Lisa Choegyal is a writer, traveller and sustainable tourism specialist who has made Kathmandu her home since she first arrived in 1974 to trek the Himalayan trails, and became captivated by the soaring peaks, low land jungles, diverse people and rich cultural traditions of Nepal. Still here, nearly fifty years and two half-Tibetan sons later, she spends her time trying to write, worrying about the Himalayan climate crisis, advising on ecotourism projects in Nepal and beyond, looking after Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge, tending to New Zealanders, and savouring the splendours of Nepal.
An author and editor of a number of books, Lisa contributes articles to magazines and blogs, writing regularly on tourism, wildlife and conservation. Her So Far So Good columns appeared fortnightly in the Nepali Times from 2017 to 2021 featuring stories of her early years in Nepal amongst the colorful characters who initiated tourism and trekking in the Himalayas. She is currently struggling to write her memoirs.
Publications that have made it into print include EVEREST: Reflections on the Solukhumbu and its companion volume, Nepal Himalaya: A Journey Through Time, both with Indian photographer Sujoy Das. Kathmandu Valley Style, written with Gautam SJB Rana and photographed by Craig Potton, celebrates the art, crafts and architectural heritage now under threat by the proliferation of concrete buildings.
Together with Mikel Dunham she edited The Nepal Scene: Chronicles of Elizabeth Hawley 1988 to 2007, a detailed record of events for those interested in modern Nepal history. Other collaborations include Offerings from Nepal with New Zealander Craig Potton and a stint as producer of the original South Asian Insight Guides titles.