Sugam's Story: From Foothills to Sanctuary Leader
Sugam’s relationship with the mountains did not begin in an executive boardroom; it began with the rhythm of walking. Growing up in Nepal, the high snow-capped ridges of the Himalaya were a constant presence on the horizon, instilling an early reverence for the raw scale of the landscape and the resilient people who inhabit its steep valleys.
His guiding career started at the grassroots level. Rather than jumping directly into managerial positions, Sugam spent his early years on the trail working alongside seasoned Sherpa and Gurung mountain veterans. He learned the craft from the ground up: carrying loads, understanding teahouse kitchen dynamics, reading early-morning cloud formations over Machapuchare, and mastering the subtle art of pacing trekkers who were taking their very first steps above 3,000 meters.
Over the course of a decade and more than 120 high-altitude expeditions, Sugam witnessed first-hand how mass commercialization was beginning to erode the trekking experience. Agencies were slashing prices by cutting porter gear, skipping critical acclimatization days, and cramming travelers into rigid itineraries that resulted in unnecessary mountain sickness evacuations.
Determined to establish a higher benchmark, Sugam founded ABC Trek in Nepal as a dedicated, specialized agency focused specifically on the Annapurna Conservation Area. His vision was simple: operate smaller group sizes, provide conservative acclimatization ascent gradients, employ certified local guides with fair wages, and maintain direct, personal communication with every international traveler from the first inquiry to the final airport farewell.
Today, as Founder and Expedition Director, Sugam remains actively engaged with the mountains. Whether conducting winter safety reconnaissance through the Modi Khola canyon or welcoming returning clients at our Kathmandu headquarters in Budhanilkantha, his mission remains constant: sharing the transformative power of the Annapurna Himalaya with safety, integrity, and genuine human connection.