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Four women sitting together on a summit at sunrise in down jackets and woollen hats, a long line of snow peaks and a sea of cloud behind them.

Trek Nepal with women who grew up in these mountains

Small groups, everything included. We plan the trip with you on a call.

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The 8Mountains Feel

Travel through people, not just places

We are a group of young Nepali women who guide in the mountains we grew up in. We take you along the trails we know, and into the villages we work in.

Every trek we run creates more guiding work for women here, and supports the rest of what we do — health camps, cleanups with the schools, warm clothes before winter.

A briefing in the 8Mountains office: a guide in a yellow jacket standing and talking to a group of travellers seated around a low table, with the 8Mountains sign, a board of trek photographs and plants behind her.

People

The women you would be walking with

Meet the team
Shambhavi Chapagain, Founder • Senior Trek Leader

Founder • Senior Trek Leader

Shambhavi Chapagain

Years guiding
6
From
Pokhara
Favourite trek
Manaslu Circuit
Languages
English, German, Nepali, Hindi

I was born in Kathmandu and I live in Pokhara now.

Manaslu is the trek I most enjoy guiding.

Every moment out there is special — I would not pick one over another. And the thing I wish every visitor knew about Nepal is the food.

Certifications

  • First Aid Training
  • Wilderness Survival Skills
  • Language Proficiency Certification
  • Climbing Certifications
  • Photography
Pema Sherpa, Core Team • Senior Trek Leader

Core Team • Senior Trek Leader

Pema Sherpa

Years guiding
3
From
Simaltar, Boudha, Kathmandu
Favourite trek
No single favourite
Languages
English, Nepali, Hindi

I was born and raised in the Everest region of Nepal, surrounded by the rich culture of the Sherpa community and the beauty of the Himalaya. Trekking and mountain life were a natural part of my everyday life.

My family has a background in trekking and mountaineering, so I was inspired from an early age to follow the same path. Watching them work in the mountains sparked my passion, and I always dreamed of becoming a trekking guide.

I enjoy guiding all treks, because each one has its own beauty and character. Every trail offers different landscapes, cultures and experiences, which makes every journey special.

One of my most memorable experiences was helping a client reach their destination after they had almost given up because of exhaustion and self-doubt. I encouraged them to take it one step at a time and reminded them that the journey was just as important as the destination. Seeing their smile at the viewpoint was incredibly rewarding. Guiding is about supporting people through challenges, not just showing the way.

I hope visitors understand the importance of respecting local customs and the natural environment. Travelling responsibly and with an open mind makes for a more meaningful experience, and it helps preserve Nepal for future generations.

Certifications

  • First Aid Training
  • Climbing Certifications
  • Photography
  • Mountain Rescue Training
  • Map Reading and Navigation Training
Pratiksha Khanal, Core Team • Senior Trek Leader

Core Team • Senior Trek Leader

Pratiksha Khanal

Years guiding
7
From
Pokhara
Favourite trek
Manaslu Circuit
Languages
English, Nepali, Hindi

I am the eldest of three siblings, raised by a resilient single mother in a lower-middle-class family. Growing up with financial struggles taught me from a young age to be responsible, strong, and deeply curious about the world around me.

My love for the outdoors began during a hike to my home village as a child. That was the first time I truly felt connected to the natural world. From that moment on, nature became my healer, my teacher, and my greatest source of comfort.

My path to becoming a guide opened up when I learned about a training programme run by an organisation called Right4Children. I was working in marketing and promotions at the time, but my friend and I were so excited by the prospect of working outdoors that we joined immediately. During that course everything fell into place — I found my true calling. Guiding let me merge my passion for nature with the ability to support my family.

If I have to choose a trek it is the Manaslu Circuit, for its raw trail and its culture, the amazing views and some challenges. It gives me life.

Nepal has so much value, culture and nature. I really want to promote it as the land of love, life and emotional intelligence — a place where people can heal and learn about life.

Certifications

  • First Aid Training
  • Wilderness Survival Skills
  • Climbing Certifications
  • Yoga Teacher Training
  • Photography
Ashmita Thapa, Core Team • Senior Trek Leader

Core Team • Senior Trek Leader

Ashmita Thapa

Years guiding
2
From
Balaju, Kathmandu
Favourite trek
Manaslu Circuit
Languages
English, Nepali, Hindi

I am a travel content writer turned professional trekking guide. My degree is in Food Science and Technology, but my passion has always been adventurous and outdoorsy.

Born and raised in Kathmandu, I often wondered what mountains were really like beyond the skylines of Chandragiri or Nagarkot. That curiosity eventually took me onto the trails. I wanted to experience them, meet the people in remote villages, and understand the stories I had always been intrigued by. What started as a personal journey became a passion, and finally a career.

Manaslu Circuit is my favourite to guide. Every day brings something new, from riverside trails and traditional villages to wide alpine valleys, and I love the genuine hospitality of the people there.

One of my most memorable experiences was when a guest developed serious symptoms of AMS. It reminded me how important it is to stay calm, make careful decisions and put safety first. We followed the procedures, descended, and made sure she got the care she needed. She recovered well. Reaching the destination is never as important as bringing everyone back safely.

I wish every visitor knew that Nepal is more than the Himalaya. Every region has its own story, and taking time to explore beyond the peaks gives you a much deeper connection to the country.

