SCOTCH COLLEGE
NEPAL EXPEDITION 2014
17 Day trip includes: moderate 10 day trek, 3 days Kathmandu,
This is a spectacular trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal, with panoramic views of the Machapuchare and the Annapurna ranges, and dramatic close-up views of the highest Himalayan peaks from our elevated camp sites.
We trek through fascinating villages and splendid forests of rhododendron, hemlock and fir on our journey to the high alpine ridges and meadows that lead towards the greater Himalayan peaks. We enjoy uninterrupted views of the Annapurnas, the Dhaulagiris and far up the Kali Gandaki towards Mustang and Tibet.
We will visit the villages of the numerous ethnic groups who inhabit the region and who form the core of the famous Gurkha army regiments. This trek provides a wonderful overview of all that Nepal has to offer - mountains, forests and diverse village life.
To complete the trek we stay at Bhadure, a charming traditional village, and visit the Bhadureschool. This is very significant as Scotch groups have supported the education of the poorer children in this village for many years, and your visit will be highlighted with celebrations to mark the occasion.
We enjoy the wonderful sights of Kathmandu, a truly wonderful experience, with time to explore the markets and significant sites.
DAY 127 December 2014. Check-in at Melbourne airport at 10:00 p.m. for our flight to Bangkok on Thai Airways International. Overnight on aircraft.
Thai Airways TG 462 departs at 00:30
DAY 2Fly Melbourne to Bangkok and to Kathmandu.
Arrive Bangkok at 06:00. Change aircraft in Bangkok.
Thai Airways TG 319 Bangkok to Kathmandu, departs at 10:15, arrives 12:25
On arrival in Kathmandu (1330 metres) you will be met by your group leader and transferred to the hotel where pre-trek briefing will be given. Arrangements are made today for the distribution of your kit bag, sleeping bag and down jacket. After a rest we will walk into the Thamel area of Kathmandu for a taste of the days to come as we amble through the markets and enjoy dinner in one of the good restaurants available to us.
DAY 3 In Kathmandu. Sightseeing will be organised for this morning to visit the key cultural sites of Pasupatinath and Boudanath. During our visit you will also have time to explore Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and the lesser-known towns that dot the valley. The area has an amazing range of fascinating highlights, whatever your interest. Excellent bookshops, extensive markets, novelty shops and handicraft shops contrast with fantastic centres of cultural and spiritual significance. Kathmandu has more World Heritage sites than any other city in the world.
DAY 4Fly Kathmandu to Pokhara. 950 metres. 40 minute flight. Walk approx 2 hours to Australian Camp.
You will transferred to the airport and take an early flight to Pokhara, Nepal's second largest city. Shortly after take-off from Kathmandu you will catch glimpses of the high mountain ranges of Ganesh, Manaslu and Annapurna, and enjoy the patchwork of villages and fields below. After 35 minutes you arrive at Pokhara and drive out of town for around an hour, stopping at Naundanda for great Himalayan views. Nearby, at the village of Phedi, we start our trek. The trail ascends for the first hour, following a ridge through fields and clumps of bamboo until we enter rhododendron forest and continue to the ridge top. As we reach the crest the scale of the imposing mountains will astound you, and we rest and gaze at the adjacent peaks of Machapuchare (6993m), Hiunchuli (6441m) and Annapurna South (7219m) from our camp site.
DAY 5To Landrung1900m. Walk approx 4-5 hours. This is an interesting day as we trek through forest, and in and out of gullies, as the path takes us toward the mountains. The rhododendron forests are lush and offer a protective canopy for the smaller delicate flora, such as primula and daphne. It also provides a haven for birdlife and we can hear their varied calls as we move through. The trail soon opens into fields as we approach the village of Landrung for spectacular views of the Annapurna Range.
DAY 6To Gandrung 2050m. Walk approx 3 hours. Our destination today is the attractive Gurung village of Gandrung, easily seen across the valley. But, we must descend to the valley floor to reach it! Slowly descending through rice terraces, we cross the steel bridge across the glacial river of the ModiKhola and commence our ascent. As we trek up the many staircases, we enjoy the beauty of the Himalaya at a relatively close range and observe the glaciers flowing from them to form the rivers below us. It really is a magnificent location and a photographer's delight. Our leisurely approach along these ridges with their fine mountain views ensures proper acclimatisation, and the un-hurried opportunity to fully savour this magnificent scenery. The sunset and sunrise views from tonight’s camp site are magnificent.
DAY 7To Tadapani (2650m) Walkapprox 4 hours. Our trail meanders uphill through fields and into the forest of rhododendron and magnolia. We pass by waterfalls that cascade down narrow gullies that provide the perfect home for many small ferns and delicate plants. Tadapani is a clearing in the forest and a rest place for porters. We make camp here and observe the local people as they travel by. From the camp site we gain spectacular mountain views, particularly of Annapurna South.
