Brown Gal Trekker & Equity Global Treks

02/10/2025

Had the most incredible weekend catching up with a friend I’ve known for over 15 years. 🌍✨ As a global mountain nomad, rare moments like this are treasures. My friend just so happened to be in the same region of Vietnam as me, and it was like nothing had changed between us—just pure joy, shared memories, and that deep, comforting connection only old friends share.

Summiting mountains always gives me a thrill, but there’s something truly magical about reconnecting with someone who knew me long before I embraced this life of a Brown Gal Trekker. Encounters like this came at the right time when I've been reflecting on memories past with old friends from Washington, DC that I left behind in 2017. The universe delivered again and granted that wish. In the Philippines, my next stop, there'll be more reunions to come. I can't wait!

Human relationships are as important as any adventure. Some friends endure time and distance, and when you reunite, it feels like no time has passed at all. It’s a reminder that no matter where life takes us, the right friendships outlive years without contact. I learned this after leaving my community in Washington, DC—never easy, but it’s a beautiful lesson in how true connections stand the test of time. It only begs the question - who will I see next? Yes, you, hopefully!

Here’s to more adventures, both in the mountains and with the people who make life truly special.

Follow my journey and subscribe to www.browngaltrekker.com!

02/10/2025

If you haven't liked our page focused on the Nepali female guides and our 100 plus days trekking in the Himalayas in 2024, make sure to like it below. In the next few weeks we will be revisiting the 100 plus days of hiking in the Himalayas with Mingmar Dolma Sherpa and launching our Himalayan Women Trail Leaders directory that will showcase amazing female guides in Nepal and have the opportunity to book classic or long distance treks with us led by these womenalong distance track with us based on an online form that will help us design the perfect tracking experience for you.

Like the page to follow along:

Himalayan Women Trail Leaders

02/07/2025

🚨 BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! 🚨 Women leading long distance treks in the Himalayas - IT'S TIME!

We are officially launching the Himalayan Women Leaders Trail Initiative—a groundbreaking effort born out of our 2024 Social Entrepreneurship Competition in Tourism win!

For too long, long-distance trekking in the Himalayas has been dominated by men—both in leadership and participation. But we are here to change that. This initiative is about creating new trails and adventures led by female guides, giving women trekkers the chance to explore long-distance Himalayan trekking with women at the helm.

🌿 Our Goal:
We want to make long-distance trekking in the Himalayas accessible by marketing both extended treks and classic favorites like Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit, Langtang Valley, and more—all led by female guides. After scouting the Great Himalaya Trail for 100 days, we now know that women can and should be leading these journeys.

📢 Why This Matters:
Women in the trekking industry deserve to be seen, heard, and recognized as leaders. The female narrative in adventure travel is crucial—not just for representation, but for creating more inclusive and empowering trekking experiences.

🔥 Relive the Journey With Us!
To celebrate this launch, we’re taking you back to February 10, 2024, when Mingmar and I set off on our 100-day trek across the Great Himalaya Trail. We’ll be sharing the highs, the challenges, and the beauty of the trail—step by step—leading up to our official sign-ups for female and male hikers to join future treks led by women.

✨ Join Us!
💙 Like our FB page to follow our journey: https://www.facebook.com/share/15ht8hkzZf/

And our IG: https://www.instagram.com/himalayanwomentrailleaders?igsh=MWVlNndvNG8zYWVkZQ==
📢 Share this initiative to support women in trekking
⛰️ Get ready to sign up for an adventure led by the women who know the Himalayas best

This is just the beginning. Together, we are changing the face of Himalayan trekking! 🌍💪🏽

02/06/2025

🌍 Trek with Purpose: Support Women in Adventure Tourism!

Join us on women-led treks across Mongolia, Nepal, Peru, and more through Equity Global Treks! These aren’t just trips—they’re a movement. When you book with us, you directly support female guides, ensuring more women have access to jobs and leadership roles in the trekking industry.

Check out our coed/all gender and women only tours and help make a difference!

✨ Why Trek with Us?
✅ Women-Led Treks – Experience the mountains guided by expert female guides trained through our initiatives.
✅ Empowering Women – Your booking funds programs like the Himalayan Women Trail Leaders Initiative in Nepal and our Women Leader Training in Mongolia.
✅ Authentic Cultural Immersion – Connect with local communities, from Kazakh eagle hunters in Mongolia to Quechua women in the Andes.

