KATHMANDU: Silent conversations are beginning to emerge along Nepal’s Himalayan trekking trails. These are conversations carried out not through spoken words, but through sign language. The growing presence of deaf trekking guides signals the beginning of a new chapter of inclusivity within Nepal’s tourism industry.

Chop Prasad Paudel of Ward 5, Kalika Rural Municipality, Rasuwa, and Chhiri Sherpa of Solukhumbu have become representative characters of this new chapter of change. The ascents of Himalayan trekking trails are not conquered merely through physical endurance; for that, self-confidence, courage, and opportunity are equally necessary.

Paudel and Sherpa have become examples of this very courage and self-confidence. Paudel, who has been struggling as a porter and hotel cook in the tourism sector for the past few years, recently successfully completed the world-famous Manaslu Circuit Trek, showing a new hope in the inclusive tourism journey of Nepal.

He completed a 15-day trek on the difficult Manaslu trekking trail that reaches an altitude of 5,106 meters. This journey of his is not merely a personal success but has also become an inspiring message for communities with different abilities.

Paudel says, “After receiving the news that trekking guide training for deaf youth was going to be conducted by the Sustainable Tourism Project operated jointly by the Nepal Tourism Board and the United Nations Development Program, I also participated. I felt a big difference in the trekking experience before the training and after the training. Learning boosted my self-confidence and gave me knowledge on how to manage in difficult situations.”

Recently, an American traveler and his hearing-impaired Nepali wife went on a trek through Gokyo, Cho La Pass (5,375 meters), and Everest Base Camp before concluding the journey in Lukla.

After the training, he contacted two French tourists through social media. After completing the necessary procedures, Paudel, who set out on the Manaslu Circuit Trek, taking them along, successfully completed the journey. During the trek, one assistant had supported him. Manaslu is one of the most difficult trekking routes in Nepal. However, Paudel has stated that the knowledge obtained from the training, skills regarding mountain safety, and practical practice with tourists made the journey easy. “After this trek, the self-confidence inside me has become even higher. Now, a desire to trek on other trekking trails of Nepal as well has arisen,” he said.

In the training, theoretical and practical knowledge regarding mountain safety, first aid, trekking trail management, hospitality, cultural interpretation, environmental responsibility, crisis management, and the geographical and cultural diversity of Nepal was given. Paudel’s journey shows that possibilities are expanding in the tourism sector for the Deaf community. Another example putting that very possibility into practice is Chhiri Sherpa.

Sherpa of Solukhumbu has been making foreign tourists travel on Himalayan trekking trails for a long time. He communicates with tourists through sign language and leads everything himself, from making trekking plans through video calls to preparing for the journey.

Recently, taking one American and his hearing-impaired Nepali wife, he successfully completed a trek to Lukla via Gokyo, Cho La Pass (5,375 meters), and Everest Base Camp. According to Chhiri Sherpa, sign language constructs a different kind of trust and intimacy during the journey. “We communicated through signs throughout the journey. Behavior and understanding became more important than words,” he said.

According to the World Health Organization, around 430 million people worldwide are affected by hearing problems, while more than 70 million use sign language.

Stakeholders of the tourism sector have taken the trekking guide training started for deaf youth as an important initiative for inclusive tourism development in Nepal. Santosh KC, the president of the National Federation of the Deaf Nepal, said that deaf youth can also make important contributions to the tourism sector of Nepal.

According to the World Health Organization, around 430 million people worldwide are affected by hearing problems, while more than 70 million use sign language. In such a situation, Dharma Raj Dawadi, the manager of the Sustainable Tourism Project, expressed happiness that this initiative started in Nepal has become effective for inclusive tourism.

“The tourism of Nepal is now no longer limited merely to mountains and natural beauty. Signs of the practice of inclusivity and equal opportunity making tourism even more humane and extensive have begun to be seen,” sadi Dawadi.

The experiences of Paudel and Sherpa have demonstrated that, when provided with opportunity, training, and support, members of the Deaf community can become highly capable guides and meaningful representatives of Nepal’s tourism sector. Through their journeys, they have called on the government, tourism entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders to create broader employment pathways and greater opportunities for deaf youth and people with different abilities.

(Translated from RSS)