Work Experience: I worked at Sagarmatha
Trekking based in Kathmandu from March 1990 to June 1999
as a manager. We organized trekking, river rafting, jungle
safari, mountain biking, and cultural tours in Nepal, India,
and Tibet. Most of our clients were from the United States.
Our clientele included individual and group travelers, expatriate
communities, and international schools. I was privileged
to personally lead 35 undergrad students (who were majoring
in Asian studies), their professors, and school officials
from University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington.
Prior trips have included tours to:
Nepal- various sites throughout Kathmandu
Valley and the Himalayas. (details)
India- New Delhi, Agra (site of the Taj Mahal),
Sarnath and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh; Jaipur, Rajasthan;
Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh; Bangalore, Maharasthra.
Tibet- Lhasa
Education: B.A. Business Management from
Trivuvan University, Nepal; B.A. Enironmental Economics
from University of California, Santa Cruz. Ayurvedic Lifestyle Counselor from Mount Madonna Institute, Watsonville, California.
I grew up in the Nepalese Himalayas. Nepal has an exceptionally rich culture and diverse topography. Having grown up in a land of such a beauty, surrounded by nature, I have become very aware of life and the delicate balance in which we live. My upbringing and environment helped me realize the critical balance between nature and human activity. Over time, I have witnessed Nepal’s changing eco-system and allocation of resources due to population growth. Beauty and natural resources are finite, even more so when care and sensitivity is not taken in our actions and life choices.
In my twenties, I decided to move to Santa Cruz, California and
explore a new life and environment. My love for excitement and
my growing thirst for challenges to aid personal growth brought
me to a new place to call home. Living in Santa Cruz for eight
years now, I have a strong desire to bridge my past, present,
and future by connecting the east to the west, the land of my
birth and my new home. I feel I have received so much by coming
to this country and want to give back to people by sharing where
I am from. An integral part of my vision involves providing ecological,
sustainable tourism as a means to positively affect the development
of Nepal and India. Additionally, I strive to establish a more
personal, intimate connection in travel between each individual
and their home land in relationship to the people and environment
of their destination.
Tourism is the number one source of foreign income in Nepal. Nepal's economy heavily relies upon tourism. Healthy and sustainable tourism is a major force in improving Nepal's poor economy. With such rich culture and endless beauty to offer to the world, from Buddhism to the unsurpassed heights of Mount Everest, constant efforts must be taken to preserve Nepal from the potential harms of globalization. The natural beauty and Nepalese culture must be conserved so that it can be sustained for the future. Over the years, tourism has taken its toll on the environment. We can reduce that impact by conducting mindful, environmental tourism. My philosophy is to make a minimal impact on the trails, mountains, rivers, and wherever we may set foot and to strengthen Nepal’s economy with sustainable eco-tourism.
It may be hard for some people to imagine, but the vast majority of people in Nepal don't have access to roads, healthcare, proper sanitation, or schools. Yet, when you talk to Nepalese people or walk by their villages, you can witness the most beautiful smiles on their faces. These people seem content with a simple life, a life that can feel far removed from the reality of living in the United States. My trips are designed not only to be pleasurable; they can also provide a greater depth and understanding of local people, their customs, and way of life. Trips are custom-tailored to meet the varied interests and needs of different people. Being a local and a native speaker of Nepalese and Hindi, I am able to share cultural, spiritual, and environmental aspects of Nepal and India that otherwise may only be experienced by locals.
While living in Nepal, I worked in the tourism industry for eight years before moving to the United States. I was a manager of a successful trekking/tour company based in Kathmandu. My responsibilities were to coordinate and lead cultural tours, trekking, river rafting, and jungle safari in Nepal and India. We had a wide range of clientele, most of which came from Europe and the United States. Some of my old clients became my friends and have invited me to share their home and experiences with them. In this way, I feel like a cultural ambassador, sharing my native culture and beauty and in turn opening myself to learn from and share with all of the people in my travels.
My focus then and now are personalized trips. I make myself available to my clients the entire time we are traveling together. Since I organize and lead every trip, communication and services are personal and direct; there are no people acting as middle agents. Therefore, my trips are relatively cheaper than other organized tours. With me, you will also be able to enjoy places where tourists usually don’t set foot. One of the highlights of my trip could be a night out to my mom's house for a gourmet, traditional Nepalese dinner; she’s a fabulous cook!
My friends and colleagues describe me as being calm, effective, and passionate. I see myself as a visionary and skillful leader using knowledge and excitement to create positive global change. I welcome you to contact me to share your visions, desires, and ideas for travel.
.JPG)
