Sandhya Maharjan is a 26-year-old full-time professional trekking guide. She is also a content creator who makes travel videos. A sociology graduate student at Ratna Rajya Campus, she completed her undergraduate study in Travel and Tourism at Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM) College.

Her love for travel began in childhood. Living in Thamel, she was fascinated by the tourists and their hippy style. Her interest also stemmed from her hometown, Manamaiju, Tarakeshowr, where she often walked 45 minutes to visit her grandparents. Those short hikes became her escape from daily chaos, deepening her connection with nature. She says, “From those childhood experiences, I felt a bond with nature whenever I went out.”

Her love for travel ignited during a 2016 high school tour to Pokhara while studying Hotel Management. It was her first time travelling outside Kathmandu Valley, making it a memorable experience. With strict parents who didn't take her field of study seriously, she had limited travel experience. Maharjan recalls, "At the start of my career, earning good money was tough. But after a few years, I got promoted, started earning well, and supported my family financially. This helped convince my parents and gain their trust in my profession."

During her Bachelor's studies, her college, in collaboration with Nepal Mountain Academy, began offering trekking guide licenses to interested students. She applied, completed the 5-week training and exam, and received her license in 2019. Shortly after, a friend started a travel agency and offered her a job as an Assistant Guide, marking the beginning of her trekking guide journey.

She almost changed her career path during Covid-19. With travel halted and the need to support her family, she worked at NIC Bank for three months, then moved to a job in the share market after her contract ended.

She works as a freelance guide and has collaborated with companies like Duluwa Outdoors and Himalayan Sherpa Adventure. She adds, "I also have personal clients I connect with through social media."

Maharjan's most memorable trek was the Three High Passes in the Everest region, where she crossed Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La. She felt like she was in a different world, with beautiful weather enhancing the experience. As the guide for six foreign tourists, along with two porters, she recalls, "Tour companies usually don't send six tourists with one guide—they send an assistant guide, too. But I took six clients I met through Facebook." She successfully guided her group despite encountering many travellers who doubted they could complete the challenging trek.

She notes, "The trend of hiring female guides is increasing, but it depends on individual preferences." She adds that female travellers and couples primarily hire her.

She began her guiding career with national tourists, taking Prime College students on a trek to Poon Hill. Her first private group was also Nepalese. Her experience as a guide for international tourists started in January 2023, and now most of her clients are foreigners.

The hardest trek she has ever done was a recent one to Yala Peak, standing at 5,500 meters. She travelled there with a friend in June for eight days but found the trek challenging due to inadequate preparations. They underestimated the food needed, and she also faced health issues, making the journey both mentally and physically tough. However, a memorable trip left a big impression on her.

“I’ve visited Langtang 6-7 times but only up to the last village. Reaching Yala Peak felt like stepping onto a different planet. The wildflowers and diverse landscapes were mesmerising, and I regretted not visiting earlier,” she says. The climb to the peak was dangerous, especially without ropes. Despite debating whether to proceed, they reached the narrow summit, but there wasn't enough space to stand, so they left after a few minutes. She believes promoting Yala Peak, especially for camping, could benefit locals and travellers.

Various communities of female guides offer networking, support, and exposure. “I know about 30-35 active female guides,” she says. While the government lacks specific programs or policies for female guides, these communities provide support and create opportunities.

She says, “I haven’t seen any gender pay gap in this sector. The payment depends upon the guide's skill and experience.”

Discussing the challenges as a female guide, she recounted how, during her trek to the Three Passes, many male travellers questioned her abilities and advised her against continuing, saying, “Even if I couldn’t go there, how will you be able to go there?” She stopped engaging with those who were discouraging and found only a few positive guides who encouraged her. She also felt like an outsider as the only female guide in hotels filled with male guides.

Her experience as a trekking guide has been enjoyable. However, she recalls a challenging moment during a trek to Mardi when she forgot the route on the first day, and it was already dark. She received negative feedback and felt nervous about the mistake.

She says, “Last November, I visited Cho Rolpa, which I find very underrated and affordable. The culture is beautiful, and the people are kind and welcoming. Despite having lodges and hotels, it remains uncommercialised for cultural reasons, as locals are not keen on doing business. I believe people should visit Cho Rolpa because it is stunning.

She notes that safety and inadequate information records for tourists are a big concern. Additionally, she has observed biases between international and domestic tourists from business owners and locals. She believes local governments and stakeholders should address these issues to make travel safer and easier. She also mentioned that road construction has affected some trekking trails and suggested that development should be managed to avoid disrupting these routes.

She shared that she has always enjoyed making travel videos but initially needed more confidence due to her old phone and dislike of her voice in the videos. Encouraged by a sister from Duluwa Outdoors, she began posting her content, which was well-received. She now creates informational videos about itineraries and hotels. Recently, she made a popular video about Lauki Jharana.

She says that side hustles are crucial for sustaining a career in this field, as it's a seasonal job with work typically available only for about six months a year (Spring: March, April, May, and Autumn: September, October, November). She mentions that even well-known companies often underpay guides, and she prefers working as a freelance guide. She adds, “I’ve attended many job interviews, but when I hear the salary offered, I decline.”

Talking about her plans, she says, “I want to apply for a job in Civil Aviation. I plan to work as a trekking guide for about 6-7 years and maybe transition to being a tour guide. I’ll continue travelling and trekking and creating travel content.” She added that she is considering obtaining a tour guide license. Although it requires a Bachelor's degree and three months of training, she hopes to manage her time and get the license soon.

She also aims to explore Upper Dolpa, Dhorpatan, Api Base Camp, and Panch Pokhari. She says, “First, I want to explore Nepal and then travel abroad for exposure and experience.” Solo travel is on her bucket list, but she hasn’t yet mustered the courage to do it.

Currently, Nepali tourism is shifting towards eco-tourism. For example, a trekking agency, Lama Walks Trekking and Expedition, based in Kathmandu, provides its clients with reusable bottles and does not allow plastic bottles. Tourism companies increasingly focus on minimising travel waste and protecting the natural environment.

She recalls a time while trekking the Three Passes when she spotted a Lophohorus, which fascinated her with its beauty. She added, “I also want to see a Red Panda in the future.” After returning from the Three Passes trek, she fell ill and had to rest for two weeks after being drenched in rain for a whole day. The 20-day trek was the longest she had ever undertaken.

She added, “To build strength, I exercise at home and go on hikes 2-3 times a month. I’ve always been sporty, playing volleyball, basketball, futsal, and wall and rock climbing. Nepal Mountain Academy and Pasang Lhamu Foundation offer various training for trekking guides, and I take these whenever I’m free to enhance my skills. There are also specific training for female guides.”

She noted that stretching before and after a trek is beneficial, even if one doesn't work out regularly. Overall, Maharjan is living her dream job with a flexible schedule. She says, “I take breaks between treks, but sometimes I start a new trek immediately, depending on the situation.”

She recommends that individuals pursuing a career in this field have a diverse skill set, be mentally and physically ready, and possess a strong passion for the work.