Hira Dhamala

Hira Dhamala has been Managing Director of Karnali Excursions since the company was established in 1997. Prior to this, Hira and several friends started working together to lead treks, and this group of friends formed the basis of what is now Karnali Excursions.

Hira was born in the Himalayan village of Khanigaun, in the Langtang region, and to this day maintains a deep connection with the Himalaya Mountains. When he was twelve years old his family relocated to the jungle area of Chitwan, and the mountains became a distant memory, and no longer a daily presence in his life. When he decided on a career in tourism, Hira was drawn back to the mountains of his early childhood, and he began his intensive explorations of Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan.

Hira has led treks for over seventeen years now, and even when he is not personally guiding guests on Himalayan adventures, he often explores the outer reaches of the Himalayas to learn more about bird watching and Himalayan nature photography. Having successfully lead more than 2,000 people to the Mount Kailash Pilgrimage, has earned the great admiration and affection of these many pilgrims. Hira has led uncountable groups to Everest, Manaslu, Annapurna, Gasaburam and K2. Amongst his many clients are groups belonging to veteran mountaineer associations and the Royal Geographical Society.

When leading treks, Hira can always be counted on to relay the traditional stories of the region. Often he will quote from the ancient books of the Hindu and Buddhist traditions that relate to the areas being explored. He loves to tell the old stories of the mountains, especially those based on these ancient books.

Hira also contributes his time, efforts and financial support for social work in Nepal. In 2004 he helped build the Ratna Nagar Community Library in Chitwan where students, local farmers and the business community of Chitwan have access to over 10,000 books. He also focuses much of his free time promoting education for the handicapped and disadvantaged rural youth.

When he is not personally leading treks, Hira welcomes each guest and attends to all the details of their, ‘Journey of a Lifetime’. Over the years he has gathered a uniquely kind, capable and experienced staff who work in close co-operation, handling every aspect of the treks and tours organized by Karnali Excursions.

Tanka Duwadi

Tanka Duwadi has been with Karnali Excursions as tour manager for the past eight years. He wasTanka Dawadi born in Tandi, Chitwan, very close to the Chitwan National Park in southern Nepal. Since childhood, Tanka has found himself drawn to the social and cultural aspects of life, wanting to work with the people of Nepal helping to keep their culture alive.

After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree and teaching for five years in Chitwan, Tanka moved to Kathmandu, abandoning his plans to continue with his further studies in education. With a desire to somehow share his knowledge of the people and cultures of Nepal with the international community, Tanka joined Karnali Excursions in 2000. He joined the Tourist Guide Training, organized by Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (Government of Nepal, Ministry of Tourism), and later studied Managerial Training to sharpen his knowledge of the hospitality business. As a tourist guide, he has developed an incredible knowledge of Nepali and Tibetan history, culture, tradition, nature and religion. Because of his deep respect for all cultures and religions of Nepal he is a very patient and polite person, which has helped him lead many successful tours in Nepal and Tibet.

Ramesh Chaudhary

Ramesh Chaudhary works for Karnali Excursions as a sales and marketing executive and senior trek team leader. He was born in Sauraha, the heart of Chitwan National Park. His childhood passion to become a naturalist inspired him to study forestry, birds, mammals, mountains and other various aspects of nature.

After completing his study, he worked as a prominent naturalist in Chitwan National Park. His informative and pleasant personality of guiding brought evolution in guiding profession in Chitwan National Park. He established Bird Education Society (BES), a non profitable organization dedicated to protect birds and their habitats through public awareness, in Sauraha.

Ramesh moved to Kathmandu and joined Karnali Excursions in 2006. He received Trekking Guide Training, jointly organized by Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (Government of Nepal, Ministry of Tourism) and Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN). He also took an Advance Wilderness Medical Course, organized by Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP). He also studied anthropology and history to broaden his guiding horizon. As a senior trek team leader, he has developed incredible knowledge on Himalayan biodiversity, culture, religion and tradition. He has led successful treks to Holy Mount Kailash, Everest Base Camp, Round Manaslu, Annapurna Circuit and Langtang Valley.

Rajendra Dhamala

Rajendra Dhamala joined Karnali Excursions in 2014 as our tour manager and senior trek leader. He was born in Jyamrung, a beautiful mountain village in Dhanding district, west of Kathmandu. He now lives with his family here in Kathmandu.

After completing his college studies in English literature, as well taking trekking guide training here in Kathmandu, Rajendra began working as a senior trek leader, and continued learning more about trekking with further training from Eco Trekking Workshop and Food Preparation and Control Training. He has spent time in the USA, where he also took a Safe Certification Training organized by the National Restaurant Association at Four Point Sheraton, Hyannis Resort, MA.

Rajendra’s passion for exploring the beauty of Nepal, as well as its culture, nature and wildlife is what brought him back to Nepal, where he continues to lead successful treks, birdwatching holidays, nature tours, cultural excursions and pilgrimage journeys in the Himalayas.

Bishnu Dhamala

Bishnu Dhamala was born in 1977. His home village is Nuwakot at the base of the Langtang Himalayan Range. Growing up in the mountains, Bishnu’s personality displays all the hospitality, kindness and strength of the Nepali mountain people.

Bishnu has many years of experience leading groups to the Everest Base Camp, the Annapurna Circuit, Mustang, K2 North Advanced Camp, and Mount Kailash – Lake Manasarovar in Tibet. Guiding more than 30 groups on the Kailash Pilgrimage, he has well earned his reputation as one of the most kind, friendly and experienced guides in the region. Bishnu’s naturally hospitable nature has justly earned him fame amongst the many guides in the Himalayas.

Often accompany Hira Dhamala, the Owner of Karnali Excursions, as a co-expedition leader, he is much loved and respected for his steady service to clients and attending to their needs.

Kiran Sapkota

Kiran Sapkota joined Karnali Excursions in 2014, and ever the since he has been working as a trek team leader. He was born in Nuwakot district, which is nestled on the lap of Ganesh and Langtang Himalayan ranges. In order to pursue his childhood dream to become a prominent trek team leader and professional cultural guide; he moved to Kathmandu for his further studies after graduating from high school. After completing college level of education, he took Trekking Guide Training, which was jointly organized by Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM) and Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN). In order to enhance his medical knowledge, he also took Advanced Wilderness Medical Course, organized by Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP). He has already led numerous successful treks in the Himalayas and pilgrimage tours likes of Chardham Yatra, Shree Amarnath Yatra, Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra and Muktinath Yatra in India, Tibet and Nepal. His professionalism, simplicity, honesty, charming personality, and his willingness to share his wealth of knowledge with his clients, have helped him to become a highly demanded trek team leader and professional culture tour guide.