KARNALI EXCURSIONS - Key Persons
Hira Dhamala has been Managing Director of Karnali Excursions since the company was established in 1997. Prior to this, Hira and several friends started working together to lead treks, and this group of friends formed the basis of what is now Karnali Excursions.
Hira was born in the Himalayan village of Khanigaun, in the Langtang region, and to this day maintains a deep connection with the Himalaya Mountains. When he was twelve years old his family relocated to the jungle area of Chitwan, and the mountains became a distant memory, and no longer a daily presence in his life. When he decided on a career in tourism, Hira was drawn back to the mountains of his early childhood, and he began his intensive explorations of Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan.
Hira has led treks for over seventeen years now, and even when he is not personally guiding guests on Himalayan adventures, he often explores the outer reaches of the Himalayas to learn more about bird watching and Himalayan nature photography. Having successfully lead more than 2,000 people to the Mount Kailash Pilgrimage, has earned the great admiration and affection of these many pilgrims. Hira has led uncountable groups to Everest, Manaslu, Annapurna, Gasaburam and K2. Amongst his many clients are groups belonging to veteran mountaineer associations and the Royal Geographical Society.
Sarala Dave welcomes the pilgrims to the Holy Mount Kailash pilgrimage treks. Helping the visitors Sarala enjoy this long wished-for and awaited experience is her personal goal. She is very happy to be associated with Karnali Excursions, and to have this chance to meet and greet all pilgrims to this holy mountain adventure.
Sarala grew up in India, but she and her husband moved to America in 1976, where her husband was a practicing physician, and later her daughter became a practicing pharmacist. Her son-in-law is a Real Estate sales agent. He and Sarala's daughter have blessed Sarala and her husband with two lovely grandchildren!
Her obvious love of life extends to her friends and community in the planning of parties and other group events. Organizing, decorating and entertaining with Garba and dances all keep Sarala happy and young. She extends her joy of life to the pilgrims to the holiest of the holy places, and enjoys sharing in their quest for a once in a life time experience.
Job Titles:
- USA Representative & Coordinator
Job Titles:
- UK Representative & Coordinator
Savi Meghani was born in India and moved to the U.K. in 1976. After visiting Holy Mt. Kailash and Mansarovar Lake on multiple occasions with Karnali Excursions, she now volunteers at Karnali Excursions as a coordinator.
In her spare time she practices yoga, which has played an important part in preparing her for Himalayan Pilgrimages.
It is Savi's heartfelt desire to help others experience the profound nature of these once in a lifetime journeys. She enjoys sharing her experiences and helping others prepare for these adventures, making sure they are mentally and physically prepared for these uniquely wonderful and exhilarating adventures. Proper guidance and preparation is a key to her along with attention to details. You will return home refreshed with spiritual inspiration to last a lifetime.
Job Titles:
- UAE Representative & Coordinator
Vaishali Thaker based in the United Arab Emirates, is one of our mountain enthusiast with a versatile back ground of teaching Yoga, Meditation, Life Coaching, Training and much more. In addition, she has 14 years of experience working with Award winning Airline, Etihad Airways. She brings with her a paramount of professionalism and qualities that complements Karnali Excursion's vision.
In everyday life she seeks opportunities to be a better person; to practice life in an inspiring light. From childhood she have found immense contentment in sharing smiles, taking this element of her existence very sincerely she actively works with Prayas which is a children's home, dikra nu ghar which is an old people homes, empowering youth, relief work during earthquakes in Nepal, floods in Kashmir, Chennai & Nepal and much more..
She believes that experiencing the mountains have been an awakening journey by not only giving a completely new meaning to ones life but also lighting up the mind and invoking the Shakti (Energy). She has grown, healed and explored herself with these Journeys to Kailash and has a lot to share from her experience. So come journey with Vaishali and know more…
Job Titles:
- UK Representative & Coordinator
Vanita Hirani was born in India and raised in Nairobi, Kenya. She currently lives in London and volunteers for Karnali Excursions as a coordinator.
Vanita loves nature and is also a keen enthusiast when it comes to performance in arts such as yoga, which she has been practicing for more than 15 years. Not only does she perform yoga, she has further enhanced her skills by teaching it.
Vanita thoroughly enjoys her travels; she has travelled to the Himalayas and to many parts of India. As a devotee of Lord Shiva and upon successfully completing the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra several times and inspired by her spiritual experiences on pilgrimages. She now enjoys sharing her experiences with other people helping them to prepare physically as well as mentally for their journey ahead enabling their dreams to come true.