School / Community Service Project with Annapurna Base Camp Trek 16 Days

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, have either lunch or dinner, there will be an orientation session to get you a briefing about the program. You will spend the night in Kathmandu.

Today, you will begin sightseeing in Kathmandu, visiting various UNESCO-listed heritage sites. You will visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Stupa, and Bouddhanath Stupa.

Kathmandu Durbar Square has a collection of old courtyards, palaces, and temples that offer a peek into the royal life of ancient Nepal. The Pashupatinath Temple is a renowned pilgrimage site for Hindus worldwide especially dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Swayambhunath, often referred to as the Monkey Temple, sits atop a hill and plays a significant role in the history of the Kathmandu Valley. From the top of Swayambhunath, you can get a panoramic view of Kathmandu.
The Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest Stupas globally, is a religious Tibetan Buddhist Stupa in Kathmandu. It is one of the popular tourist sites in Kathmandu. You will spend another night in Kathmandu.

After an early morning breakfast, you will head towards your next destination, Bandipur. The distance from Kathmandu to Bandipur is 150 kilometers, and the drive will take around 5 hours. Once you arrive, you’ll check into your hotel in Bandipur. Enjoy a tasty lunch and then go on a guided walk around the Bandipur bazaar and its nearby areas.

Bandipur is a preserved Newari village that used to be a trading route between Tibet and India. It is a hill station, and from the top of Bandipur, you can witness stunning views of  Dhaulagiri, Langtang Lirung, Machapuchare, Manaslu, and Ganesh Himal, along with the other peaks. You can also explore Bandipur by talking to locals, enjoying local cuisine, and taking short hikes to nearby sites.

End your day with a delicious dinner at the hotel and overnight rest at the hotel in Bandipur.

You will spend three more days in Bandipur. During these three days, you will be involved in various community activities such as painting classrooms, carrying out repairs, or participating in small construction projects. Your work will make a lasting difference to both the community and the school’s facilities.

These Engaging school/community service projects in Bandipur with the community will help you understand cultural practices, norms, and values. Your efforts will not only improve the physical surroundings of Bandipur but also positively impact the well-being of the residents.

On the seventh day of our community service trek, you will head towards Pokhara from Bandipur which is around 75 kilometers away and takes 2 to 3 hours of drive. You will drive through an impressive mountain landscape through peaceful villages.

Pokhara is located directly on Lake Fewa, and you can enjoy a wonderfully close view of the mountain panorama of the Annapurna massif. From here, numerous hiking trails begin in the Annapurna region. In the afternoon, you can spend one hour boating at Fewa Lake. Overnight in Pokhara.

After breakfast, you will drive around 2.5 hours from Pokhara to Ghandruk, the starting point of our trekking. Ghandruk is the largest Gurung village, a famous place to trek in the Annapurna Range in Nepal. Grandruk has its unique architecture and sense of community; most of the men from Gurung village are either retired British army officers or are still serving in the British army in the Gorkha regiment.

The peaks of Mt Annapurna, Mt Machapuchare, Gangapurna, and Mt Hiunchuli can be seen from the village, and it is also the gateway to the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. Enjoy lunch in Ghandruk before you begin your trek to Chomorung. After lunch, you’ll embark on a 4-5 hour hike to Chomorung, during which you’ll notice the mountains appearing larger as you climb higher. Spend the night at a Trekkers Lodge.

Today’s journey starts with a steep descent until we cross the Chomroung Khola at 1,900 meters. After that, the path climbs steeply up to Dovan. Throughout the trek, especially after crossing Ghandung, you’ll enjoy beautiful views of the Modi Khola Valley and enjoy nature as you walk toward your next destination, Doban. You’ll spend the night in a Trekkers Lodge.

Starting the trek from Dovan, which is situated at an elevation of 3,230 meters. The trek is expected to take around 5 hours. You will trek through the jungle from Dovan to Deurali; this segment of your trek involves a gradual climb through dense forests, which opens up to reveal stunning views of the valley and surrounding peaks as you gain altitude.

Both Hindu and Buddhist mythology believe that Annapurna represents the Goddess of Harvest, making the entire Annapurna range a sacred mountain.  Many Hindus believe that if Annapurna is covered in abundant snow, it signifies a year of good rice harvesting for farmers. In Kathmandu, you can find the Annapurna Temple directly in Assan Bazar.

Overnight, you will stay in a trekkers’ lodge in Deurali, preparing for the continuation of your Himalayan adventure the following day.

On the 11-day ABC trek, you will trail alongside the river on a stony path from where you can witness beautiful views of Himalchuli and Machhapuchhre all along the way. Eventually, we will arrive at Machhapuchhre Base Camp, where you’ll be treated to spectacular views of the steep face of Machhapuchhre and the vast Annapurna Massif. Spend the night at a Trekkers Lodge, nestled among these mountains, reflecting on the trekking journey and getting ready for adventures the next day.

Wake up early to begin the hike to Annapurna Base Camp in the cold, windy pre-dawn hours. The trail is somewhat steep, but you will keep a comfortable pace. As you ascend, you will have views of Nilgiri, Mardi Himal, and eventually, Annapurna itself. You will spend some time at the base camp, taking in the tranquil and stunning surroundings of Annapurna, before returning to Machhapuchhre Base Camp. From there, you will start your descent, making a stop at the Himalaya Hotel at 2920 meters to rest. Concluding with an overnight stay at a Trekkers Lodge

Today, you will hike through the jungle, passing Doban and Bamboo Lodge, descending to Chomorung Khola, and then climbing up to Chomorung. From Chomorung, the trail steeply descends towards Jhinu Dada at an altitude of 1780 meters. The trek will last around 5 to 6 hours. It will be your last day of trekking. You will spend the night in a Trekkers Lodge.

After breakfast, you can relax and enjoy a natural hot spring bath in Jhinu Dada. Following the relaxation, you will drive towards Pokhara from Jhinu Dada, which will take 2.5 hours. Overnight stay in Pokhara.

The next day, you will return to Kathmandu from Pokhara, taking a domestic flight. After reaching Kathmandu, you will visit Bhaktapur which is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you can see Durbar Square, the pottery market, the famous peacock window, and the five-story Nyatapola Temple, Nepal’s highest pagoda and handmade paper factory. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Today is the last day of our 16-day school/community service project with the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. As per the departure flight schedule, there will be a half-day sightseeing program in Kathmandu; you will visit Narayanhiti Palace Museum and have lunch at the hotel.

Finally, you will be transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport.