PopularPrivately guided, locally rooted journeys across Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet — designed in Kathmandu, one traveller at a time, since 2016.
“The most carefully crafted trip we've ever taken”
Ajay and the Swotah team built our 14-day Nepal itinerary around exactly who we are. Our guide Bijay knew every family along the route. It never felt like a tour — it felt like being a guest in someone's world.

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.




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.
Popular
Popular
Popular
Popular
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.
“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”
“I completed the 15-day Annapurna Circuit trek with Bijay as my guide, and I genuinely couldn’t have asked for a better experience. From the very beginning, he was incredibly kind, patient, and attentive, always making sure I was feeling good both physically and mentally, especially as the altitude started to hit. Bijay knows the mountains so well, and it really shows. He set a steady, manageable pace, chose great places to stop, and made sure everything ran smoothly the entire time. I always felt safe and well taken care of, which made such a difference on a trek like this. What stood ou”
“Great experience across the board, guides and porters were unreal. Everything was sorted before we arrived. Would recommend.”
“We completed the Annapurna circuit trek with Swotah during May this year. The company itself was very easy to work with leading up to the trip organising every aspect of the trip to our requirements. On arrival we had seamless airport collection and a day of sightseeing with Sonika which we had not planned on doing but was extremely enjoyable and informative learning all about Nepalese history and culture. The Annapurna circuit trek itself was easily one of the best experiences of my life with phenomenal views of the Annapurna mountains throughout. Bihjay was an excellent guide modifying the t”
“Excellent tour that is fully customisable to your budget, level of comfort. Elisha who helped planned the trip was extremely responsive from the beginning and responded quickly when I requested a modification in my itinerary halfway through the trip. Tour guides Sonika and Binod were informative and helpful. Special thanks to Sonika for making the trip memorable.”
“Was an incredible experience that with the talented team was tailored to us by the absolute man Bijay.”
“Our trip to Nepal was fuelled by my husbands long help dream of seeing Everest but turned out to be so much more. Swotah put together a perfect itinerary to mee...”
“Our trip to Nepal was fuelled by my husbands long help dream of seeing Everest but turned out to be so much more. Swotah put together a perfect itinerary to mee...”
“Was an incredible experience that with the talented team was tailored to us by the absolute man Bijay.”
“Excellent tour that is fully customisable to your budget, level of comfort. Elisha who helped planned the trip was extremely responsive from the beginning and responded quickly when I requested a modification in my itinerary halfway through the trip. Tour guides Sonika and Binod were informative and helpful. Special thanks to Sonika for making the trip memorable.”
“We completed the Annapurna circuit trek with Swotah during May this year. The company itself was very easy to work with leading up to the trip organising every aspect of the trip to our requirements. On arrival we had seamless airport collection and a day of sightseeing with Sonika which we had not planned on doing but was extremely enjoyable and informative learning all about Nepalese history and culture. The Annapurna circuit trek itself was easily one of the best experiences of my life with phenomenal views of the Annapurna mountains throughout. Bihjay was an excellent guide modifying the t”
“Great experience across the board, guides and porters were unreal. Everything was sorted before we arrived. Would recommend.”
“I completed the 15-day Annapurna Circuit trek with Bijay as my guide, and I genuinely couldn’t have asked for a better experience. From the very beginning, he was incredibly kind, patient, and attentive, always making sure I was feeling good both physically and mentally, especially as the altitude started to hit. Bijay knows the mountains so well, and it really shows. He set a steady, manageable pace, chose great places to stop, and made sure everything ran smoothly the entire time. I always felt safe and well taken care of, which made such a difference on a trek like this. What stood ou”
“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”




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.
Join 12,000+ adventurers · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime