Trekking in Nepal - School project & Helambu trek
The best of both worlds. The feel-good factor of helping some of the most poverty-stricken people, followed by the feel-good factor of tackling a most rewarding trek.
This tremendous trek starts as many do, high in the mountainous realms and sublime scenery of the mighty Himalayas. But before we get walking, you'll be giving something back to the people of this desperately poor country.
For the past three years we have partnered with Non-Government Organisation KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Education Project), taking part in community based projects in Nepalese villages - giving you the chance to get involved in working for the local community, as a gesture of sharing and putting something back prior to your trek.
You'll stay amongst and work with the locals in the village, helping to renovate and rebuild their schools. You'll learn about the culture and way of life, while helping with tasks such as painting and landscaping. You won't need any building skills or tools, but a pair of gloves would be very handy.
After your four day stay in the village, it's time to trek through the outstanding natural beauty of Helambu - which is one of the lesser visited Himalayan treks, so you'll get to escape from the well-trodden tourist trails and discover some beautiful scenery. The small villages we stay in along the way are a real treasure. So too are the ancient monasteries and caves which, hidden over high ridges and within rock folds, have been places of pilgrimage and retreat for Buddhist saints and monks for many, many centuries.
This is moderate trekking between altitudes of 1,370m to 3,700m, so we welcome anyone of reasonable fitness. Accommodation is in Nepal's iconic "tea houses", rustic, mountain guesthouses run by hospitable local families.
NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS
RAW Travel welcomes single travellers and does not require anyone to pay a surcharge for travelling alone. On all of our adventures we will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveller of the same sex and if we cannot match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge ( group trips). If you prefer not to share a room then just pay a single supplement to guarantee your own room. Most of our travellers join trips on their own seeking a social experience!
FREE TRAVEL:
If you get a group of 10 people together you can travel for free as the group organizer!
This tremendous trek starts as many do, high in the mountainous realms and sublime scenery of the mighty Himalayas. But before we get walking, you'll be giving something back to the people of this desperately poor country.
For the past three years we have partnered with Non-Government Organisation KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Education Project), taking part in community based projects in Nepalese villages - giving you the chance to get involved in working for the local community, as a gesture of sharing and putting something back prior to your trek.
You'll stay amongst and work with the locals in the village, helping to renovate and rebuild their schools. You'll learn about the culture and way of life, while helping with tasks such as painting and landscaping. You won't need any building skills or tools, but a pair of gloves would be very handy.
After your four day stay in the village, it's time to trek through the outstanding natural beauty of Helambu - which is one of the lesser visited Himalayan treks, so you'll get to escape from the well-trodden tourist trails and discover some beautiful scenery. The small villages we stay in along the way are a real treasure. So too are the ancient monasteries and caves which, hidden over high ridges and within rock folds, have been places of pilgrimage and retreat for Buddhist saints and monks for many, many centuries.
This is moderate trekking between altitudes of 1,370m to 3,700m, so we welcome anyone of reasonable fitness. Accommodation is in Nepal's iconic "tea houses", rustic, mountain guesthouses run by hospitable local families.
NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS
RAW Travel welcomes single travellers and does not require anyone to pay a surcharge for travelling alone. On all of our adventures we will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveller of the same sex and if we cannot match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge ( group trips). If you prefer not to share a room then just pay a single supplement to guarantee your own room. Most of our travellers join trips on their own seeking a social experience!
FREE TRAVEL:
If you get a group of 10 people together you can travel for free as the group organizer!
Dates
2010 Oct 30 - Nov 12Itinerary
14 days - Departing Kathmandu
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Day 1:Arrive Bhaktapur.
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Day 2:Bhaktapur - project Village.(B,L,D)
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Day 3, 4, 5:KEEP Community Project activities. (B,L,D)
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Day 6:Trek Bhaktapur to Chisopani. 2140m. (B,L,D)
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Day 7:Chisopani to Gul Bhanjyang 2450m. (B,L,D)
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Day 8:Gul Bhanjyang to Tharepati.3640m. (B,L,D)
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Day 9:Therapati to Malemchigaon.2590m (B,L,D)
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Day 10:Malemchi to Tarke Gyang. 2590m. (B,L,D)
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Day 11:Tarke Gyang to Sermathang. 2610m. (B,L,D)
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Day 12:Sermathang to Kathmandu.(B,L,D)
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Day 13:At leisure in Kathmandu. ( B)
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Day 14:Depart Kathmandu. (B)
Level of Difficulty Introductory - Moderate
Whats Included?
- 2 nights at 4* Hotel in Kathmandu
- 1 night at guesthouse in Bhaktapur
- Experienced local trekking leader
- Supervisor during the project work
- All materials and tools required
- Porters to carry your personal luggage
- Porters insurance
- All internal transport and transfers
- Airport transfers
- National Park entrance fees
- All meals included on trekking & project days
Image Gallery
Testimonials
"This was a fantastic experience - not just a holiday. To cram so much into two weeks, to experience such different aspects of Nepal - the friendliness and inclusivity of the homestay visit, the fantastic scenery of the the trek, (the hardest part was finding adquate words to describe each breathtaking scene) the sense of personalachievement at the end of every day, and the culture shock of Kathmandu (especially the traffic!). This astonishing fabulous experience will stay with me for a long time. Thank you!"
"This would have to be the most rewarding and empowering trip I have experienced. We were embraced by an entire village, able to share our cultures and assist in improving peoples lives, even though only in a small way, it was extremely humbling. Then as we trekked to the peak of the Mountain amid an over whelming sense of achievement, I felt as though I could do anything, I really felt on top of the world. A wonderful experience not for the faint hearted."
"Completely amazing and a once in a life time experience. Would reccomend to anybody who is interested in getting of the beaten track and having an incredible experience"
Nepal
Other Trekking trips in Nepal
- Everest Explorer in Style - 13 days
- Annapurna and Everest in style - 17 days
- Mera Peak Expedition - 20 days
- Private trips Nepal - 7 days
- Everest Base Camp Trek - 18 days
