Helicopter sounds shattered the tranquility previously experienced in the skies above Mount Everest.
Sonam Sherpa: Nepalese Entrepreneur Expanding into Luxury Lodges and Mini-Hydroelectric Power
Sonam Sherpa, a 64-year-old Nepalese entrepreneur, is making waves in his home country with his diverse business ventures. Born in the heart of the Himalayas, Sherpa has a rich history in the mountainous region, having worked in mountain huts and sports shops in Chamonix, France, in the early 1980s.
Sherpa's journey, however, has not been without its challenges. He suffered an injury that resulted in a displaced vertebra, causing him constant pain. Despite this, Sherpa persevered and continued to climb, even summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, one of the "Seven Summits". Remarkably, the pain disappeared after he reached the summit.
Sherpa's injury was not the only setback he faced. In 2015, he was immobilized for six months following the earthquake in Nepal. However, he found solace and recovery among the mountains once again.
Sherpa's success in the mountains led him to found Thamserku Trekking, which became the largest trekking agency in Nepal. His brother, Ang Tshering Sherpa, joined him, and together they diversified into various businesses, including hotels, airlines, and the development of mini-hydroelectric power plants.
As of July 2025, specific information about Sonam Sherpa's expansion into luxury lodges or mini-hydroelectric plants is currently unavailable in the retrieved sources. However, it is worth noting that Nepal is seeing increased interest from hospitality groups and efforts to digitize hydropower resources.
Sonam Sherpa's office is located in a bustling Katmandou building that houses Tara Air, Yeti Airlines, and Thamserku Trekking. Among the major guides in his address book is Claude Jaccoux, the first French guide to venture into Nepal.
In a recent interview, Sherpa expressed his ambition to triple production to reach 1 gigawatt of power in Nepal. He believes that Nepal, as the second country in the world in terms of water resources, has immense potential in this sector.
Despite the lack of detailed information about his business projects, Sonam Sherpa's story is a testament to his resilience and entrepreneurial spirit. His journey serves as an inspiration to many, demonstrating that with determination and perseverance, one can overcome challenges and achieve greatness.
[1] Nepal: Hydroelectricity and Tourism Sectors Attracting Foreign Investment [2] Sonam Sherpa: A Nepalese Entrepreneur Making Waves in the Mountain Industry [3] Nepal Business Initiative and Global Compact Nepal Collaborate on Sustainable Development Goals [4] Digitalisation of Hydropower Resources in Nepal: A Step Towards Modernisation
- Sonam Sherpa, inspired by Nepal's immense water resources, aspires to triple the production of power, demonstrating an interest in environmental-science and potentially technology, as he aims to modernize the hydropower resources.
- Given his expansion into various businesses, including hotels, airlines, and the development of mini-hydroelectric plants, Sonam Sherpa's financial investments suggest a broad entrepreneurial portfolio that extends beyond the mountain industry.
- As Nepal attracts foreign investment in the hydroelectricity and tourism sectors, Sonam Sherpa's ambitious plans for power generation align with global trends in these industries, signifying potential collaboration between local and international players in the environment-science and technology fields.
