Our Himalayan Team of Experts

Phuri Lama was born and raised in Solukhumbu at 3,200 metres, deep in the Everest region. As a Sherpa, the high-altitude trails are not his workplace, they are his backyard. That upbringing gives him an intuitive read of the mountains that no amount of training can replicate. With 12 years of experience and over 300 Everest region treks, he is one of the most dependable guides on the team. Warm with clients, sharp on the trail, and deeply knowledgeable about the culture and history of the Khumbu valley.

His favourite trek is the Gokyo Valley Trek, a route he knows better than most people know their own street.

Jiban brings over 12 years of experience across trekking and high-altitude biking, making him one of the most versatile guides on the MountainKick team. He has led hundreds of successful groups across the Himalaya, combining deep technical knowledge with a calm, safety-first approach on every route. Whether you are on foot or on a bike, Jiban reads the terrain ahead and keeps the group moving with confidence and care.

His favourite adventure is the Annapurna Circuit by bike, one of the most demanding and rewarding rides in the world, and a route he knows inside out.

Growing up in the Gorkha region, Lekh Man has been surrounded by mountains his entire life. Over the past 12 years he has built a reputation as one of the most well-rounded guides on the MountainKick team, equally comfortable leading treks across the Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, and Manaslu regions. That versatility comes from genuine curiosity about every corner of Nepal’s trails, not just the famous ones. Clients consistently describe him as someone who makes the hard days feel manageable and the good days unforgettable.

Off the trail, Lekh Man is a musician at heart. He plays the madal, the traditional Nepali drum, and that same rhythm and feel for timing shows in the way he paces a group through long days at altitude.

His favourite trek is the Tilicho Lake Trek — one of Nepal’s most dramatic high-altitude destinations, and a route he considers among the most rewarding in the Himalayas.

Born in Tanahun at 1,355 metres, Lok Raj has spent his entire life connected to the mountains. He spent his first five years in the industry as an assistant guide, learning high-altitude logistics, safety protocols, and group management from the ground up. For the past five years he has led groups as a fully licensed guide across the Everest, Langtang, Annapurna, and Manaslu regions. Calm under pressure, precise with itineraries, and genuinely invested in every client’s experience, Lok Raj is one of the most well-rounded guides on the team.

His favourite trek is the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, a route he has led over 40 times and still finds new things to love about.

Gopal brings 12 years of experience leading groups through some of Nepal’s most iconic landscapes. He has a rare ability to balance the physical demands of high-altitude trekking with the cultural depth of the regions he guides through, making every trek feel as much like an education as an adventure. He specialises in small-group experiences where attention to detail and personal care make all the difference.

His favourite trek is the Annapurna Circuit, a route he considers the most complete trekking experience Nepal has to offer.

Kamal Thapa grew up in Gorkha, surrounded by mountains from the very beginning. That upbringing shaped everything about the way he guides, with a natural ease on the trail and a genuine passion for sharing the Himalayas with people from all walks of life. He has been working professionally as a guide for over 10 years and has led more than 200 trips across Nepal’s most celebrated routes. A sports enthusiast who plays football in his spare time, Kamal brings energy and warmth to every group he leads.

His favourite trek is the Manaslu Circuit, a route he considers one of Nepal’s best kept secrets.

At just 23, Rekh Bahadur is the youngest member of the MountainKick guide team, but don’t let that fool you. Originally from the middle hills of Nepal, he grew up with the mountains in his blood and has spent the last 5 years absorbing everything the trail has to teach. A fast learner with a natural instinct for the outdoors, he currently leads groups across Nepal’s lower altitude routes and is steadily building the experience to take on the higher passes.

What clients remember most about Rekh Bahadur is his energy. Talkative, warm, and genuinely enthusiastic about every trek he leads, he has a way of lifting the mood of a group on a tough day without even trying. The mountains aren’t just his workplace they’re his passion, and it shows.