Many people believe that Nepal’s main industry is trekking, mountaineering and tourism. But in reality, agriculture is still the backbone of Nepal’s economy with about 70 percent of the population dependent on farming, where most of the work is done by traditional methods. Since toiling in the fields is hard and industrial employment opportunities scarce, a significant number of young people travel abroad in search of education or work. According to the latest statistics, currently more than two million Nepalese live outside the country.
Pema Tamang is a case in point. Pema grew up in Lumsa village in the remote district of Solukhumbu. She attended a local school till grade seven until the Maoist struggle made it hard to continue. To ensure she could finish her education, her elder brother brought her to Kathmandu. Due to political uncertainty, instability and poor prospects for the trekking business at the time, Pema decided to seek employment as a domestic worker in Cyprus. However, challenges she faced there were even larger than those back home. Her monthly salary was only a little over 300 euros and she was frequently forced to work overtime. After seven years, in the middle of the Covid pandemic, Pema returned to Kathmandu.
Back home, she joined her brother’s family trekking company, undeterred by many challenges women face in this male-dominated business. Born and raised in the mountains, Pema was confident she could handle the guiding job. During the two years since starting as a trekking guide, she has successfully completed challenging treks such as the Everest Three High Passes, and bagged two mountains above 6,000 meters namely Island Peak (6,165 meters) and Mera Peak (6,476 meters). She has also recently completed a 20-day self-supported journey of the Western Great Himalaya Trail (GHT), which is one fifth (1/5) part of the giant trek of 120 days. GHT is one of the longest treks in the world and also hardest as it goes through several high passes above 5,500 meters. When free from guiding, she wants to complete this great adventure bit by bit in coming years.
Our guests are impressed by her passion. As one of the first trainees coached in Minimal Impact Travel (MIT) by Kathmandu Environmental Education Project Nepal (KEEP), she is determined to promote trekking and climbing with minimal impact on the environment. Whether on or off the trail, she focuses on raising environmental awareness and enhancing sustainability.
