Ringwood Secondary College Nepal Trek and service program 2021

Ringwood

Spectacular views follow you in the Annapurna region | Brad Atwal

Father & son in Nepal, Annapurna region | Stephen Cheung

Prayer flags hang from the Boudhanath stupa in Kathmandu | Ayla Rowe

Holymen in Durbar Square Kathmandu, Nepal | Mitchell Pearce

Tadapani in the Annapurna region, Nepal | Jake Hutchins

Code: SOG6254

Overview

Highlights

Join a community project at Bichowk School
Fully supported trekking with 3 meals per day prepared by our cooks
Stunning views of the Annapurna Range
Cultural interaction with the Nepali people
Sightseeing in Kathmandu - visit the giant Buddhist stupa Boudhanath and Swayambhunath
Explore the lakeside city of Pokhara
100% carbon neutral trip- supporting renewable energy and reforestation projects

This is a spectacular trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal, with panoramic views of 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 Bichowk will assist the local school to improve the lives of impoverished children. Ringwood Secondary College groups have supported the education of children in the poorer in Nepal villages for many years, and your visit will be highlighted with celebrations to mark the occasion.

After these fantastic experiences we return to Pokhara to explore this wonderful lake-side city before flying back to Kathmandu to visit important landmarks with some time to visit the markets.

Countries:

Starting Point:

Melbourne

Grading:Introductory

Itinerary

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Day 1
Check in Melbourne Airport

Check-in at Melbourne airport at approximately 10:00 p.m. for your flight to Bangkok on Thai Airways International. Overnight on aircraft.

Meals: Nil

Day 2
Arrive Bangkok, connect to Kathmandu

On arrival you will be met by World Expeditions and transferred to the Radisson Hotel. Remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. A pre-trek briefing will be given around 5pm where arrangements will be made for the distribution of your kit bag, sleeping bag and down/fibrefill jacket before heading out to dinner. Overnight: Radisson Hotel

Meals: Nil

Day 3
Fly Kathmandu to Pokhara.

You will be 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 we will make our way to our first permanent campsite. Overnight: Permanent campsite

Meals: B,L,D

Day 4
To Ghibrang (1800m) Walk approx. 5 hours.

Today is the first day of our trek, we leave the lake side town and start early to make our way towards our first campsite. We will walk through forest and terrace hills as the path takes us towards the mountains. The rhododendron forests are lush and offer a protective canopy for the smaller delicate wild flora. It also provides a haven for birdlife and we can hear their varied calls as we move through. Overnight: Wilderness camping

Meals: B,L,D

Day 5
To Lespar (2000m) Walk approx 5 hours.

We walk across the foothills today, traversing through forest and terraced fields, and passing small villages. Views of the Himalayan peaks unfold before us while we make our way towards our campsite for the night. Overnight: Permanent campsite

Meals: B,L,D

Day 6
To Upper Phulbari (2570m) Walk approx 6 hours.

These trails are a delight to travel, offering a variety of forests and small settlements where the local people attend to their traditional tasks, and welcome our visit with interest. There are excellent views today as we meander on little-known trails where terraced fields and grazing lands are interspersed with neat houses. This is a stunning 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. Overnight: Lodge

Meals: B,L,D

Day 7
To Gorepani via Poon Hill (2850m). Walk approx 2 hours.

Today will be a real highlight as well as a challenge. with a climb that will bring us to the summit of Poon Hill. We will see some of the highest peaks in the world. The views here are tremendous, with huge snow-capped mountain ranges high above a foreground of terraced foothills. 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 lodge. Overnight: Lodge

Meals: B,L,D

Day 8
To Tadapani (2650m). Walk approx 5-6 hours.

Today we loose some altitude as we head down to Tadapani, 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. Overnight: Lodge

Meals: B,L,D

Day 9
To Bichowk 1900m. Walk approx 7 hours

This is an interesting day as we slowly descend through a variety of terrain. The trail soon opens into fields as we approach the village of Bichowk and its spectacular views of the Annapurna Range. We will be made to feel very welcome as we approach the village, the site of our community service program and our base for the next three days. Overnight: Wilderness camping

Meals: B,L,D

Day 10-11
Community Project at Bichowk School

Near 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 for the future. We will meet the students and learn about their lives, their school and hopes for the future. We will spend time with the children, as well as assisting with much needed restoration work, building new furniture and a compound wall. We will undertake to raise funds to assist the students, school and village, and work with them use these funds to improve the school environment through our project work. Overnight: Wilderness camping

Meals: B,L,D

Day 12
To Phedi via Dhampus. Walk approx 4-5 hours and drive to Pokhara

We say goodbye to the Bichowk community and start our trek back to the road-head, where the bus will be waiting for us to drive to Pokhara where our permanent campsite awaits. Overnight: Permanent camp

Meals: B,L,D

Day 13
Leisure day in Pokhara

Today you will have free time. Pokhara is a beautiful lakeside town with wonderful markets and coffee shops to explore. Overnight: Permanent camp

Meals: B,L,D

Day 14
To Kathmandu

This morning we transfer to the airport for our short flight to Kathmandu. On arrival we transfer to the Radisson Hotel. Sightseeing will be organised for this morning to visit the key cultural sites of Boudhanath and Swayambhunath, also known as the "monkey temple". You will have free time in the afternoon to explore more of Kathmandu. Excellent bookshops, extensive markets, novelty shops and handicraft shops contrast with fantastic centres of cultural and spiritual significance. Overnight: Radisson Hotel

Meals: B

Day 15
Fly to Australia

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Melbourne via Bangkok on Thai Airways.

Meals: B

Day 16
Arrive Australia

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

What's included

all meals on trek and at Pokhara
international flights ex Melbourne including fuel and tax
expert bilingual guide and group medical kit
good quality accommodation in Kathmandu at the Radisson Hotel
use of a World Expeditions trek pack which includes a quality sleeping bag, down or fibre fill jacket and insulated mat (valued at over US$500)
souvenir World Expeditions kit bag
all park entrance fees and trekking permits
porters to carry all personal and group equipment and porters insurance
sightseeing and sight entrance fees in Kathmandu
accommodation in our fully serviced wilderness campsites, permanent camps and lodges
pre departure information guide, with all you need to know or your trek

What's not included

Lunch & dinner in Kathmandu
Bottled water in Kathmandu beyond that provided by the hotel (water is provided on trek)
Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, etc
Tips
Visa
Travel Insurance
Donation to school for project work

Grading

Introductory

These trips involve trekking, walking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace and should never be misinterpreted to mean they are easy trips. These trips do not spend time at altitudes above 4000m and are usually a week in duration. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health. Suggested preparation: 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for three months leading up to your trip. For trekking, hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended.

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.

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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.

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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.

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