Nepal School Expedition
Our expedition for schools to the Himalayas lasts 22 days and visits the villages of Bupsa and Bumburi where we have been working with our charity Moving Mountains for over twenty years.
Overview
Our expedition for schools to the Himalayas lasts 22 days and visits the villages of Bupsa and Bumburi where we have been working with our charity Moving Mountains for over twenty years. Young people are immersed into the local Sherpa community and help to run our annual summer camps and competitions for the school children, as well as getting involved with Moving Mountains projects, which will be decided before you travel depending on the specific needs of the community.
What Our Adventurers Think:
On behalf of Derek and I, we just wanted to drop you a short note to say an incredible thank you for our trip to Nepal. It is slightly surreal being back in the office this morning after seeing some of the stunning scenery in Nepal, not to mention the effort involved in procuring said scenery !! We also would just like to say a special note of thanks both to Jangbu and the porter he arranged, Bikas. Jangbu’s combination of being not just a fantastic guide but also a thoroughly decent/likeable bloke added massively to the overall experience (not sure he fully understood my Glaswegian accent at all times mind you). Bikas ability to never stop smiling lugging 25kg up and down hills will also live long in the memory. Overall we could not have been happier with the pair of them. If we recommend to friends or return again ourselves you will certainly be our first port of call. Thanks and regards, Ricky
School Expedition to Nepal Itinerary
The entire program in Nepal is 22 days, including travel days from the UK the trip usually takes 23 days in total. The flight is to Kathmandu, where you will be met by our staff and the first night in Nepal is in our own guesthouse in the capital before heading out to the mountains.
Arrive into Kathmandu and transfer to our Guest House. Here you can relax and be briefed about the trip, check gear and prepare for your journey into the Himalaya!
Kathmandu to Jiri: This is a beautiful journey from Kathmandu to the small town of Jiri by coach. The journey has been done by every Everest team back in the day before there were airstrips in the mountains. The town is a shadow of its former self due to the majority of Everest teams and trekkers now flying up to the mountains. It is quaint and relaxed and the perfect place to rest before your trek begins.
Jiri to Bandar: The start of the trek gently ascends for the first two hours to Mali Danda (2440m.) and then descends to Shivalaya (1800m). The trail then steeply goes up for two hours before ascending gently to Deurali. From here the last steep hour takes us to Bandar at 2250m. Stay overnight at lodge.
Bhandar to Sete: Today the trail drops down to the Likhu Khola and crosses the river at 1580m, and tracks along it to Kenja. Following this is a long climb to Lamjura pass. The first part of the climb is quite steep, and then it traverses to Sete at 2400m. Overnight at the Lodge.
Sete to Junbesi: The day begins with a continuation along the Lamjura Pass through Goyem at 3300m to the high point at 3530m. The pass is the highest point between Jiri and Namche Bazaar, there we have our lunch stop and enjoy the views. From here we descend to Tragdobuk at 2860m, then to the pretty Sherpa village of Junbesi at 2675m where we relax in a Lodge.
Junbesi to Nunthala: Our trek gently ascends for one and half hours to Phurtung (2900m). Our path then levels out before gently descending to Ringmo Khola (2500m). Immediately, the trail ascends steeply for one and a half hours to the Takshindo La Pass (3100m) then drops down past the monastery of the same name, on to Nuntala at 2320m. Stay overnight at lodge.
Nuntala to Bumburi: At the start of the day we gently descend to the Dudh Koshi river for two hours passing through agricultural farming land and small Sherpa and Rai settlements. From the Dudh Koshi river the trail goes up to Kharikhola (2050m). On the way we pass through Juving (1680m.) a large Rai village and farming lands then on to Bumburi (2100m) which is our home for the next ten days.
This is the heart of our journey! Bumburi is a small village, tucked away from the traditional trekking routes. Adventure Alternative and Moving Mountains have been working in the village for many years. We have undertaken some large projects and given lots of support to the community. Your stay here is the continuation of that work. We will be based in Bumburi for 9 days. During this time you will be involved in home stays, cultural course, building projects, teaching and working alongside your Sherpa peers. This is a hands on experience which will bring the realities of Sherpa life and traditions into your hearts and minds. It will be hard work but very enjoyable and a life long experience for you to cherish. For more details on what Moving Mountains has done in the area check out: www.movingmountainstrust.org
As part of our time on the project we will also visit Bupsa (2350m) towards the end of our time in the area. Moving Mountains has also undertaken a lot of work in the small town. From Bupsa we will continue our trek to Surke. Today, we ascend steeply for nearly two hours to the Khari La Pass (2880m.). While trekking, we pass through rhododendron and oak forests and small Sherpa settlements. Towards the end of our day the trail steeply descends to our destination. Surke is a small Sherpa village below the air strip town of Lukla. Stay overnight at lodge.
Surke to Phakding: The first part of the trek gently ascends for nearly 2 hours to Chhiplung (2700m.), we then pass through Mushe (2650m). The trail is almost flat with a gentle descent and then ascends gently to Phakding (2650m) where we will stay overnight at lodge.
Phakding to Namche Bazaar: Uphill to Namche Bazaar which is the Sherpa capital in the heart of the Khumbu region. We initially follow the valley to Monjo where you enter the National Park, then cross the river a few times and start a long unrelenting path uphill, with one spectacular bridge spanning a deep gorge. We then leave the coniferous forest behind, and arrive at a huge natural amphitheatre with the houses spread around the sides. Namche is the major trading centre of the Khumbu, with Tibetans crossing the high Nangpa La Pass to reach the Saturday market. Nowadays there are also many equipment shops, internet, bank, post office, cafes, bars, lodges and hire shops.
Rest and Exploration Day in Namche Bazaar: We will go for a short walk in the morning to the top of Namche Bazaar to view Mt Everest and visit the Sherpa museum. We can then spend the afternoon relaxing in Namche, visiting the shops and market and the surrounding area.
Namche Bazaar to Lukla: The last day of our trek leads from Namche Bazaar via Monjo to Lukla. The trek is pleasant, except for a few short uphill climbs and then down to the Bhote- Koshi River crossing it three times. The last uphill climb of 45 minutes will bring you to Lukla for your overnight stay. Stay overnight at lodge.
Lukla to Kathmandu: From the lodge we walk across the path and board one of the best flights in the World! The short airstrip is the the hub of the town and is the usual access for Everest teams and trekkers to the Everest region. This exhillarating flight takes 45 minutes, flying through the valleys to eventually reach Kathmandu where we will transfer you to our guest house.
Kathmandu: Full day to enjoy the sights and sounds of Kathmandu, visiting the likes of Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Temple and the Thamel District.
Kathmandu – Home: Depending on your flight times you can enjoy exploring more of Kathmandu before your flight home.
There is the option of adding the Chitwan Jungle Safari to the end of the itinerary, which can include white-water rafting, elephant back safari, nature treks and comfortable evenings spent on the balcony of your jungle lodge spotting wildlife (white-water rafting not always available during the monsoon season). Traditionally the best time to visit Chitwan is October to February. March to June is very hot due to pre-monsoon heat and although the monsoon season of June to September may not be the best time for most it is definitively the time when jungle comes alive, though rain, mud and swollen streams and rivers make for difficult outings into the jungle.
Ready for an Adventure of a Lifetime?
Choose a scheduled date or contact us to set up private dates or a bespoke itinerary. The minimum deposit is £100.00 and the balance is due four weeks before travel.
Fixed Itineraries
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