Crystal Mountain Treks Family

Jwalant Gurung | Team Leader

Summit mug shot

Jwalant is responsible for Marketing and Operations at Crystal Mountain Treks. Prior to leaving for the US in 2004 to pursue an MBA at the University of Washington, Seattle, Jwalant managed Crystal Mountain Treks for five years. He has led numerous trips to remote regions in Nepal, Sikkim and Tibet. A certified climbing guide and Wilderness First Responder, Jwalant prefers and leads camping treks to remote regions in Nepal and Tibet. His favorites include the Manaslu Circuit and Upper Dolpo.

Jwalant is a board-member of "3 summits for Nepal", a climbing charity raising money for Nepali children's education. URL: www.3summits.net

 

 

Janita Gurung | Director - Customer relations and Raising the Bar Initiatives

Jenny at Anna Base Camp

Janita (friends and family call her Jenny) is responsible for customer relations and CMT’s giving program. With a background in conservation and natural resources management, Jenny has traveled fairly extensively in the Himalayas. She is passionate about mountain issues and works on related aspects through tourism, academic research, and work (both as a volunteer and as an environmental consultant). Jenny obtained her MS degree from the University of Washington, Seattle, and is currently pursuing a doctorate at Kathmandu University. Prior to joining CMT, Jenny worked at World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Nepal to implement their mountain programs mainly in the Kanchenjunga region of Nepal. She is an avid fan of the Kanchenjunga region and its people.

 

 

 

Binaya Rana | Senior cultural and spiritual guide

Binaya at Nam Tsho Lake in Tibet

Binaya Rana is CMT’s leading guide for city tours and special interest groups in Nepal and Tibet. As a certified Kathmandu Tour Guide, Binaya provides you with an insightful look into the past history and current issues of Kathmandu Valley. As a Buddhist scholar, practitioner, and teacher (Binaya taught Buddhism at the University of Connecticut), Binaya is also an excellent resource for spiritual and special interest groups to Nepal and Tibet. Binaya plans to pursue a doctorate in Buddhism in 2010.

 

 

 

Ram Hari Adhikari | Trek Officer

Ram Hari Ram Hari is CMT’s trek officer and airport representative. Ram Hari’s is the smiling face that you will usually see at the airport upon your arrival in Kathmandu. He makes sure your trek permits have been obtained and that your Tibet permits are in order. Ram Hari has been working at CMT since 1995.

 

 

 

 

 

Ram “non stop” Rai | Senior Guide

Ram Rai on the Annapurna Circuit Trek

Ram, is the premier trekking guide for Crystal Mountain Treks. Ram started out as a porter about 35 years ago, and slowly worked his way up the ladder to become a Sardar (trekking guide and in-charge). He is, perhaps, one of the most experienced trekking guides in Nepal, having traversed well over the country, as well as in Tibet, Pakistan, and India. His experiences are a storehouse of many stories that you can discover while on a trek with him. Ram has also been guiding trips for the Sierra Club for the past 20 years. Most of our guides have directly worked and/or trained under Ram Rai.

 

Buddhi Rai | Senior Guide

Buddhi Rai at Gosaikunda

His cheerful and happy attitude makes him a popular guide among our trekking friends.Buddhi has traveled extensively in Nepal from east to west, as well as in Tibet and Pakistan. More recently, Buddhi has found himself trekking mostly in the Everest region. He probably has the record of accomplishing the most trips to Everest among CMT guides. Buddhi has been guiding for over 25 years. Prior to guiding, he was also an accomplished trekking cook, and his latent culinary skills may show themselves while on a camping trek.

Buddhi attended the 5 day organized by Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP) and will be required to attend refresher courses every year.

 

 

Kalu Tamang | Senior Guide

Kalu Tamang at our base camp

Kalu trained under the tutelage of Peter Owens and worked for Peter Owen’s Asian Treks for over 20 years. Starting out as a porter, Kalu slowly worked his way up to become a Sirdar. He has guided all major treks in Nepal including Manaslu, Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, Makalu, Kanchenjunga and Dolpo. In addition, he has guided treks in India (Ladakh) and Pakistan.

Kalu attended the 5 day organized by Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP) and will be required to attend refresher courses every year.

 

 

Manju Rai | Senior Guide

Manju at Gokyo Ri

Manju trained under the tutelage of Peter Owens and has worked for Peter Owen’s Asian Treks since 1991. Starting out as a porter, Manju slowly worked up to become a cook and then a Sirdar. He is one of our best cooks - he is known for variety, a balanced meal, and the ability to concoct various American-esque dishes. Manju has guided all major treks in Nepal and has also trekked in India (Ladakh and Sikkim), and Tibet.

Manju attended the 5 day organized by Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP) and will be required to attend refresher courses every year.

 

Lila Subba | Senior Guide

Lila near Thorung Phedi

Lila joined Crystal Mountain Treks in 2008. His first trek was the challenging Annapurna Circuit camping trek with a side-trip to climb Chulu West (21,059 ft.). Coordinating a team of 5 climbers and over 15 crew is indeed a mighty task. He received kudos for his role as Sirdar. Lila will now be leading more trips for Crystal Mountain in the future.

Lila comes to Crystal Mountain Treks with over 15 years of guiding experience. He hails from the Kanchenjunga region and has guided in most regions of Nepal including Everest, Annapurna, Langtang and Kanchenjunga.

Lila attended the 5 day organized by Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP) and will be required to attend refresher courses every year.

 

 

 

 

Bhala Kaji Rai | Senior Guide

Bhala Kaji

Bhala Kaji - more conveniently called “B.K.” - has been guiding for over 20 years. He has guided numerous Sierra Club treks in Nepal. Like all our senior guides, Bhala is mature, soft spoken and friendly. Bhala attended the 5 day organized by Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP) and will be required to attend refresher courses every year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salam Singh Tamang | Senior Guide

Salam (right) with porter Nima

Salam trained under the tutelage of Peter Owens and worked for Peter Owen’s Asian Treks for over 20 years. Starting out as a porter, Salam slowly worked up to become a Sirdar. He has guided all the major treks in Nepal and some in India (Ladakh) and Pakistan.

 

 

 

 

 

Kirpa Tamang | Guide & Cook

Kirpa in the Mt. Kailash area, Tibet

Kirpa Tamang will never bore you on a trek with his culinary delights. From daal-bhat to mushroom pizza or even a birthday cake at 5,000m, he will make sure your meals on the trek are something you will remember. Kirpa has been part of the CMT family for more than 20 years starting out as a porter and a Kitchen boy.

He is aware of the importance of a balanced and delicious meal.

 

 

 

 

 

Kami Tamang | Assistant Guide and Cook

Soft-spoken but efficient, Kami is probably the most patient of CMT’s guides. Kami has worked with CMT for more than 15 years and has been to numerous trekking destinations in Nepal and Tibet.

Birkha Rai | Guide
Birkha trained under the tutelage of Peter Owens and has worked for Peter Owen’s Asian Treks for over 17 years. Starting out as a porter at the age of 17, Birkha worked his way up to a guide. He has trekked all major treks in Nepal, Ladakh and Pakistan.

*A note about our guides:
Friendly and mature, our guides will go out of their way to make your trek a safe and memorable experience. We vouch for our guides and can guarantee on their honesty and their experience. They will always do what is right.