LocationsNepal has trained its first cohort of deaf trekking guides, with four women and 21 men receiving instruction ranging from mountain safety and logistics to geography and wildlife
New paths in silence: Deaf trekking guides are redefining Himalayan trails in Nepal
December 8, 2025
Kathmandu, Nepal – Two years ago, when Rajita Deula received a sudden request from a visiting group of deaf tourists to guide them around Kathmandu, she was not unsure what to say.
She had never worked as a guide, had no training, but she did have one crucial skill: she could communicate with them in sign language, unlike any of the other available guides.
The visitors—deaf travelers from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand—were attending a conference for the deaf and hard of hearing community, and eager to experience Nepal’s culture and landscapes up close.
As none of the available professional guides could understand the group’s questions or explain in sign language, Deula stepped in. A deaf Nepali herself, she agreed despite her uncertainty and lack of training.
“I knew my knowledge was limited, but I was determined to try. That moment sparked a new dream."Rajita Deula, Trekking Guide
Photo: NTB/ UNDP
In the months that followed, Deula guided several visiting delegations at the request of the National Federation of the Deaf Nepal (NFDN). When she later saw a Facebook post inviting deaf applicants for an official trekking-guide training programme, she applied without hesitation.
A rare training opportunity
For the first time in Nepal’s trekking history, the Nepal Tourism Board(NTB) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in in partnership with NDFN and Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM), launched a formal trekking-guide course specifically for deaf trainees.
Photo: NTB/ UNDP
Twenty-five deaf participants, four women and 21 men, received instructions ranging from mountain safety and logistics to Nepal’s history, culture, geography and landscape. Instructors included mountaineers, rescue experts, and medical professionals, while practical sessions covered first aid, gear handling, route planning, insurance, and client care.
Trekking as a deaf guide requires unique communication techniques — visual cues, hand signals adapted for distance, pre-agreed gestures for emergencies, and constant attention to the terrain. Sudden weather changes, falling rocks, avalanches, or wildlife usually trigger auditory warnings, but deaf guides must read the environment differently. Many rely on vibrations, shadows, and the reactions of companions, making teamwork and trust essential on every journey.
“I’m now fully confident to work as a guide in any trekking area, from Muktinath to Annapurna Base Camp,” said Riha Maharjan, 29, whose story shows how far opportunities are expanding. Her husband and brother-in-law are also deaf, and the family’s love for trekking began when her husband started taking them to the highlands each year.
Photo: NTB/ UNDP
“That’s how I fell in love with trekking,” she said through sign language. “I have some foreign friends, and after this training, I want to take them to some popular trekking routes along Annapurna and Manaslu.”
Beyond guiding, Riha is pursuing a master’s degree in business studies, placed in the top 10 of Miss Deaf Universe 2024, and plans to start a tourism-related business in Kathmandu to stay active during the off-season. Her story is part of a growing movement to break barriers for deaf trekkers across Nepal.
Photo: NTB/ UNDP
Breaking the barriers
A few trainees had previously worked on major trekking routes as porters or informal guides, but without an official certification, opportunities—especially in areas like the Everest region—remained out of reach.
“I have been to all the major tourist destinations, but since porters from outside the districts aren’t allowed to work in the Everest region, I was looking forward to completing this training,” said Chop Prasad Poudel, a newly certified trekking guide.
Poudel, 32, works at a Kathmandu hotel during the low season and carries backpacks during peak months. He added that deaf guides often face skepticism from the hiring companies, who doubt their capabilities. For Poudel and many others, formal training and certification are helping break down these barriers, opening doors to new opportunities across Nepal’s major trekking routes.
Photo: NTB/ UNDP
“Now, it’s our turn to shine as certified guides,” Poudel said through sign language.
Participants say the programme, one of the first of its kind designed specifically for deaf people, has given them confidence to pursue their dreams. Raj Bahadur Budha, 28, from Mugu district scaled a 50-foot (15-meter) climbing wall during training, raising his fists in triumph. Equipped with climbing gear and harness, he quickly descended to the ground.
“I have a dream to climb Mt. Everest,” Budha, who had already guided deaf and foreign tourists before the training, said through an interpreter. “After this trekking training, I’m aiming for big mountains. Several foreigners have reached the top of these peaks. I can do that too.”
Photo: NTB/ UNDP
Opening paths for all through visual trekking
Nepal, home to eight of the world’s 14 highest mountains and internationally renowned trekking routes, attracts over a million trekkers each year. Yet its tourism industry has rarely catered to deaf or hard-of-hearing visitors.
Globally, more than 430 million people live with disabling hearing loss, representing a largely untapped market. To address this, the Sustainable Tourism Project, in partnership with the NDFN and NATHM, launched the country’s first sign-language–based trekking-guide training this year.
Our first-ever training proves that talent is universal and that Nepal’s tourism sector must be human-centered and inclusive. By connecting deaf guides with trekking and tour operators, if we can attract even a small batch of deaf tourists, it will create a meaningful boost for Nepal’s tourism.”- Deepak Raj Joshi, CEO of Nepal Tourism Board.
For Santosh KC, President of NDFN, watching our deaf youths excel—whether in the classroom, wall climbing, rock climbing, or mini-trekking—has reaffirmed that being differently-abled means being differently powerful.
Ajaya Kumar Dhakal, principal at NATHM, explained that the enthusiasm among the first cohort has been remarkable. “They were more interested and active than ordinary trekking guides. Their interests demonstrate that deaf guides are ready to lead — not just on the trails, but in shaping a more inclusive and innovative future for Nepal’s tourism."
Photo: NTB/ UNDP
