Over the years, Wilderness in Nepal (WIN), Australia and Keep Walking Nepal have been lending a helping hand to rural and marginalized communities in Nepal though various community projects and medical clinics.

For 2023, we’ve planned a 4 day medical camp at Bhadaure, a remote mountainous village in the Annapurna region. The village lacked basic medical facilities and only recently a basic health center setup was setup with support from WIN.

Bhadaure village is a rural community in Kaski (Annapurna Region). Unlike the surrounding areas around Bhadaure which have benefited from Tourism, Agricultural Development, etc, the village is away from the commercial trail and thus economically deprived. The locals don’t have accessible health care as the nearest hospital is an hour away and public transportation is non-existent. Currently a health post of sorts has been put in place with financial aid from WIN and employs a health assistant to treat minor ailments.

As such, the WIN Bhadaure Medical Clinic 2023 will greatly benefit the village and surrounding community as the the nearest hospital is almost 1.5 hours away.

After the medical camp, you can join the Ama Dablam Trek that takes you through beautiful Sherpa villages, and to the foot of the most beautiful mountain. Plus, the trek offers a great way to get acquainted with the lifestyle, culture and religion of Sherpas in Khumbu valley.

Mount Ama Dablam is considered as the most beautiful mountain in the Himalayas due to its its elegant shape and breathtaking glacier. During expedition season, the base camp is busy with helicopters and summiteers. The first ascent was by the famous Edmund Hillary Silver Hut Expedition in 1961.

The base camp offers a breathtaking 360-degree mountain panoramic view. But the trek doesn’t end here. You will detour through the Phortse and Khumjung. Phortse is known as the village of summiteers; the village has the highest number of Sherpa Everest Summiteers. Khumjung, on the other hand, has the only high school in the Khumbu region. The Shree Khumjung Secondary School was founded by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1961. The village monastery is said to house the only ‘Yeti scalp and skull’ available till date.

Keep Walking Nepal would be pleased to have you along on this adventure. The program as a whole introduces you to our country and way of life.

Trip Highlights

• Guided tour of UNESCO world heritage sites in Kathmandu
• Scenic scheduled return flights: Kathmandu - Pokhara - Kathmandu
• Volunteering at the Bhadaure 2023 Medical Camp
• Experience the culture, lifestyle and hospitality of the Sherpa people
• Scenic scheduled flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and Chartered Helicopter flight from Lukla to Kathmandu
• Explore Sherpa villages, monasteries and lush valleys with the spectacular view of the Himalayas

Trip Grade - Moderate to Hard

Trip Summary

• Day 1 :Arrive Kathmandu transfer to hotel Tibet and welcome dinner
• Day 2 :Guided half day tour of Kathmandu
• Day 3 :Fly to Pokhara (25 min) and drive to Bhadaure (1.5 hrs)
• Day 4- 7 :Volunteer at Medical Camp
• Day 8 :Drive to Pokhara. Rest of the day at leisure.
• Day 9 :Fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu (25 min). Rest of the day at leisure
• Day 10 :Flight to Lukla (2,820 m; 30 min). Trek to Phakding (2,610 m; 4 hrs).
• Day 11 :Trek to Monjo (2,900 m; 3 hrs)
• Day 12 :Trek to Namche (3,440 m; 7-8 hrs)
• Day 13 :Acclimatization day (Optional hike to Everest view hotel)
• Day 14 :Trek to Deboche (3,820 m; 6-7 hrs)
• Day 15 :Trek to Mingbo (4,530 m; 3-4 hrs)
• Day 16 :Explore Ama Dablam Base Camp (4,800 m); back track to Pangboche (3-4 hrs)
• Day 17 :Trek to Phortse (3,680 m; 4-5 hrs)
• Day 18 :Trek to Khumjung (3,790 m; 4-5 hrs)
• Day 19 :Trek to Monjo (2,900 m; 5-6 hrs)
• Day 20 :Trek to Lukla (2,840 m; 4-5 hrs)
• Day 21 :Fly to Kathmandu on a chartered Heli Flight
• Day 22 :Full day at leisure in Kathmandu. Farewell dinner in the evening.
• Day 23 :Departure: End of trip

Daily Movements

Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu transfer to hotel Tibet and welcome dinner

Our representative will pick you up at Kathmandu International Airport and drive you to your hotel. Depending upon what time you arrive, you can enjoy a full day at leisure and go on a welcome dinner with the KEEP WALKING FAMILY.