🚨 Limited Spots Available! Don’t miss your chance to trek with purpose. Secure your place now: https://www.browngaltrekker.com/bgtequityglobaltreks

Together, we’re breaking barriers and reshaping the future of adventure tourism! 🌿🏔️

02/03/2025

Join Our Internship & Volunteering Program with Porter Voice Collective!

Are you passionate about human rights, gender equity, and ethical tourism? Do you want to gain university credit while making a real impact?

Our Porter Voice Collective Internship & Volunteering Program is your chance to support mountain expedition workers in Nepal, Peru, and Tanzania, advocating for their human and labor rights while also advancing gender equity in Nepal’s trekking industry.

🔹 What You’ll Do:
✔️ Marketing & Social Media – Raise awareness about porter rights and ethical trekking.
✔️ Journaling & Journalism – Share the untold stories of porters and female trekking guides.
✔️ Workforce Equity Initiatives – Support fair wages, better working conditions, and policy change.
✔️ Gender Equity in Trekking – Contribute to the Himalayan Women Trail Leaders Initiative, which provides training, jobs, and career opportunities for female trekking guides in Nepal.

🔹 Why Join?
✨ Earn university credit while gaining real-world experience.
✨ Work remotely or in the field—your efforts can make a difference anywhere.
✨ Be part of a global movement to decolonize the trekking industry and support women in adventure tourism.

This is more than an internship—it’s an opportunity to elevate voices, create equity, and make a lasting impact. If you believe in justice, fair labor, and gender-inclusive trekking, we want you on our team!

📩 Apply now and be a voice for the workers and women shaping the future of mountain tourism!

Go here: https://theportervoicecollective.org/how-to-get-involved/volunteerandinternship/

02/02/2025

Altai Trek & Eagle Hunting Festival – My Favorite Mongolia Adventure

I’ve trekked in the Altai Mountains multiple times, and every time, I’m blown away by the raw beauty of this remote corner of Mongolia. Towering peaks, vast open valleys, and the deep traditions of the Kazakh people make this one of the most unforgettable journeys I’ve ever done. That’s why I’m so excited to offer this trek again—this time with a guaranteed departure in September.

This trip isn’t just about the stunning landscapes; it’s about connection—immersing in nomadic culture, staying in traditional gers, and witnessing the incredible bond between Kazakh eagle hunters and their birds at the Golden Eagle Festival.

What makes this journey even more special is that it’s led by a female local guide as part of our Women Guide Leadership Training Initiative in Western Mongolia. Supporting and mentoring women in adventure tourism is something I deeply believe in, and I love seeing more women step into leadership roles in this region.

Details:

Trek through the breathtaking Altai Mountains, with glaciers, alpine lakes, and untouched wilderness

Experience the Golden Eagle Festival, where Kazakh hunters showcase their centuries-old traditions

Stay with local families and get a glimpse into the real heart of Mongolian and Kazakh culture

Guaranteed departure in September 2-18, 2025 with the option to join the Eagle Hunting Festival

If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring Mongolia, this is the trip to do it. Book by March 1, 2025, and get $150 off with promo code ALTAI2025.

Here’s the link to join: https://www.browngaltrekker.com/mongolia/altaitrek

Would love to have you on this adventure. Let me know if you have any questions!

02/01/2025

🌄 Everest Base Camp Trek 2025 – Women-Led Adventure 🌄

We’re thrilled to announce our group departues for 2025 Everest Base Camp Trek, where the journey to one of the world’s most iconic destinations will be led by female guides, as part of our ongoing effort to empower and support women in Nepal's trekking industry.

This trek is not just about reaching the base of the world’s highest peak, it’s a part of our Himalayan Women Leaders Initiative. Through this initiative, we're connecting you with talented female guides who you can choose from based on your personal preferences, thanks to our soon-to-launch database. Whether you're looking for a guide with experience on long-distance treks or someone who shares your passion for high-altitude adventures, we’ve got you covered!

As part of our broader mission, we’re also expanding beyond the commercial sections of the Great Himalaya Trail, offering an authentic, diverse trekking experience led by women.

Join us in supporting this transformative movement and trek with us on a journey that celebrates the strength and leadership of women in the mountains. 🌍👣

🔗 Ready to book your spot? Head over to https://www.browngaltrekker.com/nepal/everestbasecamptrek and secure your place for the Everest Base Camp Trek in 2025!

Below you see how I truly feel when I'm hiking....a 48 year old kid wishing I'm a feline in my next life.

02/01/2025

With all the talks on DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) in the U.S. and beyond , I want to address a less talked about topic in Tourism- does traveling make you less racist?

