Overview

 Highlights


  • Stunning views of the Annapurna mountain range
  • Fully supported camping based trek including 3 hearty meals per day prepared by our cooks
  • Ample acclimatisation days built in
  • Sightseeing in Kathmandu including Pashupatinath (a major Hindu shrine) and the giant Buddhist stupa at Bodhnath
  • Pokhara Zip Line ride

This is a spectacular trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal, with panoramic views of the Machapuchare and the Annapurna ranges, and dramatic close-up views of the highest Himalayan peaks from our elevated camp sites.

We trek through fascinating villages and splendid forests of rhododendron, hemlock and fir on our journey to the high alpine ridges and meadows that lead towards the greater Himalayan peaks. We enjoy uninterrupted views of the Annapurnas, the Dhaulagiris and far up the Kali Gandaki towards Mustang and Tibet.

We will visit the villages of the numerous ethnic groups who inhabit the region and who form the core of the famous Gurkha army regiments. This trek provides a wonderful overview of all that Nepal has to offer - mountains, forests and diverse village life.

Our visit to the traditional village of Lespar will assist the local school to improve the lives of impoverished children. Scotch groups have supported the education of children in the poorer villages in Nepal for many years, and your visit will be highlighted with celebrations to mark the occasion.

We will celebrate the completion of our trek with a zip line race to the valley floor. After these fantastic experiences we return to Kathmandu, with time to explore the markets and significant sites.

Countries:

Starting Point:

Melbourne

Grading:Moderate   


Check-in at Melbourne airport at 10:00 pm for our flight to Bangkok on Thai Airways International. Overnight on aircraft. Thai Airways TG 462 departs at 00:30.

Meals:  Nil

Arrive Bangkok at 05:40. Change aircraft in Bangkok. Thai Airways TG 319 Bangkok to Kathmandu, departs at 10:30, arrives 12:45. On arrival in Kathmandu (1330 metres) you will be met by your group leader and transferred to the hotel where pre-trek briefing will be given. Arrangements are made today for the distribution of your kit bag, sleeping bag and down jacket. After a rest we will walk into the Thamel area of Kathmandu for a taste of the days to come as we amble through the markets and enjoy dinner in one of the good restaurants available to us.

Meals:  L,D

Sightseeing will be organised for this morning to visit the key cultural sites of Pasupatinath and Boudanath. During our visit you will also have time to explore Kathmandu. The area has an amazing range of fascinating highlights, whatever your interest. Excellent bookshops, extensive markets, novelty shops and handicraft shops contrast with fantastic centres of cultural and spiritual significance. Kathmandu has more World Heritage sites than any other city in the world.

Meals:  B,L,D

You will transferred to the airport and take an early flight to Pokhara, Nepal's second largest city. Shortly after take-off from Kathmandu you will catch glimpses of the high mountain ranges of Ganesh, Manaslu and Annapurna, and enjoy the patchwork of villages and fields below. After 35 minutes you arrive at Pokhara and drive out of town for around an hour to start our trek. The trail ascends on an old stone staircase through fields and clumps of bamboo until we enter rhododendron forest and continue to the ridge top. As we reach the crest the scale of the imposing mountains will astound you, and we rest and gaze at the adjacent peaks of Machapuchare (6993m), Hiunchuli (6441m) and Annapurna South (7219m) from our camp site.

Meals:  B,L,D

This is an interesting day as we trek through forest, and in and out of gullies, as the path takes us toward the mountains. The rhododendron forests are lush and offer a protective canopy for the smaller delicate flora, such as primula and daphne. It also provides a haven for birdlife and we can hear their varied calls as we move through. The trail soon opens into fields as we approach the village of Landrung for spectacular views of the Annapurna Range.

Meals:  B,L,D

Our destination today is the attractive Gurung village of Gandrung, easily seen across the valley. But, we must descend to the valley floor to reach it! Slowly descending through rice terraces, we cross the steel bridge across the glacial river of the Modi Khola and commence our ascent. As we trek up the many staircases, we enjoy the beauty of the Himalaya at a relatively close range and observe the glaciers flowing from them to form the rivers below us. It really is a magnificent location and a photographer's delight. Our leisurely approach along these ridges with their fine mountain views ensures proper acclimatisation, and the un-hurried opportunity to fully savour this magnificent scenery. The sunset and sunrise views from tonight’s camp site are magnificent.

Meals:  B,L,D

Our trail meanders uphill through fields and into the forest of rhododendron and magnolia. We pass by waterfalls that cascade down narrow gullies that provide the perfect home for many small ferns and delicate plants. Tadapani is a clearing in the forest and a rest place for porters. We make camp here and observe the local people as they travel by. From the camp site we gain spectacular mountain views, particularly of Annapurna South.

Meals:  B,L,D

We follow the trail through rhododendron forest to the pass at Deorali. We have passed above the tree-line, and now have excellent views of the dramatic range of mountains known as the Dhaulagiri Himal. We have arrived at the busy Pokhara-Jomosom trail, which is the old Tibet-Nepal trade route and provides an interesting insight into the daily life of this area, and enter Gorepani and our camp.

