Dawa T. Gurung's Story: From Mountain Trails to Guiding Dreams.
Tashi Delek and Namaste!
My name is Dawa Tseten Gurung, and the story of Himalayan Wander Walkers (the local trekking and tour company you’re about to experience) begins long before the company’s name was ever dreamed up—back in a small, wind-swept village called Thingker, tucked deep in the Upper Mustang region of Nepal.
I grew up surrounded by the towering sentinels of the Himalayas. They weren’t just mountains to me; they were a part of my daily life, a backdrop to every childhood memory. But one journey in 1996 changed everything.
I was seven years old when my father, my sister, a few villagers, and I set out from Thingker on foot toward Beni Bazaar in Myagdi District. It would take eight long days. By day, we trekked over rugged trails, our footsteps echoing in the still mountain air. By night, we slept under the endless sky, sharing simple meals that tasted like warmth in the cold highland wind. I didn’t know it at the time, but those nights by the fire and those endless mountain horizons had lit a spark in me—a passion for adventure, challenge, and the raw beauty of nature.
That spark only grew. I left my village to study—first in Pokhara, then in Kathmandu —but every holiday, I found myself back in the mountains. I helped with my sister’s business, carried loads as a porter, and slowly learned the ways of the trail. The rhythm of trekking life—the early morning starts, the crunch of boots on stone, the thin air of high passes—felt as natural to me as breathing.
In 2013, I took a step that changed my path forever: I completed my trekking guide training and became a licensed mountain guide. The mountains became my workplace, my classroom, and my companion. Over the years, I led countless journeys—through the remote valleys of Dolpo, over the icy passes of Kanchenjunga, along the legendary paths of Everest, Langtang, Manaslu, Annapurna, and into the hidden worlds of Tsum Valley. Yet no matter where I roamed, Upper Mustang, my birthplace, always called me home.
Every trek left me with something—stories shared under starlit skies, lessons learned in the biting wind, and the deep knowledge that these mountains are more than just destinations. They are living, breathing worlds, filled with history, culture, and spirit.
After years of guiding, I realized I wanted to create something of my own—something that carried not just my skills but my heart. On January 3, 2018, Himalayan Wander Walkers was born.
When you trek with us, you’re stepping into that story. You’re not just hiring a guide; you’re joining a journey shaped by decades of experience, a lifetime of passion, and a love for these mountains that will never fade.
So, welcome. Let us show you Nepal’s soul—in its landscapes, its culture, and its people. Together, we’ll create memories that will last as long as the mountains themselves. Let’s start your trek today!
