Meet our local partners | A friendly guide in Nepal

Working with local partners abroad helps Rickshaw give back to the destinations we offer travellers. When our Nepal partners suggested that they contribute to our blog we jumped at the chance to find out more about how they live and work and what they think about their beautiful country. Below, local guide Sandeep Bhatta shares his experience of introducing Nepal to travellers…

Introducing Sandeep…

Sandeep Bhatta is one of the many skilled trekking guides in Nepal. After spending many hours studying English at school, his fluency now supports him in communicating and understanding the needs of his guests, which he feels is one of the keys to his success as a guide. Young and confident, Sandeep started his career as a porter in 2009 but in 2010, after two trekking seasons (March – May and Sep – Dec), he was appointed as assistant guide.

In October 2011, while he was on holiday for Dashain; one of the biggest festivals in Nepal, he was called out to lead a Dutch couple on a Gorepani Trek. For him, this was his first introduction to working with European travellers. “They were my very first clients from Rickshaw, which made me a bit nervous but they were very supportive and funny. They were a happy couple and trekking became more fun with laughs and conversation along the way.”

“After that trek, with coming years, I became very familiar with Rickshaw Travel. Not only have I had opportunities to guide hilarious guests, but also I like the itineraries they have developed”, says Bhatta. He adds, “Working with Rickshaw turned out to be very fruitful for me. I always grow my confidence each day and we are always conscious to avoid negative feedback.”