PopularPrivately guided, locally rooted journeys across Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet — designed in Kathmandu, one traveller at a time, since 2016.

Recognised by Tripadvisor every year since 2018 — seven consecutive years of verified five-star reviews from travellers across the UK, USA, Australia and Europe.
See our Tripadvisor profile →A carefully crafted Himalayan journey connecting the vibrant culture of Nepal, the serenity of Bhutan, and the mystique of Tibet.



Three Himalayan kingdoms. One operator with a permanent office, a permanent team and a permanent reputation in each.

Home to eight of the world's fourteen 8,000m peaks — trek through Sherpa villages, ancient monasteries and the most spectacular mountain scenery on the planet.

The last Shangri-La — where Buddhist culture thrives, forests cover 70 % of the land and happiness is a national policy.

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From first-time 6,000-metre peaks to full Himalayan expeditions, led by NMA-certified climbers who live where they lead.












Cultural journeys, wildlife safaris, pilgrimage circuits and multi-country adventures — curated for travellers who want more than a trek.



Hand-built itineraries our travellers come back asking for by name — small groups, named Sherpa guides, and a safety margin built into every day.
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PopularFor ten years we’ve designed private Himalayan journeys for travellers who measure a trip not in photographs but in the way it changes them. Every Swotah itinerary is hand-built by a Kathmandu specialist, led on the ground by a Nepali guide we’ve personally trained, and quietly underwritten by the village families who’ll welcome you in.
Get the most out of your Himalayan adventure by tapping into the expertise of Swotah's local professionals.
We promote responsible travel practices to minimize our environmental impact and provide a sustainable experience for our travelers.
We are committed to giving back to the communities we visit. For every booking, we donate a portion of the proceeds to local schools and charities in Nepal.
Our trips are designed with a focus on community involvement, such as homestays and village-to-village treks, to provide an authentic and immersive experience.




Between 5% and 10% of the price of every Swotah trip funds schooling for the children of porters and remote-village families. Our Millennium Homestay Trek directs spend to ten Newari ethnic communities.
Carbon-conscious by design — we publish a transparent footprint estimate with every itinerary.



