SANGAM

Trek guides feel like cat’s whiskers
SANGAM PRASAIN
SYANGBOCHE, MAY 23 -
Pemba Tenzing Sherpa thinks himself fortunate to be a trekking and mountaineering guide although he did not get a proper education. He does not regret not being an educated man because he can communicate well with tourists.

"I had to work, and I didn't have any alternative than to quit school," Tenzing said. He works hard for almost three months during the

peak tourist season. "I get paid US$ 10-20 per day from foreigners as guide charge," he said. He saves

about Rs. 200,000 during the peak tourist season.

During the off-season, a number of guides move to the US or Europe. Similarly, Kathmandu is also a preferred place to spend the holidays for these guides during the off-season.

Tara Gurung, owner of Hotel Panorama in Syangboche, said that he visits Japan regularly as a part-timer during the off-season.

March, April and October are the main tourist season. Tourist movement decreases slightly in January and February. June, July and August are the off-season for tourism activities. "A majority of Sherpas working here as mountaineering guides get opportunities to work as a part-timer in Switzerland," Gurung said. They work in hotels and other businesses, Gurung added.

Trekking agents, tour operators, sirdars (trekking field managers), high altitude climbers, porters and cooks are in high demand in Japan, Switzerland, France, the US and other countries.

In the Khumbu region, men take a majority of these jobs, although women are mostly responsible for managing the lodges. The most successful lodges actually produce more profits than the trekking agencies.

A number of Sherpas from Namche Bazaar, Khumjung and Khunde follow the same work pattern as Tenzing. The younger generation, however, has a better life. "Over 80 percent of Sherpa children are pursuing their education outside the country," said Krishna Aryal, coordinator of Explore Himalaya. "Not only are the Sherpas better off, their faithfulness and hardworking nature has endeared them to foreigners, and they support their children's education abroad," he added.

Mingma Chhamji Sherpa, a female guide who is new to her guide profession, said she gave more priority to work than education.

A commerce graduate, Mingma said most Sherpas did not prefer education, however, being educated makes the guide occupation more professional. She said that a mountaineering guide was paid better than a trekking guide. According to her, the pay for guides and trekkers is determined by tourist spending.

"I get a monthly salary of Rs. 4,000, and my daily allowance while on trek is Rs. 700-800," she said.

Bibek Pandey another guide, said tourism had a promising future if there was peace and law and order.

"A trekking guide gets US$ 10-30 per day during the tourist season. The pay for a group leader exceeds US$ 50-70," he added. Similarly, a mountaineering guide gets US$ 125-175 for carrying a load of up to 15 kg to Camp IV on Everest.

"Tourism has changed the life of the people in the region," said Prajangbu Sherpa, a Khunde local who has climbed Everest five times.