The story of Nature Excursion begins with two brothers, Raju and Karan Gurung, who grew up in Chalish, a remote village in Ruby Valley. Their early years were shaped by a connection to the land, gathering firewood, herding livestock, and helping their family.
Amid those daily chores, there was one thing that fascinated them most: the foreign tourists who occasionally passed through their village. Fascinated by the trekkers and local guides, they dreamed of one day joining them in the world of trekking.
As teenagers, they stepped onto the trail themselves, not as tourists but as porters. With heavy loads on their backs, they walked long, tiring days to places they had only heard about. Over time, they grew from porters to guides and learned every bend in the trail, every village story, and how to keep people safe in the high-altitude areas.
Slowly, their passion grew from simply walking the trails to wanting to share the stories, culture, and natural beauty of Nepal with the world. They believed that those who were born and raised in these valleys—those who know every turn, every river, and every trail—could offer travelers a much richer, more genuine experience.
They envisioned Nature Excursion as a way to provide trekkers with a deep connection to Nepal’s culture and landscapes, seen through the eyes of those who had lived it. This is how Nature Excursion was founded: with a mission to share authenticity and personal experiences, with a commitment to providing travelers with an experience beyond just the destination.
Our Journey in Milestones
Over the years, a few key moments have quietly shaped who we are, how we guide, and how we care for every traveler who walks with us in the Himalayas. Here is how our story has unfolded.
2023 - Establishment of Nature Excursion
In 2023, what had lived for years in hearts finally took shape. This year marked the official foundation of Nature Excursion. We were just a tiny team with a small office and a few well-worn maps, but with one big promise: to guide people in the Himalayas with honesty, safety, and the same care we give to our own family.
Our First Trek - Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake Trek
Our first treks after establishing the company were to Everest Base Camp and to the turquoise Gokyo Lakes, and we remember them as if they were yesterday. The Everest Base Camp trekker was a professional athlete, so strong and determined that we safely completed a journey that usually takes 12–14 days in just 7 days.
At the same time, we guided a 75-year-old guest along the quieter paths to Gokyo, slowing down, checking in at every step, and making sure comfort and safety came before distance or speed. From the very first season, we were reminded that patience, care, and adapting to each person’s pace matter more than speed.
From Trekking to High‑Altitude Climbing
The day we aimed for Mera Peak (16 September 2023) marked a turning point. We were no longer just trekking guides but a team growing into true high-altitude summit leaders. Since that day, we have continued to guide climbers on 6,000-meter peaks such as Island Peak, Lobuche Peak, and Mera Peak with structured acclimatization, careful planning, and experienced climbing guides.
Every time we aim for the summit, we carry the memory of that first attempt and the promise we made that no photo is ever worth more than a life.
Our Growing Team (Then vs. Now)
We started with just 4 team members, including our founders. Today, Nature Excursion has grown into a professional family of 7 expert guides and a flexible number of strong porters who join us whenever needed. Now, we can accommodate groups of various sizes.
Our guides are not just navigators—they are companions who will teach you simple Nepali phrases, sing folk songs by the dining-room heater, and dance with you at 4,000 m, while quietly making sure that even on the hardest days, there is warmth, laughter, and a feeling of home on the trail.
From 6 Trekkers to 80+ Per Season
In our early days, only 6 or 7 trekkers joined us each season. We still remember every name, every small worry before the trek, and every dream they carried into the mountains.
Today, more than 80 trekkers walk with us each season from all corners of the world, and many more join us through word-of-mouth recommendations. To us, those recommendations feel like a quiet vote of trust and a sign that we are exactly where we once dreamed of being—growing in the right direction.
Continued Responsible Tourism & Environmental Action
Since mountain trails gave us work, purpose, and a second home, our responsibility now goes beyond simply guiding treks. We see ourselves as quiet guardians of the trails, and we invite every guest to become one too. Along our journey, we have helped explore and promote new hiking routes near Kathmandu, bringing guests to paths that are often overlooked while supporting the small local economies that depend on them.
In the Everest region, we joined hands with conservation initiatives such as Sagarmatha Next and began a meaningful tradition: asking every trekker to carry at least one kilogram of waste from Namche Bazaar to Lukla. Also, each year, a portion of what we earn flows back into the villages our guides call home, supporting education, healthcare, and community needs.
Proud Recipients of the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award 2025
In 2025, our little dream in the mountains received a big acknowledgement when we were honored with the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award. This recognition did not come from a panel or jury but from the words and ratings of the guests who walked beside us and chose to share their experiences with others.
We are deeply thankful to all our guests for believing in us. Going forward, we will stay true to our values and continue to provide a personalized, friendly journey in Nepal’s Himalayas.
From 12 years old to 75 years old, Trekkers
Over the years, we have walked beside travelers from many generations. We have walked with our oldest trekker, a 75-year-old guest, on the Gokyo Lake trek.
Recently, we welcomed our youngest, a 12-and-a-half-year-old, who completed the Annapurna Circuit with us in 2024. From age 12 to 75, we’ve proven that with the right team, age is never a barrier to adventure.
Future Plans
As we look toward the future, our dream remains simple. We will provide an adventure that is fun and meaningful, not hard or miserable. Over the years, we have heard trekkers talk about cold feet, sleepless nights, and eating the same food every day. Our next step is all about comfort and care. We are improving rest spaces, planning more gradual pacing, offering warmer guidance, and removing small issues that can make a trek feel difficult.
At the same time, we are preparing for bigger challenges. We want to take the safety, care, and high-altitude experience we have on 6,000-meter peaks and use it for full mountain expeditions to some of the world’s highest summits.
The Continuing Journey of Nature Excursion
Today, Nature Excursion reflects the brothers’ long journey from village boys to mountain guides and business owners. With more than 17 years of experience in trekking and climbing, they still stay close to the trails, working side by side with a team that shares their values. The aim has stayed simple: keep groups small, keep promises honest, and make sure every guest feels looked after from the first airport pickup to the final farewell.
Whether it’s trekking to the summit ofIsland Peak or exploring the hidden gems of Upper Mustang, we at Nature Excursion are committed to providing you a genuine experience. With routes carefully chosen based on local knowledge, days paced to adjust for altitude and comfort, and nights spent in teahouses where locals welcome you with warmth, we ensure you are immersed in the land, its culture, and its stories in every journey.
What Nature Excursion Promises You
At Nature Excursion, we focus on three core values: authenticity, safety, and genuine connection.
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