Look out for the KEEP WALKING NEPAL board behind the railing once you exit the airport terminal.

Overnight at Hotel Tibet (B, D)

 

Day 2: Guided half day tour of Kathmandu

After breakfast you will get to experience the 2 most important sanctuaries in Kathmandu Valley: Pashupatinath & Boudhanath. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight at Hotel Tibet (B)

 

Day 3: Fly to Pokhara (25 min) and drive to Bhadaure (1.5 hrs)

After breakfast, you will drive to Kathmandu airport for 25 min flights to Pokhara. Once at Pokhara, you will drive to Bhadaure village and catch up with the local team and crew.
You will then prepare for the medical camp in coordination with the Bhadaure Health Center, local villagers, and crew.

Overnight at Local Lodge or Tented Camp (B, L, D)

 

Day 4- 7: Volunteer at Medical Camp

You will engage in various activities at the medical camp.

Overnight at Local Lodge or Tented Camp (B, L, D)

 

 

Day 8: Drive to Pokhara. Rest of the day at leisure.

After breakfast you will drive to Pokhara. You have the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight at Lakeside Hotel (B)

 

Day 9: Fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu (25 min). Rest of the day at leisure

You will fly to Kathmandu late morning where you will have the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight at Hotel Tibet (B)

 

 

Day 10: Flight to Lukla (2,820 m; 30 min). Trek to Phakding (2,610 m; 4 hrs).

You will drive to Kathmandu domestic airport for an adventurous early morning 30 min scheduled flight to Lukla’s Tenzing Hillary Airport (2,800 m). In clear weather, you will be rewarded with the first glimpse of Everest.

Once out of Lukla, you will descend past small fields and cozy little wooden houses with vegetable gardens; all with a picturesque mountain backdrop. Along the way, in clear weather, one can catch views of the ice-covered 6,000 m high Kusum Kanguru.

Overnight at Local Lodge (B, L, D)

 

Day 11: Trek to Monjo (2,900 m; 3 hrs)

After breakfast, you will continue on the trail. It is a relatively short day as you cross suspension bridges over raging streams, past small hamlets and fields. Though the trail isn’t difficult, it is undulating – what we call the Nepali flat. You will reach Monjo for lunch.

Overnight at Local Lodge (B, L, D)

 

Day 12: Trek to Namche (3,440 m; 7-8 hrs)

Post breakfast, you will set about crossing suspension bridges and undulating terrain past traditional homes, plowed fields and forests.

As you climb slowly to the gate of Sagarmatha National Park, the snowy peak of Thamserku shows itself. After lunch, you will climb up to cross a suspension bridge over the Imja Gorge and tackle a steep hike to Namche Bazaar, the largest Sherpa village in the Khumbu region perched on the side of a hill.

On the way, if the weather is clear, you might even get the first view of the mighty Everest.

Overnight at Local Lodge (B, L, D)

 

Day 13: Acclimatization day (Optional hike to Everest view hotel)

An important rule for a successful trek is successful acclimatization. Following the mantra, you will spend a second night in Namche but visit higher grounds to adapt our body.

We suggest a hike early morning hike to the Everest View Hotel (3,880 m) and enjoy a breath-taking 360 panorama of Everest, Taboche, Thamserku, Kongde Ri and Ama Dablam.

Overnight at Local Lodge (B, L, D)

 

Day 14: Trek to Deboche (3,820 m; 6-7 hrs)

Leaving behind the bustling town of Namche, you will head east high above the raging Dudh Koshi river.

You will climb over open slopes, a few houses and sparse pine forest and then descend to the river again at Phunki Tenga to cross the Imja Khola. The trail now sharply ascends through mixed pine and juniper forest to Tengboche.

Tengboche monastery, largest in Khumbu, was completely destroyed by fire some decades ago but has been completely restored thanks to donations, especially from abroad. The double top view of Kongde Ri with the monastery in the front is picture-perfect. The monastery houses art, a large Buddha statue and musical instruments and robes of the Lama.

After a short rest, you will descend through Himalayan Birch, pine & juniper forest to the Deboche, your stop for the night.

Overnight at Local Lodge (B, L, D)

 

Day 15: Trek to Mingbo (4,530 m; 3-4 hrs)

After breakfast, you will continue on the trail towards Imja Khola which you will cross on a suspension bridge. On the other side, the view of Ama Dablam twin towering requires a moment to admire.

