Our Story

Long before there was Snow Leopard Trek, there was The Snow Leopard.

In the early 1970s, writer Peter Matthiessen came to Nepal in search of the world's most elusive cat—the snow leopard. With the support of our late founders, Tendi Sherpa and Jangbu Sherpa, who organized the expedition and assembled a team of local guides and porters, Matthiessen journeyed deep into the remote valleys of Dolpo. The experience would later inspire The Snow Leopard—a deeply spiritual exploration of the human experience and one of the most celebrated works of travel literature ever written.

For our family, it became something more.

It became our name.

At Matthiessen's suggestion, when Tendi and Jangbu founded one of Nepal's earliest trekking companies in 1985, they named it Snow Leopard Trek. Four years later, Tendi's wife, Yankila Sherpa, joined the company and helped shape its future, guiding it to new heights while preserving the values on which it was founded.

Nearly four decades later, we are still a family business

Still rooted in generations of Sherpa knowledge

Still guided by the same spirit of adventure that inspired our beginning.

Our Philosophy

The most enduring journeys leave little trace upon the land, yet forever shape the traveler. At Snow Leopard Trek, we believe travel finds its greatest meaning in the connections it creates—— with landscapes, cultures, wildlife and the people who have long called these places home.

Our People

Exceptional journeys begin with exceptional people.

Today, Snow Leopard Trek is supported by a close-knit team of experienced guides, mountaineers, travel specialists, and operations staff whose knowledge has been built over decades in the field. Through continuous training in mountain safety, wilderness first aid, environmental stewardship, and responsible tourism, they ensure every journey is as safe as it is enriching.

From the first enquiry to your return home, every detail is planned with care to ensure your experience is seamless, enriching, and above all, safe.

While our heritage is proudly Sherpa, our team also reflects the rich diversity of Nepal, bringing together experienced professionals from communities across the country who share a common commitment to exceptional hospitality.

Our Leadership 

Ms.Yankila Sherpa - Managing Director, Snow Leopard Trek And Former Minister for Tourism; Nepal

Yankila Sherpa has played a defining role in shaping both Snow Leopard Trek and Nepal's trekking & tourism industry.

Joining the company shortly after its founding, she helped transform a young family business into one of Nepal's most respected adventure travel companies.Today, as Founder and Managing Director, she continues to lead Snow Leopard Trek, carrying forward its legacy of thoughtful travel and responsible tourism.

Her leadership extends well beyond Snow Leopard Trek. She served as President of the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) from 1996 to 1998, becoming one of the pioneering women to lead the national body during a time when the industry was overwhelmingly male. She continues to support Nepal's tourism sector as an advisor to TAAN. She has also been an active member and former Chief Advisor of the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) and played a key role in the successful Annapurna Conservation Area project.

Beyond tourism, Yankila has dedicated decades to empowering women entrepreneurs, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and strengthening local communities through organisations including the Women Entrepreneurs Association of Nepal (WEAN) since 1990 and the Federation of Women Entrepreneurs' Associations of Nepal (FWEAN) of which she is a founding member (2003). Under Yankila’s leadership, FWEAN supported women from various underpriveliged communities by providing skill training, microcredit, and marketing skills while also securing financial support from UNHCR for income-generating programs for Bhutanese refugees in southeastern Nepal.

Most notably, Yankila's commitment to public service has also seen her serve as a Member of Parliament, Assistant Minister, and State Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Civil Aviation. She currently represents the Nepali Congress in the Provincial Assembly of Bagmati Province, where she continues to advocate for sustainable tourism, cultural heritage, and inclusive economic development.

Her vision and experience continues to guide everything we do.

Travel with Purpose

Responsible tourism has always been at the heart of Snow Leopard Trek.

Long before sustainability became a global conversation, we recognised that Nepal's extraordinary landscapes and cultures deserved thoughtful stewardship. Every journey we design seeks to protect the environments we travel through while creating lasting benefits for the communities who welcome our guests.

Since 1996, we have conducted Eco-Trekking workshops for our guides and staff, promoting environmental awareness, responsible waste management, and sustainable practices on the trail. Our team has also worked alongside tea house owners and local communities to encourage environmentally responsible tourism throughout Nepal's mountain regions.

Our commitment extends beyond our own operations. Through our long-standing partnership with the Trans Himalayan Environment and Livelihood Program (T-HELP), we support initiatives focused on sustainable energy, environmental conservation, livelihood development, and the empowerment of indigenous Himalayan communities.

A Legacy of Conservation

Snow Leopard Trek was proud to become the first trekking company to receive the prestigious Abraham Conservation Award from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), recognising our longstanding commitment to conservation and responsible tourism.

For us, protecting Nepal's natural and cultural heritage is not an initiative—it is a responsibility that has guided our company since the very beginning.