The Himalayan Women Trail Leaders (HWTL) Initiative is a groundbreaking project in Nepal with the mission of elevating the roles and visibility of female Nepali trekking guides in the male-dominated trekking tourism industry. This initiative represents a significant step toward achieving gender equity in Nepal’s mountain tourism sector, where women have historically faced systemic barriers to entry and advancement. By creating an innovative online platform, HWTL empowers consumers to directly select and book female trekking guides for their treks in Nepal, offering a personalized experience tailored to their expectations and needs. This platform not only enhances the visibility of female guides but also provides them with opportunities to showcase their skills and expertise on a global stage.

WHY GENDER EQUITY MATTER IN THE TREKKING TOURISM INDUSTRY

Gender equity is essential in all industries, but it holds particular significance in Nepal’s trekking tourism sector. Traditionally, this field has been dominated by men due to societal norms, lack of training opportunities for women, and cultural biases that discourage women from pursuing careers as guides or porters. Female guides often face discrimination, limited access to field training, and societal pressures that prevent them from entering or advancing within the profession. The HWTL Initiative seeks to dismantle these barriers by providing women with access to professional development opportunities while simultaneously raising awareness about the importance of gender equity among consumers and industry stakeholders.

By supporting female trekking guides through this initiative, we aim to create a more inclusive and equitable trekking industry that benefits not only the guides themselves but also travelers who value diversity and empowerment. Gender equity ensures that talented individuals are not excluded based on outdated stereotypes, enriching the trekking experience for everyone involved.

Watch the video below to hear directly from Nepali female guides.

MEET THE FOUNDERS:
Marinel M. de Jesus Esq.
and
Mingmar Dolma Sherpa

Marinel and Mingmar hiked on the high route of the Great Himalaya Trail in December of 2023 and from February to May of 2024 covering the following routes: Kanchenjunga, Makalu (partial), Everest (Everest Base Camp, Renjo La Pass, Gokyo Lakes), Rolwaling, Manaslu, Tsum Valley, Langtang and Annapurna Regions (Annapurna Circuit Trek, Annapurna Base Camp, Poon Hill).

How the Online Platform Works

The centerpiece of the HWTL Initiative is its user-friendly online platform designed to connect travelers with certified female Nepali trekking guides. Customers can browse profiles of individual guides, learn about their qualifications and experiences, and select a guide who aligns with their preferences for their trek of choice in Nepal. Whether travelers are seeking someone with expertise in specific regions like Annapurna or Everest or looking for a guide who shares their language or cultural background, this platform allows them to customize their trip while supporting gender equity.

This direct booking system not only empowers consumers but also provides female guides with greater visibility and access to job opportunities that were previously out of reach. It bridges the gap between demand for skilled professionals and supply by highlighting the unique strengths that female guides bring to the table—such as fostering inclusive environments during treks and offering diverse perspectives on Nepal’s rich culture and history.

Training Programs for Career Advancement

In addition to facilitating bookings, HWTL is deeply committed to supporting female Nepali trekking guides through comprehensive training programs. These programs provide participants with essential skills such as navigation, first aid, leadership development, communication techniques, and safety protocols required for guiding treks across Nepal’s challenging terrains. By equipping women with these tools, we ensure they are well-prepared not only to meet industry standards but also to excel as leaders in their field.

Revenue generated from bookings made through our platform—operated under Equity Global Treks—is reinvested into these training initiatives. This sustainable model ensures that every trek booked contributes directly toward empowering more women to enter and thrive in Nepal’s trekking industry. Additionally, HWTL offers educational resources online aimed at educating consumers, tour agencies, and tourism professionals about gender equity issues within mountain tourism.

Long-Distance Trekking on the World's Longest High-Altitude Trek, the GHT – Now Open to Women

HWTL is dedicated to reshaping the narrative surrounding long-distance trekking in the majestic Great Himalaya Trail (GHT). Spanning 1700 kilometers across the high routes of the Himalayas, this trail is a journey that has traditionally been dominated by male guides. HWTL aims to change this by offering travelers the opportunity to take these transformative treks led by female guides. The initiative focuses on creating sustainable job opportunities for women in Nepal's trekking industry, empowering them to take on leadership roles, share their local knowledge, and serve as role models for future generations. By doing so, HWTL hopes to foster greater gender equality and provide women with the tools to succeed, both professionally and personally, within this adventure tourism sector.

