Experience the Himalayas with Trusted Experts
Highland Expeditions is a locally owned and operated adventure travel company based in Kathmandu, Nepal, specializing in high-altitude expeditions, peak climbing, trekking, and cultural journeys across Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. Founded by father and son Kunga Sherpa and Passang Tsering Sherpa, our company is built on decades of mountaineering and operational expertise, a deep respect for the Himalayas, and a belief that meaningful travel comes from authenticity, safety, and personal connection.
We are not a travel agency that simply resells travel packages. We are a fully licensed tour operator that organizes and operates every trip ourselves, from logistics to guiding to client support. This hands-on approach ensures higher quality, better safety, and more control over every part of your journey.
Our Story
Built by the Mountains. Backed by Experience.
With more than 35 years of experience in the field, Kunga Sherpa is a veteran of Himalayan climbing. His accomplishments include summiting Everest, Cho Oyu, Shishapangma, and many 6,000 and 7,000 meter peaks across Nepal and Tibet. He has also participated in major expeditions to K2, Dhaulagiri, and Annapurna. Over the years, Kunga earned a reputation as a highly skilled expedition sirdar, having led and managed more than 40 expeditions above 8,000 meters with a strong success rate. His leadership has earned the trust of climbers from around the world.
Passang Tsering Sherpa followed in his father’s footsteps, joining the field after college and gaining hands-on experience by guiding treks and climbs in the early years before fully taking over operational leadership. With more than 15 years in the industry, Passang now oversees the day-to-day management at Highland Expeditions and is a certified International Mountain Leader.
Together, their combined experience in the field and behind the scenes forms the backbone of Highland Expeditions. The company was founded in 2015 with a simple goal: to offer better, more thoughtful adventures in the Himalayas — experiences that are professionally managed, culturally respectful, and truly unforgettable.
Fast forward to today, Highland Expeditions has grown to become one of the premium trekking companies in Nepal, offering a high level of personalized service and consistently rated as the number one provider for tailor-made Himalayan adventures.
What We Offer
Expeditions, Treks, and Tailored Journeys Across the Himalayas
From demanding high-altitude expeditions to easy-paced cultural treks, we offer a wide range of journeys:
- 8,000 meter expeditions including Everest and Manaslu
- 6,000 to 7,000 meter peak climbing programs
- Classic treks like Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit
- Remote and off-the-beaten-path trekking routes
- Luxury lodge treks and custom journeys
- Tours and treks in Bhutan and Tibet
With over 30 years of operational experience and deep connections in the region, we have the capability and flexibility to handle any type of Himalayan journey. Whether you’re looking for a strenuous wilderness challenge or a moderate-paced hike, we can craft trips that match your schedule, fitness, and preferences. Our experience allows us to adapt quickly, reroute around changing conditions, and maintain both safety and comfort in even the most rugged environments.
Why Choose Us
What Sets Highland Expeditions Apart
What sets Highland Expeditions apart is our commitment to professionalism, preparedness, and people-first travel. Here’s what makes us different:
- Decades of Experience
Our trips are backed by over 30 years of operational knowledge and high-altitude experience. - High-Altitude Expertise
Few companies in Nepal can claim the same depth of experience managing 8,000 meter climbs. Our climbing guides have summited Everest and other major peaks multiple times. - Trained and Certified Team
We work with certified International Mountain Guides and International Mountain Leaders. All our local guides receive regular training and refreshers. - High Staff to Client Ratio
You get more support, better care, and a safer experience. This ensures personalized attention throughout the journey. - All-Inclusive Service
Our trips are all inclusive meaning everything including your accommodations, meals, permits, flights, guides, and support are all included and taken care off so you can focus fully on the experience. - Medical and Safety Protocols
We carry a medical kit and provide supplementary oxygen on our group trips as a precaution, which is still rare in Nepal. On remote trips, we carry a satellite phone for emergency communication. - 24/7 Support During Peak Seasons
Our operations team is available around the clock during peak periods. We also maintain a team presence in Lukla to assist clients in real-time.
While many companies can run a trek, few can offer the depth of service, safety, and reliability required for serious Himalayan climbs. At Highland Expeditions, we manage everything in-house from permits to peak planning with the capacity and care needed for every level of adventure.
Our Passion for Exploration
As Sherpas, exploration is in our blood. We’re passionate about seeking new trails, designing creative itineraries, and discovering what lies beyond the well-trodden paths. Our team constantly reviews and refines our trips not just to keep them current, but to make them more meaningful.
We believe that travel isn’t just about reaching a place, it’s about the experience of getting there: the landscapes, the people, the culture, and the personal stories that unfold along the way. Whether you’re traveling alone, with friends, or with family, we want your journey with us to be one you’ll remember for life.
Responsible and Sustainable Travel
Responsible Travel Is at the Heart of What We Do
We are committed to minimizing our environmental impact and supporting the communities we travel through. To reduce plastic waste, we provide boiled water on all treks and climbs. We are actively working to offset our carbon emissions and we collaborate with a local NGO to support education in Rolwaling, a remote part of Nepal.
We employ local guides, pay fair wages to all staff including porters, and invest in their ongoing training each year.
Recognition and Trust
Trusted by Trekkers and Recognized Worldwide
Each season, we’re joined by hundreds of trekkers and climbers from around the world. We’re proud to have earned a 99 percent client satisfaction rate, and we’re equally proud of the long-lasting relationships we’ve built with many returning travelers.
In 2019, Highland Expeditions was named Trekking Company of the Year by the Travel and Hospitality Awards UK. We’ve also received TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence in 2019, 2023, and 2024.
Certificate of Excellence
Trekking Company of the Year
Join the Highland Expeditions Family
We invite you to discover the Himalayas with the guidance of those who know it best. Whether you’re taking your first trek or climbing an 8,000 meter peak, you’ll be in experienced, capable hands and part of something truly special.
Explore our trips. Ask us anything. Let us take you higher.
