Loreto Kirribilli - Nepal Trek, Service and Safari

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: SOG8056

Overview

Highlights

Awesome views of the Annapurna mountain range including the fishtail mountain, Machapuchare
Regenerative Service program
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
Engage with National Park Rangers at Chitwan National Park to learn about its biodiversity, history and conservation efforts within the Park
Spot the Asiatic Rhino and other wildlife on a jeep safari in Chitwan National Park
Explore Kathmandu including Pashupatinath (a major Hindu shrine) and the giant Buddhist stupa at Bodhinath
Travelling with your peers and broaden your horizons on an immersive cultural and learning experience

Gigantic Himalayan peaks, authentic mountain culture and a grassroots 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 and have an opportunity to delve into your own learnings with research and reflection. On the final stage of your journey you visit Chitwan National Park where you will learn about the conservation work in Nepal's first National Park and undertake a wildlife safari in search of rhino and other endemic species.

Your Service Program:

World Expeditions have partnered with T-HELP (Trans-Himalayan Environment and Livelihood Program) on a grassroots regenerative agriculture program.

T-HELP’s objectives are to build capacities for women in sustainable eco-tourism practices, use of alternative and environmentally friendly technologies, organic agriculture practices and business skills and market linkages to tourism industry.

The grassroots regenerative agriculture program in the Annapurna Region will involve a 3-day service where students will be involved in anything from vermicomposting training (the use of earthworms to convert organic waste into fertiliser) and bio-pesticide workshops, to assembly of worm farms and assisting with construction of the community greenhouse. That way the local farmers sustainable farming practices will support the community owned greenhouse bringing benefit to the wider community.

The immersion will be education outside of the classroom, learning how organic farming, demonstrated in practice by T-HELP which the students will see, can transition the country to vermi-composting and sustainable and regenerative agriculture practices.

Countries:

Activities:

Grading:Introductory

Addressing:

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

Day 1
Depart Sydney

After all the preparatons, your wait is over! Depart Sydney on your Malaysia Airlines flight MH140 at 22:15 and 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 where you will have a light (packed) lunch and initial tour brief before heading out with your Guide for an afternoon exploration of Kathmandu's key UNESCO World Heritage sites including Boudhanath Buddhist Stupa and the Pashupatinath Hindu Temple. Kathmandu has more World Heritage sites than any other city in the world. You will return to your hotel in the late afternoon for a Trek Brief and gear issue which will also be a great opportunity to ask any questions. You will also have a short briefing from staff from T-HELP (Trans-Himalayan Environment and Livelihood Program) to gain some background on the project work you will be involved in while on trek. Dinner and final trek packing and preparations before turning in to rest for the evening. Overnight Kathmandu

Meals: L,D

Day 3
Fly to Pokhara (910m), drive to Birenthanti (1025m), approx 2 hours, and trek to Ulleri (2050m), approx 3 hours

We take a short 25minute early morning flight to Pokhara. In good weather we are greeted with sights of the entire Annapurna Range. From Pokhara, we start the drive to Birenthanti which takes approx. 2 hours. On our drive you will able to see the high peaks of the Himalayas looming in the distance as the road winds its way up to the starting point of the trek. We begin our trek, ascending to our overnight stay and in Ulleri. Overnight: Lodge

Meals: B,L,D

Day 4
Trek to Upperphulbari (2900m), approx 6-7 hours. Introduction to Regenerative Service Program

Today we head to Upperphulbari. On our route today we will walk through mixed forest of pine, oak and rhododendron trees etc. Upon reaching Mohore Danda, we descend to Upperphulbari. Overnight: Lodge.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 5-7
Regenerative Service Program and Immersion

Over the course of the next three days we will work with the local crew and village community on a grassroots regenerative agriculture program. More specific details of the project work will be available prior to departure. Overnight Lodge

Meals: B,L,D

Day 8
Trek to Lespar (2600m), approx 6 - 7 hours walk

The views in the early morning are tremendous, with forested foot hills as a foreground and some of the world’s greatest mountain ranges surrounding us. If you are up early enough, the glow of the rising sun catches Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri and Annapurna. Our trail takes us through beautiful forests of rhododendrons, fir, pine, cedar and bamboo, there are many small trails through the forest. Eventually we emerge to open grassland ridges that offer a particularly pleasant trekking experience, before descending to a pretty lunchspot in a narrow valley skirted by ancient rhododendron bushes. From here, there are three trails and we take the south trail which leads us to Lespar Village. Overnight: Eco-Camp

Meals: B,L,D

Day 9
Trek to Pathichaur (1000m), walk approx. 3 hours & drive to Pokhara, approx. 2 hours

Our morning descent is approximately 1000m. We pass through interesting villages situated on steep rocky hills and terraces. The villages we pass are mixed communities of predominantly Gurung, Magar Brahmin & Chettri. Upon arrival at Pathichaur we will have lunch and board the bus for Pokhara. 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. Overnight: Landmark Hotel.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 10
Drive to Chitwan National Park (415m), approx 4-5 hours

We get an early start today and drive to Chitwan National Park. On arrival we are briefed on the planned activities during our stay and have some lunch. 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. Activities we will enjoy during our stay in Chitwan will be an afternoon jeep safari followed by a talk from the local Ranger/s. In the evening we will enjoy a Tharu Stick dance, learning about the culture and customs of the Tharu people. Dinner and overnight at our Lodge.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 11
Morning in Chitwan and afternoon drive to Kathmandu. Farewell Dinner.

This morning we wake early for bird watching and village walk. We return for breakfast and engage in the lodge's rescued elephant interaction programme where you will make the candy (kuchi in Nepali) for elephants using straw, rice, sugar and salt followed by an opportunity to feed the elephants their daily fruits and vegetables. In the late morning we commence our drive to Kathmandu. On arrival into Kathmandu you will have time to freshen up before heading out together for a final celebratory meal. Overnight Kathmandu

Meals: B,L,D

Day 12
Depart Kathmandu

You will be transferred to the airport this morning for your onward flights. Depart KTM on MH171 at 13:00, arrive KUL at 20:10 Depart KUL on MH123 at 23:00

Meals: B

Day 13
Arrive Sydney

You will arrive into Sydney at around 10:20 where a warm welcome awaits!

Meals: Nil

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

Return economy group flights from Sydney to Kathmandu including taxes and fuel surcharges
All meals as outlined
private airport transfers and vehicle transportation throughout
flight Kathmandu to Pokhara
4 nights eco-lodge, 1 night eco-camp
4 nights good quality accommodation in Kathmandu/Pokhara/Chitwan
expert bilingual Wilderness First Aid trained local Guide
comprehensive group medical kit
fully supported camping based trek including 3 hearty meals per day prepared by our cooks
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
Tips - for your Trek leader & Trek crew
Teachers from Loreto Kirribilli accompanying the trip

What's not included

Travel Insurance - compulsory
Bottled water and aerated drinks
Items of a personal nature such as laundry etc
Visa
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 - to be advised - costs can be fundraised as part of preparation for the trip, or included in the overall trip cost.

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 Loreto Kirribilli 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.