personnel

Zimba Zangbu Sherpa
Zimba Zangbu Sherpa, who has been in the tourism field since the last couple of decades, manages the company. He is ably assisted in his work by a team of dedicated professionals. He lends his expertise and years of experience to the various trips undertaken by the company. Born in Khumjung, he went on to study in the celebrated ‘Hillary School ‘and later on in Kathmandu. He has undergone various trainings and has been conferred with various awards to honor his involvement in the tourism sector in Nepal. Trained as a trekking guide in 1977, he went on to undertake a course in Rock and Ice Climbing from Argentiere, France with UCPA, 1979 and a year later with UCPA Le Bez, Sierre Chevelier. Apart from basic course and advanced course in Mountaineering he holds “Diplome d’Honneur” in Alpinism from Ecole Nationale de Ski Et Alpinisme under the Ministre Delegue A la Jeunesse et aux Sports. As a trained mountaineer he has climbed several peaks around the world namely Mount Blanc and Mattro Horn in Europe as well as most of the trekking peaks in Nepal. Ganesh Himal and Amadablam are some of the peaks he has been able to climb successfully. An avid nature lover and a trekker at heart he has visited most of the regions in Nepal. “Avec Zimba le Sherpa” a book written by the late Robert Rieffel chronicles the various treks undertaken by both of them together. He has served in various organizations at different capacities. Presently he is the 1st Vice President of Nepal Mountaineering Association - an affiliate of UIAA - and the premier organization with regard to mountaineering in the country. Zimba can converse comfortably in English and French.

Steven Lama
A graduate in humanities from an Indian University Steven Lama possesses an in depth knowledge of the Himalayas - Nepal, Tibet, Sikkim, Bhutan and Ladakh. He has been in the industry for more than a decade and is passionate about his work. An outdoor person he is an avid nature lover and loves to travel. As the Director of Sales and Product Development he is responsible for developing and promoting new products. He is a strong proponent of responsible and sustainable tourism and believes that with the tourism industry growing at a rapid pace there is a need to generate awareness about the environment and local resources, and make sustainable use of natural assets for the economic and social benefit of the local people. He has an eye for details and loves to share his expertise and his cultural knowledge with the guests. He is also responsible for operation of all the treks and expeditions organized by Khumbi- Ila to various parts of the Himalayas. He also manages the administrative as well as human resource matters of the firm. With lots of experience in providing logistical support, he will ensure that you have a memorable holiday in the Himalayas. He speaks English, French and Hindi fluently.

Namgyal Zangbu Sherpa
Namgyal has always grown up among stories of mountaineering and trekking exploits of his father and grandfather. Ever since his first trek at the age of 8, he has become an avid traveler.  After graduating in tourism and business marketing from Australia, he joined his father in the capacity of Marketing Manager of the company, a position he holds presently. He has traveled extensively all over the country and has in depth knowledge on the Himalayas. His focus has always been on providing the best service according to the dynamics of the modern traveler, and he understands the need for a sustainable development and the conservation of this beautiful country and its resources. He speaks English, Hindi, Tibetan, French and his native Sherpa language.

Tshering Sherpa
A resident of Upper Khumbu Valley, he has trekked in the many regions of Nepal and is eager to share his wealth of experience with you. With a very amiable personality he is very popular among our clients. He is responsible for all logistical arrangements to make sure that your holiday in the Himalayas is a memorable one.

Navaraj Raut
Trained in international and domestic ticketing Navaraj is a multi - tasker. He is responsible for making sure that your permits and all other documents pertaining to the trip are in order. He also provides all our clients with logistic support at the airport and ensures that it is hassle free. A graduate in Humanities he makes sure that you have a memorable holiday.

Henri Sigyaret
From the French perspective, Henri Sigyaret is a name synonymous with the Himalayas. Writer, adventurer, alpinist, researcher - he is a man of many facets. He is very much at home in Nepal, his second home, where is resides currently with his sherpa wife and family. An avid mountain climber and adventure seeker, he has already climbed various peaks in Pakistan, Peru, Bolivia, Greenland and Nepal. He is also a much-trekked person. He has visited various parts of the Himalayas and he has chronicled his exploits in a book titled “Trekking au Nepal”. But his quests are not only confi ned to alpinism and trekking, he has made inroads in other areas - mainly his understanding of Sherpa culture and Nepali way of life. His close ties with the sherpas and years spent in Nepal has enabled him to study and understand the Nepalese way of life very closely. Being a writer he has been able to put down his observation in many of the books he has written. Th e prominent ones being - “Sherpas, Sherpanis” , “Journal d’un Sahib au Nepal” , “Le Khumbu” , “Lexique Toponymie en Himalaya”, Un autre Nepal and Lexique franco - sherpa. He is involved in various projects in the Himalayas. Th e French government has shown its appreciation for his work by honoring him with “L’ordre de Legionnaire”, one of the highest honors bestowed on a French national.

