Guide

Mr. Uttam Thapa

Uttam Thapa

Jovial and helpful, Uttam Thapa is great fun to be with on the trail. Hailing from the mountainside town of Dhading, he has been working as a trekking guide since 2012. He joined Nepal Hiking Team in the year 2021.

Uttam is a professional licensed guide and has received training in wilderness survival and first aid. He has successfully led clients on trekking adventures to Manaslu, Makalu, Everest Region, Langtang Region, Annapurna Region, etc.

Always positive and ready with a warm smile, Uttam will make your most difficult days on the trek a fun experience.

 

Traveller Review

  • Amazing trekking experience with Nepal Hiking Team

    We truly can't express how great this trip was. From booking and planning to pick-up and the entire trek, everything was flawlessly planned by Nepal Hiking Team.

    We had such an amazing experience on the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Our guide, Uttam, and porter, Krishna, were friendly and attentive to all of our needs, and overall, really great people to spend two weeks with.

    We will not forget this bucket-list trip anytime soon and would highly recommend this company to anyone interested in trekking in Nepal!

    + Read More
    A
    - Excellent
    Ms. Adrienne Cizik
    8th Apr 2024
  • Everest Cho La Pass Trek with Uttam & Nepal Hiking Team

    I recently completed the Everest Chola Pass Trek with Nepal Hiking Team, and it was an unforgettable adventure. From start to finish, the experience was seamless and truly exceptional.

    Our guide, Uttam, was outstanding. His knowledge of the region, its history, and the local culture was impressive and made each day of the trek enriching and educational. Uttam's professionalism and patience were remarkable, ensuring that we felt safe, informed, and well-taken care of throughout the journey. His friendly demeanor and genuine passion for the mountains added a special touch to the trek, making every moment enjoyable. We shared many laughs each day and always had something to smile about!

    We were also incredibly fortunate to have Amar as our porter/Sherpa. Amar was an absolute pleasure to trek with; his strength and dedication were evident as he safely carried our bags across the challenging terrain. Beyond his physical capabilities, Amar's warm personality and helpful nature made him an integral part of our trekking experience.

    The Everest Chola Pass Trek itself was breathtaking, with stunning landscapes, challenging passes, and awe-inspiring views. We decided to go the clockwise route enjoying Gokyo valley first before embarking on Cho La Pass and EBC. We had phenomenal views and a perfect weather window for hiking - even the snowy Cho La Pass terrain was enjoyable and made for a real Himalayan experience.

    The itinerary was well-planned, allowing us to acclimatize properly and enjoy each segment of the journey to its fullest. The support from Nepal Hiking Team was top-notch, from the accommodations to the meals, ensuring a comfortable and memorable adventure. The evening fruits after dinner were always a nice treat!

    I highly recommend Nepal Hiking Team for anyone looking to embark on this incredible trek. Special thanks to Uttam and Amar for making our trek truly exceptional. Their dedication and hard work made all the difference, and I cannot recommend them enough for future trekkers.

    + Read More
    K
    - Excellent
    Ms. Katrin
    15th May 2024
  • Amazing adventure to EBC with Uttam

    We had a mind-blowing trip with Nepal Hiking Team! Our guide Uttam, was absolutely best and made the trek so much fun and memorable. He was informative, friendly, well-organized, and always kept us safe, even in a bad weather. Uttam changed our route to make sure we could still reach Gokyo safely, and it ended up being the highlight of our trip!

    Our porter, Ngima, was incredible as well—always helpful, even when we encountered snowy conditions. Together, Uttam and Ngima made this journey truly unforgettable.

    The Woodapple Hotel, where we stayed before and after the trek, was excellent—super comfortable rooms and smooth airport transfers made everything even easier.

    A huge thank you to Uttam, Ngima, and the entire Nepal Hiking Team!

    + Read More
    L
    - Excellent
    Miss. Laura B
    6th Oct 2024
  • Best Experience Best guide & best porter

    Our trip was absolutely amazing!

    We were lucky to have the best guide, Uttam, and the best porter, Ngima, by our side.

    We hit a three-day snowstorm along the way, but Uttam and Ngima kept us safe and adjusted the route so we could still make it to Gokyo Ri. Reaching there with stunning views of Everest was an experience we’ll never forget!

    It’s hard not to compare when you see other guides at the teahouses, and we couldn’t have been happier with our team. If you have the chance, definitely ask for Uttam and Ngima—they made the entire trek so much fun!

    Thanks Guys for everything!!!

