About Ripa
Namaste! My name is Ripa Kumar Rai, and I am a professional trekking guide based in Kathmandu with 31 years of experience exploring and guiding through Nepal’s diverse Himalayan regions. Over more than three decades, trekking has taken me from well-known mountain areas to some of the country’s more remote valleys, high passes, and culturally distinctive landscapes.
My guiding experience includes Kanchenjunga, Tsum Valley, the Everest Three Passes, Helambu, Larke Pass, and Upper Mustang. These routes represent very different sides of Nepal, from demanding high-mountain journeys and isolated valleys to culturally rich settlements and landscapes shaped by generations of Himalayan life.
I especially enjoy guiding routes that allow travelers to experience Nepal beyond the most familiar trekking corridors. Areas such as Kanchenjunga and Tsum Valley offer a strong sense of remoteness, while the Everest Three Passes provide a more demanding mountain journey. Upper Mustang offers a completely different atmosphere through its distinctive landscapes, settlements, and cultural traditions. Helambu also brings together mountain scenery, village life, and local culture in its own unique way.
Thirty-one years of trekking have taught me that experience in the mountains is built through patience, responsibility, observation, and the ability to adapt. Every group and every journey is different. Weather, trail conditions, individual fitness, and personal expectations can all influence how a trek develops, so I believe a guide must remain attentive and flexible throughout the journey.
My guiding style is calm, practical, and supportive. I enjoy helping travelers understand the environment they are moving through while giving them enough time to appreciate the landscapes, villages, and people encountered along the trail. For me, trekking is not simply about reaching a pass or a final destination. The journey itself, including the challenges, conversations, communities, and changing scenery, is what creates the strongest memories.
I speak English and have many years of experience working with international travelers. I enjoy meeting people from different backgrounds and helping them experience Nepal’s mountains with greater understanding and appreciation.
After more than three decades on Himalayan trails, I continue to value the sense of discovery that comes with each journey. My goal is to provide professional, thoughtful, and well-supported trekking experiences, especially for travelers who want to explore Nepal’s remote regions, high passes, and culturally rich mountain landscapes.
