Nepal: Himalayan Photo Adventure

Arrive into Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu and meet your Program Leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Head to the hotel and settle in, relaxing after your long flight. Join the group for an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations for your adventure, and an introduction to the local culture. After some rest and lunch, visit the city’s temples, and get introduced to the hustle and bustle of Nepal.

Explore the Kathmandu Valley, chock-full of stunning scenes and contrasts. Enjoy the sights and sounds of Kathmandu and get to know Buddhist and Hindu temples and palaces, learning about their history and context, and taking time to capture them carefully. If you’re lucky you might see the living goddess Kumari, a child worshipped and respected in both Hindu and Buddhist communities.

Wake early for a long van drive to the town of Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautama Buddha and Buddhism. Lumbini bustles with people who make the pilgrimage to this holy site.

Explore Lumbini and the sacred garden spread over eight square kilometers. This UNESCO World Heritage town is celebrated by Buddhists around the globe. Spend an afternoon taking shots and capturing images that resonate the most with you and your group.

Head to Pokhara, the city of ancient lakes, gorges, waterfalls, and majestic views of the Himalayas. Hike to Peace Pagoda, constructed by the Japanese Nipponzan-Myohoji monks as an example of Buddhist architecture embodying peace and harmony. Enjoy breathtaking views from the top of Himalayan ranges, the beautiful Phewa Lake, and the city below. Explore the bustling markets of Pokhara and spend time by the lake watching the sunset.

Join your group for a mid-trip discussion where you’ll begin to reflect on what you’ve experienced and learned so far.

Trek to the Australian Camp at Dhampus Village and explore the nearby communities where global climbers come to start their treks. Spend the night at base camp and get a glimpse of extreme athletes and climbers getting ready for their adventures.

Start your journey back to Pokhara. After lunch, explore the market or get a massage after your trek. Enjoy the mountain town for another night before heading back to the city in the morning.

Rise early for the van ride back to Kathmandu, watching the mountains unfold until they open into the city cradled in the shadow of Everest. Explore the city sights to learn about Nepal’s unique climbing history and how the country responded to the 2015 earthquake. Kathmandu is the intersection of many Buddhist and Hindu cultures, as well as a range of other global influences.

At the end of each program, students reflect on their experiences and the issues they engaged with, and talk about how to apply this new understanding to their own worlds. During or after their closing discussion, groups participate in Rustic Ties, a unique and powerful activity that allows students to capture the memories and learning moments of their program to process and share with their communities back home.

After your last hearty Nepalese breakfast, explore the market and spend your final few hours at Boudhanath, a famous Buddhist monument. Your Program Leaders will take you to the airport for your departure as you say goodbyes and reflect on your adventure.