IFMGA mountain guide

SajjanGhale

Everything starts here.

Seasons guiding: 8+
Carnet: IFMGA · 2026
Certified by: NNMGA
Languages: French · Nepali · English

His story

From the trails of Nepal to the IFMGA carnet.

I grew up in hills where the mountains are not scenery: they are the weather, the work, and the reason the villages are where they are. As a student, I started working in tourism as a porter. That is where the dream began: to climb mountains, and to guide them for a living.

Today I work under the IFMGA carnet, the international mountain guide qualification, and it changed how I think about risk. A qualification makes no mountain safe. It makes your judgement accountable.

What I am proudest of is not the summits: it is the expeditions where I turned us around, and the clients who went home to prepare the next one.

The path

My journey to becoming an IFMGA mountain guide.

From porter to IFMGA-certified mountain guide: every step, in order.

Early years
Porter
Tourism, while still a student
As a student, I started working in tourism as a porter. During those years, I developed a dream of climbing mountains and becoming a professional mountain guide.
2015
Trekking guide
Nepal
I completed Trekking Guide Training and began working professionally as a trekking guide.
TREKKING GUIDE TRAINING
2018
On the guide pathway
NMIA — Nepal Mountaineering Instructors Association
I discovered the Nepal Mountaineering Instructors Association (NMIA) and joined its entry-level training pathway toward becoming a mountain guide.
2019
Basic mountaineering
NMA — Nepal Mountaineering Association
I completed the NMA Basic Mountaineering Course, strengthening my foundation in mountaineering skills.
NMA BASIC MOUNTAINEERING COURSE
2022–23
Aspirant mountain guide
NNMGA — Nepal National Mountain Guide Association
I completed the NNMGA Aspirant Mountain Guide Course, taking an important step toward professional mountain guiding.
NNMGA ASPIRANT MOUNTAIN GUIDE COURSE
2019–2025
Himalayan expeditions
The Himalaya
Years of high-altitude, expedition, climbing, rescue and guiding experience, including multiple Himalayan expeditions and Everest summits.
2026Today
IFMGA mountain guide
Certified by NNMGA, a member association of IFMGA
I completed the IFMGA Mountain Guide certification pathway, achieving my goal of becoming an IFMGA Mountain Guide.
IFMGA CARNET

Credentials

Qualified to the highest standard.

IFMGA

International mountain guide carnet

Certified by NNMGA, a member association of IFMGA

The only guiding qualification recognised in every Alpine country, from Mont Blanc to Everest.

INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF MOUNTAIN GUIDES ASSOCIATIONS·2026

Also holds

Aspirant Mountain Guide Course
2022–23
The aspirant stage of the mountain guide pathway.
NNMGA
Basic Mountaineering Course
2019
The foundation in mountaineering skills.
NMA
Entry-level mountain guide training
2018
The first step on the pathway toward becoming a mountain guide.
NMIA
Trekking Guide Training
2015
Where professional guiding began, as a trekking guide.
TREK

Instructor

Training Nepal’s next mountain guides.

With the NNMGA, the Nepal National Mountain Guide Association, I instruct on the training of future guides. Nobody becomes a guide alone: someone taught you the rope, the ice, and when to turn around.

In coordination with the NNMGA

All training