DAY 8To Gorepani (2850m) Walkapprox 6 hours. We follow the trail through rhododendron forest to the pass at Deorali. We have passed above the tree-line, and now have excellent views of the dramatic range of mountains known as the Dhaulagiri Himal. We have arrived at the busy Pokhara-Jomosom trail, which is the old Tibet-Nepal trade route and provides an interesting insight into the daily life of this area, and enter Gorepani and our camp.
DAY 9 To Ramche (2570m) Walkapprox 5 hours. From Gorepani, a 45 minute climb brings us to the summit of Poon Hill. The views here are tremendous, with huge snow-capped mountain ranges high above a foreground of terraced foothills. We descend from the ridge through forest and make camp just outside Ramche village. This is a very pleasant location for an overnight as we are nestled on the ridge-top between the Kali Gandaki and Ramche valleys, and sunset and sunrise views should be at their best. We are well away from the main trails, and you will enjoy the traditional village lifestyle.
DAY 10To Lespar (2000m) Walk approx 6 hours. We descend this morning to the village of Nah and cross a stream and make our way over the next foothill by slowly climbing and traversing its ridges. These trails are a delight to travel, offering a variety of forests, villages and small settlements. The local people attend to their traditional tasks and welcome our visit with interest. There are excellent views today as we meander through the forests on little-known trails where terraced fields and grazing lands are interspersed with neat houses. We pass through the village of Sailijan, crest the forest-covered ridge, making a stop for lunch nearby, and continue on through rolling country to our camp at Chupani.
DAY 11To NayaPhul Walk approx 4 hours. We descend 600 metres to NayaPhul. After all that steady climbing and high mountain views it is quite a change to be dropping down to lower altitudes. The best way to tackle this is 'slowly, slowly' as our porters do, stopping for a rest, or to admire the view. We pass some Magar villages with their well-tended fields, and make our way to the ModiKhola (river).
DAY 12To Bhadure 1500 m. Walk approx. 5 hours. We ascend steadily all morning through terraced fields to gain altitude for our final mountain top camp at Bhadure. We pass clumps of bamboo and skirt terraced fields as our trail passes through well-kept Gurung villages as we ascend to our camp. Once again we enjoy a dramatic panorama of the world’s highest peaks.
DAY 13To Pokhara 980 m.Walk approx. 4 hours.Zip Line. This morning we visit the local Bhadureschool. Scotch College has assisted the education of these children for many years, and our visit will be eagerly awaited. Later, we trek downhill through forests and through remnants of jungle to the cleared fields where we have lunch. After a short walk to the road we drive to the Zip Line with a vertical drop of 600 metres over 1.8 kilometres, and said to be the worlds’ longest and highest. After this adrenalin–filled celebration at the end of our trek, we drive into Pokhara and our camp.
DAY 14 To Kathmandu
This morning we transfer to the airport for our short flight to Kathmandu. On arrival we will visit the nearby Childhaven orphanage, home to around 100 children from infants to 17 years. This is a successful orphanage on the edge of Kathmandu that was given a boost with assistance from Scotch students 14 years ago and continues support many children. A short visit gives the students a chance to talk with us and practice their English, and you can gain an understanding of their life.
DAY 15Ancient Bhaktapur
We start the day with a drive to the ancient city of Bhaktapur where the old square is restored and maintained in its medieval character. We spend the morning here, exploring the fascinating streets, squares and alleys before returning to Kathmandu.
DAY 1611 January. Fly to Bangkok and connect to Melbourne
This will be our last opportunity to explore Kathmandu as we have a mid-morning transfer to the airport for our flight to Melbourne on Thai Airways.
Thai Airways TG 320 Kathmandu to Bangkok, departs at 13:30, arrives 18:15
Change aircraft.
DAY 1712 January. Arrive Melbourne at 13:05.
Thai Airways TG 465 Bangkok to Melbourne, departs at 00:15, arrives 13:05
The trip cost includes:
International airfares, taxes and fuel surcharges.
All meals on trek, and at Pokhara
Breakfast daily in Kathmandu
Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu at the Radisson on a twin share basis with breakfast for the nights listed in the trip itinerary
Accommodation on trek in tents on a twin share basis
Professional World Expeditions leader
All internal transport by private bus
Internal flights to Pokhara and return
All group airport transfers
Gear package provided during trek includes kit bag, sleeping bag and liner, sleeping mat and down or fibre filled jacket on trek
All group camping gear
All park entrance fees and trekking permits
Emergency medical kit
Porters to carry all personal and group equipment. Porter's insurance
Group guides and kitchen staff
Pre-departure Information Guide, with all you need to know for your trek.
Lunch & dinner in Kathmandu
Bottled water in Kathmandu beyond that provided by the hotel (Water is provided on the trek).
Visa.
Travel Insurance (school policy covers participants).
Total Cost will be approximately $5, 500 per person.
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