Sharmila Lama Tamang

Sharmila Lama Tamang is a renowned Nepali mountaineer, trekking professional, and women’s empowerment advocate, widely respected for her achievements in high-altitude climbing and her commitment to social change. Born on December 11, 1990, in Bhimkhori, Kavrepalanchok, Nepal, she is the first woman from her village and district to summit Mount Everest. Her life and career represent courage, resilience, and a deep dedication to empowering Indigenous women through sustainable tourism and mountaineering.

Background and Early Life

Sharmila Lama Tamang was born and raised in Bhimkhori, a rural area of Kavrepalanchok District in Nepal’s mid-hills. She belongs to the Tamang community, a Himalayan Indigenous group that has historically faced social and economic marginalization. Despite financial hardship and cultural barriers that limited opportunities for women, she pursued education and personal growth with determination.

Her early struggles, combined with limited access to higher education, shaped her resolve to become a role model for young women—especially those from remote and underserved communities.

Academic Qualifications

• 2064 BS: SLC, Shree Pokra Higher Secondary School, Kavrepalanchok, Nepal
• 2066 BS: +2 (HSEB), Shree Mangal Jana Bijaya Higher Secondary School, Kavrepalanchok, Nepal

Professional Training

• Medicine and Altitude Sickness Training – Nepal Tourism Board
• Leadership in Mountaineering – Nepal Tourism Board

Mountaineering Experience and Achievements

Sharmila Lama Tamang has been active in trekking and climbing since 2011 and has successfully summited several major peaks, including:

• Mount Everest (8,848.86 m) – May 22, 2019
• Mount Manaslu (8,163 m) – October 28, 2019
• Mount Annapurna (8,091 m) – April 4, 2021
• Mount Lhotse (8,516 m) – May 5, 2021
• Mount Ramdung (5,920 m) – August 21, 2017
• Gyaltse Peak (6,151 m) – October 19, 2020
• Mount Elbrus, Europe (4,741 m) – August 12, 2019

Her accomplishments place her among Nepal’s most inspiring female mountaineers.

Awards and Recognition

• Tenzing Hillary Award 2021
  Tourism Development Department, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation, Nepal

Mission and Vision: “A Climb for A Cause”

Sharmila Lama Tamang is the founder of the mission “A Climb for A Cause: Stop Human Trafficking!”, which aims to:

• Empower women through adventure tourism
• Raise awareness against human trafficking and modern-day slavery
• Create local employment through trekking, guiding, homestays, and cottage industries
• Reduce unsafe foreign labor migration by building opportunities within Nepal
• Inspire Indigenous girls and women to pursue professional careers in mountaineering

Her long-term vision includes becoming one of the Nepali Indigenous women to climb all of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks while advocating for social justice.

Contributions and Community Relevance

Sharmila’s work goes far beyond mountaineering. She is deeply committed to:

• Women’s economic empowerment in rural Nepal
• Sustainable tourism as a livelihood strategy
• Preserving family unity by promoting local employment
• Serving as a role model for Indigenous and marginalized communities

She has consciously chosen not to migrate abroad for work, believing that meaningful change and self-reliance can be built within Nepal.

Personal Life

Sharmila Lama Tamang is a devoted mother to an eight-year-old son. She currently resides in Boudha, Kathmandu, while remaining strongly connected to her home district and community roots.

Location Details

• City: Boudha, Kathmandu
• District: Kathmandu District
• Province: Bagmati Province
• Country: Nepal

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Sharmila Lama Tamang?
Sharmila Lama Tamang is a Nepali mountaineer, trekking professional, and women’s empowerment advocate from Kavrepalanchok, Nepal.

What is Sharmila Lama Tamang known for?
She is known for summiting Mount Everest and multiple 8,000-meter peaks, and for leading the “A Climb for A Cause” social mission.

When was Sharmila Lama Tamang born?
She was born on December 11, 1990.

Where does Sharmila Lama Tamang live now?
She currently resides in Boudha, Kathmandu District, Bagmati Province, Nepal.

What award has Sharmila Lama Tamang received?
She received the Tenzing Hillary Award 2021 from the Government of Nepal.

Why is Sharmila Lama Tamang important to the community?
She empowers Indigenous women, promotes ethical tourism, fights human trafficking awareness, and inspires local economic development.