Thinlas Chorol

Thinlas Chorol

Thinlas Chorol was born in Takmachik, a small village in Ladakh’s Sham region. Her mother died when Thinlas was only a baby and Thinlas’ father took care of her. For fear of losing another parent, Thinlas would not let her father out her sight and accompanied him into the mountains to look after their herds. Thinlas learnt how to navigate and live amongst the mountains and developed a deep love and respect for the outdoors. One day by chance, Thinlas was asked to accompany a group of trekkers on their expedition. Thinlas loved this experience so much that she decided she wanted to be a mountain guide. A solitary woman in the so-called man’s world of mountain guiding, Thinlas doggedly pursued her ambition and successfully completed the requisite mountaineering training courses. Yet even when equipped with formal qualifications, Thinlas faced strong discrimination from others who challenged the ability of a woman to do what they saw as a man’s work.Thinlas got her first break in 2004 and worked with several local trekking agencies. Struck by her own difficult experience of training and securing work as a guide, Thinlas decided to set up her own guiding company, operated and run by an all-women staff. In 2009 she established the Ladakhi Women’s Travel Company. Together with her team, Thinlas helps like-minded women develop the confidence to take on challenges, both whilst trekking and in their daily lives.
Thinlas Chorol is the only trained female Ladakhi trekking guide and was the recipient of Ladakhi Women’s Writer Award in 2008. She continues her journey as a freelance guide and serving as a mentor for the women in Ladakh.
Quote:“I am happy that I inspired not only myself but also other girls to come in the sector of mountaineering and trekking and make a mark for them. I am happy that I succeeded in this field and that people know and appreciate me.”