Our Story

Nepal's Annapurna Trekking Specialists

Founded in 2016 by Ajay Kumar Shrestha (AJ), Annapurna Trekking is the Annapurna-region specialist within the Swotah Travel & Adventure family — built on one principle: the people who know these mountains best should be the ones guiding you through them.

Who We Are

A Kathmandu-Based Team That Grew Up in These Mountains

Annapurna Trekking is the Annapurna-region specialist within the Swotah Travel & Adventure family — Nepal's award-winning adventure travel group founded by Ajay Kumar Shrestha (AJ). Our certified Sherpa and Gurung guides built this company around one goal: putting trekker experience before volume.

Our lead guides grew up in villages along the Annapurna Circuit and the Khumbu valley. They know these trails in every season, in every weather condition. More importantly, they know the families who run the tea houses, the monks at the monasteries, the farmers whose fields you walk through. That access is what separates a genuine mountain experience from a guided walk.

We have guided more than 1,000 trekkers from over 40 countries. We have maintained a 100% safety record on all high-altitude crossings. We hold a 4.9-star rating on TripAdvisor and on Google Reviews from 500+ verified reviews. And we are proud to return 5–10% of every trek revenue to our Porter Education Programme.

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What We Stand For

Our Values

Safety First, Always

We carry emergency oxygen, satellite phones, and pulse oximeters on every trek. Our turn-back protocols are non-negotiable.

Certified Local Expertise

Every guide holds a TAAN Class A licence and Wilderness First Responder certification. This isn't just guiding — it's professional mountain service.

Community Impact

5–10% of every trek revenue funds our Porter Education Programme. The people who carry your bags deserve educational opportunity too.

Our Network

Part of the Swotah Travel Family

Annapurna Trekking is the Annapurna-region specialist within the Swotah Travel & Adventure family — a network of six Nepali-owned sister companies, each deeply rooted in their own region or speciality. Learn about our network →

Flagship

Swotah Travel & Adventure

Nepal's award-winning adventure travel company. TripAdvisor Hall of Fame, 2,400+ five-star reviews.

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Cultural

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German

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The Team

Meet Your Guides

Pemba Sherpa

18 years · 340+ treks guided

Pemba has been guiding in the Khumbu and Annapurna regions for 18 years. He's crossed Thorong La over 80 times and Larkya La 40+ times. A certified Wilderness First Responder and TAAN Class A guide, Pemba's deep knowledge of altitude physiology and Sherpa culture makes every group feel in expert hands.

TAAN Class A GuideWilderness First ResponderISTA CertifiedAltitude Medicine Certified (ISMM)

Dawa Tshering

12 years · 210+ treks guided

Dawa grew up in a village above Chhomrong with Annapurna South filling the skyline. He's been guiding the Annapurna Sanctuary and Mardi Himal routes for 12 years and knows every family, every tea house, and every shortcut on these trails. His calm, unhurried style is particularly valued by first-time trekkers.

TAAN Class A GuideMountain Rescue CertifiedACAP Community Guide

Karma Gyalzen

15 years · 180+ treks guided

Karma specialises in Manaslu and restricted area treks. A Manang native, he has an intimate understanding of the Tibetan Buddhist communities along the Manaslu Circuit and Upper Mustang. His Tibetan language skills allow access to conversations and communities that most outsiders never reach.

TAAN Class A GuideRestricted Area SpecialistTibetan Cultural Guide Certificate