13-Day Education Expedition Nepal | Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

Upon your arrival in Kathmandu Airport, our representative/tour guide will pick you up and transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu.

You have a free afternoon if your arrive early on that day.

5:30 pm – Group meeting and Trip Orientation by our leader.

Welcome dinner in a Nepali restaurant after the group meeting.

Transportation: Airport Pickup by Private vehicle
Accommodation: 3 Star hotel in Kathmandu

Meals Provided: Welcome dinner

After breakfast, our tour guide will take you to visit some UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu: 1. Swayambhunation,  2. Kathmandu Durbar Square and  3. Boudhanath

Swayambhunath, is an iconic and ancient stupa in Kathmandu. Perched atop a hill, it offers panoramic views of the Kathmandu Valley. The stupa is one of the oldest and most revered religious sites in Nepal, believed to date back over 2,000 years. According to legend, the site was chosen by a miraculous self-created (swayambhu) light that emanated from a lotus flower. The central stupa is topped with a golden spire adorned with Buddha’s eyes and eyebrows, symbolizing wisdom and compassion. The area around Swayambhunath is rich with temples, shrines, and prayer wheels, and it’s inhabited by a large population of monkeys, which are considered sacred.

Kathmandu Durbar Square, also known as Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, is one of the three Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was the royal palace for the Malla kings and later the Shah kings of Nepal. The square is a central location for festivals, ceremonies, and regal events, and is surrounded by spectacular architecture showcasing the craftsmanship of Newar artists and craftsmen over several centuries. Key attractions include the Taleju Temple, Jagannath Temple, Kal Bhairav, and the Kumari Ghar (the residence of the Living Goddess, Kumari).

Boudhanath Stupa located in Kathmandu, Nepal, 3 minutes walking distance from your hotel is one of the largest and most significant stupas in the country. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists. The stupa features a massive mandala and is known for its iconic all-seeing eyes, which symbolize the omnipresence of the Buddha. Surrounded by monasteries and a vibrant marketplace, Boudhanath serves as a cultural and religious center, attracting both locals and tourists. The stupa’s design reflects traditional Buddhist architecture and is a manifestation of the teachings of the Buddha, emphasizing meditation and mindfulness.

Returned back to Hotel at 3:30 pm
Rest and preparation for community project in the late afternoon.

Accommodation: 3 Star hotel in Kathmandu
Meals Provided: Breakfast
Transportation:  Private Bus with AC

8:00 am –  Drive to Kakani, Community Project site by private bus. 1.5 hour drive.
Your project will be hosted by a charity organization called Mother and Children Art Foundation (MCAF).  This organization works for the benefit of women and children’s education, health and employment in rural villages. Through MCAF your team will be working in a community school called Kauledevi Kakani Brighter School.
On arrival at the site, you will receive a welcome and orientation briefing by the project coordinator. Then you will be toured around the school to show where you are sleeping, eating/preparing food, water, toilet, etc. Local skilled workers and materials for the construction will be pre-arranged by the project coordinator. You may make a start on the tasks at helping school building  construction alongside local skilled workers. Beside the works you will be doing at the school, you will have plenty of time to interact with the community and school children, cultural exchange and play sports with them.

Accommodation: Camping at School Site. You will need your own sleeping bag.
Meals Provided: The project is catered. You will be expected to assist with food preparation and clean-up.
Transportation: Private Bus with AC

Note: We heartily requests every participant of this expedition to donate US$200 or more towards our service project Kakani Brighter School building construction.

Continue working at the construction site. You may take time to interact with the community and school children, cultural exchange and play sports with them.

Accommodation: Camping at School Site. You will need your own sleeping bag.
Meals Provided: All meals catered. You will be expected to assist with food preparation and clean-up.

Today, continue  working with yesterday’s construction activities, meet administrative staff at the school for a discussion about education in Nepal and spend some time with the students. Afternoon, say farewell to your hosts before returning to Kathmandu on bus ride.
Transportation: Private Bus with AC
Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel in Kathmandu
Meals Provided: Breakfast and Lunch

6:30. Early morning drive from Kathmandu to the rafting put-in-point ‘Charaudi’. Charudi is about 85 km from Kathmandu and takes about 3 hours drive. There you will meet your rafting crew. The leader of the crew will brief you everything on safety measures etc. Then start the rafting. You will be rafting for around 3 hours, covering 15 km. You will encounter several big and small rapids. The main fun begins after Majhimtar. This rafting trip hits a few class 2 or 3 rapids called Ladies Delight, Upset and Surprise. Then stop at the rafting put-out-point and have lunch. Then drive to Pokhara, which takes around 3 to 4 hours.

Transportation: Private bus with AC
Rafting for 3 hours in Trisuli river
Meals Provided: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel in Pokhara.

Our tour guide will take you to boat ride across the Phewa Lake, hike to the World Peace Pagoda and drive to Lord Shiva Temple Pumdikot and International Mountain museum.

