Female trekking guides in Nepal and their clients talk empowerment and equality: ‘we see women in tea houses working, but not leading trails’

Marine Annic, a 35-year-old French singer, had a desire to trek in Nepal. She extensively searched the internet for female guides. She discovered that only a handful of women were offering trekking services. As a woman, Marine believed that hiring a female guide would provide her with a unique experience and insightful discussions about Nepali culture and traditions. Annually, thousands of tourists flock to Nepal for trekking, but the majority of expeditions are spearheaded by men. However, according to officials, the enrolment of women in trekking courses at national academies in Nepal has been on the rise.

This trend is a boon for individuals like Veronika Jacenkova, a 41-year-old from the Czech Republic. Like Marine, Veronika also sought out trekking companies led by women during her visit to Nepal. Veronika asserts that travelling with a woman is more comfortable due to safety considerations. She didn't perceive a solo trip through the Langtang National Park as safe. Duluwa Outdoors is a tour company entirely run by women and also functions as a community project. The company's mission is to combat gender bias and bridge the pay gap.

While trekking, we often see women working in tea houses, either in the kitchen or at the reception counter, but they are not leading the trails, says Menuka Gurung, a co-founder of Duluwa Outdoors. The company's vision is for the youth, particularly women, to view the outdoors as a reliable, well-paying career and to inspire Nepali women to travel. Shanti Rai, the programme lead at Duluwa, states that women are perceived as physically weak and outdoor activities are considered exclusive to men.