Not likely because

Racism is a deeply ingrained belief and attitude that is not easily changed by simply visiting a different country. The idea that traveling can make someone less racist perpetuates harmful stereotypes about the country and their inhabitants.

Using this assertion as a marketing tool in tourism can be harmful in several ways. Firstly, it reinforces the notion that the blsck and brown local inhabitants of the country you visit are somehow inferior or in need of "saving" by more privileged white tourists. This perpetuates a sense of paternalism and superiority that is inherently racist.

Secondly, it can create a false sense of accomplishment or enlightenment for the traveler, leading them to believe that they have overcome their own prejudices simply by visiting a different country, when they've done nothing extensive enough to eradicate their racist views on travels or otherwise.

The mere act of traveling is not likely to result in a significant change in racist attitudes. It's only in rare instances where travelers are directly confronted with situations that challenge their beliefs or where they are uncomfortably faced with their own prejudices that they may be motivated to seriously reflect on their racist behavior and mindset.

These instances could include witnessing or experiencing discrimination or injustice firsthand, or engaging in meaningful interactions with locals that force them to question their preconceived notions. However, even in these situations, change is not guaranteed and individuals may still struggle to recognize and address their own biases.

Visiting Mexico doesn't necessarily lead to shifting your anti- immigrant mindset into one that's pro-immigrant.

Doing a safari tour in Africa doesn't make you anti-racist and anti-slavery.

The narrative that travel alone can eradicate racist beliefs overlooks the deep-rooted history of racism and the systemic nature of discrimination. Racism is a complex societal issue that has been ingrained over centuries and cannot be dismantled simply by visiting different countries or cultures.

Traveling to a country with a history of colonization or slavery doesn't automatically equate to a profound understanding of these historical injustices. The impact of slavery, imperialism, and colonialism is far-reaching and requires a nuanced and informed approach to fully comprehend their enduring effects on societies and individuals.

It's crucial to recognize that unlearning racism is a continuous and ongoing process that occurs in everyday interactions and reflections. Meaningful change stems from introspection, education and active engagement with anti-racist principles in one's daily life. Traveling by itself hardly provides the depth of insight necessary to address the complexities of racism & its historical legacies.

In the coming weeks, I'm sharing my unfiltered thoughts on this topic as it cuts through various aspects of the tourism industry - from consumers to tourism infrastructures to the workforce on the ground. Follow the conversation - like this page and support our work towards workforce equity via

www.theportervoicecollective.org

01/30/2025

Join the Khusvegi English & Nomadic Culture Camp in 2025! 🌍 LIMITED SPOTS LEFT!

✨ Experience Slow Tourism Like Never Before! ✨

Are you ready for an adventure that goes beyond the ordinary? Join our award-winning community-led initiative, Khusvegi English & Nomadic Culture Camp, a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich traditions of nomadic life while making a lasting impact on the community.

This camp is not just about travel; it’s about cultural preservation and language equity. By teaching English to children in this remote village, you’re helping to open doors to new opportunities for young nomads, ensuring their voices are heard and their culture is celebrated. This initiative is truly community-led and women-founded, showcasing the strength and resilience of local leaders.

📅 Limited Spots Available for June-July 2025! 📅

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformative experience! We have limited spots left for our upcoming session in June-July 2025. Whether you’re looking to teach, learn, or simply connect with nature and culture, this camp offers something special for everyone.

👉 Learn more and secure your spot today! Join via https://www.browngaltrekker.com/mongolia/khusvegicamp

Let’s make memories that matter while investing in a brighter future for these incredible young nomads!

01/29/2025

Happy Tet New Year from Vietnam !

A new year means new adventures and goals for the year. Excited to share my upcoming journeys with you.

01/28/2025

**Discover the Magic of Bhutan in Spring 2025 or dates of your choice!**

I love Bhutan. It's beauty and rawness still draw me in. I encourage you to go!

Join us on an extraordinary journey to the Land of the Thunder Dragon, where ancient culture, pristine landscapes, and spiritual serenity await you. This exclusive tour offers you the chance to explore Bhutan’s rich heritage and natural beauty in a way that few others can.

Experience the vibrant capital of **Thimphu**, where modernity meets tradition, and delve into the spiritual depth of **Punakha**, home to the magnificent Punakha Dzong. In **Paro**, connect with Bhutan's spiritual heart as you take on the unforgettable **Bumdra hike**. This trek leads to the "Cave of a Thousand Prayers," perched high above the Paro Valley, offering panoramic views and a chance to immerse yourself in Bhutan’s untouched wilderness. The journey culminates at the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery, one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in the world.

