Deaf Trekking Guides using Sign Language to showcase Nepal’s Himalayas

Kathmandu-Nepal’s Himalayan trekking trails are now witnessing a new form of communication  one expressed through sign language instead of spoken words. The growing participation of deaf trekking guides is opening a new chapter of inclusive tourism in Nepal.

Chop Prasad Paudel from Kalika Rural Municipality-5 in Rasuwa and Chhiri Sherpa from Solukhumbu have become inspiring examples of this positive change. Trekking in Nepal’s high mountains requires not only physical endurance, but also confidence, courage, and opportunity. Both guides have demonstrated those qualities through their journeys.After years of working as a porter and hotel cook in the tourism sector, Chop Prasad recently completed the world-famous Manaslu Circuit Trek, one of Nepal’s most challenging trekking routes. The 15-day trek reaches an altitude of 5,106 meters and marked an important milestone for inclusive tourism in Nepal. His achievement has become an inspiration for people with disabilities across the country.

Chop Prasad said he joined a trekking guide training program for deaf youths conducted under the Sustainable Tourism Project jointly supported by the Nepal Tourism Board and the United Nations development initiative. According to him, the training greatly improved his confidence and taught him how to manage difficult situations during trekking.After completing the training, he connected with two French tourists through social media and later guided them on the Manaslu Circuit Trek. With support from an assistant guide, he successfully completed the journey. He said the training in mountain safety, trekking management, and tourist communication made the difficult trek much easier.“The trek increased my confidence even more. Now I want to explore and guide on other trekking routes in Nepal as well,” he said.

The training program included both practical and theoretical lessons on mountain safety, first aid, trail management, hospitality, cultural interpretation, environmental responsibility, crisis management, and Nepal’s geographical and cultural diversity.Another example of this growing inclusion is Chhiri Sherpa from Solukhumbu, who has been guiding foreign tourists in Nepal’s Himalayan regions for many years. He communicates through sign language and uses video calls to organize trekking plans and prepare tourists for their journeys.Recently, Chhiri successfully guided an American tourist and his deaf Nepali wife on a trek through Gokyo, Cho La Pass at 5,375 meters, Everest Base Camp, and Lukla. According to Chhiri, sign language creates a unique sense of trust and connection during travel.

“Throughout the journey, we communicated through signs. Understanding and behavior became more important than spoken words,” he said.Tourism stakeholders have described the trekking guide training for deaf youths as an important step toward inclusive tourism development in Nepal. Santosh KC said deaf youths can also make valuable contributions to Nepal’s tourism industry.According to the World Health Organization, around 430 million people worldwide are affected by hearing loss, while more than 70 million people use sign language. In this context, Sustainable Tourism Project Manager Dharmaraj Dawadi said he was happy to see Nepal promoting inclusive tourism through such initiatives.“Tourism in Nepal is no longer limited to mountains and natural beauty. Inclusion and equal opportunities are making tourism more human-centered and broader,” Dawadi said.The experiences of Chop Prasad and Chhiri Sherpa show that with proper opportunities and training, members of the deaf community can become skilled trekking guides and strong representatives of Nepal’s tourism industry. They have also urged the government and tourism stakeholders to create more employment and opportunities for deaf and differently-abled youths.