Himalayan School Expedition in Nepal

Nepal’s capital isn’t somewhere you’ll forget in a hurry. A sensory overload, Kathmandu is amazing but full-on. Dive into expedition life, assign team roles and meet the ground team to discuss your plans. You’ll also need a SIM card for the team phone, so head to the market and get to grips with the Nepalese Rupee. Travel to a special eco foundation on the outskirts of Kathmandu, for the next few days you’ll work alongside this community. The foundation helps communities develop through eco-friendly initiatives, such as biodynamic farming, sustainable energy and women’s handicraft workshops. Get immersed in local life and see how development and the environment can go hand-in-hand. Learn from the community and think carefully about the impact of your time here. Nepalese daily life can be tough, so bring an open mind. To connect with locals, come prepared with games and songs. You’ll remember this experience long after you return home. Then wave goodbye to the community and return to Kathmandu for a night in the city.

Boots on, and daypack loaded, it's time to trek. You’re about to discover a mountain wilderness, heading for the legendary Poon Hill summit in the Annapurna Sanctuary. After a night in Pokhara, head to the trek start point. Meet your local guides and cooks, they’re insanely experienced, so learn everything you can from these mountain masters. Step forward as team leader and set the pace through lush foothills. You’ll trek past shrines, teahouses, rhododendron forests and glistening lakes. Trekking at altitude is tough, so support each other, work as a team and keep morale high. Time for the summit push, where the views are out of this world, at sunrise the snowy peaks look like molten lava. Stop, breathe, and take it all in. Crash out on the bus back to Pokhara.

Grab a window seat for the trip back to Kathmandu. You could break up the journey with a whitewater rafting trip on the Trisuli River, grab a paddle and ride the rapids! This is your final chance to soak up Nepali culture. You could take a rickshaw ride to the Swayambhunath ‘monkey temple’ or explore the buzzing market of Asan Tole with its dried fish and yak tails. For a taste of Tibetan Buddhist culture, the Kopan monastery has free Dharma talks. Another option is to join a women’s social enterprise workshop to learn about Nepali cooking, handicrafts and language. The organisation supports disabled and discriminated women by providing training, education and employment opportunities. Then mark the end of your trip with a team meal. Tuck into your favourite Kathmandu cuisine and set your friendships in stone.

After the best two weeks of your life, it’s time to travel home. So 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 the 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. So prepare to return home forever changed!