You continue to ascend towards Pangboche past mani stones inscribed with mantras, and after a short tea break leave the main trail in favor of isolated trails. The trail descends gently towards Imja Khola which you cross on a suspension bridge and climb for about 2 hours or so.
Just across the river you will hike through the forest that lead above the tree line to summer yak pastures and contour around the ridge lines of Kantega. Further ahead is the small settlement of Mingbo.

Mingbo sits high above the valley floor. At this altitude, with the clear air, and you can look across at the highest peaks, at their level, and only a few kilometers distant.

Overnight at Local Lodge (B, L, D)

 

Day 16: Explore Ama Dablam Base Camp (4,800 m); back track to Pangboche (3-4 hrs)

Today you will hike up the ridge high in a sheltered valley. You may see climbing expeditions on our arrival in the base camp as Ama Dablam is one of the world’s most beautiful mountains. It means “Mother’s necklace”; the long ridges on each side like the arms of a mother (Ama) protecting her child, and the hanging glacier thought of as the Dablam, the traditional double-pendant containing pictures of the gods, worn by Sherpa women.

You will have lunch at the Base Camp and retrace your steps back to Pangboche.

Overnight at Local Lodge (B, L, D)

 

Day 17: Trek to Phortse (3,680 m; 4-5 hrs)

You’ll start with a climb past the monastery in Upper Pangboche and then trek one of the most spectacular trails in all of the Everest region. It is the high trail to the less often visited village of Phortse (3800m) which is home to many Everest climbers.

The trail follows the side of the hill and climbs up and down often making steep ascents and descents on stone staircases some of which are quite steep. As you skirt the hill you can see the lodges of Deboche which you had passed a few days ago. This trail has brilliant views of Ama Dablam, Melangphulang, Kangtega, and Thamserku and to the north Everest and Lhotse as well.

The trail finally climbs to a small chorten from where the village of Phortse lies below. Keep an eye out as you pass through terraced fields that are home to a brightly colored pheasant, the Daphne Pheasant, the national bird of Nepal.

Phortse village is a maze of small walled lanes. It is one of the oldest villages in the Khumbu region. You can visit the Phortse Gompa at the top of the village

Overnight at Local Lodge (B, L, D)

 

Day 18: Trek to Khumjung (3,790 m; 4-5 hrs)

Initially, you follow the trail that drops sharply to the banks of the Dudh Koshi river. On the other side is the small settlement of Phunki Thenga. The trail then ascends to Mong La (4,000 m). The trail is frequented by trekkers either going to or returning from Gokyo.

After a scrumptious lunch at Mong la, with excellent views of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kusum Kanguru, Kongde Ri and Tawache peak to keep you company, you will descend to Khumjung village, the largest settlement in the Khumbu region.

The only high school founded by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1961 is definitely worth a visit. Also, don’t miss the mysterious Khumjung monastery where a Yeti scalp and skull are said to be “preserved”.

Overnight at Local Lodge (B, L, D)

 

Day 19: Trek to Monjo (2,900 m; 5-6 hrs)

It’s all downhill from here. You will hike directly down to Namche and after some rest retrace your steps back to Monjo.

Overnight at Local Lodge (B, L, D)

 

Day 20: Trek to Lukla (2,840 m; 4-5 hrs)

Backtracking to Lukla on the famous ‘Nepali Flats’, your journey in the homeland of the Sherpas will have come to an end. Alas, it’s your last day with your crew of Sherpas and porters, and rightfully calls for a celebration.

Overnight at Local Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 21: Fly to Kathmandu on a chartered Heli Flight

You will fly back to Kathmandu early morning after breakfast. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Note

• Chartered Helicopter flight from Lukla to Kathmandu require at least 4 group members
  (total capacity of a standard helicopter is 5 passengers; 4 guests and 1 guide).
• If the group size is less than 4 people; the total cost of the helicopter flight will be divided with the no of group members for equal division.
• Alternatively, smaller groups can also opt to fly in regular flights from Lukla to Kathmandu.

Overnight at Hotel Tibet (B)

 

Day 22: Full day at leisure in Kathmandu. Farewell dinner in the evening.

You will have the full day at your own leisure in Kathmandu. In the evening, we will get together to celebrate your trip with Keep Walking Nepal.

Overnight at Hotel Tibet (B, D)

 

Day 23: Departure: End of trip

Your journey comes to an end today. A Keep Walking Nepal will drop you to Tribhuwan International Airport for your flight back home.

(B)

Cost Includes:

Cost Excludes: