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From Discovery and CruisingTo Advanced Mountaineering Expedition
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 spend time immersed in a small village in the Annapurna region where you will work side by side with the locals to contribute to a regenerative service project. This will be a real highlight where you will be fully immersed in village life. On the final stage of your journey you visit Chitwan National Park where you undertake a wildlife safari in search of rhino and the elusive Bengal tiger.
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Grading:Introductory
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Day 1
Depart Brisbane
After all the preparatons, your wait is over! Today you will depart on for your Virgin Australia domestic flight to Sydney where you will transfer to the international airport to connect with your Malaysia Airlines to Kathmandu. VA954 Depart Brisbane at 14:05/Arrive Sydney at 16:40 transfer from Domestic to International Airport MH140 Depart Sydney at 22:15/Arrive Kuala Lumpar at 03:50 (+1)
Meals: Nil
Day 2
Arrive Kathmandu, Welcome and Arrival Briefing, Explore Kathmandu
MH170 Depart Kuala Lumpar at 09:20/Arrive Kathmandu at 12:00 Upon landing and clearing customs you will be met by your Nepalese guide and transfer to your hotel for your trip briefing with your Guide where you can ask any questions and prepare your gear for the upcoming project and trek. Following your briefing you will head out with your Guide to explore Kathmandu. This is a great opportunity to introduce yourself to Nepalese culture and history taking in a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Boudhanath Buddhist Stupa and the Pashupatinath Hindu Temple. Kathmandu has more World Heritage sites than any other city in the world. Overnight Kathmandu
Meals: B,L,D
Day 3
Fly to Pokhara, drive to Dhampus (2 hrs) and trek to Landruk (1600m), walk approx 5 hours)
This morning we take a flight west to Pokhara, Nepal's second largest town (820m). On arrival you are greeted with sights of the mighty Annapurna Range and drive (approx 2 hours) to Dhampus, and the start of your trek. The views from Dhampus toward the Annapirna Range are excellent. 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 a longer uphill session, this walk into Landruk will be 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: Private Eco-campsite
Day 4
To Ghandruk (1740m). Walk approx. 4 hrs.
Our destination today is easily seen across the valley, the attractive Gurung village of Ghandruk, We descend the valley floor through terraced fields and cross steel suspension bridge to commence our ascent. As we trek up the staircase, we enjoy the beauty of Himalaya at a relatively close range and observe the glaciers flowing from them to form the river below us. It really is a magnificent location and a photographer's delight. On our leisurely approach along these ridges we savor the magnificent scenery with fine mountain views. Ghandruk is the second largest Gurung settlement in Nepal and provides a further insight into the lifestyles of villages that have traditionally provided the backbone of the famous Gurkha regiments. The afternoon can be spent at leisure, or take a tour of the old village. Overnight in our private eco campsite.
Day 5
To Tadapani (2650m). Walk approx. 4-5 hrs.
Our trail meanders uphill through fields and into forest of rhododendron, magnolia and lichen covered fig. We pass by waterfalls that cascade down narrow gullies that provide the perfect home for many small ferns and delicate plants such as exotic orchids bursting with colour. We reach Tadapani which is a small village home to our eco lodge, where we will spend the night.
Day 6
Poon Hill & Upper Phulbari (2950m), panoramic views. Walk approx. 6-7 hrs.
The walk this morning offers excellent views of the Dhaulagiri range as the trail zigzags until we reach our lunch stop at Ghorepani. This is a sizeable town on the main tourist trail. You may wish to wander through the bazaar for a short period following lunch, as there are many Tibetan wares on display and also a bakery or two. Ghorepani is the last stop before we head into the more uninhabited regions of our trek. Most trekkers to Ghorepani make the pre dawn 45 minute climb to the summit of Poon Hill (3200m). We will make the climb in the afternoon, when there are no crowds. From Poon Hill we leave the main trail and traverse on old yak herder trails to Upper Phulbari. The location affords even more spectacular views than from Poon Hill, which we enjoy from the comfort of our eco lodge and with the luxury of no pre-dawn start. The photography is superb from here and you may wish to get up early to catch the sunrise over the Himalaya.
Day 7
To Swarga (2100m), via Jaljala Dil (2600m). Walk approx. 5-6 hrs.
Our start this morning is an uphill walk for an hour. We get excellent views of the mountains from Mohare Danda (3313m) which is higher than Poon Hill and the highest point throughout our trek. We eat lunch at Jaljala and continue for 2 hours downhill walk till we reach our private eco campsite at Swarga. Our campsite is above Les Par and surrounded by trees. This is a lovely section of our journey, with quiet trails and tiny villages set above the main trails far below.
Day 8-9
Service Program
Over the course of the next two days we will work with the local crew and village community to help with refurbishments to a local School in Lespar, Shree Salija Madhyamik School. More specific details of the project work will be available prior to departure.
Day 10
To Ghibrang (1950m). Walk approx. 5-6 hrs.
Our walk today is through jungle with gradual uphill sections. We mostly come across Himalayan brown oak, alder and rhododendron. The trail is unpaved and it is a villagers trail. We stop for lunch at Tharo Khola near a stream. After lunch a 20 minute uphill walk through trees and through a ridge rewards us with excellent views of the mountains. The danda we walk today is called Bhamarkot danda. We then descend towards Ghibrang. Trekking along the ridge of Bharmakot Dhanda we gain excellent views of Annapurna South, Machapuchare, Hiunchuli and the Manaslu ranges. Ghibrang is a delightful village, largely untouched by western influence, and our private eco campsite offers yet more stunning views in a peaceful terraced setting amidst this pretty village.
Day 11
Trek to Nayapul (1070m) and drive Pokhara. Walk approx. 3-4 hrs, drive approx. 2 hrs.
Have your trekking poles at the ready today as our descent is approx. 1000 metres. We pass through interesting villages situated on steep rocky hills and terraces. The villages we pass are mixed communities of predominantly Gurung, Brahmin & Chettri. The final descent into Nayapul is 20 minutes on stone stairs. Here we will have a quick lunch break and then board the bus for Pokhara and our overnight accommodation. Once settled in we highly recommend you take a stroll down to the lake at Pokhara, there are many stores selling Tibetan wares which are less expensive than Kathmandu. The main street running along the lake is vibrant and an interesting place to sit and watch the world go by. We will enjoy a celebratory meal this evening in Pokhara. Overnight Landmark Hotel, Pokhara
Day 12
Drive Pokhara to Chitwan National Park (approx. 5 hrs)
This morning we transfer to Chitwan by road. On arrival we are briefed on the planned activities during our stay. Late afternoon and early morning are the best times to sight wildlife, so other times tend to be for less energetic activities. We will have lunch at our lodge and commence our activity program. Our accommodation is at the Safari Adventure Lodge (or similar), located adjacent to the park. Overnight Safari Adventure Lodge
Day 13
In Chitwan
A full day's activities are planned including jungle walks, canoe rides, bird-watching and jeep safari, as well as lectures on other fauna. Our concession area is the territory of many species of wildlife including 3 tigers, 5 leopards, 7 rhino, and many deer, boar, bear, peacocks, an extraordinary number of bird species and is occasionally visited by wild elephants. Overnight Safari Adventure Lodge
Day 14
Return to Kathmandu, farewell dinner, overnight in Kathmandu
We complete our last activity, and we make the journey out of the jungle and back to the Kathmandu by vehicle, arriving late afternoon. The group will have time to relax and freshen up before a final farewell dinner at a local restaurant in Kathmandu. Overnight Kathmandu
Day 15
Depart Kathmandu, fly via Sydney to Brisbane
After breakfast this morning you will transfer to the airport for your Malaysia Airlines flight, departing Kathmandu at around 13:00.
Meals: B
Day 16
Arrive Brisbane
Flying via Kuala Lumpar you will arrive in Sydney at around 1000. Your connecting flight with Virgin Australia departs at 16:00, arriving into Brisbane at 16:30 where a very warm welcome awaits.
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
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.
What's included
What's not included
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 St John's Anglican College 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.
Per Person, Twin Share
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.
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Use our simple Expedition Design Form to contact us with your requirements and an educational travel expert will be in touch to assist.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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