Days 1-2 London to Kathmandu
Our journey begins with our flight to Kathmandu. On arrival we transfer to our hotel in the bustling Thamel district. In Kathmandu we find lively streets, old temples and hidden shrines. We can absorb the vibrant atmosphere of this exotic capital as we settle into our guesthouse and prepare for our journey to the mountains.
Day 3 West to Pokhara
We board our private bus for the overland trip west to Pokhara. At first we pass through the busy suburbs of Kathmandu and then out into the countryside of the Kathmandu valley.
We wind through green hills, studded with tiny settlements and farms on steep terraces. We pass carts pulled by buffalo and farmers and villagers tending their land in the hot sun.
Along the way we should encounter fantastic views of the snow-capped peaks of Langtang, Ganesh Himal, Himal Chuli, Manaslu and the Annapurna range of mountains.
Days 4-5 Trekking – Annapurna foothills
A short drive brings us to the start of our wonderful trek through the stunning Annapurna Mountains. Travelling below the skyline of the beautiful Fishtail Mountain, Machapuchhare, we pass through tiny villages along good trails. There are no roads up here, so the routes between villages are the main tracks for the people who live here. We might have to make way for shepherds herding their goats, or locals riding their donkeys! These people use these trails every day and will be very welcoming to our group as we make our way through the foothills.
We will trek through beautiful forests of oak and rhododendron, with monkeys calling to the team below! We may also see Golden Eagles soaring through the sky above. The climbs and superb views of the Annapurna range make this trek both challenging and immensely satisfying.
Each night we will stay in a simple lodge and our local trek team will take fantastic care of us, warming us with freshly cooked meals typical of this region.
Days 6-9 Community Project
We are now ready to begin work alongside the local villagers on our community project. Far Frontiers has organised many expeditions to Nepal and has developed close links with local communities in the Annapurna region.
Our day to day activities will be dependent on the needs of the local community at the time we travel, but we will definitely involve ourselves in many different aspects of remote mountain life whilst offering real help and support to the people who call this wonderful area home. Following the devastating earthquake of 2015, the Nepalese people need our help more than ever, so the work that we do here will be extremely appreciated.
As well as the hard work there is plenty of time to have fun with the local children who love to learn new games and sports. We can organise some fun and informal English lessons with them and they can teach us local dances and traditional songs.
During our community project in this lovely region, we will gain a real insight into the local culture, history and language, and hopefully the local families will have also learn something of our own culture and experience.
Days 10-11 Pokhara
Our last morning trek takes us back to the road head where we meet our private bus. We say goodbye to our Sherpas and porters, and drive back to Pokhara.
We will have time to recharge our batteries as we relax by the beautiful Lake Phewa or we can explore the laid back streets lined with little shops and cafes. Many Tibetans have moved to the area and we will have a chance to see some of their wonderful jewellery!
Pokhara has the perfect mix of mountain tranquility and modern convenience- just what we need after all our hard work! Today is a perfect chance to unwind after our project and trek, and reflect on our experiences in Nepal.
Days 12-13 Kathmandu
This morning we travel back to Kathmandu and before our final celebration dinner we will have a chance to explore the bustling and colourful streets of Thamel. There will be plenty of opportunities to try our bartering skills as we shop for some souvenirs to take home.
There may be time to visit the monkey temple or the famous Bodinath, a stupa visited by thousands of Buddhist pilgrims daily. In the centre of the old city is the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Durbar Square; from here the city’s king ruled in days gone by. We may encounter the living goddess, Kumari Devi, peering from her upper window from her chambers. Nepal’s capital is the perfect place to end our expedition; here we can really make the most of our final days in this beautiful country, learning about its fascinating culture and history.
Day 14 Return to London
After an adventure to last a lifetime, we return home to the UK with wonderful memories of our once-in-a-lifetime journey to Nepal.