Swotah was founded in 2016 by Ajay Kumar Shrestha — a Kathmandu-born mountaineer who guided his first informal Himalayan trek before he owned a business card. A decade later, the company he built is one of the most-reviewed independent operators in Nepal, working across three Himalayan kingdoms with a permanent local team in each.
Ajay still personally briefs every private-itinerary client before departure — because the trail is not abstract to him; it’s where he grew up. When you book with Swotah, you’re not booking with an agency. You’re booking with the man who’ll text your specialist guide the night before you summit, asking how the wind looks.
…and a team of named mountain guides: Bijay Gurung, Sijal, Tika Ram, and others — most repeatedly praised by name in our Tripadvisor reviews.
Founded in Kathmandu. Our first Annapurna group departs — eight travellers, one guide, one shared conviction that the Himalayas deserve more than a hurried itinerary.
Honest accounts from travellers across a decade of guided journeys and 150+ Himalayan routes.
“We have been fortunate enough to go on many trips around the world but our guides Bijay and Tulku have been the best. They went above and beyond through out our whole trip! Looking after all the logistics, carrying our bags and supporting us too when needed. They even went out of their way to buy us some chicken as they knew we were getting bored of vegetarian options though it was all tasty. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in the Himalayas it is a truly stunning place with so much to offer. Although not an easy trek, we feel proud that we achieved it and it was only made better by such wond”
“Absolutely fabulous trek, supported by the brilliant team at Swotah. Every aspect of the trip was organised quickly, efficiently and with minimum fuss, which engendered real trust and confidence. Throughout our trek we felt genuinely cared for. Our guide, Bijay, was unbelievably patient and helpful, always making sure that we were safe whilst walking, regularly checking that we were doing ok, and making sure that our needs were met. Our porter / wildlife spotter, Tulku, was just charming. So friendly and supportive. Both were absolute superstars!”
“Swotah Travel and Adventure organized and accompanied a three-week private tour through Nepal and Bhutan for my wife and me, and we were absolutely delighted with the entire experience. From the initial planning to the actual implementation, everything was excellently organized. The suggested places, tours, guides, drivers, hotels, and transportation matched our expectations perfectly. Our wishes and preferences were always taken into account, and Swotah always tried to make everything possible — which they did. During the trip, the team regularly checked in with us to make sure everythi”
“Sworah arranged a three week itinerary for two of us in Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan. It was planned at short notice because the tour we had previously booked was cancelled and Elisha at Swotah was very responsive and helpful in adapting a standard itinerary and tailoring it to our needs. All the arrangements once we arrived went smoothly. Swotah arranged drivers, hotels and tour guides in Nepal and helped with exchanging money and a visa issue we encountered. They were always available on WhatsApp to help and confirm arrangements. We asked for upgraded hotels in Nepal and they were all very nic”
“I did the Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet tour in April. Loved hiking to Tiger's nest in Bhutan. Lots of rinos and birds in Chitwan. The weather did not cooperate to see mountains in Pokhara but we saw lots of mountains in Tibet and also made it to Everest base camp on the Tibet side. I got altitude sickness and I would recommend starting diamox prior if you are not used to high altitude. If you are "older" would definitely consider some of the upgrades ie flying or private vehicle. Had a great adventure and the staff were very attentive at Swotah as well as my peaceful oasis at Nomads Hotel.”
“Great experience, we won't ever forget the trip of 18 days in the Himalayas. Felt immediatelly safe and home due to our local tourguide. We extremely enjoyed the service of all Swotah team members. It was a really well organized trip from A-Z. Thank you!”
“I did the Everest Base Camp trek with Swotah Travel (1–12 Sep 2025) and had an amazing experience. From the start, Sijal handled everything smoothly—flight tickets, gear rental, airport transfers, and even stayed in close contact when my return flight was delayed due to weather, offering alternatives like a helicopter or jeep. My guide Ramesh was patient, adaptive, and helped me reach EBC a day earlier than planned. After the trek, I also enjoyed a well-organized cultural tour of four UNESCO heritage sites in Kathmandu. Professional, caring, and reliable—highly recommend Swotah Travel for anyo”
“Totally brilliant trip with every last detail perfectly planned. Ajay and his team are so knowledgeable and accommodating. Everything we needed for an epic trip of a lifetime . Thank you all for looking after us so impeccably”
“Exciting and adrenaline-filled Everest Base Camp excursion organized by Swotah Travel. Perfect organization, competent and friendly guide, always attentive and helpful porters, good quality accommodations. During some difficult moments, the agency offered decisive support. Thank you so much!!!”
“To safely ascend Everest Base Camp, it's essential to rely on true professionals: Swotah Travel provided us with highly competent guides and porters who were also extremely kind and helpful. During the trek, due to flight disruptions between Ramechap and Lukla and health issues among group members, we had to make changes to our plans, request helicopter assistance, and rescue two people stranded on the glacier in the dark. Swotah Travel helped us safely resolve all the unexpected issues, even the most worrying ones. They also assisted us in choosing refuges/hotels and ensuring we quickly acces”
