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Trekking in Nepal is an integral part of our program, just as it is an essential aspect of everyday life there. Learn about the trek our teachers make to their partner villages among the stunning Himalayas!
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Your Nepali TrekFAST FACTS:
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The trek will start at the trailhead in Nayapul and take you to the world-renowned Poon Hill on the way to your school. You'll hike approx. seven hours each day with a mix of uphill and downhill terrain. The trek is considered quite strenuous; one day you'll walk up three thousand stone steps! Each day will bring you one step closer to views of the largest peaks in the world and each night you will stay in a tea house will a hot meal and a cold shower.
On the map to the left, you'll find the red stars which are approx. locations of where you'll stay during the Poon Hill Trek. The green circles are where our partner schools are located. |
Our teachers trek to their schools both for the enjoyment of being surrounded by natural wonders, and to understand what many Nepali students in the Annapurna region must do each day to get to school. Some students trek for hours to receive an education and we want our teachers to grasp that commitment and dedication before arriving to their schools.
The experience of hiking through lush Himalayan jungles, beneath monkeys and rhododendron in the spring, and through the beautiful clear autumnal skies, is unimaginable. Because of the isolated nature of this area of Nepal, you’ll be trekking on a “living trail” where goods are sent between the cities and rural villages by horseback and manpower alone. You’ll trek past lush rice fields, beside wild animals, below monkeys swinging through the jungle above you, through small stone-pathed villages and past many Nepali locals showing you their bright smiles. The feeling of being so deeply immersed in a culture so foreign, and yet so welcoming, is something indescribable.
The experience of hiking through lush Himalayan jungles, beneath monkeys and rhododendron in the spring, and through the beautiful clear autumnal skies, is unimaginable. Because of the isolated nature of this area of Nepal, you’ll be trekking on a “living trail” where goods are sent between the cities and rural villages by horseback and manpower alone. You’ll trek past lush rice fields, beside wild animals, below monkeys swinging through the jungle above you, through small stone-pathed villages and past many Nepali locals showing you their bright smiles. The feeling of being so deeply immersed in a culture so foreign, and yet so welcoming, is something indescribable.
Experience THE ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT! |
Where You’ll Trek to
Your Village
Each village placement is in, or very near to, the Annapurna Conservation Area. Most are directly off the Annapurna Circuit, a popular trekking route for foreigners, and a route of commerce for locals. Each of these villages has a school, located within walking distance of your guesthouse. You can expect to be known by not only your guest house and school community, but by your village as a whole. Trekking around and between villages, you can expect to see familiar faces and be greeted by affectionate Nepali nicknames. Villages have a number of guest houses, as well as personal homes. Some include small shops and businesses where you can get basic amenities such as laundry detergent, soap, toilet paper, and snacks although your guest house will be able to provide many of these items as well. All villages are well-established, with running hot water, wifi and electricity, although these amenities can often become unavailable for days at a time due to power outages and weather conditions. Because we operate year round, teachers should be prepared for cold in the winters, monsoon rains, leeches, and heat in the spring and summer months. Though accommodations are basic, you won’t have to worry about packing in meals or sleeping bags.
Each village placement is in, or very near to, the Annapurna Conservation Area. Most are directly off the Annapurna Circuit, a popular trekking route for foreigners, and a route of commerce for locals. Each of these villages has a school, located within walking distance of your guesthouse. You can expect to be known by not only your guest house and school community, but by your village as a whole. Trekking around and between villages, you can expect to see familiar faces and be greeted by affectionate Nepali nicknames. Villages have a number of guest houses, as well as personal homes. Some include small shops and businesses where you can get basic amenities such as laundry detergent, soap, toilet paper, and snacks although your guest house will be able to provide many of these items as well. All villages are well-established, with running hot water, wifi and electricity, although these amenities can often become unavailable for days at a time due to power outages and weather conditions. Because we operate year round, teachers should be prepared for cold in the winters, monsoon rains, leeches, and heat in the spring and summer months. Though accommodations are basic, you won’t have to worry about packing in meals or sleeping bags.
There are a number of holidays in Nepal which can create breaks from school for our teachers. Many of our teachers choose to use this time to trek to Annapurna Base Camp (see map above). The initial Poon Hill Trek accommodations, food and trekking guide are included in your program payments. Any additional trek expenses will be out of pocket for the teacher, however we are happy to set you up with a trekking guide if you wish!
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Trekking in Nepal is only a portion of our program; our ultimate emphasis is on providing quality English education to the Nepali villages that we trek to. Check out our teaching page here! |
