Born in the Ruby Valley of northern Dhading, at the foothills of the Ganesh Himal, Simbir Ghale’s life journey has always been tied to nature. As a young boy, he explored the rivers, forests, and hills of his homeland. His fondness for fishing and climbing anything he could was a foreshadowing of the life he would build.
After passing his SLC in 2011, Simbir moved to Kathmandu for further studies and work. It was here that his father, who had nearly 30 years of experience working as a porter in the trekking industry, introduced him to a senior guide. That introduction opened the first door for him to start his journey on the trek. At just 16 years old, Simbir took his first job as a porter. He showed up in his first trek with a Vans shoe on his foot and jean pants on his lower body. What he lacked in trekking equipment, he made up for with unwavering determination. The work was tough, but he gave it his 100%, be it carrying heavy loads, walking long days, or always showing up with honesty and heart. For two years, from 2011 to 2013, he worked as a porter, happy to be on the trails.
Then, in 2014, he became an assistant or porter-guide. By then, he had already been teaching himself English and learning how to guide clients on the trail. Later that same year, he trained at the Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM) and earned his official trekking guide license. This achievement marked his transition from a porter to a professional guide.
From 2015 onward, he grew with the ranks. He started as an assistant guide, then became a senior guide, and eventually led groups to peaks above 6,000 meters. Between 2016 and 2019, he guided small groups, while offering personalized service and building lifelong connections with trekkers from around the globe.
But his journey was not without its challenges. Coming from a humble Gurung–Ghale background, he didn’t even speak Nepali well when he started, let alone international languages. Learning to guide travelers from around the world wasn’t easy. But he kept at it listening, practicing, and working hard to master the English language. Then came 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic froze Nepal’s tourism industry. With no treks to lead, he returned to his village in the Ruby Valley, where he turned to farming and spent his time exploring the beautiful landscapes around his home.
As time passed, the tourism industry slowly started to revive in 2022. Simbir returned to the trails with the same passion as before and started leading new groups. Since then, his guiding career has reached new heights. Recently, in 2023, he led groups to Everest Base Camp, and in 2024, to Gokyo Ri, adding more milestones to his already rich journey.
Now, after more than 14 years on the trail, he has started something of his own. Simbir turned his dream into reality by founding Action Nepal Treks (ANT) in 2024. Built on the principles of honesty, hard work, and respect for the mountains, ANT reflects his lifelong dedication to the Himalayas. Today, Simbir and his small, passionate team are ready and waiting to take you on an unforgettable journey to the Himalayas of Nepal.