“To safely ascend Everest Base Camp, it's essential to rely on true professionals: Swotah Travel provided us with highly competent guides and porters who were also extremely kind and helpful. During the trek, due to flight disruptions between Ramechap and Lukla and health issues among group members, we had to make changes to our plans, request helicopter assistance, and rescue two people stranded on the glacier in the dark. Swotah Travel helped us safely resolve all the unexpected issues, even the most worrying ones. They also assisted us in choosing refuges/hotels and ensuring we quickly acces”
“Exciting and adrenaline-filled Everest Base Camp excursion organized by Swotah Travel. Perfect organization, competent and friendly guide, always attentive and helpful porters, good quality accommodations. During some difficult moments, the agency offered decisive support. Thank you so much!!!”
“Totally brilliant trip with every last detail perfectly planned. Ajay and his team are so knowledgeable and accommodating. Everything we needed for an epic trip of a lifetime . Thank you all for looking after us so impeccably”
“I did the Everest Base Camp trek with Swotah Travel (1–12 Sep 2025) and had an amazing experience. From the start, Sijal handled everything smoothly—flight tickets, gear rental, airport transfers, and even stayed in close contact when my return flight was delayed due to weather, offering alternatives like a helicopter or jeep. My guide Ramesh was patient, adaptive, and helped me reach EBC a day earlier than planned. After the trek, I also enjoyed a well-organized cultural tour of four UNESCO heritage sites in Kathmandu. Professional, caring, and reliable—highly recommend Swotah Travel for anyo”
“Great experience, we won't ever forget the trip of 18 days in the Himalayas. Felt immediatelly safe and home due to our local tourguide. We extremely enjoyed the service of all Swotah team members. It was a really well organized trip from A-Z. Thank you!”
“I did the Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet tour in April. Loved hiking to Tiger's nest in Bhutan. Lots of rinos and birds in Chitwan. The weather did not cooperate to see mountains in Pokhara but we saw lots of mountains in Tibet and also made it to Everest base camp on the Tibet side. I got altitude sickness and I would recommend starting diamox prior if you are not used to high altitude. If you are "older" would definitely consider some of the upgrades ie flying or private vehicle. Had a great adventure and the staff were very attentive at Swotah as well as my peaceful oasis at Nomads Hotel.”
“Sworah arranged a three week itinerary for two of us in Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan. It was planned at short notice because the tour we had previously booked was cancelled and Elisha at Swotah was very responsive and helpful in adapting a standard itinerary and tailoring it to our needs. All the arrangements once we arrived went smoothly. Swotah arranged drivers, hotels and tour guides in Nepal and helped with exchanging money and a visa issue we encountered. They were always available on WhatsApp to help and confirm arrangements. We asked for upgraded hotels in Nepal and they were all very nic”
“Swotah Travel and Adventure organized and accompanied a three-week private tour through Nepal and Bhutan for my wife and me, and we were absolutely delighted with the entire experience. From the initial planning to the actual implementation, everything was excellently organized. The suggested places, tours, guides, drivers, hotels, and transportation matched our expectations perfectly. Our wishes and preferences were always taken into account, and Swotah always tried to make everything possible — which they did. During the trip, the team regularly checked in with us to make sure everythi”
“Absolutely fabulous trek, supported by the brilliant team at Swotah. Every aspect of the trip was organised quickly, efficiently and with minimum fuss, which engendered real trust and confidence. Throughout our trek we felt genuinely cared for. Our guide, Bijay, was unbelievably patient and helpful, always making sure that we were safe whilst walking, regularly checking that we were doing ok, and making sure that our needs were met. Our porter / wildlife spotter, Tulku, was just charming. So friendly and supportive. Both were absolute superstars!”
“We have been fortunate enough to go on many trips around the world but our guides Bijay and Tulku have been the best. They went above and beyond through out our whole trip! Looking after all the logistics, carrying our bags and supporting us too when needed. They even went out of their way to buy us some chicken as they knew we were getting bored of vegetarian options though it was all tasty. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in the Himalayas it is a truly stunning place with so much to offer. Although not an easy trek, we feel proud that we achieved it and it was only made better by such wond”
Every trip is personally briefed by your named Kathmandu-based specialist.
Not just where you want to go — the experience you're after. One message starts it all.
Within 2 hours, a named Kathmandu-based specialist replies. Personally. Not a chatbot.
Two to three tailored options, transparent pricing. Refine until it feels exactly right.
From airport pickup to summit. Never more than a WhatsApp away from your specialist.






Planning a trek in the Himalayas can seem daunting, but our team of experienced guides can help you make your dream trek a reality. With our knowledge of the region and your preferences, we can design an unforgettable trek based on your location, timeframe, and budget. Get in touch with us, and let us help you plan your perfect trek.



Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice every year since — awarded by the people who actually walked the trail.







Six sister companies — each Nepali-owned and deeply rooted in one valley, region or specialism across Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan.
Learn about our networkOne email a month. Trail updates, permit changes, the occasional photograph. No spam — that's a Himalayan promise.
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