The Himalayan Women Trail Leaders Initiative (HWTL) is a joint social-impact partnership between Equity Global Treks (EGT) and The Porter Voice Collective (PVC), established to advance gender equity, leadership, and professional opportunities for Nepali women in the trekking industry. Grounded in extensive field research, long-distance trekking, and sustained engagement with mountain communities, HWTL seeks to ensure that women are recognized as skilled leaders within the Himalayan tourism sector.
Origins and Context
The initiative emerged from the Great Himalaya Trail: Women Leaders on the Trail Campaign (2024) (GHT Women Leaders on the Trail Phase 1 — Brown Gal Trekker), during which Mingmar Dolma Sherpa and Marinel de Jesus completed more than 100 days of walking across seven commercial sections of the Great Himalaya Trail, from Kanchenjunga to the Annapurna region. This expedition provided an in-depth understanding of the opportunities and systemic challenges experienced by female trekking guides in Nepal. The findings from this campaign became the foundation for developing a broader, long-term strategy to support female leadership within the industry.
All-Female Guide Directory: A New Model for Booking Guides in Nepal
A major component of HWTL is the creation of the first all-female trekking guide directory in Nepal. This directory is designed not only to increase visibility for women guides but also to introduce a new model of guide selection and booking within the country.
The platform will utilize a structured questionnaire to match travelers with women guides based on several factors, including skill level, interests, communication preferences, cultural orientation, and leadership style. This approach responds to a long-standing challenge in Nepal’s trekking industry: guides and clients often meet for the first time on the trail without prior knowledge of one another’s expectations or backgrounds. By facilitating informed matches, HWTL aims to enhance client satisfaction while also honoring the diverse skills, strengths, and identities of Nepali women guides.
The directory concept was strengthened through HWTL’s selection as a finalist and winner in the Social Entrepreneurship Competition in Tourism, a recognition that contributed to the refinement of its purpose, structure, and projected impact.
Guide Training and Capacity Building
Another central component of HWTL is the development of specialized training programs for female trekking guides. These programs aim to expand women’s opportunities beyond standard commercial routes by offering field-based training in less frequently traveled and more technically challenging regions of the Great Himalaya Trail, including:
Kanchenjunga
Dolpo
Makalu
Other remote areas of the Himalayas
These trainings will provide hands-on experience in navigation, route knowledge, risk assessment, and leadership development, enabling women to gain the competencies required to guide confidently on a wider range of Himalayan routes.
Himalayan Women Trail Leaders Initiative
THE FEMALE GUIDES SHARE THE PROBLEMS THEY FACE. HEAR FROM THEM DIRECTLY.
UPCOMING HWTL Event: Women Leadership & Guide Training | August 30 - September 8, 2026
LOCATION: Royal Mountain Travel Office, Lal Durbarmarg, Kathmandu
We are excited to host our 2nd HWTL Women Leadership & Guide Training in Kathmandu. This will be a 7-to-10-day immersive program created to strengthen the skills, confidence, and collective power of female Nepali trekking guides. Rooted in leadership, safety, a balanced guide-client & company relationship, and gender equity, this training is designed not only to build professional capacity on the trail, but to foster trust, community, and long-term engagement with women shaping the future of Himalayan trekking. This training is possible - thanks to the support of Community Homestay Network & Royal Mountain Travel.
This program brings together experienced instructors, women guides from different regions, and the HWTL team to create a supportive learning space—one where women can openly discuss challenges, share knowledge, and step into leadership roles with clarity and confidence.
Core Themes
Leadership • Safety • Client & Company Relationship • Gender Equity • Community Circle • Long-term Engagement
Program Goals
Strengthen the leadership capacity of female Nepali trekking guides
Build safety, first aid, and risk management skills aligned with global standards
Improve communication and customer service practices for international clients
Create space to openly discuss gender-related challenges in guiding
Build trust, community, and long-term relationships within HWTL
Invite guides to join the Himalayan Women Trail Leaders Initiative and help shape future programming
What to Expect:
PART 1 – Leadership, Building Trust & Community
The core leadership workshop explores communication, decision-making under pressure, group dynamics, cultural intelligence, boundary-setting, and managing difficult client situations. Through real-life case studies and scenario-based role plays, participants apply leadership skills directly to guiding contexts, with space for reflection and feedback.
At this training, we are also focusing on storytelling, public speaking and confidence building while creating a long-term community of women leaders that will support one another on their journeys as guides. We’re excited to share that we will be launching our HWTL Trail Knowledge & Guide Handbook with our training participants. This handbook will serve as their virtual companion to help them lead on all sections of the Great Himalaya Trail.
Guides are introduced to the Himalayan Women Trail Leaders Initiative—its origins, mission, and long-term vision for women in trekking.
PART 2 – Maps & Navigation - Advanced level (minimum of 3 days)
We listened to our HWTL members so we are hosting our first training on Advanced Level Maps & Navigation for a minimum of 3 days. Training syllabus and further information will be sent to confirmed participants.
PART 3 - Wilderness First Aid & Emergency Response
This will be a 3-5 day training. Training syllabus and further information will be sent to confirmed participants.
Special emphasis is placed on safety leadership for women, addressing gender-specific risks, self-protection strategies, and the importance of peer support networks in the field.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION & BECOMING A MEMBER OF HWTL COMMUNITY: Participants who complete the training program will receive a Certificate of Completion and become a member of our HWTL community where they receive ongoing training, mentorship and support at no cost.
APPLY TO JOIN THE HWTL TRAINING PROGRAM: HWTL training is open to new and returning participants. If you are a female trekking guide and wish to join this training program, please see the eligibility requirements and complete the Application Form by clicking on APPLY NOW below. Alternatively, you can download & print the APPLICATION FORM and send it with a photo of your guide license to theportervoice@gmail.com.
Testimonials from our Female Guide Participants
Check Out Our 3 Day Pilot Program Outcomes - A Call for Donors, Sponsors & Partners
Our Pilot Program was held on February 24-26 in Kathmandu, Nepal. For details on the features and outcomes of our 3 Day Pilot Program, check out our INITIATIVE BRIEF and PROGRAM EVALUATION & FUTURE ENGAGEMENT REPORT.
What’s Next: Future HWTL Leadership & Guide Trainings and The Porter Voices Podcast Featuring Nepali Female Guides
To sustain and expand these efforts, HWTL is conducting an ongoing donation campaign. Contributions will support:
Classroom and Field-based leadership and guide training programs
Continued development of the all-female guide directory
The development of the first-ever Trail Knowledge & Guide Handbook for our HWTL participants.
Long-distance trekking and leadership expeditions for women
Community-led research and equity-centered tourism initiatives such as conducting porter safety training led by our Himalayan Women Trail Leaders
Development of The Porter Voices Podcast to elevate female voices in the industry
These funds are essential for building a more inclusive trekking industry and ensuring that women have access to professional opportunities that reflect their skills and aspirations. Support us by DONATING below.
For the full origin story and additional details about the Himalayan Women Trail Leaders Initiative, please visit Equity Global Treks.
Do you have ideas for collaboration or partnerships? Email us: theportervoice@gmail.com.