Small World Adventures is run by a husband-and-wife team that is highly passionate about travel, Karma and Sanam Doka Sherpa. Mr. and Mrs. Sherpa come from the Everest region where they both attended primary schools built by Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
During their school days, Sanam and Karma had several opportunities to meet Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, who led many trekking trips through their villages. They witnessed these great mountaineers’ humanitarian efforts first-hand, seeing them lead groups of volunteers to build infrastructure like schools, healthcare centers, trekking trails, etc.
Thanks to the help of kind travelers, Karma and Sanam were fortunate enough to continue their schooling and get college degrees. Since their lives were transformed through the power of education, they felt compelled to give this gift to as many others as they could.
Through their business, Small World Adventures, and humanitarian work done with their non-profit organization, The Small World, they have helped thousands of children get an education – especially girls who were at high risk of trafficking and abuse. They have also established programs that empower local communities in the Everest region to support themselves through grassroots development projects.
So far, Karma and Sanam have been involved in building over 15 schools, various children’s homes, a girls’ dormitory for those seeking to finish high school, health centers, hundreds of sanitation facilities, and safe drinking water infrastructure around the Everest region.
Traveling in the Everest region with us opens doors that would not be possible with other travel companies. Due to our organization’s humanitarian work in the area, and the fact that Karma and Sanam grew up there, you will be welcomed with open arms by local people.
Hear people’s life stories over a cup of tea in their kitchen, visit exquisite and fully-functional Buddhist monasteries, and observe vibrant cultural activities like dances and singing with local communities such as the Sherpa, Rai, and Magar.
We can even put together a day or two of community service projects along your journey that relate to environmental awareness or education, such as tree-planting, or activities that help school children.
Our founders, Karma and Sanam Sherpa, are also well known for bringing big sports tourism events to the region. In 2011, they organized the first Solukhumbu Trail Race, which is the longest and highest trail race on the planet. This incredible 310-kilometer Himalayan journey and feat of endurance includes Pikey Peak (13,335 ft.) Renjo La pass (17,536 ft.), Gokyo peak (17,575 ft.), and Kala Patthar (18,373 ft.).
The Solukhumbu Trail Race now welcomes about 75 international runners and two dozen Nepalese runners every year.
Also, as part of The Small World’s endeavors, we led many National Geographic Student Expedition humanitarian service trips from 2016 to 2019, until COVID-19 halted these trips in Nepal.
