One of the best parts of Ridge Trail outings is how they bring people together in the outdoors. Group hikes and rides offer a chance to feel more confident on the trail, meet new friends (hopefully with snacks to share) and create space to share stories that inspire and connect us. When Nicky Chhetri joined this year’s East Bay Hills Hike & Ride event for the first time, she brought with her powerful stories from Nepal’s remote mountain regions—where her groundbreaking work has helped more than 2,000 women build confidence in the outdoors over the past three decades.
A Father’s Legacy
Nicky’s journey began with a powerful example at home. Growing up as one of eight children, she watched her father—a man who never had the chance to attend school himself—work tirelessly to ensure his children could pursue higher education. He became her mentor and business advisor, and, recognizing the limited opportunities afforded to women in their rural Nepalese community, encouraged Nicky to pursue not only a better life for herself, but also for other women.
The Need for Change
In 1994, while operating a guesthouse and restaurant in Pokhara, Nepal, Nicky and her sisters, Lucky and Dicky, noticed many women trekkers were struggling with negative experiences with male guides. The three sisters realized there was a real need for women trekking guides—a profession long dominated by men—and that they could be the ones to meet it. What’s more, they could use their guesthouse and restaurant during the off season to train other women to become guides too. So, the sisters launched their trekking agency, 3 Sisters Adventure Trekking, paired with a transformative training program in Nepal’s trekking industry through a nonprofit they call Empowering Women of Nepal.
An Uphill Challenge
In the early days, the sisters faced negative responses from the nearby rural communities. Trekking was seen as a profession reserved for men, while women were expected to stay home and raise children. Many questioned whether women could handle the physical and leadership demands of guiding trekkers through rugged mountain terrain. The sisters were even sued, accused of violating cultural traditions by bringing innocent girls from remote mountain areas to the cities, allegedly to exploit them, while others, out of jealousy, resented seeing young women enter the tourism business. Still Nicky, Lucky, and Dicky persisted, driven by their vision of what women could achieve.
A Holistic Approach
The program runs two intensive training sessions each year: one month of classroom education followed by five months of paid work experience during Nepal’s trekking season. This approach not only provides both knowledge and practical skills, but also offers immediate financial independence.
The transformation goes beyond professional development. Women from remote areas with limited opportunities and low self-esteem develop confidence and leadership abilities through practical learning and group activities. By graduation, participants who once struggled to speak up are confidently sharing their experiences and inspiring others.
Nicky’s organization also addresses women’s health issues, provides free education and housing for girls from remote areas, and has created significant cultural shifts—communities that once viewed women as incapable of leadership now celebrate their daughters’ achievements as guides and entrepreneurs. Many graduates have established their own businesses, traveled internationally, and become respected community leaders—breaking cycles of arranged marriage and limited opportunities.
The Journey Continues
Today, 3 Sisters Adventure Trekking operates across Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, and India, employing about 100 female and 40 male staff during peak seasons and continuing to prioritize opportunities for women from underserved communities.
Nicky’s story reminds us that powerful change can begin with a single person—or three sisters—willing to challenge the status quo, and that change can happen in the classroom and on the trail. Recreation, whether trekking up peaks in Nepal or hiking the Bay Area Ridge Trail, can build confidence and create a positive impact that ripples through a person’s life and their community. The Chhetri sisters’ mission demonstrates the transformative power of believing everyone deserves the chance to reach new heights.
If you’d like to get in touch with Nicky, you can contact her on WhatsApp (+977 98460 47356) and via email (karkinicky69@gmail.com).
Learn more about 3 Sisters Adventure Trekking at www.3sistersadventuretrek.com and Empowering Women of Nepal at ewn.org.np.
Feeling inspired to do a bit of trekking yourself? Join us at an upcoming Ridge Trail outing!
We're a membership organization built of trail