+977 01 4516813 / 4512647 info@crystalmountaintreks.com
A graduate from the University of Washington, Seattle, Jwalant is responsible for Marketing and Operations at Crystal Mountain Treks. He has led numerous trips to remote regions in Nepal, Sikkim and Tibet and has over 20 years experience crafting and managing once-in-a-lifetime experiences for hundreds of satisfied travelers. A certified climbing guide, an avid mountain biker and Wilderness First Responder, Jwalant prefers camping treks to remote regions in Nepal and Tibet. He tries to scout all trips offered by Crystal Mountain Treks so he can speak through first hand experience. His favorites include the Upper Dolpo and Kanchenjunga treks.
Jwalant is the founder of “3 summits for Nepal”, a climbing charity raising money for Nepali children’s education and for other causes in Nepal.
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.
Ram Hari is CMT’s trek officer and airport representative. 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. He will also ensure that all your hotels and transportation are in order.
Ram, is our premier trekking guide. He started out as a porter about 40 years ago, and slowly worked his way up the ladder to become a Sirdar. 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. Most of our guides have directly worked and/or trained under him. Ram currently does not lead high-altitude treks that go beyond 3,500 meters (12,000 ft.) but will continue to lead other treks and mentor junior guides.
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. He probably has the record of accomplishing the most trips to Everest among CMT guides. Buddhi has been guiding for over 30 years. Prior to guiding, he was also an accomplished trekking cook, and his latent culinary skills may show while on a camping trek.
Buddhi has attended the 5 day organized by Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP) and will be required to attend refresher courses every year.
Amy D. who trekked to the Everest region had this to say about Buddhi: “As you are well aware Buddhi is outstanding. He strikes the fine balance of “being in charge” with care, good humor, and attentiveness to each individual in the group.”
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. 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.
A note about Manju by David Austin who did the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek in March 2014.
“You have a highly skilled guide in Manju. He has a remarkable ability to assess everyone in the group – he’s acutely aware of how people are doing physically and emotionally. He inquires gently of those who look tired or sick, so as to assess their status. He keeps the group together, focused on common goals and destinations. He is easy to like, and performs the leadership tasks of a guide effortlessly. It seems as though he was respected by the rest of the crew on our trek. His manner on the trail works to defuse tension, and to build a sense of community. This is all very impressive, and makes Manju highly valuable as a guide. “
Kandu Sherpa is Crystal Mountain Trek’s first female guide. She started out two years ago as an assistant guide working under the tutelage of our senior guides. And after undergoing many first aid and English classes, Kandu has blossomed into a very competent Junior Guide. From the fall of 2016, Kandu has lead several all women’s and family groups.
One client had this to say about Kandu: “Ms. Kandu Sherpa is a real asset as a new addition for you. She was always observant of the group’s safety. She has a wonderful personality for work as a guide. She consistently anticipated our needs and met daily questions and requests with grace and enthusiasm.”
Soft-spoken but efficient, Kami is probably the most patient among CMT’s guides. Kami has worked with CMT for more than 20 years and has been to numerous trekking destinations in Nepal and Tibet. He is a superb guide, cook and friend and is well liked by trekking clients.
Pema Sherpa is one of our most popular guides who is well liked for his patience. Pema worked as a high altitude cook on Everest expeditions for an American company in the Spring season and narrowly escaped a tragedy caused by the big earthquake on the mountain in 2015. After a mishap the following year on Everest in 2016, Pema only works on low altitude treks now-a-days.
Rajbir is now a senior Guide at CMT. Reviews from clients from previous treks had been very encouraging and he has now graduated to become a senior guide. He is one of the strongest guides around and can carry very heavy loads if required, even at very high altitudes. Rajbir started out as a porter and has slowly worked his way up as a guide.
*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.