    + Read More
    M
    - Excellent
    Mr. Michael M
    6th Oct 2024
  • Fabulous Trip – Excited for Many More with NHT

    We were a group of 17 people from California who had been preparing for a year for this trip. Nepal Hiking Team was referred to us by one of my friends. After talking to & interviewing several companies, NHT seemed very responsive, cost-effective & experienced. After the trip, they proved us nothing less.

    Their guides are top-of-the-line, very kind, and helpful. They made sure we all were prepared for the next day, set our expectations rights, & guided us through managing altitude sickness.

    We all made it to Nepal and came back happy and healthy.

    We all thank NHT for making our dream come true, and looking forward to many more with them.

    + Read More
    S
    - Excellent
    Ms. Shaili A
    8th Oct 2024
  • Simply the best- dream makers

     This company is simply the best. I couldn’t imagine doing this trek without them. Professional, friendly, and genuinely caring.

    I ended up calling them the dream makers. My wife and I are both 66 years old, and they made this challenging hike achievable. I can’t recommend them enough.

    From top to bottom, this team is made up of true professionals who take care of everything.

    We will definitely use them again in the future for our Everest Base Camp trek.

    + Read More
    S
    - Excellent
    Mr. Steve W
    17th Apr 2024
  • Khopra Ridge Circuit with NHT

    Just returned from a memorable 7-day Khopra Ridge Circuit trek with Nepal Hiking Team, accompanied by our two teenage sons, aged 17 and 19. To sum it up—there’s no need to search for another trekking company!

    In my view, this trek is the perfect introduction to hiking in Nepal, offering breathtaking, up-close views of both the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges on a less-traveled route. It provides an incredible experience of Nepalese high-altitude trekking, reaching up to 3,700m—low enough that altitude sickness wasn’t an issue for our family. The journey begins with easy daily sections, gradually progressing to moderate hiking days, leading to the trek’s highlights: Dobato with Mulde Peak and the Khopra Community Lodge. We walked through mountain forests filled with blooming rhododendron trees and passed through charming alpine villages. This route contrasts sharply with Ghorepani Poon Hill, which you visit on the final day and where you encounter a much busier trail.

    Tip: If you’re looking for an extra challenge (weather permitting), consider adding either Hidden Lake or the ascent to Khopra Ridge, both of which take you above 4,000m.

    Our guide, Uttam, assistant guide, Bipen, and porters, Anish and Sabin, took exceptional care of us, making the trek not only safe but also an enjoyable cultural experience. They provided support and pampering throughout the journey. Uttam ensured our safety at all times, pacing the trek within our physical abilities, organizing breaks, managing logistics, and offering insightful briefings each day. Beyond the trek itself, it was a wonderful opportunity to experience Nepalese hospitality—singing, dancing, freshly prepared meals, and friendly conversations that gave us insight into local life.

    All accommodations were in lodges—clean, with decent food, and while higher up they were more basic, hot showers weren’t always available in these remote areas.

    Ganga and Bilaram at the head office made planning effortless, offering thoughtful suggestions, clear communication, and quick responses whenever adjustments were needed. From the initial planning to arrival, the trek itself, and departure, the service was seamless. They also conduct thorough briefings before and after the trek, not only sharing insights about the experience but also actively seeking feedback to enhance their service.

    A solid eight thumbs up from our family!

    + Read More
    P
    - Excellent
    Mr. Parker M
    17th May 2023
  • Leaving Khopra

     
    Since a lot of people have been asking about the Annapurna/Dhaulagiri Panorama trek, here’s a quick breakdown of the route:

    You start on the same trail as the Ghorepani/Poon Hill trek, but things take a different turn from there.

    The morning after reaching Ghorepani, instead of following the usual trail toward the main Annapurna Circuit, you take a right turn about 30-45 minutes into the descent. This leads you down into the valley, passing through villages and rice fields before zig-zagging back up the ridge to Khopra Danda (3,600m) on the opposite side.

    At Khopra Danda, you’ll spend the night and have the option of a full-day hike to Khayer Lake, which sits right at the base of Annapurna South. If the weather’s good and you have the time, I’d highly recommend spending an extra day here to soak in the views and explore the upper ridges.

    When leaving Khopra, you take a different trail that follows the ridgeline down, passing through villages before eventually reaching Tatopani, which sits along the main Annapurna Circuit route.

    From Tatopani, getting back to Pokhara is easy—just hop on a bus (though expect a transfer and maybe even a microvan ride). There are hot springs in Tatopani too, but don’t get your hopes up too high!

    + Read More
    C
    - Excellent
    Ms. Cess Y
    20th Sep 2018
Back to Team