Trainees observe as instructors at the 3 Sisters Adventure Trekking Co. provide lessons on climbing a rock surface in Pokhara, Nepal, on March 2, 2014. When Lucky, Dicky and Nicky Chettri tried to break into Nepal's male-dominated trekking industry 20 years ago, competitors tried to run them out of business. Men threatened them, harassed them - even filed bogus police reports against them. Photo: AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha /MCT

Because of the Chettri sisters, women guides are normal, said Shailee Basnet. ######

At first, few women wanted to become guides. They didn't want to leave their homes for many days." Some thought it was against our culture," said Nicky, the youngest sister. Dicky is the middle sister. ######

But soon the word spread. The women liked earning their own money, Nicky said. They didn't like depending on their husbands.

Reaching New Goals

Gam Maya Tilicha once planned to become a teacher. ######

"I never imagined that I would be a trekking guide. But the (money) is very good. And I like what I am doing," she said.

The guides make about $3,000 a year. ######

The Chettris have 150 women guides. They lead almost 1,000 treks each year.

Trekking is a big business in Nepal. About 340,000 visitors went on treks last year.

###### One of them is Sophie Whitwell. She is from London, England.

"I would definitely want a female guide," she said. ]]>