Shiva Dhakal leading a group in the Annapurna region . Photo by RMT .
In the misty hills of Nepal is a warm and loving family of 22 individuals . This constellation of grandparents , aunties , uncles and cousins spends every moment of the day together , sleeping under the same roof , and eating from the same kitchen . The depth of the care and sympathy these individuals have for each other is imprinted into the impressionable minds of the children of this family , marking their personality forever . One of these kids is Shiva Dhakal , who credits his sensibility towards family and community dynamics to the large family he was born into . It comes to no surprise that Mr . Dhakal would grow up to become a visionary for the development of local Nepali communities in relation to the tourism sector . Today he is renowned for having established Royal Mountain Travel in 2005 , and subsequently Community Homestay Network ( CHN ) in 2017 , along with other businesses such as Avata , a yoga and relaxation center , two boutique hotels in Kathmandu Valley and Inside Himalayas , a magazine focused on giving a platform to the voices of the travelers in Nepal . Seeing the successful businessman and social entrepreneur that he is today it is hard to imagine the self-forged path that brought him to the position in which he is today .
Origins and Observations
Having started his career at the tender age of 17 , Mr . Dhakal ’ s innovative ideas began to take shape in his mind by the time he was in his early twenties . His very first job was in a little guest house in Thamel , the touristic hub of Kathmandu , where he worked as a young , jack-of-alltrade . Shortly after that , he worked as a staff member in a trekking equipment rental company . Both these jobs put him in close contact with foreign visitors in Nepal , and marked the beginning of a long career in this sector . By the time he was 20 , he began doing some office work in a trekking agency , and soon he began guiding groups in what was then called camping treks . In the 90 ’ s this form of trekking was more popular than it is today . Seen as a luxury , this form of trekking meant that the trekkers would carry along a guide to show them the way , one or multiple porters to carry the bags , tents , cooking ingredients , and personal belongings , and there would often be a cook who came along too . The observations made by Mr . Dhakal during this period of his life permanently altered his perception of the tourism sector in Nepal and inspired him to establish Royal Mountain Travel and CHN .
Visitor enjoys the experience of wearing traditional clothes with hosts . Photo by RMT .
12 www . insidehimalayas . com by Royal Mountain Travel