Trip to Visit Our Programmes & Poon Hill Trek
Come and enjoy a once in a lifetime experience to see behind the scenes of how the charity operates in Nepal and visit some of our most cherished projects.
Visit the Olgapuri Vocational School, where we provide vocational scholarships for disadvantaged youngsters and help them to secure jobs, spend time with the children at our state of the art children’s home and farm, or even learn about our invaluable Nutrition Programme at our flagship Nutritional Rehabilitation Home. We will work with you to plan a bespoke trip that will provide you with some very special memories.
Then take part in our Ghorepani Poon Hill trek, which is the ultimate short trek in the Himalayas. It is suitable for people of all ages and all abilities.
Poon Hill (3,210m) is the ultimate viewing point for the Annapurna range. Hiking up to Poon Hill to watch the sun rise over the stunning snow covered mountains is something to be treasured. This trek also includes hiking through colourful villages and rhododendron forests, with the backdrop of the Annapurna always present.
Even for experienced trekkers, this is a great introduction to the Himalayas, especially if time is short. Accommodation along the route is comfortable and the food is good – and of course, the mountain views never disappoint.
The trip will be organised and run by the UK company Monkey Mountaineering. Full details about the company are below.
To book or if you have any questions, please send us an email – gerry@nepalyouthfoundation.org.uk or call Gerry on 07861 680803.
- Please note – in order to visit our projects, you will be required to have a current (no older than 12 months) Basic DBS certificate.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu. Once you have collected your luggage and made your way out of the
airport terminal building, you will be met by one of Monkey Mountaineering’s representatives and transferred to your hotel in the busy Kathmandu district of Thamel (Thamel Eco Resort).
Day 2: Visiting Nepal Youth Foundation UK’s Programmes in Kathmandu; including our children’s home and vocational school. In the evening, you will go to a traditional restaurant for a welcome dinner.
Day 3: Fly to Pokhara and trek to Tirkhedhunga/Ulleri (1577m). After breakfast, you will be transferred to Kathmandu’s Domestic Air Terminal for an early morning flight (around 7:30am) to Pokhara. On arrival, you will be collected and transferred to Naya Pul by private vehicle before starting the short trek to Tirkhedunga where you will spend the night.
The trek starts by crossing the suspension bridge over the Modi Khola river, before ascending slowly through terraced fields and classic mountain villages. Along the way you may encounter mule or goat caravans and their musical bells, carrying supplies to the mountains. The stunning peaks of Machhapuchare and Annapurna will come into view from time to time over the green ridges as we move up to Tikhredhunga/Ulleri. Flight Time: approx. 25-30 mins. Drive Time:approx. 1 hour. Trekking Time: approx. 4 hrs.
Day 4: Tirkhedhunga/Ulleri to Ghorepani (2750m). From Ulleri, we continue our ascent to Ghorepani village. The ascent from Ulleri eases off compared to the previous day and soon you are in Banthanti. From here on we pass through rhododendron forests, before arriving in Nagthanti for a lunch break. After Nagthanti, the forest becomes denser, leading to a path with stone steps which takes you into the lower part of Ghorepani. After ascending for about 20 minutes, we reach the checkpoint and gateway to the upper village where we will stay overnight. From here there are mesmerizing views of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range. Trekking Time: approx. 5 hrs.
Day 5: Sunrise at Poon Hill (3200m) – Trek to Tadapani (2650m). If you stay in Ghorepani then you absolutely must make the short walk up to the celebrated viewpoint of Poon Hill (3195m), which overlooks the village. Sunrise is the best time to go, so we wake you up early (at about 5am) and head up the well-marked track by torchlight. The first light of dawn illuminates Dhaulagiri and Tukuche Peak with a surreal pink glow. It is often possible to buy coffee and breakfast from enterprising individuals who carry local produce up to Poon Hill to take advantage of the morning trade, otherwise, we return to Ghorepani for breakfast, before trekking on to Tadapani through the rhododendron forest. Lucky trekkers can occasionally see langur monkeys climbing through the trees. There are excellent views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhare from Tadapani. Trekking Time: approx 5-6 hours.
