🌍 Program Overview
This 3-week immersive program is designed to take students beyond textbooks and traditional classrooms—into the heart of rural Nepal. Through hands-on service work, meaningful cultural exchange, guided trekking, and reflective practices, students gain valuable life skills, deepen their world understanding, and experience what it truly means to contribute to something larger than themselves.
The trip is fully customizable and aligned with curriculum needs, offering an unforgettable blend of educational depth, adventure, and soulful experience.
🔶 Week 1: Culture, Context & Mindfulness
Location: Kathmandu Valley
Students begin their journey by grounding themselves in the rhythm of Nepalese life and learning about its cultural, ecological, and spiritual landscapes.
Activities:
- Warm community welcome upon arrival with cultural orientation and safety briefing.
- Settle into a peaceful and nature-immersed ashram-style retreat center designed for introspection, rest, and simple living.
- Introductory workshops on:
- Nepal’s history, geography, and belief systems
- Basic Nepali language & etiquette
- Principles of sustainability in a Himalayan context
- Mindful living practices (daily yoga, breathing, and reflection)
- Visits to UNESCO heritage sites like:
- Boudhanath Stupa – center of Tibetan Buddhist life
- Pashupatinath Temple – sacred Hindu cremation grounds
- Bhaktapur – medieval city known for architecture and pottery
Goals:
- Foster cultural respect and awareness
- Build group rapport and inner readiness
- Introduce themes of spiritual curiosity and conscious living
🔶 Week 2: Service Learning & Community Connection
Location: Rural Village (selected based on group size and accessibility)
The heart of the program lies in a community-based service project. Students live in a safe, welcoming village where they contribute meaningfully while learning directly from local residents.
Sample Projects:
- Renovating or building a schoolroom or library
- Creating eco-friendly school gardens for nutrition
- Installing or repairing basic water access systems
- Facilitating creative activities and games with local students
- Painting murals or signage that inspire learning and connection
Daily Rhythm:
- Morning: Group circle and goal-setting
- Midday: Project work (4–5 hours)
- Afternoon: Interaction with locals, hands-on skill learning (farming, cooking, craft)
- Evening: Group reflections, storytelling, and journaling
Goals:
- Deepen empathy and teamwork
- Gain real-world understanding of rural life challenges
- Empower students to see their own impact in tangible ways
🔶 Week 3: Himalayan Trek & Inner Discovery
Location: Low-altitude trek in Annapurna foothills or Langtang area
After the service portion, students embark on a multi-day guided trek in the lower Himalayas. It’s not just a physical journey, but an inward one—designed to reflect, decompress, and integrate all they’ve learned.
Features:
- 5-day moderate trek with porters and local guides (no prior trekking experience needed)
- Visit remote mountain schools and monasteries
- Learn about sacred mountain traditions, conservation practices, and resilience of rural mountain communities
- Daily journaling prompts for self-reflection:
- “What am I learning about discomfort?”
- “How do I grow through service?”
- “What values will I carry home with me?”
- Evening circles around the fire or under the stars
- Sunrise yoga and quiet nature walks to center the spirit
Goals:
- Build confidence, grit, and self-awareness
- Celebrate the journey and reflect on personal growth
- Foster a deep connection with the natural world
✅ What’s Included
- Airport pick-up & departure assistance
- Accommodation (ashram-style lodge, village homestay, trekking lodges)
- All meals (with dietary accommodations)
- English-speaking group facilitators
- Licensed trekking guides and porters
- Materials for service projects
- Permits and entry tickets
- All ground transportation
- 24/7 emergency support & first-aid access
🧠 Student Development Focus
- Global Awareness: Understand interconnected social and environmental issues
- Leadership & Initiative: Take ownership in service and group roles
- Cultural Intelligence: Engage respectfully and meaningfully across cultures
- Mindfulness: Cultivate reflection and inner resilience
📘 Student Kit Includes
- Refillable water bottle
- Reusable cutlery set & tote
- Program journal with daily prompts
- Cultural etiquette handbook
- Trek prep guide
💬 Optional Add-ons (Pre-approved by school admin)
- Certificate for Service Hours
- One-on-one coaching or group debrief with teachers post-trip
- Digital storybook with student reflections & trip photos
