Namaste!

I'm Nil Prasad Bhattarai, director of Nepal Himal Treks and Tours. Most people know me as just NP.

We are a young start-up with the goal of eventually guiding international trekkers to all corners of Nepal. Whether it's Nature you seek, or life-long memories of conversations with a porter, inn keeper or goat herder, we will be that bridge that will take you there.

I hope to build a successful and honest business, as well as a travel company that gives jobs and supports families, becoming a source of economic opportunity for local communities.

Coming from a very poor background, I've experienced the deep pain of financial struggle. I know what it means to go to sleep hungry, to put one's education on hold, and to watch your family suffer simply because there is no money. Those experiences have shaped not only who I am, but also what I want to do with my life.

I was born in 1979 in the vicinity of the picturesque village of Birdi near the Manaslu Conservation Area in Gorkha district.

My father was 35 when he married my mother, who was just 7 years old at the time. Their marriage was arranged, which was common in our community and cultural setting during that time.

We were one of the poorest families in my community. From the very beginning, life was filled with struggle. We had no money at all, limited access to resources, and almost no support from the outside. But what made my life even more different was my mother's condition - she had a slow mind from young. Because of her mental challenges, she was never able to take care of a household the way most mothers in Nepal do.

Growing up, I never experienced the simple joy of eating the meals prepared by my own mother. She never cooked a meal in her entire life - not because she didn't care to, but because she wasn't able to. That absence was painful.

When I was 10, a fire burned down our house shortly after the harvest season. All the crops stored inside our house were destroyed, crops that were meant to sustain our family for the entire year. My father was forced to go from house to house in the village, asking for help to survive.

We had no place to go. With no money to rebuild and no one to support us, we lived in an empty house nearby abandoned by another family who had moved to a better place. The house had no proper walls, no electricity and no furniture - but it was the only shelter we had.

Whenever it rained heavily, our house would be completely flooded. All of our belongings - including my school books, notebooks and personal items - were soaked and badly damaged. This experience left a deep impact on me, and I still find myself thinking about it often.

Living in that broken house was one of the hardest times of my life. We faced cold nights, rainy days, hunger and fear. But it also taught me strength, survival, and the true meaning of resilience.

Four years later, while I was 14, my father suddenly died. Losing him was not only an emotional loss, but also a financial disaster for our family. He was our only source of income.

Today, I carry those memories not with shame, but with pride - because I know how far I've come.

Looking back, I realise how much those years had shaped me. They made me independent and gave me a deep understanding of life's struggles.

I didn't have an easy childhood, but I gained something even more valuable - the strength to face any difficulty, the heart to care for others, and the courage to keep going no matter how hard life gets.

After many years of perseverance, I proudly completed my bachelor's degree. This achievement meant the world to me because it shows that even with a poor background and in the face of difficulties, success is possible if you stay focused and committed. I'm proud not only because I finished my education, but because I did it while supporting myself through work.

I began my professional life as a waiter. For two years, I learned the importance of customer service, teamwork, and attention to detail. Working in a fast-paced restaurant taught me how to communicate effectively, manage time under pressure, and maintain a positive attitude under all circumstances. This experience shaped my ability to connect with people and deliver quality service.

With a growing interest in operations and finance, I then worked for four years as an accountant. In this position, I was responsible for managing financial records, preparing reports, handling payroll, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. This role sharpened my analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Building on my experience in both service and finance, I took on a leadership role as an operation manager at three-star hotel in Chitwan National Park. There at Sapana Village Lodge, I worked for five years. I later became a guide in Chitwan National Park, where I shared my knowledge about local ecosystems, wildlife and conservation with guests. My job deepened my appreciation for Nature and taught me how to educate and inspire diverse groups of people in a meaningful way.

For the past ten years, I have been working as a trekking guide, leading long treks through remote regions. This has been the most rewarding chapter of my professional life. I guide both domestic and international clients, helping them explore natural beauty while ensuring their safety and comfort in occasionally challenging environments. I have planned routes, arranged logistics, navigated changing weather conditions, and shared my knowledge with clients about the local culture, geography, and traditions. This role requires physical endurance, leadership, crisis management, and strong interpersonal skills.

My goal now is to not only lift myself and my family out of the unpredictable Wheel of Life, if it is indeed possible at all, but to also create opportunities for others. I want to create a business that is not just profitable, but meaningful. I believe true success is not only measured by how much you earn, but also by how much you give.

I want to use my success to be one small source of light for others - because I know how it feels to live in the dark.

Thank you for your kind attention!

NP Bhattarai