From bustling markets to serene trails leading to hidden monasteries, Bhutan promises a journey filled with discovery, adventure, and profound cultural encounters.

📅 TRIP DATES: MAY 1-14 2025 —Experience Bhutan at its most enchanting. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore a land where tradition, nature, and spirituality blend in perfect harmony. (You can pick other dates as well and itinerary can be customized).

As part of our mission to elevate women in the industry, this tour will be led by a female guide.

Learn more & join via
https://www.browngaltrekker.com/bhutan/culturehikingtour or via link
Secure your spot today and join us on a journey of a lifetime!

01/26/2025

NEW TOUR DATE - PAKISTAN'S Mountain Village & Cultural Tour 16 Days - October 2025 🌄

I'm delighted to share that we're running a tour in Pakistan's Karakoram/Hindukush region for mountain lovers! Join us for an unforgettable journey through the breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural tapestry of Pakistan!

Our Mountain Village & Cultural Tour spans 16 days, immersing you in the stunning beauty of the Karakoram and Hindukush mountains. Experience the warmth and hospitality of the local people as you explore vibrant villages nestled among towering peaks. This tour offers a unique opportunity to engage with diverse cultures, savor traditional cuisine, and witness age-old customs that have been preserved through generations.

Despite its often negative portrayal in the media, my three-month experience in the Gilgit Baltistan region revealed Pakistan to be one of the top ten countries I have ever visited. The majestic scenery, coupled with the genuine kindness of its people, makes this destination truly special. Don’t miss out on this chance to discover a side of Pakistan that many overlook!

Book your adventure by February 28, 2025 using PROMO CODE - PAKISTAN2025 - to get $150 off.

Book via https://www.browngaltrekker.com/pakistan/autumnleavesvillagetour

01/25/2025

Some of you know that I left the U.S. in 2017. I did it because I was being pulled towards the mountains. It's hard to explain. But that energy led me to take big risks. I sold my house, my car and all belongings. I quit my lawyer life and left the city life.

In the U.S., I found myself wanting more. More money, more status, more friends, more, more, more. Only to find myself empty every step of the way. What felt like success in the beginning started to feel like a compromise. The success defined by society dimmed my soul until I reached the darkest point of my life.

I promised myself that I will do everything in my power to be happy. I wrote a happiness plan in 2014, mainly centered around a life in the mountains and an existence that is defined by freedom.

Here I am in Vietnam in 2025 looking back everyday, smiling, and giving thanks each day.

What's amazing about dreaming is not only does it come true, it's the fact that the universe delivers your dreams beyond what you originally imagined them to be...always better. Always.

There's no more wanting more. There's only peace each day and a sense of love for a life I chose and a life that chose me.

Trust in that inner voice quietly reminding you, "Life can be better."

Follow my journey and subscribe via www.browngaltrekker.com

01/23/2025

This may very well be a journey of a lifetime - OUR AWARD WINNING WOMEN-LED MIGRATION & EAGLE HUNTING TRIP IN MONGOLIA. My being stranded in Mongolia for 294 days during Covid resulted in human connections beyond I can ever imagine! I'm proud of being a founder of this initiative as we elevate the roles of women in the adventure travel industry. Women are truly the leaders of migration, then and NOW.

This initiative comes from the heart and my way of giving back to a community of nomads that took care of me as a lone stranded traveler in 2020 during the pandemic. Mongolia is now one of my mountain homes for that reason - I keep coming back!

🌟 Adventure awaits in Mongolia! 🌟 Join us for an extraordinary journey celebrating women's leadership and ancient traditions. 🦅✨

🌍 Dive into the heart of nomadic migration alongside women leaders, guiding herds across stunning landscapes. Experience firsthand the timeless wisdom passed down through generations.

🦅 Witness the fierce spirit of young women at the annual Eagle Hunting Festival, where tradition meets modern competition. Marvel at their skill and bravery as they soar to victory!

🏕️ Immerse yourself in the rich culture of Sagsai village, home to our award-winning Khusvegi Nomadic Culture and English Camp. Connect with eagle hunting families, sharing stories and forging unforgettable bonds.

