Guided by Locals. Welcomed as Family.

Meet the Encounters Nepal Team: 25 Years of Himalayan Expertise

Planning a trip to the Himalayas is about more than just booking a flight; it’s about trusting someone to guide you through the highest landscapes on Earth. At Encounters Nepal, we believe that while the mountains are the destination, our people are the journey. We aren’t just a trekking agency—we are a family of local explorers who live and breathe these trails.

Born from the Trails: The Story of Rishi Prasad Nepal

Our founder, Rishi Prasad Nepal, didn't start his career in an office. He started it on the rugged trails of the Everest and Annapurna regions, carrying loads as a porter and eventually leading groups as a senior guide.

With over 25 years of dirt on his boots, Rishi knows exactly what it feels like to reach a high pass at dawn or navigate a tricky weather change. This "boots-on-the-ground" philosophy is baked into every trek we design. When you book with us, you’re benefiting from a quarter-century of local wisdom and a deep, personal love for Nepal’s heritage.

More Than Just Guides—Your Mountain Brothers and Sisters

The people you’ll walk beside are the heart of our mission. Our team consists of government-licensed professionals who bring more than just a map to the table:

• Local Storytellers: Our guides don’t just point at peaks; they share the legends of the Sherpa people, the secrets of hidden monasteries, and the names of the wildflowers lining your path.

• Your Safety is Personal: To us, you aren't a booking number. Every team member is rigorously trained in high-altitude first aid and emergency care because your well-being is our highest priority.

• Ethical at Heart: We believe in "Tourism for Life." This means we treat our staff with the respect they deserve—providing fair monthly salaries, full insurance, and top-tier gear. When our team is happy and secure, they can focus entirely on making your trip unforgettable.

The "Encounter" Difference

A trek with us isn't just a physical challenge; it’s a cultural bridge. Our team acts as your "translator" to the soul of Nepal. Whether it’s laughing over a cup of salt-butter tea in a remote kitchen or navigating a bustling Kathmandu market, we make sure you don't just see Nepal—you experience it.

Om Nepal: Part Guide, Part Mountain Goat, Full-Time Friend

Growing up in the lap of Ganesh Himal, Om Nepal didn’t just learn to walk; he mastered the art of the uphill sprint before most kids could tie their shoes. Now a veteran leader at EncountersNepal.com, Om has spent over a decade trekking Everest and Annapurna so often that the local yaks likely recognize his whistle.

But Om’s real "pro-skill" isn't just navigation—it’s his heart. He’s the guy who senses you’re tired before you even realize it, cracking a perfectly timed joke just as the trail gets steep to keep your spirits soaring. Whether he’s expertly handling a mountain curveball or making sure your ginger tea is exactly right, Om’s energy is the fuel that gets you to the summit. With him, you aren't just following a map; you’re sharing a laugh with a brother who happens to know every rock and ridge in the Himalayas.

Shyam is a senior, government-licensed trekking guide at Encounters Nepal with over 15 years of experience in the Himalayas. Specializing in the Everest, Annapurna, and Langtang regions, he is celebrated by trekkers for his deep knowledge of local culture, flora, and fauna.

His leadership style emphasizes safety and personalized care, often going the extra mile to ensure travelers feel like family rather than clients. Fluent in English, Shyam bridges the gap between the majestic mountain landscapes and the rich traditions of the ethnic communities along the trail. Whether navigating high-altitude passes or sharing stories over tea, his presence ensures an authentic, secure, and intellectually enriching Himalayan adventure.

Your Friend on the Trail For Gokarna, trekking isn't just a job—it’s about sharing the soul of his homeland. Known across the ENC Nepal team for his easy laugh and calm presence, Gokarna has a way of making the most daunting mountain passes feel like a walk with an old friend. He doesn't just point out the peaks; he shares the stories behind the villages and the people who call them home. When you trek with Gokarna, you aren't just a client; you’re a guest in his backyard, looked after with genuine care and a sharp eye for your safety.

Ram Sharan Timalshina is more than just a guide; he is a storyteller and a steady hand in the high Himalayas. With over a decade of experience walking the trails of Everest, Annapurna, and Langtang, Ram Sharan has a gift for turning a challenging trek into a journey among friends. Known for his infectious smile and calm encouragement, he takes the stress out of mountain logistics so you can focus on the view. Whether he is explaining a local tradition over a hot cup of tea or guiding you safely across a high-altitude pass, Ram Sharan’s expertise ensures you don’t just see Nepal—you truly feel it.

