Overview

 Highlights


  • Awesome views of the Annapurna mountain range including the fishtail mountain, Machapuchare
  • Help repair a remote school that otherwise receives little assistance
  • Join an expedition style trek, complete with porters & sirdars
  • Gain a deeper understanding of the history, culture, society, and people of Nepal
  • Enjoy a fully supported camping based trek including 3 hearty and hygeinic meals per day prepared by our well trained cooks
  • Explore Kathmandu including Pashupatinath (a major Hindu shrine) and the giant Buddhist stupa at Bodhinath

Gigantic Himalayan peaks, authentic mountain culture and a meaningful community service project are what you will embark on during this journey in Nepal. Your adventure begins in the fascinating capital city of Kathmandu, where you'll soak up the atmosphere and visit Hindu and Buddhist temples before flying to the Annapurna region. From Pokhara, the group begins a trek into the Annapurna foothills, where around every corner you'll be struck with dramatic views of Himalayan peaks where there will be plenty of opportunities to engage with people of the small Hindu villages we pass through. We’ll get our hands dirty in a small village in the Annapurna region where you will work side by side with the locals to improve the local school. This will be a real highlight where you will be fully immersed in village life.

Countries:

Start and Finishing Point:

Kathmandu

Activities:

Grading:Introductory   

Addressing:


Namaste - welcome to Nepal! Upon landing and clearing customs you will be met by your Nepalese guide and transfered to your hotel in the city. This afternoon you will have a full trip briefing where you can ask any questions and prepare your gear for the upcoming project and trek. Overnight Kathmandu

Meals:  D

Today you have a full day to explore Kathmandu’s bustling streets and significant landmarks. You may wish to start by exploring the city’s two most important World Heritage Listed spiritual sites: Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple and an important cremation site; and Boudhanath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal and the most sacred Tibetan Buddhist shrine outside of Tibet. Alternatively you could wander through the markets and shops of the busy Thamel precinct or explore some more of the city’s significant sites such as Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) or the World Heritage Listed plazas of Patan, Bhaktapur or Durbar Square. Overnight Kathmandu

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we take a flight west to Pokhara, Nepal's second largest town (820 m) (2460 ft). On arrival you are greeted with sights of the mighty Annapurna Range. We will transfer to our accommodation where we will stay tonight. This afternoon we will go for a walk down to the lake and catch a row boat across the lake to a sacred temple before stretching our legs and walking up to the peace pagoda vantage point. This gives us a spectacular view across the whole of the stunning Annapurna Range. Accommodation in Pokhara

Meals:  B,L,D

We start our day with a drive for an hour to a pass between two river valleys to the village of Phedi, where we commence our trek. There is no need to rush as this is a short day with plenty of time to reach our overnight stop. The trail ascends for the first hour, following a ridge through fields of bamboo clusters to magnificent rhododendron forest. Villagers greet us with “Namaste”, the traditional Nepalese greeting, as we pass their homes and continue to the ridge top where at the crest the scale of the mountains astounds us. Machapuchare (6993 m) (20, 979 ft), Hiunchuli (6441 m) (19, 323 ft) and Annapurna South (7219 m) (21,657 ft) can be seen from our immediate viewpoint. Accommodation in eco lodge. Walking time: approximately 4 - 5 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

After a glorious mountain sunrise we follow the trail through rhododendron forest before continuing through a series of Gurung villages where lifestyles have not changed substantially over the centuries. After lunch we follow a well-marked trail to the prosperous village of Landruk where we camp for the night. Our private eco campsite affords dramatic views of Annapurna South. Accommodation in Private Eco-campsite Walking time: approximately 5 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

Over the course of the next two days we will work with the local crew and village community as we help renovate a school in need. More specific details of the project work will be available prior to departure. Accommodation in Private Eco-Campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we begin the last substantial days walk and gain stunning mountain views. We get away from the main trails and walk through small Nepali villages on single track trails. The mountains tower over us as we trek downhill to Jhobrang, the village where we will complete our serve program. This afternoon we will visit the project site and meet the local team who will help us for the coming days. The local villages heads and students will be waiting to greet us and work side by side on the project with us. Accommodation in eco lodge. Walking time: approximately 6 - 7 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

From Chhomrong, the trek heads back to Ghandruk – descending gently through forests to Kummu. We camp overnight with views offering, yet another, picturesque, panoramic view of Annapurna South. Walking Time approximately 5 - 6 hours Accommodation in Wilderness Cam

Meals:  B,L,D

Trek downhill through villages and terraced fields to Syauli Bazaar, then onto Nayapul before being transported back to Pokhara for an overnight stay at a hotel. It is important to us that this trek follows a few of the commercial tea-house trails. Accordingly the route may be varied at the discretion of the group leader. Note that the approximate walking hours include rest stops and can vary due to trail or weather conditions. Driving time: 3 hours Walking time: approximately 2 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our flight to Kathmandu, a spectacular mountain flight along the face of the Himalaya. On arrival we transfer to the hotel. You will have some free time in the afternoon to explore with your teachers and peers. Accommodation in Kathmandu

Meals:  B,D

This morning following breakfast at the hotel we transfer to the international airport for the flight home.

Meals:  B


Addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Good Health And Well-being:  Ensuring healthy lives and promoting the well-being for all at all ages is essential to sustainable development.

Quality Education:  Obtaining a quality education is the foundation to improving people’s lives and sustainable development.

Reduced Inequalities:  To reduce inequalities, policies should be universal in principle, paying attention to the needs of disadvantaged and marginalized populations.

Life On Land:  Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss

Clean Water And Sanitation:  Clean, accessible water for all is an essential part of the world we want to live in.

Partnerships For The Goals:  Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development


Learning outcomes for students

World Expeditions Schools journeys are designed to encourage positive personal development and the learning of life skills, while leaving the communities and environments we travel to, in a better condition than when we arrived.
The programs are designed to align with the United Nations SDG's and to:
• build strong friendships and bonds with their peers, their teachers, and the local people they meet.
• increase the confidence to engage with new people, and collaboratively make informed decisions.
• discover the benefits of working cooperatively together as a cohesive team, to achieve a common objective.
• Increase the ability to face, and cope with, mental and physical challenges and therefore increase resilience.
• give students a chance to appreciate and care for the natural world. The environments we travel through are beautiful and often pristine, invariably the students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding about how their individual actions impact on the environment.
• Learn personal skills i.e., time management, personal hygiene, responsibility for personal gear, patience, tolerance, and public speaking.
We help encourage students to learn what it means to be a true global citizen.


Inclusions

  • All meals as outlined
  • Private airport transfers and vehicle transportation throughout
  • Flight Kathmandu to Pokhara return
  • Expert bilingual local guide
  • Comprehensive group medical kit
  • Fully supported camping based trek including 3 hearty meals per day prepared by our cooks
  • 2 nights at our private eco-camps and 4 night wilderness camps
  • 5 nights good quality accommodation in Kathmandu
  • Use of trek pack including sleeping bag, down or fibre filled jacket and insulated mat
  • Souvenir World Expeditions Schools kit bag - yours to keep!
  • Porters to carry all personal and group equipment along with porter's insurance
  • Sightseeing and site entry fees in Kathmandu and all national park entrance fees and trekking permits
  • Costs associated with the community service project, such as the purchase of materials, transport of materials to the project site and wages of a local trades person to oversee the project work
  • Teachers accompanying the trip from School

  • Dinner in Pokhara (Day 10)
  • Bottled water and aerated drinks
  • Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, email, laundry, etc.
  • Tips
  • Visa
  • Travel Insurance-compulsory
  • Optional activities in Pokhara

Grading

Introductory

To determine the grade of a particular adventure we consider a number of factors. These include the condition of the walking terrain, the altitude, the number of pass crossings and the length of the trek. The Annapurna Trek is graded introductory. This is primarily due to the low altitude gains and the condition of the trail which is well defined and not unduly demanding. During the trek you will be walking for up to five to six hours a day at a slow but steady pace. You will need a reasonable level of fitness (remember there is no such thing as an easy trek) and we suggest 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended.


Customise your program

We can fully customise a School Travel Program to suit your students' learning objectives and budget. Whether you require a Service Learning program, physical challenge, cultural immersion or certain curriculum targets - talk to one of our educational travel experts about the elements you need in your itinerary. We pride ourselves on developing unique itineraries to meet the learning requirements for schools.

World Expeditions Schools is a division of one of the world's leading adventure travel companies, World Expeditions. We can develop itineraries in any destination that is offered by World Expeditions, which is to every continent on earth.

Use our simple Expedition Design Form to contact us with your requirements and an educational travel expert will be in touch to assist.


