Our Team

Born in the serene village of Phulkharka, Dhading, surrounded by the Ganesh Himal and Manaslu ranges, Gopal Thapa grew up with the mountains as his inspiration.

Coming from a humble farming family, he learned early the values of hard work, resilience, and compassion, the qualities that would later define his leadership.

Gopal began his career in 2001 as a porter. His passion for the Himalayas guided him to become a Government Licensed Trekking Guide (2008) and later a certified mountain climber (2011).

Over the years, he successfully climbed major trekking peaks, gaining deep experience in guiding, safety, and high-altitude leadership.

In 2014, driven by the vision to create meaningful adventures and showcase the beauty of Nepal, he founded Leaf Holidays Treks & Expedition Pvt. Ltd.

Today, under his leadership, the company is recognized as one of Nepal’s trusted operators for treks, tours, peak climbing, and especially Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimages.

Gopal is admired for his friendly nature, large-hearted personality, and unwavering commitment to guest safety. He has also personally saved lives during high-altitude emergencies.

He believes in responsible tourism, community support, and providing career opportunities for people from remote regions.

His contribution to Nepal’s tourism sector is widely acknowledged. He serves as:

• President, VITOF–Nepal (Village Tourism Promotion Forum)
• Secretary, AKTON (Association of Kailash Tour Operators–Nepal)

He has also traveled extensively across Asia and Europe to promote Nepal as a world-class adventure destination.

Vision & Goals:

Gopal’s mission is to promote conscious, safe, and meaningful travel, ensuring travelers experience authentic culture while supporting local communities.

He believes in offering unique journeys that blend adventure with responsibility. He aspires to create lifelong memories while preserving Nepal’s natural and cultural heritage.

Guided by the belief that “great things never come from comfort zones,” Gopal continues to lead Leaf Holidays Treks & Expedition towards a future where Nepal stands proudly among the world’s top adventure destinations.