High-Altitude School Expedition to the Annapurna Sanctuary

Your first impression of Nepal’s crazy capital isn’t something you’ll forget in a hurry. A sensory overload of sounds and smells, Kathmandu is amazing but full-on. Dive into expedition life, assign some team roles and meet the ground team to discuss your plans. You’ll also need to buy a SIM card for the team phone, so head to the market and get to grips with the currency, the Nepalese Rupee. Jobs done, it’s time to explore. Navigate through colourful streets and bustling markets. Smell the food sizzling on street stalls, and taste your first momos (Nepalese dumplings). For a dose of culture, check out Durbar Square and the Boudhanath Stupa. You could also visit the ancient city of Bhaktapur and Nepal’s most important Hindu temple, Pashupatinath. Then catch a flight to Pokhara, a lakeside city nestled beneath snowcapped peaks. Soar above forested hills, winding rivers, and colourful towns for a stunning aerial view of Nepal.

Boots on, daypack loaded, time to trek. You’re about to hike among giants in the legendary Annapurna Sanctuary. Meet your local guides and cooks; they’re insanely experienced, so ask questions and learn from these mountain masters. Step forward as team leader and set the pace through lush foothills to reach the British Expedition Base Camp (4,130m). Navigate past shrines and teahouses in a landscape of rhododendron forests, bamboo and high mountain passes. Trekking at altitude is tough, so support each other and keep morale up.

On your last day, rise early to catch one final sunrise over the peaks, taking in the calm, golden light as it spills across the valley. Then set off on your trek along the banks of the Modi Khol, following the river as it winds its way through small villages and terraced hillsides until you reach the welcoming community of Shyaule Bazaar. Take a moment to reflect on the journey you've completed before beginning the drive back to Pokhara, where you can relax, rest your legs, and let the memories of the trail sink in.

Back in Pokhara, decide as a team how to spend your time here. Built by Buddhist monks, the World Peace Pagoda is a great spot to check out those epic views of the Annapurna range. You could also visit the cascading Devi Falls, or head to the Tibetan Refugee Camp of Tashi Palkhiel and listen to the monks chanting. Or how about dipping into your spending money and renting a boat on Phewa Lake, or learning about the mighty Gurkhas at the Memorial Museum? After exploring the city, prepare to catch a flight back to Kathmandu.

Spend the next few days contributing to a project that provides housing for women who lost their husbands in the April 2015 earthquake. Widows are often marginalised in Nepalese society, so they need safe homes to raise their families.

Travel into the countryside outside Kathmandu, an area that was devastated by the earthquake. Meet the local experts who build earthquake-resistant buildings from sustainable materials. Ask questions, watch closely, then roll up your sleeves and help out. This is a side of Nepal that few tourists see, and rural life can be tough, and you’ll have none of the comforts you’re used to back home. Experience more by helping out with farming, preparing lunch with the locals and learning some Nepali. When it’s time to wave goodbye, travel back to Kathmandu.

In the city, you’ve got options. You could head off on a rickshaw ride to the Swayambhunath ‘Monkey Temple’ and Asan Tole, this buzzing market sells everything from dried fish to yak tails. There’s also the option of a women’s social enterprise workshop to discover Nepali cooking, handicrafts and language. The organisation supports disabled and discriminated women by providing training, education and employment opportunities. Mark the end of your trip with a team meal. Tuck into your favourite Kathmandu cuisine, share your memories and set your friendships in stone.

After the best three weeks of your life, it’s time to travel home. Cram everything into your backpack and head to the airport. Check in, sit back and let it all sink in. You’ve just experienced something incredible. Nepal has opened your eyes and challenged you more than you ever imagined. You’ve fast-tracked your life skills and connected with locals; you’ve led your team and made new friends for life. These experiences will shape who you are and put you on the path to becoming a true global citizen. Prepare to return home forever changed.