Why travel with us

Why travel with us

Assisted over
14,000 Students Worldwide

Since the 1980's, we have helped students from around the globe to experience the world's most exciting destinations, allowing them to travel, give, grow.

400+ Service Learning
Programs

Together with students, we have completed over 400 Service Learning programs in developing countries. We will always continue to support causes including social justice, animal welfare, the environment and more.

Fully Customised
School Travel Programs

Want to include service learning, your school curriculum and a physical challenge, or any of the above? Contact us and we can design a program fully catered for your students and budget.

Safety and
Support - Our #1 Priority

Every school receives a detailed risk management plan that is guided by government advisories and the local partners we work with. We never compromise on the safety of your students to reduce the price of the program.

Testimonials


Want to find out more?

Our educational travel experts are ready to help you tailor an itinerary or service learning project to suit your school’s needs and budget. Contact us today to receive a free consultation.


Join Newsletter
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/ADS.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Adventures South"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Adventure South</div>
Adventure South NZ is unrivalled in their geographic coverage, originality and overall quality of adventures holidays in New Zealand. Choose from walking, cycling, winter or multi-activity holidays, on either the North or South Island.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/AWH.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Australian Walking Holidays"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Australian Walking Holidays</div>
Australian Walking Holidays specialises in small group guided walking adventures. Since 1982 we have been guiding small groups of travellers on Australia's finest walks across our tropical, coastal or red centre landscapes.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/GCT.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Great Canadian Trails"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Great Canadian Trails</div>
Great Canadian Trails specialises in active holidays in Canada. With both guided and supported self-guided options available, our unique itineraries draw upon some of Canada's most inspiring parks, trails and landscapes from coast to coast.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/HUM.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Humac Challenge"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Huma Charity Challenge</div>
Huma enables those with adventurous spirits to challenge themselves and make a difference for a cause close to their heart. Travel, fundraise and meet life-long friends on one of Huma's meaningful and unique challenges around the world.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WB.jpg?v2' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Walkers’ Britain"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Walkers' Britain</div>
Walkers' Britain (formerly Sherpa Expeditions) have specialised in walking and cycling trips in the United Kingdom and Europe since 1973. Explore iconic trails and destinations on a self guided or small group active holiday with Walkers' Britain.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WB.jpg?v2' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Walkers’ Britain"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Walkers' Britain</div>
Walkers' Britain (formerly Sherpa Expeditions) have specialised in walking and cycling trips in the United Kingdom and Europe since 1973. Explore iconic trails and destinations on a self guided or small group active holiday with Walkers' Britain.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/TAS.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Tasmania Expeditions"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Tasmanian Expeditions</div>
Tasmanian Expeditions is the most experienced operator of treks and adventure travel holidays in Tasmania. We own and operate the most comprehensive range of adventure holidays available across Tasmania's varied landscapes.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/UTX-new.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Utracks"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>UTracks</div>
UTracks are the active European holiday specialists. Whether you prefer cycling or walking, 2-star or 4-star, small groups or self guided, land, river or sea – UTracks can help you to explore Europe exactly the way you want.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WYA.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="World Expeditions Schools"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>World Expeditions Schools</div>
World Expeditions Schools is our specialist division dedicated to organising tailor made overseas school group adventures. Specialists in Service Learning projects, choose from more destinations than any other school group provider.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/YOM.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Yomads"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Yomads</div>
Yomads offers adventures for the 20s and 30s on six continents. Designed as a way to bring young and likeminded travellers together, Yomads caters to those interested in lightly structured and active trips that allow freedom to roam and explore.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/ACT.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Australian Cycle Tours"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Australian Cycle Tours</div>
Australian Cycle Tours specialises in high quality self guided and guided cycling experiences in a selection of the most beautiful regions in Australia.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WEX.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="World Expeditions"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>World Expeditions</div>
The pioneers of original, worldwide adventure travel holidays since 1975
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/TJX.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Trail Journeys"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Trail Journeys</div>
Self-guided cycling experts on New Zealand's Otago Rail Trail and more
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/BMAC.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Blue Mountains Adventure Company"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Blue Mountains Adventure Company</div>
The original Blue Mountains canyoning, hiking, climbing and abseiling experts
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/GWNZ.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Great Walks of New Zealand"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Great Walks of New Zealand</div>
Explore New Zealand's most spectacular wilderness regions with the self-guided hiking experts
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/NAA.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="North America Active"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>North America Active</div>
USA Canada hiking & cycling tour specialists, choose from self-guided or guided trips