct 2018)
• Tamang Heritage Trail (May 2018)
• Gokyo Valley Fifth Lake & Ngozumpa Tse (Mar 2019)
• Everest Base Camp (May 2019)
• Mardi Himal (Jul 2019)

Ang Chhechi grew up in the Khumbu (Everest) region of Nepal. As with many Sherpas in the Khumbu, trekking was something of a family business for Ang Chhechi. She learned about the mountains and how to guide from her father, who is also a professional trekking guide. Ang Chhechi’s interest in learning about the environment, cultures and other places made guiding a natural fit for her. In her words, “I like being a trekking guide… I want to help other people…I want to make new friends.” Ang Chhechi has been guiding since 2016 and has completed guide training course from Nepal Mountain Academy. She hopes to complete a course in rock climbing soon. She has guided trips in the Everest and Annapurna regions.

Samikshya is originally from Bardia Thakurdwara near Bardia National Park in Western Nepal. She has been currently studying BASW ( Bachelor in Social Work) in Padma Kanya Multiple Campus Kathmandu. And she would like to be known as an independent women. Being from a place so rich with wildlife it is no surprise that Samikshaya developed a strong appreciation and extensive knowledge of the birds and wildlife of Nepal. She started guiding near her home in Bardia BNP ( Bardia National Park), where she completed courses in both basic and then senior nature guiding. She has also completed the female trekking guide training course from NMA (Nepal Mountain Academy) Kathmandu. Samikshya has guided treks in Langtang, Rara Lake (Western Nepal) Helumbu , Annpurna (Poon Hill), Chitwan Hills, and Telpani Hills (West Nepal). Samikshaya says she became a trekking and nature guide in her words, “[Because] I love the nature, wildlife, birds, culture, and religion and I would like to be a great example of professional women guide in Nepal to encourage more female guides to come in this trekking field". In her free time, Samikshaya enjoys nature photography, visiting new places, exchange the cultural experiences and bird watching. She had finished her German language A1 and A2 courses from Goethe institute Kathmandu.

• Ghandruk Loop Australian Camp Out and Back and via Ghorepani (Poon Hill) (Nov 2018)

Diku is originally from Kerung village in the Solukhumbu region of Nepal. She has completed trekking guide training and has led treks and guided in Nepal since 2012. She has led treks in the Khumbu (Everest), Langtang, and Annapurna Regions. When not in the mountains she likes to relax and read the paper. Diku enjoys learning new things and meeting new people.

• Around Manaslu via Tsum Valley and via Punggen Gompa (Oct 2017)
• Annapurna Sanctuary (Nov 2019)
• Tamang Heritage Trail (Mar 2023)

An outdoor enthusiast, Dikki is a climber as well as trekker. She has summited Ramdhung (5900 m), Mera (6,461 m), and Manaslu (8163 m) Peaks. She has extensive training in mountain climbing, trekking, and first aid, completing courses in Basic and Advanced Mountaineering, Level One Rock Climbing, Mountain Leader Training, First Aid as well as Trekking Guide Training. In addition to her climbing accomplishments she has lead treks in Everest, Annapurana, Langtang, and Manaslu regions.