Nepal - Annapurna Trek and Community Service Project

Sun shining on Machapuchare | Erin Williams

Alternative Schoolies in Nepal | Indigo Axford

Our Service Learning trips offer genuine cultural exchange and real opportunities to help local communities

Students making friends with a Sadhu in Kathmandu, Nepal | Greg Pike

The view of Machapuchare from Nayapul | Brad Atwal

Sun shining on Machapuchare | Erin Williams

Alternative Schoolies in Nepal | Indigo Axford

Our Service Learning trips offer genuine cultural exchange and real opportunities to help local communities

Students making friends with a Sadhu in Kathmandu, Nepal | Greg Pike

The view of Machapuchare from Nayapul | Brad Atwal

Code: WSAT

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:

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

Day 1
Arrive in Kathmandu (1330m) (3990 ft)

Namaste - welcome to Nepal! Upon landing and clearing customs you will be met by your Nepalese guide and transfer 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

Day 2
Explore Kathmandu

This morning you will head out with your Guide to explore Kathmandu. This is a great opportunity to introduce yourself to Nepalese culture and history. You will get to meet some Nepali people at the main meeting place, Durbar Square as well as taking in the Bodhinath Stupa at the Pashupatinath Hindu Temple. Kathmandu has more World Heritage sites than any other city in the world. This afternoon you will have an opportunity to explore at your leisure before making your final preparations for your trek tomorrow. Overnight Kathmandu

Meals: B,L,D

Day 3
Fly to Pokhara, Boat and Trek to Peace Pagoda

This morning we take a flight west to Pokhara, Nepal's second largest town (820m) (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

Day 4
Commence Trek to Dhampus

The drive to the road-head at Khara takes around one hour. Our trail then winds uphill through terraced fields and mixed oak and rhododendron forest. There is no need to rush. This is a short day with plenty of time to reach camp. We trek through sparse villages, farm terraces and cover a short stretch of forest to reach Dhampus (1650m)(4950 ft). Stunning views of Annapurna and surrounding peaks greet us on reaching our campsite. Dhampus is not only a great view point but also a small, ethnic Gurung village. An optional walk will give us an opportunity to watch the daily lives of the villages from milking the buffaloes to their daily work on the farm. From the camp, we enjoy an amazing sunset on the Himalayas and weather permitting an equally stunning sunrise. Accommodation in Wilderness Camp Walking time: approximately 3 hours

Meals: B,L,D

Day 5
Trek to Landruk (1600m) (4800 ft)

The views from our campsite are excellent, and morning generally offers the best opportunity to view the huge peaks. As we walk, the peaks of the Annapurnas will be visible through the scattered rhododendron forest, offering a sample of the trek to come. After our longer uphill morning session, this afternoon will be a more gradual. We descend towards the Mardi Khola, trekking through dense forest of rhododendron, oak and birch until we reach the terraced fields of Landruk. We have time to explore the village and visit the nearby waterfall before spending the night at our private eco camp site. Accommodation in Private Eco-campsite Walking time: approximately 5 hours

Meals: B,L,D

Day 6
Trek to Ghandruk (1953m) (5859 ft)

After leaving the village, the trail levels out to Landruk village which is situated on the east canton wall above the Modi River. From the picturesque village of Landruk, the views of the fishtail mountain, Machapuchare, Annapurna South (7273m) (21,819 ft) and Hiunchuli are magnificent as they dominate the skyline. After lunch, we make a steady descent to the Modi River where we cross to take the many, many steps up to the village of Ghandruk. There is ample time to explore this ancient village and you may wish to visit a privately owned Gurung village that provide a further insight into the lifestyle of villagers who have traditionally provided the backbone of the famous Gurkha regiments, a local medical centre or even a museum to understand more about this amazing part of the world. Accommodation in Private Eco-Campsite Walking time: approximately 6 - 7 hours

Meals: B,L,D

Day 7
Trek to Jhobrang, Visit Project Site

Today we begin the last substantial days walk and gain stunning mountain views. We get way of 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 we will complete our serve program. This afternoon we will visit the project site and meet the local labor force 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 Wilderness Camp Walking time: approximately 5 hours

Meals: B,L,D

Day 8-9
Trek to Project Site, Commence Project

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 Wilderness Camp

Meals: B,L,D

Day 10
Trek to Naya Pul (1000m) (3000 ft)

After absorbing even more spectacular views of Annapurna South we head down the Modi Khola valley along a secluded village trail that is rarely followed by other trekking groups. After lunch at the scenic village of Dansing we complete a short, steep descent to the village of Birethanti along the Modi Khola. We cross a substantial bridge before making our way to Naya Pul where our bus will be waiting to take us to Pokhara Accommodation in Pokhara Driving time: 2 hours Walking time: approximately 5 - 6 hours

Meals: B,L,D

Day 11
Day at Leisure on Pokhara

A day has been included to explore this beautiful village town at a leisurely pace before returning to Kathmandu. Accommodation in Pokhara

Meals: B

Day 12
Fly to Kathmandu

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

Day 13
Depart Kathmandu

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:
• 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

What's included

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
5 nights at our private eco-camps and 4 night wilderness camps
3 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
Return economy group flights to Kathmandu

What's not included

Lunches & Dinner in Pokhara (Day 11), Lunch in Kathmandu (Day 12)
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

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.