Kamzang Journeys is a small, experienced mountain-based trekking and adventure travel company with an infectious enthusiasm for trekking, adventure travel and living. Based in the Shangri-La of Kathmandu, Nepal (although somewhat more tainted than it was when trekking and mountaineering first 'discovered' it), the Kamzang staff divides much of its time between the mountains of Nepal & India.

Kamzang Journeys specializes in 'off the map' treks & travels in the Himalaya - Nepal, Tibet, the Indian Himalaya & Bhutan - and other nearby destinations - Rajasthan, the Indian Subcontinent & Mongolia. We also venture across the 'Silk Route' countries and sometimes wander through other continents in search of adventure (and new designs for the 'Kamzang World Design' collection) ...

Kim Bannister, an American rarely in her home country, is a veteran Himalayan trekker and the founder of the Kamzang World (Kamzang Journeys, Kamzang World Design & the Kamzang Fund). She works closely with her trekking partner Lhakpa Dorji Sherpa, who now lives in Kathmandu but hails from the Solo Khumbu (Everest) region of the Nepal Himalaya. Kim & Lhakpa lead their own treks with the help their invaluable permanent & local staff ...

'Kim's many diverse skills create a truly exhilarating trekking and travel experience. She is versatile, flexible, organized and very enthusiastically dedicated to her work. Kim's Kamzang is a whole new adventure! A Bohemian Rhapsody'

And our trekkers have even better things to say about the the guides and staff, our style, the treks & their adventures while exploring the world with us ...

Join us!

The perfect rock outcropping, the shores of Tso Moriri Lake at 4500 meters (Nomads, Lakes & High Passes Trek, Ladakh, Indian Himalaya)

About Kamzang Kim

Kim has been looking for a spot to build the perfect bamboo hut since graduating from Colagate University in 1988. Her search has taken her on many years of travels throughout Asia, Africa, Australia & NZ, the South Pacific and cross-country in the States, but although she now has a basement (her parents') full of ‘curios’ to fill several houses, that idyllic dwelling still eludes her and her semi-nomadic lifestyle continues. She now spends most of her time in the Himalayas, often in her 'Kamzang Style' tent (gur) ...

Kim grew up in the East Coast of the US, but lived afterwards in Hawaii, California and Colorado, where she spent most of her time outdoors biking, hiking, windsurfing, surfing, skiing and, of course, collecting funds for further travels. After trying out the corporate world of marketing for Geographic Expeditions in San Francisco and briefly volunteer teaching in the Everest region of Nepal, she met the Project Himalaya team, Jamie & Joel, and has been creating and leading treks in Nepal, India, Tibet and Bhutan ever since.

 The Kamzang World is her latest venture, a mélange of adventure travel, indigenous design and foreign cultures, dedicated to giving travelers a deeper insight into the Himalaya (and other parts of the planet) and its diverse, colorful and welcoming inhabitants ...

Kim also designs and collects ‘tribal’ silver jewelry, antiques, textiles and other 'bazaar' curios under the name of Kamzang World Design and coordinates funding to sponsor children, schools and gompas and to give medical aid to locals and in the Himalaya, the Kamzang Fund.

But still, she often dreams of warm ocean breezes, margaritas and billowing palm trees ...

Guides & Staff

VISITING GUIDES

Kim facing off a water buffalo (Annapurnas, Nepal)

Lhakpa Dorji Sherpa, our co-guide, and Tashi Ghale, a guest guide and photographer from Manang in the Everest region, Nepal.

Kim & Lhakpa on a snowy Cho La pass during a Spring Everest High Passes trek. Khumbu, Nepal.

The fantastic Thinley Gyalgen, our Dolpo guide ...

Gyurme, one of our expedition climbing Sherpas in the Everest region.

Junar, our cook helping out on an Everest trek

Kiran with a blue sheep scull in Ladakh, Indian Himalaya

Ang Nuru, one of our climbing guides, and Lhakpa on top of the sacred Drolma La pass on Mount Kailash, western Tibet. Ki ki so so Lha gyalo (May the Gods be victorious!).

Lhakpa and his wife, Lhakpa Dorje, also an integral part of our team, based in Kathmandu. Photo at the Roadhouse, Thamel, with their son, Nuru, who is sponsored by a trekker through the Kamzang Fund. Soon to be a Kamzang guide ... well, maybe! Aiyo the uphill!

Junar, our amazing chef, and Kiran, our wonderful assistant guide doing the Kailash kora, western Tibet.

Our talented and spirited horsemen in Ladakh. Sherap, our head horseman, second from left.

Our intrepid yak-driver during the Kailash kora, western Tibet.

'Uncle' Ang Chuk, Tibetan driver par exellence in Ladakh, India.

Manali Ang Chuk. The best jeep driver in Himachel Pradesh, able to surpass all barriers with a bit of extra cash ...

Jigmet, our star truck driver and rescuer in Ladakh, the Indian Himalaya.

And our superstar yak-driver, Nima, with just a few of our caravan of yaks. Dolpo, western Nepal.

Suresh, our assistent cook, on the Arun Valley trek (Eastern Gateway to Everest)

Thinley, the star of the movie 'Himalaya', arranging our Dolpo trek.

Getting ready for a trek in Leh, Ladakh.

Kim & her parents in Portland, Oregon during a rare family Christmas, 2006. Dad is the accountant for all Kamzang ventures ...