Meals:  B,L,D

From Gorepani, a 45 minute climb brings us to the summit of Poon Hill. The views here are tremendous, with huge snow-capped mountain ranges high above a foreground of terraced foothills. We descend from the ridge through forest to our camp just outside Ramche village. This is a very pleasant location for an overnight as we are nestled on the ridge-top between the Kali Gandaki and Ramche valleys, and sunset and sunrise views should be at their best. We are well away from the main trails, and you will enjoy the traditional village lifestyle.

Meals:  B,L,D

We descend this morning to the village of Nah and cross a stream and make our way over the next foothill by slowly climbing and traversing its ridges. These trails are a delight to travel, offering a variety of forests, villages and small settlements. The local people attend to their traditional tasks and welcome our visit with interest. There are excellent views today as we meander through the forests on little-known trails where terraced fields and grazing lands are interspersed with neat houses. We pass through the village of Sailijan, crest the forest-covered ridge, making a stop for lunch nearby, and continue on through rolling country to our camp near Lespar.

Meals:  B,L,D

An hour from our camp is the village school. It is a poor village of unskilled farmers and labourers who struggle to make ends meet. As a result they do not have the resources to properly educate their children. The students are from grades 1 to 10, but very few can afford to stay until grade 10. We will meet the students and learn about their lives, their school, and hopes. We might join them in traditional games, or increasingly popular games such as soccer and cricket. We will undertake to raise funds to assist the students, school and village.

Meals:  B,L,D

We descend 600 metres to Naya Phul. After all that steady climbing and high mountain views it is quite a change to be dropping down to lower altitudes. The best way to tackle this is 'slowly, slowly' as our porters do, stopping for a rest, or to admire the view. We pass some Magar villages with their well-tended fields, and make our way to the Modi Khola (river). We cross at Naya Phul, board our bus, and drive to Pokhara.

Meals:  B,L,D

Pokhara is the site of the famous Zip Line, with a vertical drop of 600 metres over 1.8 kilometres in length, it is said to be the worlds’ longest and highest. After this adrenalin–filled celebration at the end of our trek, we return to our camp.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we transfer to the airport for our short flight to Kathmandu. We should reach the hotel by early afternoon, and have time for informal sightseeing exploring the fascinating streets, squares and alleys, and perhaps walk to Swayambhunath temple for views over Kathmandu.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we will take the opportunity to see some of the sites of Kathmandu the Kathmandu valley. We commence with a visit to Tilganga, a significant organisation in Kathmandu that was developed by Dr Ruit and supported from its inception by the Hollows Foundation in Australia. Scotch has a long association with this important and effective medical institution, and after a short tour we will make a donation from the funds raised. We continue to Bhaktapur, and ancient valley city to explore its streets and history.

Meals:  B,L,D

We farewell Nepal as we have a morning transfer to Kathmandu airport for our flight to Melbourne on Thai Airways. Thai Airways TG 320 Kathmandu to Bangkok, departs at 13:55, arrives 18:30 Change aircraft.

Meals:  B

Thai Airways TG 465 Bangkok to Melbourne, departs at 00:05, arrives 13:05.

Meals:  Nil


Learning outcomes for students

A World Expeditions Schools adventure is a unique learning experience. Our journeys are designed to encourage thriving and positive youth development along with leaving the communities and environments where we travel in a better condition than when we arrived.
The programs are designed to enhance the following life skills that will help you grow as an individual:
• the confidence to lead a group and make decisions
• the value of working together as a cohesive team to achieve a common objective
• the ability to face mental and physical challenges
• the ability to adapt to new environments outside of their 'comfort zone'
• to appreciate and care for the natural environment. The environments we trek 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
• build strong friendships and bonds with their peers and also the local peoples
• basic outdoor skills obtained on trek such as personal hygiene, pitching a tent, helping to prepare meals
Importantly our adventures help increase general well-being and build resilience in young men and women to help them deal with adverse situations in life.
CARBON NEUTRAL
World Expeditions Schools absorbs the cost of credits mitigating 100% of the unavoidable carbon emissions. This is our commitment to being part of the solution to climate crises.


Inclusions

  • International airfares ex Melbourne including airline tax and fuel surcharges
  • 14 breakfasts, 14 lunches and 14 dinners
  • return flight Kathmandu to Pokhara
  • airport transfers
  • expert bilingual guide and group medical kit
  • private transportation
  • good quality accommodation in Kathmandu at the Radisson Hotel
  • trek pack including sleeping bag, down or fibre filled jacket and insulated mat
  • souvenir World Expeditions kit bag
  • all park entrance fees and trekking permits
  • porters to carry all personal and group equipment along with porter's insurance
  • sightseeing and site entry fees in Kathmandu
  • Pokhara Zip Line ride
  • Tips

  • Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, etc.
  • Travel Insurance (school policy covers participants)
  • Nepal visa (allow AUD$85 approx)

Grading

Moderate

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.


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.


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