Mardi Himal Trek: 14-Day School Expedition

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, complete immigration formalities and collect your baggage. Our representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel in Thamel, the vibrant tourist hub of Kathmandu (Altitude: 1,350m).

Today you can:

• Purchase a local SIM card for your team phone (Ncell or Namaste/NTC recommended).
• Exchange your personal budget into Nepalese rupees.
• Familiarize yourselves with the days ahead.

If the team arrives in Nepal before dark, we will hold a meeting for team introduction and trip orientation this evening before dinner. The guide and the team leader will conduct the meeting with team introductions and a comprehensive trip orientation, covering logistics, safety, and daily routines, followed by a question-and-answer session.

If the team arrives in Nepal late this evening, our guide will meet you at your hotel tomorrow morning for the team meeting. The meeting time will be confirmed during airport pickup.

18:00 – We will then proceed to our welcome dinner at a traditional Nepali restaurant featuring cultural performances.

Accommodation: Hotel Kailash Kutee, Thamel  Kathmandu

06:30 : Student wake up and pack bags for the day

07:00 – Enjoy your first breakfast in Nepal at the hotel.

08:00 – If the team meeting did not happen yesterday, our guide and the team leader will conduct the meeting with team introductions and a comprehensive trip orientation, covering logistics, safety, and daily routines, followed by a question-and-answer session.

10:00 – Following the meeting, enjoy a full-day guided tour of Kathmandu’s most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

• Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)– An ancient hilltop stupa offering panoramic views of the Kathmandu Valley.
• Kathmandu Durbar Square– The historic heart of the city, featuring royal palaces, courtyards, and intricately carved temples.
• Pashupatinath Temple– One of the holiest Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, located on the banks of the Bagmati River.

Lunch will be served at an appropriate time during the day.

15:00 –  Arrive back from the tour to Hotel Kailash Kutee, Thamel. Rest and preparation for community project until we meet for dinner.

18:00 –  Dinner in a restaurant near by the hotel

06:30 – Student wake up and pack bags for the day

07:00 – Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing Kathmandu.

09:30 – We drive 25 km, approximately 1.5 hours to Kakani Village, nestled in the hills north of the valley.

11:00 – Arrive at Kakani Brighter Secondary School. You will be welcomed by the school community and given a tour of the school to see the available facilities. You will also receive an orientation covering the tasks for the coming days, introductions to the local team, and preparation for the work ahead.

You will be provided with a lockable room for storing your belongings, resting, and holding group meetings during the volunteering period.

Note: Local skilled laborers, tools and project supplies will be pre-arranged

Tasks may include:

• Painting and general renovations
• Construction of pathways or retaining walls
• Landscaping and ground leveling
• Educational and cultural exchange activities with local students

12:30- Lunch time. Lunch will be provided at the project site for the duration of your volunteer work.

You may begin working alongside the local skilled laborers after lunch.

16:00 – Conclude the tasks for the day and walk to Kakani Adventure Camp for your overnight stay (40-minute walk). We will walk this distance daily to and from the project site. This daily walking serves as excellent warm-up for your upcoming Poon Hill trek.

Your backpacks and other belongings will be transported to the campsite by jeep.

Upon arrival, you will be shown to your safari tents and given a tour of the camp facilities. Here, we settle into our base for the volunteering period.

18:30 – Dinner time.

06:30 – Student wake up and pack bags for the day.

07:00 –  Breakfast

08:30 – Walk to the project school (40 minutes)
Today marks a full day of hands-on community service. Working alongside local skilled laborers and community members, students will contribute to meaningful infrastructure improvements at a local school.

Throughout the day, students will rotate through different workstations, ensuring everyone gains a variety of experiences. The focus is on collaboration, teamwork, and cultural exchange. In the evening, engage with the local community through storytelling, games, and music.

Additional activities include play games, exchange stories and languages with the local community.

Leadership & Creativity Opportunities:

• Take turns leading small work teams.
• Facilitate group discussions on the day’s progress.
• Document experiences through photography, journaling, or sketching.

12:30- Lunch time.

16:00 – Return back to the campsite for overnight.

18:30 – Dinner time

06:30 – Student wake up and pack bags for the day.

07:00 –  Breakfast

08:30 – Walk to the project school (40 minutes)
The final day of the community project is dedicated to completing remaining tasks and leaving the site in good order. Students will work alongside locals to finish renovations, clean up the work area, and celebrate the achievements of the past three days.

12:30 – Lunch time.

Community Farewell in the late afternoon: The local community will host a farewell ceremony, expressing gratitude through traditional songs, dances, and speeches. This is a powerful moment of cultural exchange and reflection on the impact of your contribution.

16:00 – Return back to the campsite for overnight.

18:30 – Dinner time

06:00 – Student wake up and pack bags to leave the place.