HWTL offers a variety of trekking experiences for all levels of adventure seekers, whether they are interested in a few days of exploration or a months-long trek through the Himalayas. HWTL offers female travel consumers the rare opportunity to do long distance treks in the Himalayas led by female guides on any or all ten sections of the GHT: Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Everest, Rolwaling, Langtang & Ruby Valley, Manaslu, Annapurna, Dolpo, Mugu, and Far West. Having already trekked the first seven sections of the GHT, the founders of HWTL are passionate about leading the way for women in this field. In the future, the initiative will be expanding its scope with a group trekking to the remote areas of Dolpo, Mugu, and Far West, as part of the second phase of their original GHT Women Leaders on the Trail Campaign. If you are interested in joining this exciting adventure and supporting the mission of empowering women in the trekking industry, you can reach out to HWTL via email at equity@browngaltrekker.com.

The Origins: Great Himalaya Trail Women Leaders Campaign

The Himalayan Women Trail Leaders Initiative originated from our successful Great Himalaya Trail (GHT) Women Leaders on the Trail Campaign, which took place during Spring 2024. This campaign marked a historic milestone by sponsoring Nepal’s first female trekking guide, Mingmar Dolma Sherpa, to trek the first seven sections of the 1700km Great Himalaya Trail from February through May 2024 with HWTL co-founder, Marinel de Jesus.

The GHT campaign was designed not only as an endurance challenge but also as an advocacy effort aimed at breaking stereotypes about women’s capabilities in high-altitude mountaineering roles. The team traversed some of Nepal’s most remote regions—the first 7 sections of the GHT from east to west: Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Everest Region (Khumbu), Rolwaling, Langtang Valley, Manaslu, and Annapurna. The team will complete the last three sections (Dolpo, Mugu and Far West) as part two of the GHT Women Leaders on the Trail Campaign which will be open for men and women trekkers to join.

This monumental achievement demonstrated that Nepali women are equally capable of excelling as professional mountain guides when given equal opportunities. It served as both inspiration for aspiring female trekkers and proof-of-concept for launching broader initiatives like HWTL

HWTL WON FIRST PLACE AT THE 2024 SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN TOURISM COMPETITION

We’re delighted to have initiated HWTL by way of being selected as one of the finalists for the 2024 Social Entrepreneurship in Tourism Competition, Launch Track where we won as 1st Place at the Pitching Competition. You can learn more and watch the pitching competition via this webpage.

Through its innovative online platform combined with robust training programs funded by trek bookings via Equity Global Treks, HWTL is transforming Nepal’s trekking tourism landscape into one where gender equity is no longer an aspiration but a reality. By choosing a trek guided by one of our skilled female professionals, travelers contribute directly toward empowering Nepali women while enjoying an unforgettable adventure tailored specifically to their needs.

HWTL is a finalist for the Wanderful Award of 2025 Bessie Awards

Learn more and vote here if you have previously attended the WITS event.

here’s how you can help us

BE A FUNDING OR STRATEGIC PARTNER

We’re looking for funding and strategic partners to launch the directory and training program for the Nepali female guides. Send us an email - hwtleaders@gmail.com - to discuss partnerships and collaboration.

JOIN ONE OF OUR WOMEN-LED TREKS IN NEPAL

By booking one of our treks in Nepal, you are helping us fund the HWTL Initiative as a portion of the tour cost goes towards the creation of the online directory including the field work involved in Nepal to recruit Nepali female guides. You can find our treks including our 3-Part trek on the Himalayan Trail combining Langtang/Ruby Valley, Manaslu Circuit & Annapurna Circuit in one go via this page. We can organize any treks on the high route of the 1700 km Great Himalaya Trail including long distance treks combining a few sections of the trail or if you are up for the challenge, you can trek the entire GHT which can take up to 4-5 months to complete.

complete our survey to help us design the online directory

For travelers/consumers, please complete the Consumer Survey.

For Nepali female trekking guides, please complete the Female Guide Survey.

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Himalayan Women Trail Leaders - Phase 2