Combining the Poon Hill Trek and volunteering creates a unique and meaningful travel experience. Nestled in the stunning Annapurna region of Nepal, the Poon Hill Trek offers breathtaking vistas of snow-capped peaks, lush forests, and vibrant local culture. As you hike through picturesque villages, you’ll witness the beauty of Nepal while gaining insight into the lives of the resilient Gurung and Magar communities. Kathmandu Summit Adventure’s Poon Hill Trek and volunteering allows you to give back to the communities you explore. You can contribute your time and skills to various local initiatives, such as teaching English in village schools, assisting with sustainable farming practices, or supporting healthcare programs. Volunteering fosters cultural exchange, deepening your connection with the locals and enhancing your understanding of their way of life.
Complementing Poon Hill Trek and volunteering opportunities adds depth to your journey. Engaging in community service, such as teaching English, rebuilding infrastructure, or assisting in local projects, allows you to make a positive impact on the lives of the Nepalese people. It fosters cultural exchange, enriches your travel experience, and creates lasting memories. Combining the Poon Hill Trek with volunteering not only satisfies your wanderlust but also empowers you to contribute to the betterment of the region and forge meaningful connections with the locals.
Upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, a representative from Kathmandu Summit Adventure will greet you and take you to your hotel. After checking in, you can rest or visit the Kathmandu Summit Adventure office. You may also want to explore the streets of Thamel, a popular tourist hub in Kathmandu, where you can shop for souvenirs. In the evening, a welcome dinner will be hosted by Kathmandu Summit Adventure, featuring delicious Nepalese cuisine that will give you a taste of the country’s authentic food culture. Overnight stay in Kathmandu. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Tour and Trekking Nepal offers comprehensive Nepali language and cultural training tailored for expatriates, volunteers, and research students eager to delve into Nepali culture. Our team of seasoned instructors will skillfully lead you through language acquisition while fostering a genuine understanding of Nepali communities. At Tour and Trekking Nepal, we furnish cutting-edge learning resources designed to provide profound insights into Nepal’s culture and way of life. Throughout your orientation and language sessions, you will be fully immersed in the local culture and language, creating a rich and authentic experience. This program is ideally suited for individuals seeking to maximize their time in Nepal and to engage with the country on a deeper, more meaningful level.
Kathmandu stands as the vibrant cultural nucleus of Nepal, an alluring haven for travellers since Nepal first welcomed outsiders within its borders. The city beautifully amalgamates elements of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism, and Western influences within the encompassing Valley. Adjacent to this hub is Patan and Bhaktapur, two significant cities brimming with cultural and religious importance in Nepal’s tapestry.
An immersive guided excursion awaits, offering a complete day to explore the historical Durbar Square adorned with distinctive architecture and home to the revered Kumari, the living goddess. The journey continues to the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, followed by visits to the renowned ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambunath) and the Buddhists’ shrine of Buddhhanath. As dusk settles, an enriching pre-trip discussion is scheduled, where you will meet your trek leader and fellow adventurers, setting the stage for your forthcoming expedition.
At the beginning of the journey today we head to Pokhara. The journey to the city of lakes begins from the valley heading out of its twisty roads and reaching Prithvi Highway and the thrashing Trishuli River. The tranquil journey gives us a peek at the majestic Himalayas right as we enter the mesmerizing Pokhara valley. Overnight stay at a hotel in Pokhara. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
We are rewarded with magnificent views of the Himalayas including Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhre, the five peaks of Annapurna and several others. We pass through sub-tropical valley forests, sometimes on the carved trail on the side of the cliff. We cross the Bhurungdi Khola via a bridge to the village of Tikhedhunga. The Ulleri Hill with thousands of steps and boulders that continually go upward will really prove a test of our stamina. Overnight stay in Ulleri. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
We make our way ascending towards Ghorepani. The name Ghorepani in Nepali means ‘horse water’ due to it being an important campsite for traders before it became a trekker’s stop. Ghorepani is an interesting place with small shops and stalls for selling local products and crafts. The town has two parts: one in a saddle and the other a few hundred feet lower. We stop at the higher part of the Ghorepani village that offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains including Annapurna South and Nilgiri mountains. Since Ghorepani lies quite higher than our previous stop, we begin to feel the chilly weather, especially in the evenings. Overnight stay in Ghorepani. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Today is a big day for us, so we make an early morning climb along the steep trail to Poon Hill viewpoint (3,210m/10,529ft.) to witness the most amazing sunrise views over the Himalayas. Poon Hill is the most popular trekking destination of the Annapurna region. It is also a great vantage point to enjoy the amazing views of Mustang, Pokhara and more than 20 of the highest mountains, including the close-up views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. After spending some time taking pictures and having coffee, tea or hot chocolate, we return to Ghorepani for breakfast. Then we head east and climb a nearby ridge. We descend through rhododendron forests, pass by spectacular waterfalls along the way and reach Tadapani to spend the night. Overnight stay in Tadapani. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
We leave Tadapani making a steep descent through the dense forests of old rhododendron trees. When the rhododendron trees are in bloom, these forests actually turn into amazing gardens. Depending on the travel season, by afternoon we get to enjoy cherry blossoms in bloom on the slopes on the other side of the ravine. After hiking for some more time, we enter the village of Ghandruk, which is a slope settlement comprising stone houses, mostly inhabited by the Gurung community. Enjoying the stunningly close-up towering views of Fishtail, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli mountains, we also acquaint ourselves with the simple but rich cultural traditions of the Gurung people at the Gurung Museum in Ghandruk. Overnight stay in Ghandruk.
We leave Ghandruk and enjoy the final leg of the hike on the beautiful hilly landscapes of western Nepal. On reaching Matque, we will begin our drive back to Pokhara in a private vehicle. It will take us around 2 hours to reach the city of lakes. We have lunch on the way. The actual trek to the Annapurna Poon Hill Sunrise and back end today. On reaching Pokhara, we check in at our hotel and rest for a while. In the afternoon, we will set out for a half-day sightseeing tour of Pokhara. Overnight stay in Pokhara. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
After breakfast, transfer to the Tourist bus station and 07: 30 am drive back to Kathmandu by tourist bus. This scenic drive offers fascinating glimpses of rural Nepal as you pass through Middle Hill scenery along the famous rafting Trishuli River originated from Tibet northeast of Kathmandu. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Nepal is a country known for its warm-hearted people, rich culture, and stunning landscapes. Volunteering in Nepal offers a unique opportunity to give back to local communities while immersing yourself in their way of life. The aforementioned volunteer and internship initiatives serve as exemplars, showcasing how these programs can be skillfully coordinated and structured to accommodate the needs and expectations of volunteers.
Our journey in Nepal comes to an end today! A Kathmandu Summit Adventure representative will drop us off at the airport approximately 3 hours before our scheduled flight. On our way to home, we have plenty of time to plan our next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.
Note: The above-mentioned program itinerary is a sample. The period and cost of tour, trekking, volunteering or internship can be changed or extended as per travellers or volunteers' availability of duration.