Freedom Adventure Announces 13th In-House Training

The most crucial element of any trek is not the path you follow, but the competence of the team you trust to guide you. This belief is the foundation of Freedom Adventure’s in-house training, an essential annual-seasonal program that aligns our entire staff under a single standard of excellence. This year marks our 13th in-house training, where our guides, assistant guides, and office personnel will convene for an intensive three-night, four-day closed-camp session in Sauraha, Chitwan. This upcoming training session is an initiative of the "Freedom Social Foundation", supported by Freedom Adventures.

The Curriculum of Competence

This summer session is designed as a vital refresher to sharpen the skills that ensure every expedition is managed with professionalism and care. The curriculum includes:

1. First aid and high-altitude sickness management
2. Wilderness First Aid and high-altitude sickness management
3. Medication use and emergency oxygen protocols
4. Map reading and navigation skills
5. Leave No Trace principles and sustainable tourism practices
6. Conflict resolution and guest relations
7. A review of company policies and updated industry regulations
8. Inclusive Group Dynamics and Cross-Cultural Awareness
9. Professional Standards and Ethical Conduct
10. A Safe and Respectful Environment: Prevention of Harassment and Misconduct
11. Ethical Guidelines for Photography and Videography
12. Risk Mitigation and Incident Response Protocols
13. Client Confidentiality and Data Protection

Beyond technical skills, the program strengthens teamwork through structured activities, ensuring clear communication and trust in the field. This event is also when we formally introduce new members to the team. While the summer session is focused on pre-season readiness, our annual winter training expands to include performance evaluations, rewards, and promotions. It’s a time for us to listen to feedback from our crew, celebrate a successful year together, and discuss the company’s vision, mission, and plans.

Our History of Commitment to Training

The first in-house training was conducted in the spring of 2017 in Kakani, Nuwakot. Since that first session, approximately 250 team members have participated in this foundational program. Each training is led by a respected group of outdoor instructors, medical doctors, and reputed experts from Nepal’s tourism industry. To complement the intensive learning, the schedule always includes fun team-building games, which we’ve found are essential for encouraging strong communication and trust among the team.

Year	Edition	Duration	Location	Theme / Focus
2025	12th	4 Days	Kathmandu	Incident Handling, Navigation, Communication, High Altitude Illness & Oxygen Use
2024	11th	4 Days	Trishuli	Advanced First Aid, Outdoor Leadership, LNT, Responsible Tourism in Practice & Team Building
2023	10th	4 Days	Kakani	Leadership, Operational Knowledge, Communication & LNT, Skill Diversification & Cultural Knowledge
2023	9th	4 Days	Kathmandu	Advanced Leadership, History & Religious Practices of Nepal, Team Building & Awards
2022	8th	4 Days	Lukla	Empowering Local Everest Guides with Advanced Outdoor Adventure Skills & Safety Expertise
2022	7th	4 Days	Kathmandu	Wilderness First Aid (SOLO Certified), Leadership, Operational Knowledge, Communication & LNT
2019	6th	4 Days	Kathmandu	Pre-Season Alignment & Team Cohesion, Leadership Skills, Basic First Aid & Leave No Trace Concepts
2019	5th	4 Days	Kathmandu	Advanced First Aid, Leadership & Company Policies, Skill Diversification & Cultural Knowledge
2018	4th	4 Days	Lukla	Leadership Skills, Basic First Aid & Leave No Trace Concepts for Everest Region Field Staff
2018	3rd	5 Days	Bandipur	Comprehensive AWFA: Injury Management, AMS/HAPE/HACE Case Studies, Oxygen Use, Rescue Systems & CPR
2017	2nd	10 Days	Kathmandu	Advanced First Aid, Outdoor Leadership, LNT, Company Policies & Strategy, Mobile Photography/Videography
2017	1st	10 Days	Kakani	Advanced Wilderness First Aid (AWFA), Outdoor Leadership, Company Standards, Branding & Safety Policies

A Note from the Founder, Jagan Timilsina

“When I founded Freedom Adventure, I aimed to address a fundamental gap in our industry: the need for a consistent, professional standard of safety and service. This training program was my solution, a way to unite our guides, porters, and office staff under a single operational ethos, built on the principles of uncompromising safety, attentive client care, and flawless execution.

To do this, I drew on my background as an instructor with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). We intentionally designed a curriculum that integrates the risk management frameworks and environmental ethics I learned and taught there, going beyond what is typically offered. We are not just teaching skills; we are building a framework for good judgment in the field. This gives our staff the confidence to lead with expertise, which directly translates to a safer and more enriching experience for every person who travels with us.

Looking ahead, our ambition is to establish this program as a benchmark for adventure tourism in Nepal. We plan to evolve the curriculum to include emerging disciplines such as climate-adaptive guiding and more advanced sustainability practices. Our goal is not just to keep pace with the industry, but to lead it, ensuring our teams guide with an expertise and empathy that deepens the connection between our travelers and the landscapes and communities of Nepal.”

 Why This Training is Essential

Participation in this program is mandatory. It is the official entry pass for anyone to work with Freedom Adventure, a policy that ensures every client is guided by a team that meets our standards. The training is strategically held after all field staff have earned their certifications. Our assistant guides must be Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certified, and our lead guides must hold an Advanced Wilderness First Aid (AWFA) certification. This two-tiered system is central to our objective: to consistently improve our service quality, upgrade our team’s skills, and put responsible tourism practices into action on every trek.

A Welcome from the General Manager, Himal Sharma Pandit

“Our purpose here is to ensure we are not just prepared, but exceptional.  This training is where we actively reinforce the professional culture that defines Freedom Adventure, a culture built on understanding the serious nature of our work. We welcome our new and returning staff who are dedicated to a professional career in this field. The expertise you refine here is what will define our clients' experiences on the trail, and we look forward to seeing it in action this season.”

 “Performance is the only thing that matters at Freedom Adventure.”