About Us

Kirat Treks Adventure Travel is registered with the Ministry of Nepal under tourism license No. 669. At Kirat Treks our guides have many years of experience at guiding clients through the Himalayas. With a minimum of 10 to 26 years of guiding clients throughout Nepal, Tibet, India, and Bhutan, you can be assured that you are in the best hands available to this region.

Our guides speak a number of different languages, including English. Please see the biography section of this website for more information on the Kirat Treks team of professional guides and staff.

Kirat Treks is owned and operated by Hemant Rai and Lezlie Armstrong. We are very fortunate to have some of the most experienced guides in the industry on our staff.

The Staff at Kirat Treks

Hemant Rai
Director of Kirat Treks Nepal Office

Hemant Rai is responsible for operations at the Nepal Office of Kirat Treks. He is a licensed trekking guide by the authority of the Kingdom of Nepal. He was born in the district of Sankhwashawa (Eastern Nepal). Hemant has worked in the trekking industry for the past 10 years. He has guided numerous treks in Nepal, India, and Tibet. He is a religious Buddhist, enjoys rock climbing, and spending time with his family.

Lezlie Armstrong Rai
Director of Kirat Treks United States Office

Lezlie Armstrong is responsible for operations at the United States Office of Kirat Treks. She is a native of California, who has lived in Yosemite National Park and Jackson, Wyoming. She began climbing in Yosemite in 1985. In the winter, Lezlie taught Alpine skiing at Badger Pass, Yosemite, California. Lezlie moved to Jackson in 1987 where she taught Alpine Skiing at Teton Village and took advantage of the great mountaineering and back country skiing the area provided. She is a fourth degree black belt in the style of Okinawa Goju-Ryu Karate-Do. Her academic studies have been in Anthropology and Philosophy. She also enjoys spending time with her family.

Dhane Saila Tamang
Senior Guide and Head Cook

Mr. Tamang is from Solukhumbu Zone. He has been working in trekking and on expeditions for 26 years. He is a licensed trekking guide by the authority of the Kingdom of Nepal. Mr. Tamang has an impressive resume of experience in this industry, including the following: Manaslu Himal German Expedition Lhotse - Spanish Expedition Everest - U.K. Expedition Janu - Spanish Expedition Dhaulagiri 1 - All women's expedition Dhaulagiri 1 - Spanish/Basque Expedition Chwamor - Japanese Expedition When asked about what hobbies he enjoys most, his answer was treking and viewing the Himalayas.

Norbu Lama
Guide

Norbu Lama was born in Western Nepal in the Jumla District. He has been working as a professional trekking guide for 16 years on trips through out the entire Kingdom of Nepal. He has a great sence of humor that he enjoys sharing with his clients. His son, Ongchu Lama, also works for Kirat Treks as a guide, carrying on the family tradition.

Ongchuk Lama
Guide

Ongchuk Lama was born in Western Nepal in the Jumla District. He has five years experience working in the trekking industry. He is a licensed trekking guide by the authority of the Kingdom of Nepal. Ongchuk has learned a great deal about trekking from his father Norbu Lama. He enjoys playing cricket and reading novels.

Gowa Tundup Lama
Guide

Gowa Tundup Lama is a licensed guide by the authority of the Kingdom of Nepal. He has completed the mountaineering training course from HMI in Darjeeling, India. He was born in the district of Humla (Western Nepal) which is on the border of Tibet. Gowa has worked in the trekking industry for the past 10 years. He has guided numerous treks in Nepal and Tibet, specializing in Tibet. He is a religious Buddhist. Gowa Tundup Lama also has a broad knowledge of Nepali and Tibetan culture, including Buddhist philosophy. He enjoys nature, climbing mountains, and outdoor adventure travel.

Purna Limbu
Cook/Guide

Purna Limbu was born in the Dankuta district of Eastern Nepal. He has worked in the trekking industry as a cook for 17 years. During this time, he has worked through out the entire country of Nepal. He has also accompanied treks in many areas of India and Tibet. Mr. Limbu is a religious Buddhist. He enjoys a family.

Bhakta Raj Gurung
Guide

Bhakta Raj Gurung was born in Solukhumbu in 1962. He has been working in the trekking industry for over 25 years. He is a Buddhist and has a vast knowledge about Buddhism and Hinduism. He has made a very good career from his job. He enjoys trekking in Tibet and India. He is a perfect gentleman, has got a very pleasant personality and enjoys guiding foreigners. He has visited almost all the parts of Nepal.