06:30 –  Breakfast

07:30 – Drive to Trisuli 120 km.

Lunch on the way at suitable time.

After breakfast, bid farewell to the Kakani community and embark on a scenic drive of approximately 4 hours (120 km) toward the Charaudi, Trishuli River, one of Nepal’s most popular white-water rafting destinations, where your rafting adventure begins!

With a thorough safety briefing from rafting guide and being fitted with safety gear, you will work with your rafting guides to navigate through rapids like Snell’s Nose, Monkey, and Teen Devi before heading to the shore for an overnight stay at a riverside camp.

After an adrenaline-fuelled day on the river, unwind at a riverside camp, gather around the bonefire, and enjoy a delicious dinner while sharing stories with your crew.

16:00 – Arrive Safari Tented, Rafting Camp, Trishuli River

18:00 – Dinner time

06:30 – Student wake up and pack bags to leave the place.

07:00 –  Breakfast

08:00 – Drive to Pokhara 96 km. (3 hour)

Embark on a scenic 3 hour drive to Pokhara, Nepal’s beautiful lakeside city and the gateway to the Annapurna region.

The journey winds through river valleys, hillside farms, and rural villages, offering your first glimpses of Nepal’s dramatic landscapes.

11:00 – Arrive Hotel Crown Himalayas, Lakeside Pokhara. Settle in.

12:00 – Start guided tour to the World Peace Pagoda, a gleaming white stupa that sits above Phewa Lake. From here you can enjoy wide views of Pokhara and the surrounding hills and on a clear day the distant Himalayan peaks.

Lunch will be served at an appropriate time during the day.

Later you can wander through the lively lakeside streets and explore local shops and cafes and pick up any last minute gear you may need for the trek.

17:30 – Group meeting at your hotel, where your leaders and guides will brief you on backpacking, trek route, daily routines, altitude awareness, and safety protocols for the days ahead.

18:00 – Dinner time

After breakfast, take a short 1.5-hour drive to Kande (1,770m), the starting point of your trek. From here, begin your uphill hike through beautiful rhododendron and oak forests. The trail passes through Australian Camp (2,050m) and Pothana before reaching Pittam Deurali, a small settlement with a few teahouses and stunning views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre.

Today’s trail winds through dense forests and gradual ascents along a peaceful path. You’ll likely see fewer trekkers on this route, making the walk serene. Watch for colorful birds and occasional glimpses of the mountains as you reach Rest Camp, a quiet stop nestled among forested ridges.

The trek today ascends further into alpine terrain, with thinning forests and panoramic views. As you climb past Low Camp (2,970m), the scenery opens up dramatically. The route becomes steeper and more rugged, but you’re rewarded with stunning views of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Mardi Himal, and Annapurna South. High Camp sits above the tree line, offering a close-up view of the snow-covered peaks.

Begin early to catch the sunrise from Mardi View Point. The trail is steep and challenging, but the breathtaking views of Mardi Himal, Annapurna I, and the surrounding Himalayan range make the effort worthwhile. After soaking in the panorama, descend to High Camp for a short rest and lunch before continuing down to Low Camp.

After a fabulous time on the high ridges of Mardi Himal with beautiful views, we went back into a forest of rhododendron and pine trees, retracing the journey back on the same trail at Jungle Camp and beyond with a more downhill walk to reach Siding village. Then take a drive to Pokhara. The journey leads beautiful green hills with a lot of views of mountains on route Pokhara, where our wonderful Annapurna Mardi Himal Trekking completes at picturesque Pokhara by the calm lake of Phewa Lake for our last overnight stop around the Annapurna region.

06:00 – Student wake up and pack bags to leave the place.

06:30 –  Breakfast

07:30 – Drive from the hotel to Kathmandu 200 km (7-8 hours). Leave Pokhara after breakfas for Kathmandu, winding through river valleys, hillside farms, and rural villages. The journey offers a final opportunity to appreciate Nepal’s dramatic landscapes.

Lunch on the way at suitable time.

14:00 – On arrival in of Kathmandu you will head to Thamel to check into your accomodation. Spend the late evening relaxing at your hotel or wandering around the streets of Thamel.

18:00 –  Dinner time

07:00 – Student wake up pack bags.

08:00 – Breakfast. Enjoy a final breakfast in Kathmandu.

09:30 – If time permits, your guide will take you to:

• Boudhanath Stupa– A final visit to this iconic giant Buddhist stupa
• Asan Market and Thamel Market: Wander through the vibrant, chaotic bazaar to pick up any last-minute handicrafts, textiles, or pashminas.

Afterward, transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport 3 hours before your flight departure time, carrying with you memories, friendships, and a newfound sense of confidence to take on the world.
*Note:

• A team meeting will be held every evening before dinner to share experiences, discuss queries, and review plans.