Born and raised amidst the stunning mountains and terrace farming of Mt. Manaslu and Mt. Ganesh in Nepal, Prem K. Khatry has long witnessed the struggles faced by the people living in these mountains – a stark contrast to the captivating beauty of the surrounding landscape.
At the age of 17, Khatry set out on his own Himalayan journey as a trekking guide, beginning as a mountain Sherpa. Throughout his eight years in the industry, a dream of giving back to his community took shape, eventually culminating in the establishment of his local trekking agency in Nepal. Since its inception in 2006, Ace the Himalaya has become the embodiment of Khatry's vision: sharing a passion for travel in the Himalayas and crafting unforgettable experiences for every traveler.
Khatry’s vision of empowerment goes hand in hand with his love for the mountains and his community. With this in mind, Khatry founded Sambhav Nepal, a corporate social responsibility initiative of Ace the Himalaya. Ace the Himalaya extends logistical support to Sambhav Nepal, ensuring the smooth execution of its projects. It also offers cash donations to further aid and support the initiatives undertaken by Sambhav Nepal when necessary. This combined effort helps maximize the positive impact and effectiveness of the projects in benefiting the communities in need. The initiative was established in response to the devastating earthquake that struck Nepal in 2015.
Following the disaster, Khatry sought to take action in the most affected region, Gorkha. Committed to grassroots reforms, Ace the Himalaya and Sambhav Nepal prioritized the fundamental needs of people through the Gorkha Home Rebuild Project 2078. The primary objective of this project was to construct houses equipped with a toilet and a biogas facility for marginalized individuals who lost their homes during the earthquake. By focusing on these essential amenities, the initiative aimed to provide not only shelter but improve the living conditions of those most affected. With the help of travelers, Khatry and his organizations helped to rebuild schools, houses, and drinking water systems. They established volunteer programs and offered relief by providing food, supplies, and sanitation solutions for those who lost everything.
Thanks to Sambhav Nepal and its associated organization Sambhav Nepal Schweiz in Switzerland, Ace the Himalaya successfully rebuilt six new homes in Gorkha after the devastating earthquake. This was made possible through their combined efforts and support, providing much-needed assistance to the affected communities in Nepal. The houses were constructed from interlock bricks made by local workers, which aided in creating employment opportunities during the aftermath of the earthquake.
The initiative reinforced Ace the Himalaya's commitment to giving back and making a positive impact on the lives of those in need. The project “Rebuild Home” is ongoing, and aims to build 108 homes for individuals who are economically disadvantaged and lost their houses in the earthquake. To ensure that the aid reaches the intended beneficiaries, assistance was sought from the Arughat Rural Municipality, which provided a list of homeowners in need of support. This collaborative approach ensures that the real victims of the disaster receive the help they need in rebuilding their lives and homes. In total, the project has so far successfully assisted 20 families, comprising approximately 120 individuals, by providing them with shelter and support. This assistance addresses the most basic and fundamental needs and rights of people, ensuring they have a safe and secure place to live after facing the devastating impact of a natural disaster.
Ace the Himalaya's channels every effort to enrich the lives of people living in mountain communities, instilling hope for transformation towards a sustainable world in the future. At the heart of its practices lies the belief that travel can be a catalyst for positive change. By engaging with the Himalayan region and its people, it aims to create a harmonious balance between travelers and Nepali communities, enriching the visitor experience while simultaneously enhancing the well-being of the people who live there. The ripple effect of these initiatives resonates far beyond the trekking trails, reaching every corner of the Himalayan landscape.
Traveling with Ace the Himalaya is part of a movement that redefines travel and leaves a legacy of progress, hope, and profound transformation. Every traveler is united in this extraordinary voyage, where wanderlust converges with compassion and where the journey is as much about empowerment as it is exploration. Together, we nurture the Himalayan region and its people, ensuring that the beauty of nature and the warmth of the community endure for generations to come.
About Sambhav Nepal
Sambhav Nepal’s mission is to achieve grassroots reforms in education, poverty, health and sanitation, empowerment of women, various youth clubs, vocational skills and training programs so as to uplift the living condition of the people of the rural communities of Gorkha.
About Ace the Himalaya
Ace the Himalaya specializes in trekking, mountain biking, peak climbing, rafting, wildlife safaris, cultural tours, and other special itineraries. Ace offers both pre-planned itineraries and custom travel planning services in Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, and India. Ace can also accommodate large groups, having worked with student groups of about 250 travelers. We also have voluntourism itineraries. We offer trips for foreign independent travel (FITs) to book the trip directly from the website. Ace also works as a ground-handling partner for many international brands.