Joao Garcia
A Portuguese national and an ardent mountain lover; strange it may seem for person from this Iberian nation to be passionate about climbing. But he is just that, and he has been climbing since the last two decades and is a qualified Sports Technician in climbing from High Mountaineering School in Spain and Belgium, both recognized by UIAA. He leads various groups in climbs throughout the world mainly in the Andes, Alaska, the Atlas and the Himalayan peaks where he has climbed various peaks and trekked extensively. He has several successful ascents to his credit including ten of the 14 Eight thousand meter peaks in the world. He has already conquered Himalayan hulks like Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Gasherbrum II and Mount Everest, all without bottled oxygen and unassisted, making him the first Portuguese to achieve this feat. His ascent of Mount Everest in 1999 is also the first ever by a Portuguese. He has been accorded several awards and has published many books on mountaineering, the most prominent among them being “A Mais Alta Solidão”, which is already in its 7th edition. He has received the “Fair Play” award for the year 1999, by deliberation of the Executive commission of the Portuguese Olympic Committee and was acknowledged as the “sports man of the year” from the Portuguese Sports Confederation.

Rick and Randy French
Rick French
Owner and Cocreator of PPS. Experience on 7 continents including the highest points on several and with clients ranging from adjudicated youth to executive programs and everything in between. Since 1980 he has worked full time in the outdoors spending more nights in tents, igloos, mud huts and under the stars on many corners of the world then his own house. He has crossed continents by bike, paddled in jungles, trekked in the highest mountain ranges and eaten raw whale among other delicacies. His specialty is using activities for group development. He has never had a real job and receives multiple offers for his job yearly.

Andre George
An active guide since the last twenty-seven years, his curriculum is of a different genre. The list of his exploits in mountaineering is quite profound and quite unimaginable. Born in 1953, Andre George is a household name in mountaineering circles and his native Switzerland. He fi nds immense joy in his work and is very passionate about climbing. He has many successful ascents to his credit namely Mt. Everest, Shishapangma, Manaslu, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Makalu, Gasherbrum II, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri. He brings the same passion and joy while leading trips. A recognized guide, and a qualified ski instructor he has been bestowed with several honours by his community. He has been accorded with several awards for his exploits. As a guide he is always pushing for new frontiers. It has seen him test human endurance in various parts of the world. What started as an expedition to Amadablam in 1982 has culminated into several visits to Nepal, which has become his second home. Though he leads trips in his native country and different parts of Europe his premier destination is Nepal, followed by Pakistan and Antartica.

Alain Hubert
Explorer, civil engineer, entrepreneur, mountain guide, good-will Ambassador for UNICEF, co-founder of the International Polar Foundation; Alain Hubert is a multi faceted personality. A true adventurer to the core he has achieved many “firsts” in the world of adventure sports. He has the world record independent crossing of the Antarctic continent, with Dixie Dansercoer, to his credit. 99 days in the harshest of conditions covering 3924 km, the longest crossing ever made on foot and ski, using innovative new power kites, is a true example of human endurance and spirit. He was also a member of the team that made the fi rst ever ascent of a “Big Wall” in Queen Maud Land, Antarctica. He has made several successful climbs in the Himalayas (Amadablam, Cho Oyu), the Andes (Bolivia), Antarctica, Patagonia, Alaska and Antarctica and has trekked extensively all over the world. He has also written several articles and books on sustainable development, climate change, as well as contributing articles to mountaineering magazines. He has also written and co produced the film ‘antarctica.org’, which won the Toison d’Or (fi rst prize) at the Adventure Film Festival held in Dijon (France) in 1999, and the First Price of the Mountain Film Festival held in Trente (Italy) in 2001, and completed a short documentary in conversation with the renowned geneticist, Albert Jacquard, entitled “La terre offerte aux hommes”. Several films chronicling his various exploits have been made. This qualified guide recognized by UIAGM, UPMM he has been accorded the Georges Lemaître International Prize, 2003 and the Grand Offi cier de l’Ordre de la Couronne, 2003, for his various achievements.

Bikash Ratna Tuladhar
A Commerce graduate Bikash is our Chief Accountant. Married with two children he is responsible for all the financial aspects of the company. He has been with us for the last 14 years.

