Meet the Sherpas & Experts Behind Your Expedition
From 5x Everest summitters and NMA-licensed lead guides to our wilderness first-responders, mountain drivers, and porter crew — meet the local team operating your Himalayan adventure.
Expedition Leadership
Veteran high-altitude mountaineers overseeing guide training, safety, and field operations.
Surya Lama
Over 20 years of Himalayan expedition leadership; began as a porter in 2004. With 380+ completed trips across Everest, Annapurna, Manaslu, Langtang, and Upper Mustang, Surya directs safety standards, ethical porter welfare, and personalized guest care.
Santi Tamang
Holds a Master’s degree in Business and BBS. Santi provides strategic direction, oversees daily company operations, and coordinates travel services with an unyielding commitment to traveller safety and care.
Licensed Mountain Guides & Expedition Specialists
NMA and NATHM-licensed lead guides with wilderness first-aid certifications and decades of high-altitude experience.
Founder & MD
Experience: 20+ Years (380+ Trips)
Specialities: Everest, Annapurna, Manaslu & Mustang
Languages: English, Hindi & Nepali
Executive Director
Role: Strategic Direction & Growth
Focus: Operations & Service Quality
Care: Safety, Comfort & Satisfaction
Dhading Native
Experience: 20 Years (250+ Trips)
Specialities: Manaslu, Kanchenjunga & Remote Treks
Languages: English, Nepali & Hindi
Solukhumbu Native
Experience: 12+ Years (Started as Porter · 190+ Trips)
Specialities: Everest, Manaslu & Annapurna
Languages: Fluent English, Nepali, Hindi
Nuwakot Native
Experience: 5+ Years (Started as Porter · 90+ Trips)
Specialities: Langtang, Annapurna & Everest
Languages: Fluent Nepali, Hindi, English
Dhading Native
Experience: 7 Years (80+ Trips)
Specialities: Annapurna Base Camp & Langtang
Languages: Hindi, English & Nepali
Solukhumbu Native
Experience: 8+ Years (Started as Porter)
Specialities: Lobuche, Island Peak & Mera Peak
Languages: Fluent English & Nepali
Khumbu Native
Experience: 11+ Years (80+ Peak Summits)
Specialities: Lobuche East, Island Peak & Ama Dablam
Languages: English, Hindi & Nepali
Solukhumbu Native
Experience: 15 Years (50+ Peak Summits)
Specialities: Mera Peak, Ama Dablam & Island Peak
Languages: English, Nepali & Hindi
Lamjung Native
Experience: 20+ Years (Guiding since 2002)
Specialities: Kathmandu, Patan & Bhaktapur Heritage
Languages: Fluent English & Nepali
Admin & Content
Education: Bachelor in IT (BIT — Pursuing)
Skills: IT, Writing & Creative Thinking
Interest: Travel Stories & Detail Focus
Germany Native
Treks Done: EBC & Ghorepani Poon Hill
Trek Partner: CEO Surya Lama
Role: International Outreach & Advice
USA Native
Treks Done: Langtang Valley Trek
Trek Partner: CEO Surya Lama
Role: North American Representative
Philippines Native
Treks Done: Everest Base Camp (5,364m)
Trek Partner: CEO Surya Lama
Role: Southeast Asian Representative
Malaysia Native
Role: International Representative
Focus: Trekking, Peak Climbing & Tours
Association: Igloo Himalaya Treks
Our Field Support Crew & Porters
Porters and assistant guides are the backbone of Himalayan trekking. They carry heavy loads across 5,000m passes, set up camps, and ensure gear arrives safely at teahouses before you get there.
- Strict 20kg maximum weight load per porter
- Above-industry daily wages & prompt payment
- High-altitude jackets, boots & gloves provided
- Emergency medical & helicopter rescue insurance
- Guaranteed warm teahouse food & shelter
Behind the Scenes: Office & Logistics Team
Our Kathmandu team works 24/7 managing permits, flight rebookings, and emergency support.
Permit & TIMS Officers
Issuing Sagarmatha, Annapurna, and Restricted Area Permits directly with government departments.
24/7 Trip Planners
Answering inquiries, customizing itineraries, and matching trekkers with specialized guides.
Flight & Transport Dispatch
Managing Lukla/Pokhara flights, mountain 4WD Jeeps, and emergency weather flight rerouting.
Helicopter Rescue Coordinator
Direct 24/7 link with Kathmandu emergency medical evacuation services and insurance providers.
Team Qualifications & Professional Training
Our guides combine formal education, accredited mountaineering certifications, and decades of high-altitude experience.
Professional Trekking Knowledge
Our trekking leaders bring up to 20 years of practical mountain guiding experience across Nepal's high trails. Team members have completed formal education including the School Leaving Certificate (SLC), combining trail mastery with sound decision-making.
NMA Mountaineering Training
Our climbing guides hold official Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) climbing guide certificates with up to 15 years of technical climbing experience on major peaks including Island Peak, Mera Peak, Lobuche East, and Ama Dablam.
First Aid & Emergency Response
Igloo Himalaya Treks equips every expedition leader with first-aid, CPR, and mountain emergency response skills. Daily pulse oximetry tracking and direct Kathmandu rescue dispatch safeguard our clients throughout their journeys.
Nepalese Culture & Heritage Knowledge
Born in native mountain districts like Solukhumbu, Nuwakot, Dhading, Langtang, and Manaslu, our leaders provide travellers with rich insights into local Sherpa, Tamang, and Gurung customs, Buddhist monasteries, and traditional village life.
Multilingual Communication Skills
Our trekking and climbing leaders are fluent in English, Nepali, and Hindi, ensuring effortless communication with international adventurers, local teahouse families, national park authorities, and support crews.
Want a Specific Guide for Your Trek?
Whether you want a senior lead guide for Everest Base Camp or a peak climbing specialist for Island Peak, tell us your route and target dates. We'll match you with the perfect Sherpa leader.