Certifications

  • First Aid Training
  • Sustainability Certified by Travel Life

Explore Our Treks

All our treks

Where our journeys give back

It started with a health camp

In August 2024 we ran a free health camp at Darbar Primary School in Gorkha. Two doctors and two dentists came with us. The children got checkups, dental care and treatment, and we left the equipment and supplies at the school.

It was the first thing we had done that had nothing to do with selling a trek.

A health worker in a white coat with a tika on her forehead, being hugged by three schoolgirls in blue uniforms with red ribbons at an outdoor camp, trees and waiting families behind.
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A boy on a village path holding up three 8Mountains bags filled with collected plastic, stone houses and terraced fields behind him.
Green and red woven bamboo baskets tied to a wooden post beside a village path, sacks and a corrugated wall behind.

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A while later one of our volunteers was travelling through Myagdi and found Ruma. It is a Magar village at 1,925 metres, with terraced fields and Dhaulagiri behind it. She came back and told us about the plastic around the school and along the paths.

So we went. We ran a cleanup with the schoolchildren. The bags we brought up from Pokhara were full long before the children had finished, and the village lent us sacks.

The whole school assembled in front of a long stone schoolhouse for a group photograph, many of the children with their hands in the air.

Since then the village has woven more than 200 bamboo baskets for sorting waste. There have been health visits, and warm clothes before winter. And there is now the Ruma Smart Community Library, with a computer, a projector and a printer.

We go back to Ruma more than anywhere else. We work with other schools, health posts and villages too, and with women who want to train as guides.

We would rather keep returning to a few places than start something new every year.

Volunteer

Stay a little longer

Help with English classes, share a skill at the community library, join a cleanup, or support the health programmes if you are medically trained. Tell us what you can do and we will find the place it is needed most.

English support
Help children practise conversational English through reading, games and creative activities.
Medical volunteering
Qualified medical volunteers can support health checkups, outreach programmes and local health workers.
Community library
Share practical skills such as public speaking, digital learning, art, first aid or sustainability.
Environmental projects
Join local schools and villagers for cleanups, waste separation and other hands-on activities.
Franka, a volunteer in Ruma, wearing a garland and tika and holding up a framed certificate with both arms.Two small children from Ruma standing together in front of a painted village wall.

What people say

Reviews we did not write

Natálie and her group with their guide on the trail, snow ridges rising across the valley behind them.A close group photograph in the snow, the guide in sunglasses in the foreground and three travellers behind.
5 out of 5

Amazing female owned company! We were deciding between multiple companies but were certain straight after entering 8mountains! The staff is very friendly and helpful, everyone speaks perfect English and Vivi explained everything that we wanted to know straight away. Our lovely guide Sharmila was perfect match to our group and we had a wonderful time together. She s very sweet and kind but also super reliable and she always made sure we are okay and happy. We did Manaslu circuit and even though it had its challenges, we enjoyed it so much and had fun along the way. I m super grateful we got to do it together and highly recommend doing your next trek with 8mountains, not just to have a great trekking experience, but also to support a company of young people that are empowering women, supporting local communities and also making a difference!

Natálie Nováková · Manaslu Circuit · 3 months ago
A snow summit standing clear above dark forested ridges.A long Himalayan skyline at first light, seen across a valley of low cloud.
5 out of 5

Incredible! Friendly and kind guides, and the team at the office made everything so easy from start to finish. Also so nice to see the company supporting local initiatives and women's empowerment. I'll be sure coming back for all my future treks!!!!

Lia Parry · a month ago
The stone houses and prayer flags of a Nar Phu village stacked against the hillside.A trekker beside the Kang La Pass marker at 5,320 m, snow and cloud behind.
5 out of 5

I had a great experience trekking the Nar Phu Valley with 8mountains. I joined a small group of four other travelers, which made the trek feel personal and well organized. Our guide, Pema Sherpa, was friendly, knowledgeable, and always made sure everyone was comfortable and safe throughout the journey. The communication before the trek was clear, and everything was arranged smoothly. The itinerary was well planned, and the remote landscapes of Nar Phu Valley were absolutely incredible. I would definitely recommend 8mountains to anyone looking for a professional and reliable trekking company in Nepal. Thank you to Pema and the whole team for a memorable experience!

Chiel Hogenboom · Nar Phu Valley · 3 weeks ago
The whole trekking group lined up together at golden hour on the Dura Lekh.Two of the group sitting on the grass at their camp, cooking gear between them.
5 out of 5

I cannot recommend 8 Mountains enough. I did the Dura Lekh trek with Samy and Sulav as my guides, and it was one of the coolest things I did in a full year of travel. I went on a whim, and am so glad that I decided to go. It was well-planned with transportation out to a very remote part of Nepal all arranged, amazing food provided, and even porters to carry our gear. The trek itself was absolutely breathtaking with views of Dhaulagiri mountain and 360 degree mountain views. We camped in a beautiful place and hiked up to the Durs Lekh peak for both sunset and sunrise - spectacular. The trip was amazing, and especially because of the leadership and people who were a part of it. I will never forget the experience and the friends I made!! Thank you Samy and Sulav

Zea Segnitz · Dura Lekh · a day ago

Reviews from Google, reproduced in full and unedited.See them on Google.

  • Registered with the Nepal Tourism Board

    A licensed operator on the government register, not an informal arrangement.

  • Government-licensed guides

    Every guide holds a national trekking licence and is trained in mountain first aid.

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