🗓️ Mark your calendars for Sept 10 to 21, 2025 and join us for an adventure of a lifetime! Spaces are limited, so secure your spot today via link in bio or via https://www.browngaltrekker.com/mongolia/womenledmigration

Wish to learn more? I'm hosting a trip meeting on January 23 at 9pm New York time - join via TRIP MEETING: Mongolia Trips in 2025

🎟️

01/23/2025

I'd like to reshare this story I wrote via Osprey Packs as one of its ambassadors, which I continue to dedicate to my father who I never did get a chance to say goodbye to during the pandemic. As I begin my journey back to the Philippines in a few weeks, he's been on my mind more often than usual.

In fact, if I'm being honest, we never had the chance to lay my father to rest. He was cremated (due to Covid 19 regulations in 2021) and his ashes never did come to our possession in order to bury him next to my mother's grave. Sad story but true -at time of his passing, his second wife of merely one year was blackmailing us, demanding us to pay her in order to retrieve my father's ashes. Struck with grief and a time when my alopecia developed into Hashimoto, for health reasons, I discontinued my effort to retrieve his ashes, from this younger woman who clearly from day one married my dad for money.

There is evil in this world.

It doesn't matter if it's in a war zone or a wealthy stable country - bad people can be found everywhere. Sadly, greed for money is a common part of the equation. In this case, we, his children, had to bear the consequences of his poor choices.

In any event, here I am, faced with the idea of wanting closure. I want my father, as per his wishes, to be buried next to my mother. Sometimes I feel this journey of putting his death to a close was never over. But then at the same time one can only do so much to obtain justice in a world that is highly marked by people's maliciousness and selfish motives.

My dad left in late 2021 and it'll be going on 4 years now but the path to closure is still open. This article has now served as a way for me to be reminded that healing is a process and if it's taking me this long to get to closure, so be it. It is with nature and mountains that I find the strength to persist beyond the pain until the much anticipated time when the burden my father left behind becomes lighter and more bearable. It will come eventually; in the meantime, I'll live true to who I am, even if it means never getting those ashes, my father, back.

Follow along as Osprey Ambassador Marinel de Jesus recaps her time along the Sinai Trail as she processed the grief of losing her father.

01/23/2025

NEW TOUR ALERT: Indonesia is now open for private and customized trips!

I'm thrilled to share with everyone that I'm now organizing tours and treks in the amazing country of Indonesia. I visited this country years back (before Instagram!) and still so much to explore.

There's Rinjani trek, pictured here...the Gili islands, Bromo, Java, Sanur, Jakarta, Lombok and more. Whether you want hiking, diving, culture, beach life, amazing cuisines etc, Indonesia should be top on your list.

Right now, you can book private and customized trips with my organization. Send us an email at [email protected] to start!

This year we're working on group departures for Indonesia with trekking as part of it. Subscribe via www.browngaltrekker.com to get updates.

Check out all our tours via https://www.browngaltrekker.com/bgtequityglobaltreks

01/22/2025

Hello, friends! Lovely to have you here. Let's talk travel, shall we?

After all, it's a popular time to start planning and thinking about travel plans for the year and beyond. Personally, this year compared to the last few years will be a little more on the slow side. After doing 100 days in the Himalayas, running community tourism initiatives in Mongolia and the training hikes I did in 2022 and 2023, I've decided to focus more on long-term travel plans that are more personal in nature.

For one, after being base-less since 2022, leaving behind Peru, I'm now exploring countries as potential home base for me. Ideally, I'd like to spend time in Asia and Europe as a start so this year I'm focused on spending time in the Philippines, my birth country, to see if it's a viable base for me in Asia. I'm also keen on catching up with family and young hearted old friends - I must say that's long over due since leaving my community of friends in the U.S. to become a full-time global mountain nomad.

And the more exciting part? Later in the year, I'll be spending time in Europe, eyeing Albania as my potential base! I've been to Albania in the past and loved the Prokletije /Albanian Alps. Also, worthnoting is the high level of hospitality of the local people. Nearby there's Montenegro with the Durmitor mountains and other Balkan countries like Serbia and North Macedonia that are all worth while for a visit. Amidst all this, I will continue running tours in Tanzania, Mongolia, Nepal, Peru, Bhutan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Indonesia, Thailand, and more. I'm also running the Himalayan Women Trail Leaders Initiative in Nepal among a few other projects so it's likely I'll be returning for more treks in the Himalayas.

What are your plans? I'd love to hear them!

If you need some ideas, check out the treks we have for this year and 2026 via https://www.browngaltrekker.com/bgtequityglobaltreks

Will I see you on the trail this year? That's always a treat!

Follow my journey and subscribe via www.browngaltrekker.com

Photo: on a trek in Pakistan's Hindukush.