Day 6: Tadapani to Ghandruk (1940m). A comparatively easy day of trekking through the rhododendron and oak forests with plenty of bird song to be heard. Ghandruk is a big Gurung village which offers great views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna (7455m), Annapurna III (7755m.) and Fishtail. The Gurung people are one of Nepal’s most famous ethnic groups, known for their distinctive dialect, culture, costume, and lifestyle. Ghandruk is also home to many soldiers from the famous Gurkha regiments. From Ghandruk we will take Jeeps for the short drive to Naya Pul and then transfer to Pokhara by private cars for an overnight stay in the Hotel Kuti Resort. Trekking Time: approx. 3-4 hrs.
Day 7: Return to Kathmandu. After breakfast we will collect you and drive you back to Kathmandu – a fantastic opportunity to see rural Nepal. You will stay overnight in Thamel Eco Resort, Kathmandu. Driving Time: approx. 6 hrs.
Day 8: Return to UK. Depending on your flight time, we will provide a private transfer to take you to Kathmandu’s International Airport.
COST
£830 per person + International Flights (and £25 visa) and a recommended fundraising amount of £425 (minimum number 2 people.) You also need to ensure that you have the appropriate travel insurance – details are highlighted below.
A £200 deposit needs to be paid when booking (or the full amount if less than 8 weeks before). The remaining payment of the trek (£630) needs to be paid to Monkey Mountaineering 8 weeks prior to departure on the trip. Full terms and conditions will be issued by Monkey Mountaineering.
Fundraising should ideally be paid to Nepal Youth Foundation UK before the trip commences.
What’s included:
• Private arrival and departure transfers to and from the airport in Kathmandu.
• Pre Trek (2 nights) and Post Trek (1 night) accommodation in the bustling district of Thamel, Kathmandu in the Thamel Eco Resort (http://www.thamelecoresort.com/) in shared rooms (twin) on a Bed & Breakfast basis (single rooms available for a supplement).
• Post Trek (1 night) accommodation in Pokhara in the Hotel Kuti Resort (http://kutiresort.com/) in shared rooms (twin) on a Bed & Breakfast basis (single rooms available for a supplement)
• Traditional Nepalese welcome dinner.
• Private vehicle and driver for project visits (one day whilst in Kathmandu – details to be confirmed).
• Private transfer to domestic air terminal.
• Internal one-way flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara.
• Private transfer from Pokhara to Kathmandu on completion of trek.
• All trekking permits and associated entry fees.
• Tea House accommodation whilst on the trek in shared rooms.
• All meals whilst trekking.
• Professional guiding and support team.
• Portage of 15kg per client.
• All wages, clothing and insurances for Guide/s and porters.
What’s NOT Included:
• International Flights from/to UK.
• Personal clothing and equipment (see our clothing and equipment section for guidance about what to bring).
• Additional accommodation in Kathmandu at the start or end of your trek (we can arrange this for you if required).
• Meals whilst staying in Kathmandu (hotel is on a Bed & Breakfast basis).
• Drinks whilst in Kathmandu or trekking (water, soft drinks, tea/coffee, alcoholic beverages etc).
• Expenses of a personal nature such as telephone calls, laundry, etc.
• Tips for Guides, Drivers and Porters.
• Personal travel insurance (to cover you for cancellation, accident, health, emergency evacuation and loss, theft of or damage to baggage and personal effects, etc.) You must ensure that you have adequate cover for emergency medical treatment and rescue costs (including helicopter rescue costs) whilst trekking up to 3210m (Poon Hill).
• Lunch, dinner and drinks, etc. whilst in Kathmandu and Pokhara (hotel accommodation is B&B).
• Additional expenses incurred should there be a need to amend your itinerary or curtail your trek early for whatever reason and transfer you back to Kathmandu or a medical facility or hotel (it is essential that you have personal travel insurance that includes cover for trekking in Nepal).
DATES
The trip will be taking place in October 2021 – exact dates TBC.
ABOUT MONKEY MOUNTAINEERING
Monkey Mountaineering is a small, family run, adventure travel company based in Ripon, North Yorkshire. Sam, who runs Monkey Mountaineering is ex Military and has many years experience. He is a member of the Alpine Club and holder of both the Mountaineering Instructors Award and the Winter Mountain Leader qualification.
Monkey Mountaineering specialise in providing adventure holidays which they prefer to call ‘journeys’ and which are based on travel to the world’s mountainous regions and include an element of adventure in the form of trekking, climbing or mountaineering.
Being a small, family run business, they are able to offer that personal touch. Everything they do is focused on ensuring their customers have the best experience possible whilst on one of their journeys.
