Gyalgen Sherpa porter-guide

A genuine porter-guide especially suitable for women trekking alone

Since 1998 Gyalgen, his wife Pemba and now three children Lhakpa, Dorje and Pasang have lived with me rent-free and I pay for their children's education. Gyalgen has trekked with me many times, last with my mother in 2004, but mostly I run expeditions and and don't have suitable work for him.

Info updated Dec 2010.

Gyalgen - the person

Gyalgen is a sweet, gentle person; he studied in a monastery for 7 years before taking up a trekking career, and began trekking with me in around 1993. He is not a bossy directive guide, rather gives you space and is happy to look after himself while you chat with fellow trekkers, he can walk with you or walk ahead/behind and waits as appropriate. He has trekked the teahouse routes many, many times; he knows the Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary, Langtang and Everest treks very well. He has good trail and trekking sense and makes good decisions in bad conditions.

Gyalgen speaks basic-ok English, certainly enough to understand most (although not all) of your questions, and you can always ask another way, and he will understand. He is out of place in Thamel cafes (the tourist area) but on the local buses and trail comes into his own. He is slightly deaf in one ear but once away from noisy places his hearing is fine. He can answer some questions about what you see on the trail but he is not a true guide; see Our treks if you want that sort of service.

Loads

Gyalgen is a small person, while he is happy to help carry a load this should not be more than 6-8kgs of your gear, and he carries his own. He has his own pack to pack things into.

His equipment

He brings all he needs for a trek including sunglasses and down jacket but travels light, only wearing sneakers or light trekking boots.

Pay

He costs ~$15-20/Rs1200-1600 a day equivalent depending on where you are trekking, and in that buys all his meals, snacks and accommodation on trek. You have to pay for any air tickets (at local rates) or bus fares. You can find cheaper porter-guides in Kathmandu (Rs1000?) but I feel the money he is paid is fair (not slave labour rates); you pay him directly. He will need an advance of 4-5 days pay in Kathmandu at the start then an advance or two on trek, the rest in Kathmandu at the end. Pay in rupees.

It is not necessary to tip but he always gets one!

Suitability

I prefer to send him with women travelling alone or two together, he is completely trustworthy and considerate, or with older people where he is considerate and patient. Many of the porter-guides based in Pokhara hit on their women clients in annoying ways; Gyalgen absolutely won't.

He is less suitable as a guide for a big group or as just a porter. No Israeli backpackers.

Bookings

If you simply book him thru me there is no charge from my side, except perhaps a coffee with me in Kathmandu, but if you want trekking questions answered then there is a charge of $50.

There will probably be other charges though. Nepal now has a "TIMS" permit system, which is a "Trekker's Information Management System". You can either trek alone and the permit is US$20, OR you HAVE to go through a trekking company if you want to take even just a porter or a guide. They will charge for this (between $25 and perhaps $50?) and also charge for insuring him for the trek, perhaps Rs1000-2500, depending on the length. Gyalgen will help arrange this in Kathmandu.

He can also meet you at the airport, book hotel and air domestic tickets to suit your trek.

Email me: info@project-himalaya.com with exact dates and which trek, please.

Prem Gurung porter-guide

Gyalgen was trekking with another team so Prem went with Brian and Liz.
I have known Prem for many years. Sometimes I can find him in time for a trek.

"We can't thank you enough for finding Prem Gurung for us. He was just exactly what we wanted and needed. He looked after our every need; advised us precisely and thoughtfully, yet sensitively; carried our gear; found our accommodation; was always extremely polite; laughed with us; taught us Nepali; waited on us hand and foot. He is a lovely man-just the best! ...

Jamie, our trip was a once-in-a-lifetime affair, and the quality of it all was enhanced by your knowledge and connection. Many thanks again."

Brian and Liz Dey, New Zealand, June 2005