Yalamber Rai, originally from Sotang in Solukhumbu—is the Country General Manager at Intrepid DMC Nepal. He stepped into this role after three successful years as Operations Manager, bringing with him a deep-rooted passion for travel, community, and his homeland. His journey into tourism began during his college years, when his father’s job in aviation gave him the rare opportunity to explore some of Nepal’s most remote and stunning regions, including Rara Lake, Phoksundo, Jumla, and Simikot. Those early adventures ignited a lifelong curiosity and set the foundation for his career.
He holds a master’s degree in Travel & Tourism and has also completed an Executive MBA to enhance his leadership in the ever-evolving travel industry. A passionate learner, he studied French for two years at l’Alliance Française—“Je parlais assez bien autrefois!”—and still enjoys a good French conversation over cheese or wine.
Today, Yalamber leads Intrepid Nepal with a strong commitment to responsible, community-based tourism. While his roots are firmly in the Himalayas, his mission is global: to connect travellers with the authentic soul of Nepal through immersive, respectful, and unforgettable experiences.
What initially drew you to the travel and tourism industry, and how did your journey lead you to your current role with Intrepid Travel Nepal?
To be honest, I didn’t plan on a career in tourism. I was pursuing a BBA with hopes of becoming a banker, and like many students, had plenty of free time. It was my father who encouraged me to learn French—and that small decision changed everything.
Thanks to that push, I landed my first job right after graduation as an Operations Assistant in the French department at Thamserku Trekking. Coordinating guides, managing logistics, handling on-the-go incidents—it was intense, unpredictable, and incredibly rewarding. I wasn’t just learning the business; I was living it.
I spent 12 enriching years at Thamserku before joining Intrepid DMC Nepal in 2022 as Operations Manager. The experience deepened my understanding of global operations and helped shape my leadership style—grounded in clarity, empathy, and strategic thinking. Every step has felt like a natural evolution, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.
What long-term impacts are you seeing in Nepal’s travel and tourism industry?
Nepal’s tourism industry is seeing positive long-term changes, despite a few ongoing challenges. There's growing demand for responsible, experience-driven travel, with a focus on sustainability and local impact. More travellers are choosing companies that prioritise environmental consciousness, cultural sensitivity, and community-based experiences. For example, Intrepid has taken a bold step by reducing internal flights from our Nepal trips, to lower our carbon footprint and encourage more overland travel. It’s these kinds of decisions that may seem small at the moment but have long-term impact when adopted at scale.
I’m also seeing the professionalisation and diversification of the workforce. Young people are viewing tourism as a serious, long-term career path and not just a seasonal job. And one of the most exciting developments is the increasing participation of women in the industry. At Intrepid, we’re especially proud of our Nepal Women’s Expedition, a unique trip designed only for female travellers and operated entirely by women, from the local trip leader to assistant guides and even porters. It’s more than just a product; it’s a powerful platform to break traditional socio-cultural barriers and encourage women to step into roles that have historically been out of reach.
Social media is amplifying Nepal’s appeal, spotlighting both famous and hidden destinations. However, unplanned infrastructure development, especially road construction in trekking areas, risks damaging the authentic travel experience. Despite global uncertainties, the outlook remains hopeful if the industry continues prioritising people, planet, and purpose.
What has been your most rewarding experience as a General Manager?
It’s still early in my role as General Manager, but it’s already been deeply rewarding. We ended the spring 2025 season strong with great traveller feedback and a Net Promoter Score of 90. That felt like such a proud moment for the whole team.
What’s stood out most, though, are the connections beyond daily operations—engaging with industry peers, students, and young professionals, all reminding me that travel is ultimately about people. A highlight was our World Environment Day clean-up at Tarebhir–Kapan, where we collected 484 kilos of waste with Clean Up Nepal and The Intrepid Foundation. Seeing the team unite for a cause bigger than business made it truly meaningful.
It’s moments like these, where you see your team come together for something bigger than the business, that make this role feel so meaningful.
What’s been the most difficult part of managing travel operations in Nepal?
Managing travel operations in Nepal is both exhilarating and unpredictable. It’s like guiding a convoy through a beautiful, yet wild landscape, where every day offers a new puzzle to solve.
Nepal’s geography and infrastructure pose unique challenges. Overland journeys to iconic destinations like Pokhara or Chitwan can be slow and bumpy. Even reaching the Everest region now starts with an overnight journey to Ramechhap before flying to Lukla. But these journeys, while long, also allow travellers to see more of the country and connect with local communities in a way they’d otherwise miss.
Weather and terrain force constant flexibility, but our team thrives on problem-solving—rerouting treks, arranging emergency evacuations, and staying in constant contact. We build buffer days into itineraries, work closely with local partners on the ground, and keep our communication channels open 24/7.
But at the end of the day, navigating these wild and real challenges and still getting our travellers to that remote Himalayan valley, village tea house, makes every congested road and postponed flight worth it. Those are the moments that remind me why I chose this path.
What is your vision for the future of Intrepid Travel Nepal?
As a Country GM, I see my role as carrying forward Intrepid’s vision that travel can truly change the way we all see the world, and I want our work in Nepal to reflect that every single day.
At its heart, Intrepid Travel’s global mission is to “create positive change through the joy of travel”. That means designing products where guests aren’t just reaching a destination, they’re engaging with local communities, tasting home-cooked meals, MoMo cooking with locals, learning traditional arts, and many more. These immersive experiences along the way make every travel moment meaningful.
We also believe that travel should empower not just our clients, but also our people who make the experience possible. That’s why our DEI push goes beyond women-led expeditions: we’re creating a workplace and travel experience that includes LGBTIQA+ and other marginalised genders, both in front of guests and behind the scenes. That includes bringing more diverse guides, porters, staff, and local partners onto our trips and into our office. We’re also a proud B Corp, which means we’re committed to using travel as a force for good for people, communities, and the planet. Intrepid recently earned its highest-ever B-Corp score – 102.5, placing us among the top-tier of certified companies by doubling down on equity and inclusion both globally and here in Nepal, supporting underrepresented groups and voices.
Under The Intrepid Foundation, our work with local partners goes deep, whether that’s supporting organisations like Sagarmatha Next in the Everest region on waste-management and upcycling, partnering on trails clean-up drives, or boosting community-based tourism initiatives. Through hands-on collaboration with NGOs and social enterprises, our team actively stands with local communities, weaving social and environmental impact right into our journeys. In places like Madi Valley, a Community-Based Tourism project, we helped co-develop with WWF, travel revenue stays within the community, empowering households and preserving culture.
Moving forward, I’m laser-focused on expanding these efforts: offering more off‑the‑grid and women‑led expeditions, supporting DEI in our workplace, and working shoulder-to-shoulder with communities so that travel here becomes a force for good. When guests leave with new friendships rather than just photos, we are living up to our vision of changing the way people see the world.
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