Romi Shakya
Romi has joined Khumbi-Ila straight after she finished her schooling and she is currently on her 10th year with the company. She is professionally trained in domestic and international ticketing. She has since developed into a dedicated professional and believes in providing the best service. From ticketing to organizing the treks, she is a multi - tasker and has an eye for solving complex issues in no time.

Karma Sherpa
Born in 1960 in Solukhumbu. Karma is a passionate trekker with 17 years in the field. He has been to almost all the trekking routes in Nepal, Tibet, India and Bhutan. He is professionally trained in Ice Climbing, mountain climbing, mountain rescue, and many more. He is currently the senior most ‘French Speaking Guide’. Karma is proficient in French, English, Hindi and Nepali.

Sanjay Bahadur Pradhananga
Sanjay has been in the involved in the tourism industry after his graduation in Law in 1999. He has been with us since 2005 and has been an outstanding guide with a good command in English and French. He has been in most trekking routes in Nepal and hopes to travel in other parts of the world in the future.  He was born in 1971.

Bishwa Nath Khadka
Bishwa has been working with us for the last 8 years and he enjoys traveling a lot. He has double degrees in Arts and Education. He understands the need to educate all visitors to Nepal in the cultural and natural aspects. He was born in 1972 and he is also a secondary level
economics teacher.

Uttare Tamang
Born in Solukhumb Uttare joined the trekking industry at the age of 14 as a porter and has slowly worked his way up. With more than two decades of experience he knows the all the trekking trails of the country like the back of his hand. He speaks fluent French.

Pem Thinley SHERPA
Pem Thinley was born in 1986 in the Solu-Khumbu region of Boug. Ever since childhood, he has been fascinated with nature and has worked his way up to become a successful French speaking guide. He has the enthusiasm and his passion is evident with his services. He has completed several training programs in Nepal and has been on trekking routes including the khumbu route, Rolwaling, Annapurna, Tibet, and he has climbed trekking peaks like Iceland and Mera Peak.

Deep Lama
Deep is a resident of Kathmandu. Born and bred in this magnificent city, he had always seen the hustle and bustle of the visitors and decided to become a professional in the tourism trade. He was born in 1971 and joined the company in 1998. He has a Bachelors degree and a diploma in French. He has traveled extensively around the Everest region, Annapurna area, Mustang and internationally he has been to Belgium and France. He is well aware of the needs and wants of his clients and has had a very good service record with us.

Tej Bahadur Tamang   
At 55 years, he is the oldest member of our team. With decades of experience behind him he makes sure that all the equipment is in top condition. He hails from Nuwakot and has three children.

Sher Bahadur Tamang
He has been with us for the last eleven years. He makes sure that you are in your trek point on time. He is passionate about his work and always ready to serve with a smile.

Lily Tamang
An affable person he is always ready to go to great lengths to make your stay memorable. He is married and has two children.

Pasang Sherpa
A senior sirdar with Khumbi-Ila Pasang has been with us for the last decade. He has trekked extensively throughout the country. He is well acquainted with the various trekking regions of the country. With years of experience he will ensure that your trek in the Himalayas is secure and hassle free.

Lhakpa Sherpa
An amiable personality he has been to most regions in Nepal. He is a strong personality and is responsible for all the logistical arrangements during the trek. His wealth of knowledge and experience add the little something to the trip.

Phurba Sherpa
He has been working with us for the past decade. A simple man, he loves to trek in the mountains. He has trekked throughout the country and he loves to share his experiences with the guests.

Kami Tshering Sherpa
A native of Khumbu Kami has been organizing logistic support for our treks in the region for more than two decades. He has deep knowledge of his Sherpa culture and the flora and fauna. His warm personality is reflected in his work and he makes sure you have a wonderful holiday.

Rinji Sherpa
Hard working and always smiling, Rinji goes to great lengths to make your holiday a memorable one. He has trekked throughout the Himalayas. A great cook who loves his job he will make sure that you are well fed throughout your trip in the Himalayas. 

Talak Tamang
He has trekked extensively throughout the Himalayas and has indepth knowledge of the different regions of the country. He is a comfortable trekker and an equally good cook. He is at home preparing Indian, Continental, Chinese and Nepalese fare.

Kumar Tamang
Simple, hard working and meticulous, that is how his friends describe him. He loves to cook and feed his guests with different cuisines. He has worked several years as an assistant before his worked his way to become a full fledged cook.

Krishna Thapa Magar
A friendly individual he is a great cook and happy go lucky person. When he is not cooking he could serenade you with one of his folksongs which is equally 'tasty' like the food he serves.

Ram Saran Shrestha
He is comfortable with Indian, Chinese, Continental and Nepalese cuisine. With more than a decade of experience as a cook he will ensure that you are served with healthy and clean food throughout the trip.