9:00 am After breakfast, hike to the boat station of Phewa Lake and boat ride 15 min visiting Tal Barahi Temple in the middle of the lake and continue boating to the next site of the Phewa Lake. Then start hiking the way up hill gradually for about an hour to reach the World Peace Pagoda.

The World Peace Pagoda is a stunning monument and popular hill station view point in Pokhara The pagoda is a large, white structure with a golden spire, symbolizing peace and tranquility. It is designed in the traditional stupa style, reflecting Buddhist architectural principles. There are four Buddha statues in the pagoda, each representing a significant moment in Buddha’s life—birth, enlightenment, teaching, and death. These statues were gifted by different countries: Thailand, Sri Lanka, Japan, and Nepal.
We can get excellent views of the surrounding landscapes, Phewa lake, Pokhara city and himalayas making it a perfect spot for photography and relaxation.

We will then visit Lord Shiva Temple at Pumdikot on drive for 20 minutes.

Lord Shiva Temple Pumdikot:  One of the main attractions of the Pumdikot temple is the large statue of Lord Shiva, which stands at around 108 feet tall. This impressive statue is visible from various points in the Pokhara Valley and adds to the temple’s grandeur.
The temple architecture incorporates traditional Hindu design elements, with intricate carvings and decorations that reflect the cultural heritage of the region.

Have lunch in a restaurant at Pumdikot.

1:00 pm – Drive to International Mountain Museum. 30 minutes.

The International Mountain Museum in Pokhara, Nepal, is a prominent attraction that offers insights into the world of mountains, mountaineering, and the cultures of the people who live in the Himalayan region.

4:00 pm – Drive back to your hotel.

Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel in Lakeside, Pokhara
Meals Provided: Breakfast
Transportation:  Private Bus with AC and paddle boat ride.

8:00 am – Drive to Birethanti, along a dirt road. Then start trekking through bamboo forest, passing large waterfall. Pass through Hille village then arrive at Tikhedhunga.

Accommodation & Facilities: You will be staying in a teahouse tonight. Single room for leaders and shared rooms for students. Bed, mattress, bed sheet, pillow and mosquito nets provided. You will need your own sleeping bag.
The teahouse has shared shower and (western and squat) toilet facilities. There are hot (solar and gas geyser heated) running showers. The teahouse has charging facilities and WIFI (a small fee pp) and fridge if needed.

Meals Provided: All 3 meals.
Transportation:  Private Bus with AC
Accommodation: Local teahouses/ lodges.
Max Altitude: 2,125 m
Driving and Trekking Duration: 40 minutes drive & 4-5 hours trekking
Trekking Distance: 6.5 km/4 miles

Note: The team will carry daypacks on this trek. Porters are provided and will carry your duffle bag/rucksack for the duration of the trek. Each participant is allowed to have max 10 kg duffle bag/rucksack.

8:00 am, start our trekking of the day. There are two bridge crossings over the Tikhedhunga Khola and Bhurungdi Khola. Today you will ascend over 3000 steps, through rhododendron forests and the villages of Ulleri and Banthanti. Between Banthanti and Nangge Thanti there are three stream crossings, finish at the teahouse in Ghorepani.

Meals Provided: All 3 meals.
Accommodation: Local teahouses/ lodges.
Max Altitude: 2,860 m
Trekking Distance: 10 km
Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours

Early morning wake up and start hiking at 4:30 am to summit Poon Hill (3,210 m) at sunrise and then head back to Ghorepani and follow the tail east. Keep climbing along the ridge through pine and rhododendron forests. The trail descends to Deurali and continues through the rhododendron forest following a dry stream bed. Descend steeply to Banthanti, before climbing and entering a cane field before reaching Tadapani.

Meals Provided: All 3 meals.
Accommodation: Local teahouses/ lodges.
Max Altitude: 3,210 m
Trekking Distance: 12 km
Trekking Duration: 7-8 hours

8:00 am, descend through forests and terraced fields. A short steep descent then leads to a bridge crossing a stream. Continue to descend on stone steps to Ghandruk. Descend steeply to the Shyaule Bazar, where paved road way connects. Then take a bus ride to Pokhara.

Meals Provided: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: 3 star hotel in Pokhara
Max Altitude: 2,540 m
Trekking Distance: 13 km
Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours
Driving Distance: 50 km
Driving Duration: 2 hours

7:00 am, taking a private bus ride through interesting overland journey brings you back at Kathmandu with scenic views of mountains, green scenery of hills and farm fields within nice villages and towns as drive brings leads into hustle and bustle city life of Kathmandu.
On reaching Kathmandu transfer to your hotel with time for individual activities and shopping souvenirs in the evening. We will have farewell dinner together in the evening.

Driving Distance : 220 k.m
Driving Duration: 7-8 hours
Meals Provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: 3 star hotel in Kathmandu.

Today is your rest and relaxation day on your own. You may be wandering around for shopping and massage. Our guides will transfer you to the international airport 3 hours before your departure time for homeward bound.

Meals Provided: Breakfast and Lunch
Transportation: Airport transfer by Private vehicle