Sujan Nepal’s love for the wild began in the lap of the Himalayas, and today, that lifelong passion makes him a vital soul at EncountersNepal.com. With over a decade of trekking under his belt, Sujan has a deep, intuitive understanding of the landscape, from Annapurna to the remote trails of Manaslu. He doesn’t just guide; he shares the stories and spirit of his homeland. Known for his high energy and calm problem-solving, Sujan treats every trekker like a friend, ensuring your Himalayan journey is as joyful as it is safe. To walk with Sujan is to see the mountains through the eyes of someone who truly loves them.

If you’re looking for a true "insider," you’ll find it in Manoj Nepal. A vital soul at EncountersNepal.com, Manoj has the rare gift of feeling just as much at home in the sacred monasteries of Lhasa as he does on the wind-swept ridges of the Annapurna Circuit.

To Manoj, you aren't just a guest; you’re a fellow traveler. He doesn’t just point out the peaks; he introduces you to the people who live in their shadows, sharing the stories and traditions that make the Himalayas breathe. Whether he’s solving a "mountain puzzle" with a calm smile or sharing a laugh over a hot cup of tea in a local home, Manoj turns a standard trek into a deep, personal discovery. With his guidance, the borders between Nepal and Tibet melt away, leaving you with a journey that is safe, soulful, and full of heart.

Thakur Prasad Nepal: A Mountain Soul & Storyteller

To walk with Thakur Prasad Nepal is to see the Himalayas not just as peaks, but as a living history. A cornerstone of the EncountersNepal.com family, Thakur brings over a decade of wisdom to the trail, yet he carries it with a quiet, humble grace.

He is the kind of guide who notices the small things—the way the light hits a ridge or the moment a trekker needs a word of encouragement. Whether he’s navigating a sudden change in mountain weather or sitting with you over a steaming cup of tea to share a local legend, Thakur’s "mountain-wise" spirit makes the wildest trails feel safe and welcoming. For him, trekking isn't just about reaching a destination; it’s about the stories shared, the laughter along the way, and the genuine care he puts into every step of your journey.

Rajesh Timalsina: Your Guardian and Friend on the Trail

Rajesh Timalsina believes that a great guide leads with both his head and his heart. As a vital soul at EncountersNepal.com, Rajesh has a rare gift: he can turn a grueling high-altitude climb into a joyful, life-changing adventure.

Known for his steady, calm presence and an infectious smile that never seems to fade, Rajesh has a way of making every traveler feel confident, no matter how steep the path gets. Whether he’s expertly navigating the thin air of the Everest region or sharing stories over a hot meal in a candlelit teahouse, his kindness is as constant as the mountains themselves. With Rajesh, you aren't just hiring a navigator; you are walking with a guardian who watches every step and a friend who celebrates every milestone of your journey.

If you meet Santosh Timalshina on a dusty trail, you won’t just find a professional with a map; you’ll find a friend who knows exactly when you need a quiet breather or a well-timed joke. He has this rare, grounding energy that makes the intimidating scale of the Himalayas feel like home.

Santosh doesn’t just measure success by reaching the summit; he measures it by the shared smiles over a steaming cup of ginger tea and the way he notices a trekker’s flagging pace before they even say a word. He carries the mountains in his blood and a genuine kindness in his stride, turning a group of strangers into a team that feels like family by the time they head back down.

Walking with Mahesh Nepal feels less like following a guide and more like reconnecting with a long-lost friend who happens to know every secret of the mountains. His English are impressive, his real gift is the way he listens. He doesn’t just narrate history; he shares the heartbeat of the villages, turning a silent trail into a living story.

Mahesh has a quiet way of watching over his group—not just checking oxygen levels, but checking hearts. He’s the one who notices when you’re tired before you do, offering a steadying word or a shared laugh exactly when the air gets thin. To Mahesh, the trek isn't about conquering a peak; it’s about the quiet magic found in a shared cup of tea and the moment a traveler finally feels at peace under the vast Himalayan sky.

When you walk with Buddhi Adhikari, you aren’t just following a map; you’re walking with thirty years of soul. There is a quiet, steady kindness in his eyes that only comes from decades of watching Himalayan sunrises. He has seen the world change from the trails, yet he treats every new trekker with the same genuine warmth he had on day one.

