What does it take to build a career in Nepal's trekking industry as a woman?

In Part 2 of this three-part conversation, Durga Rawal shares the realities behind the profession—from carrying loads as a porter to earning her trekking guide license and leading trekkers through the Himalayas.

Durga speaks candidly about the challenges she has faced as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field, the determination required to advance her career, and the physical, emotional, and practical demands of guiding in the mountains. She reflects on the long days on the trail, the responsibilities guides carry for their clients, and the obstacles women continue to encounter in the tourism industry.

Yet beyond the challenges, Durga also shares what she loves most about her work: the mountains, the people she meets, the opportunity to share her culture, and the deep sense of purpose she finds in helping others experience Nepal.

This episode is part of Season 1: Elevating the Voices of Female Trekking Guides in Nepal, produced in partnership with the Himalayan Women Trail Leaders Initiative (HWTL), a program dedicated to training, mentoring, and creating pathways for women to become trekking guides and leaders in Nepal's mountain tourism industry.

Join us for an honest and inspiring conversation about perseverance, leadership, and the weight—and joy—of guiding in the Himalayas.

The Porter Voices Podcast amplifies the stories of porters, guides, and mountain workers whose labor and leadership make adventure travel possible. Through authentic storytelling, we explore workforce equity, gender inclusion, human rights, and the evolving future of mountain tourism around the world.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others who believe in creating a more equitable and inclusive future for mountain communities and tourism workers.

Learn more about our work and subscribe: ⁠www.theportervoicecollective.org⁠

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Want to partner/collaborate with PVC? Send us an email -theportervoice@gmail.com. Also, check out our HWTL ⁠⁠Initiative Brief ⁠⁠and ⁠⁠Program Evaluation⁠⁠ to learn about HWTL and its impact via our ⁠HWTL webpage⁠.

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Because every mountain journey has voices that deserve to be heard.

This episode was made possible by our Porter Voices Podcast team:

Marinel M. de Jesus, Esq., Host, Creator & Writer

Wayne Nolting, Sound Editor

Deja Dowell, Video Editor

Roger Foye, Music Director

Jowita Kudzia, Theme Music Video Editor

Darlene Lin, Program Support

Visuals by Durga Rawal