Santa Lama
Trekking Guide · Nuwakot Native • Igloo Himalaya Treks Nepal
"What I love about Nepal is that every trail has something to share, from mountain views to a warm welcome in a small village."
Santa Lama is a professional mountain trekking guide at Igloo Himalaya Treks, hailing from the rugged and scenic district of Nuwakot, Nepal. Having completed his formal schooling with the School Leaving Certificate (SLC), Santa combines sound practical judgment, excellent communication skills, and a lifelong reverence for Nepal's majestic mountain terrain.
Santa's journey in the Himalayas began at the true grassroots of mountain guiding—he started his mountain career as a hardworking porter. For years, he carried expedition loads across steep mountain passes, learned the rhythm of every ridge and river valley, and developed an intimate empathy for both the trekking crew and international adventurers. That five years of trail experience gave him an unparalleled foundation in expedition logistics, high-altitude trail reading, and genuine human connection.
Following his dedication on the trails, Santa earned his official government Trekking Guide Licence from the prestigious Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM) and completed rigorous First Aid and CPR emergency training. With over 90 trips completed across the Langtang, Annapurna, and Everest regions, Santa has earned a reputation for exceptional trail knowledge, warm personal hospitality, and attentiveness to every trekker's physical wellbeing and acclimatization needs.
Fluent in Nepali, Hindi, and English, Santa takes pride in ensuring that every guest—especially solo travelers and family groups—feels safe, informed, and welcomed like family throughout their Himalayan journey.
What I love about Nepal is that every trail has something to share, from mountain views to a warm welcome in a small village. When you walk with patience and respect for the local culture, the Himalayas become your home.
— Santa Lama, Trekking Guide90+ Completed Trips Across Premier Himalayan Regions
Annapurna Base Camp, Poon Hill Sunrise, Ghandruk Village & Mardi Himal. Deep connections with local Gurung lodge owners.
Everest Base Camp (5,364m), Kala Patthar (5,545m) & Namche Bazaar. Daily SpO2 logging and steady acclimatization pacing.
Langtang Valley, Kyanjin Gompa & Tamang Heritage Trail. Native foothills knowledge stemming from adjacent Nuwakot district.
Key Guiding Specialities
Decades of combined porter and guiding insight mean Santa knows the best viewpoints, scenic detour trails, clean tea houses, and historical monastery backgrounds across Langtang, Annapurna, and Everest.
Known for creating a welcoming family atmosphere. Solo travellers, first-time hikers, and international groups consistently highlight how Santa ensures no one ever feels alone or overwhelmed on the trails.
First aid certified with five continuous years of mountain safety experience. Santa closely monitors client hydration, blood oxygen saturation, walking rhythm, and early altitude indicators.
Favourite Routes & Featured Treks Led
Click on any route below to view complete day-by-day itineraries and package details:
Verified Government Certifications & Qualifications
What Travellers Say About Santa Lama
A solo traveller praised Santa and Surya for their warm, helpful support during a six-day sightseeing trip through Kathmandu, Nagarkot, Pokhara and Ghandruk. The traveller said they never felt alone and felt welcomed like family.
Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp with Santa Lama was pure joy. Having started as a porter, he understands trail needs from every perspective. Always smiling, highly attentive to safety, and deeply knowledgeable about local villages.
Because Santa is from neighbouring Nuwakot, he knows every corner of Langtang Valley and its Tamang cultural roots. His first aid training and careful check-ins kept our whole family safe and relaxed.
Santa's calm pacing made our dream of reaching Everest Base Camp reality. He gave us daily updates on altitude readings, carried a well-stocked first aid kit, and always stayed positive. An outstanding guide!
Want Santa Lama on Your Trek?
Request Santa Lama by name when planning your Himalayan trek across Langtang, Annapurna, or Everest, subject to guide availability for your dates.