Buddhi has a "mountain sense" that feels almost like magic—he can feel a change in the weather or a dip in your energy before a single word is spoken. He is the calm hand on your shoulder during a tough climb and the first person to crack a smile when you reach the top. To him, you aren't just a client; you’re a guest in his home. By the time you reach the end of the trail, you haven't just seen Nepal—you’ve felt its heart through a man who truly loves what he does.

Trekking with Shiva Raj Nepal is like hitting the trails with that one friend who always knows how to lift the mood. You’ll likely hear his laugh echoing off the valley walls long before you see his famous, permanent grin. For Shiva, the mountains aren't just a workplace—they’re a playground where he makes sure no one feels left behind or overwhelmed.

He has a special way of sensing when your energy is dipping, and instead of just checking your pulse, he’ll drop a perfectly timed joke that makes you forget your tired legs. He treats every trekker like family, turning the thin mountain air into a space filled with warmth and silliness. With Shiva, the journey isn't just about the miles you cover, but the belly laughs and genuine connections you find along the way.

The Mountain Watchman

For Harichandra Nepal, the Himalayas aren’t a workplace—they’re a conversation he’s been having for 15 years. While most guides can point out a peak, Harichandra can tell you the mood of the wind and the history of the stones beneath your boots.

He is the steady heartbeat of every expedition. Whether he’s navigating the thin air of Everest or the terraced hills of Annapurna, Harichandra has a rare gift for "mountain empathy"—sensing when a trekker needs a silent hand, a well-timed joke, or a quiet moment to just breathe in the view. To walk with him isn’t just to follow a trail; it’s to see the mountains through the eyes of someone who treats every summit like a homecoming.

Born and raised in the foothills of Phulkharka, Hari Adhikari isn't just a guide; he’s a true veteran of the Himalayas. With over 20 years at the heart of Encounters Nepal, Hari’s journey from a local porter to a senior lead guide is a testament to his grit and passion.

While he knows the Everest and Annapurna trails like the back of his hand, his soul belongs to the Ganesh Himal region. Travelers love him for his sharp mountain instincts and his gift for storytelling. When you trek with Hari, you aren't just following a map—you’re walking with a friend who truly knows the heartbeat of the mountains.

If you’re looking for someone who brings a burst of fresh air to the Himalayas, Mukti nath Nepal is your guy. For the past 7 years, he’s been the "spark plug" of the Encounters Nepal team—a young, high-energy guide who treats every trek like a new adventure rather than just another day at work.

Muktinath is that rare breed of leader who combines a modern, fast-paced spirit with a deep respect for the mountains. He’s usually the first one to spot a hidden viewpoint and the last one to stop smiling, even on the steepest climbs. If you want a guide who feels more like a motivated younger brother—someone who keeps your spirits high and your pace steady with boundless positivity—Muktinath is the one you want leading the way.

For Govinda  Adhikari, the mountains are a place of balance. With a solid decade of trekking under his belt, he sits perfectly between the old-school veterans and the high-energy newcomers. He’s often called the "steady hand" of the trail—the kind of guide who stays completely calm when the terrain gets tough, making the most difficult climbs feel manageable.

What sets Govinda apart is his quiet confidence. He’s a natural listener who pays attention to the small details, ensuring every trekker feels seen and supported. Whether he’s explaining the history of a remote village or sharing a laugh over dinner in a cozy teahouse, Govinda has a way of turning a standard trek into a deeply personal journey. With him, you aren’t just a tourist; you’re a guest of the Himalayas.

The Heart of the Himalayas: Ram Kumar Simkhada

For over 20 years, Ram Kumar Simkhada has been more than just a guide; he’s been a bridge between the rugged peaks of Nepal and the people who come to witness them. Growing up in the shadows of Ganesh Himal, Ram didn’t start at the top. He began his journey as a porter, carrying heavy loads and learning the mountains through pure grit before earning his stripes as a government-certified lead guide.

Today, whether he’s navigating the iconic trails of Everest or the hidden corners of Upper Mustang, Ram is known for his quiet confidence. Clients don’t just remember him for his safety protocols, but for the way he shares the soul of his culture. He has a rare gift for patience—knowing exactly when to push a tired trekker and when to stop for a story.

Soft-spoken, humble, and deeply committed to protecting the environment he calls home, Ram doesn’t just show people the Himalayas; he helps them fall in love with them.