Women Porters of Kanchenjunga: Silent Strength on the Trails
Deep in the rugged terrain of eastern Nepal, where the Kanchenjunga Base Camp trail navigates through rhododendron forests and glacier-fed rivers, there is a quiet revolution taking shape in Himalayan trekking society. It is not loud, nor does it seek any attention, but its existence cannot be ignored.
It’s story of strong, determined women who dared to challenge social taboo. These women have been shouldering loads side by side with men. These are the Kanchenjunga women porters, who have been rewriting the story of strength and resilience in the Himalayas.
A Landscape Where Tradition Still Breathes
The Kanchenjunga region is one of the most isolated and least traveled trekking destinations in Nepal. For some of the great views, remote villages, and undisturbed, pristine landscapes, the region is gaining popularity among trekkers looking for authenticity.
For generations, the portering business in these mountains has been dominated by men. Cultural convention, family ties, and social expectations have limited women’s participation in such physically burdensome jobs. But in recent years, change has begun to come, pushed by necessity, education, and a newfound sense of self-empowerment among local women.
More Than Just Carriers of Load
While you are on the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek, you might have passed one of them on the trail from Gyabla or Sekathum. Women move at a steady pace with a basket woven from bamboo straps strapped across their foreheads; this scene is common on the trail. A visitor will catch a fleeting glimpse and not even realize the magnitude of the load, both actual and metaphorical, she’s carrying.
Not out of spite or wanting to break the stereotype, most women in the Kanchenjunga region are engaged in this business. Most of them are single mothers, widows, or young women who are kept away from formal education. Portering earns a salary, independence, and a way to provide for their children’s education. It is, for most, the only route to economic liberty in a region where work prospects are as sparse as mountain air.
But these women are not just mimicking what the guys do; they’re doing it differently. They often form tight-knit groups, watch out for one another emotionally and practically, and even take on guiding or cooking responsibilities now and then. Their presence is altering trekking culture in subtle but meaningful ways.
Fighting More Than Just the Cold
The trek to Kanchenjunga Base Camp is not a walk in your backyard. It means climbing more than 5,000 meters (16,400 feet), facing unpredictable weather, and trekking on steep, icy trails. Now attempt doing that with a 25-30 kg load on your back, with limited access to technical gear. That’s what the majority of women porters endure here.
Their challenge does not end at the end of the road. It continues to be a stigma in their communities. Some are labelled as “improper” women because they work closely with men from other nations or simply because they step outside of expected roles. Others face lower pay, fewer opportunities, and little recognition in the trekking industry.
And yet, still, they continue. Not because it is easy, but because they are choosing dignity over dependency. They are teaching their daughters, literally by leading an example, that mountains can be moved.
When Empowerment Meets the Mountains
Thanks to the efforts of several local NGOs and trekking organizations, change is being brought about slowly. Some organizations are now conducting initial training in guiding, first aid, and communication in English, especially for women. Some trekking agencies of goodwill are indeed hiring women porters in good numbers and even pairing them along with female trekkers who prefer to have women-only team members.
Those travellers who take the time to ask questions, learn names, and hear these women’s stories leave with a more complete sense of the place and human resilience.
In villages like Yamphudin or Ghunsa, young girls see their mothers or sisters walking alongside tourists as professionals, not just followers. That attitude change could be a generation change, where a girl who is growing up in eastern Nepal might dream of becoming a trekking guide instead of marrying into someone else’s dreams.
What You Can Do as a Trekker
If you are planning to trek in the Kanchenjunga region, hire or ask a company that employs female support staff. Ask your guide about the porters – who they are, where they are from, and what their day is like. Even something as small as sharing a cup of tea or giving an extra lift on a pack at a rest stop can create a bond and respect.
And when you arrive home, don’t just share pictures of snowy peaks and suspension bridges—share about the people who made your journey possible. Talk about the quiet resilience of women redefining the story, hike by hike. Little happiness matters the most.
The Trail Ahead
The journey to equality for Nepal’s trekking business is as arduous and winding as the paths of Kanchenjunga itself. But with every step by women porters, the way becomes a bit clearer for those who follow.
They might not be garnering headlines, but don’t be mistaken about it—they are making history.
Stay in touch to get more updates & alerts on VyvyManga! Thank you
