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 Annapurna Dhaulagiri Trek. Also known as the Khopra Trek, the Annapurna Dhaulagiri trek is an off-the-beaten trails in Nepal. The rich diversity of natural beauty, culture, and adventure is a fit combination for the wandering souls who want to experience the rural lifestyle of Nepal.

On the Annapurna Dhaulagiri trek, you will initially follow the popular route from Landruk till Tadapani and then head north as you pass through quiet forests of rhododendron, oaks and firs. As you tread deeper, you will arrive into rolling valleys of budding colourful rural villages. From Tadapani till Swantha, accommodation and services are quite basic at community operated lodges.
The highlight of the trek is the panoramic view from the Khopra Ridge; 22 mountains out of which 2 are amongst the 14 highest mountains in the world – Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. Plus, the view of the Kali Gandaki Gorge is breathtaking. If you are lucky, you might even get to walk above a bed of clouds while the sun sets far away.

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
• Panoramic view of 22 big mountains from Khopra Ridge including Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massif
• Off-the-beaten-path trail
• Beautiful Gurung and Magar villages and their unique distinctive cultures

Trip Grade - Moderate

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 Kande (1 hr) and trek to Australian Camp (2 hrs; 2,060 m)
• Day 9 :Trek from Australian Camp to Landruk (5 hrs; 1,640 m)
• Day 10 :Trek from Landruk to Ghandruk (4-5 hrs; 2,050 m)
• Day 11 :Trek from Ghandruk to Tadapani (4 hrs; 2,650 m)
• Day 12 :Trek from Tadapani to Bayali Kharka (5-6 hrs; 3,420 m)
• Day 13 :Trek from Bayali Kharka to Chistibung (3-4 hrs; 3,100 m)
• Day 14 :Trek from Chistibung to Kopra Danda (2 hrs; 3,660 m)
• Day 15 :Khopra ridge and gorge walk, and trek back to Chistibung (2 hrs; 3,100 m)
• Day 16 :Trek from Chistibung to Swantha (5-6 hrs; 2,400 m)
• Day 17 :Trek from Swantha to Ghorepani (4-5 hrs; 2,874 m)
• Day 18 :Trek from Ghorepani to Hike (5-6 hrs; 1,950 m)
• Day 19 :Drive from Hile to Pokhara on a 4x4 (2.5 hrs; 52 km)
• Day 20 :Fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu (25 min). Rest of the day at leisure
• Day 21 :Full day at leisure in Kathmandu.
• Day 22 :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 Kande (1 hr) and trek to Australian Camp (2 hrs; 2,060 m)

After lunch, you will drive to Kande and then hike to Australian Camp. The hike is rewarding as you traverse pass through paddy fields, forest, and suspension bridge with views of the Annapurna Massif and Machhapuchhre in the distant.

Overnight at Local Lodge (B, L, D)

 

Day 9: Trek from Australian Camp to Landruk (5 hrs; 1,640 m)

After a stunning mountain sunrise looking at Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre, you will follow the trails ascending towards Pothana with occasional descends through the forest and small village settlements.
You will pass the village of Tolka and Beri Kharka superb views of the Annapurna South. The trail then descends through scattered forests and villages to the Gurung village of Landruk.

Overnight at Local Lodge (B, L, D)

 

 

Day 10: Trek from Landruk to Ghandruk (4-5 hrs; 2,050 m)

The village of Ghandruk is visible just across the valley from Landruk.

Then, the trail begins with a steep descent towards the Modi Khola (river) for about an hour, followed by a steep ascent of 2-3 hours through scattered villages to Ghandruk, with great views of the Himalaya en-route.

Ghandruk is one of the largest Gurung settlements in western Nepal with great views of Gangapurna, Machhapuchhre and Annapurna.

Overnight at Local Lodge (B, L, D)

 

Day 11: Trek from Ghandruk to Tadapani (4 hrs; 2,650 m)

In the morning you can visit the local medical clinic and museum.

The trail is mainly stone stairway until the exit of Ghandruk followed by a mix of stone stairs and forest trail until a bridge. After the bridge, the trail ascends on a steep stone stair to Bhaisi Kharka (buffalo pasture) and then an easy forest trail till Tadapani.

Overnight at Local Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 12: Trek from Tadapani to Bayali Kharka (5-6 hrs; 3,420 m)

After breakfast; you will take the off-the-beaten trail as you ascend through oak and rhododendron forest to the ridge line for stunning views of Annapurna South and Himchuli.

The landscape changes dramatically as you climb through lush rhododendron forest and water buffalo pastures and above the tree line for grand views of the Annapurna range.
After lunch break, you will continue to Bayali Kharka where view of Dhaulagiri awaits you.

Overnight at Local Lodge (B, L, D)

 

Day 13: Trek from Bayali Kharka to Chistibung (3-4 hrs; 3,100 m)

During the first-leg of the hike, the trail descends through open flats and forests to the pastures of Lower Chistibung.

The trail then gradually ascends to Upper Chistibung, a temporary herder’s settlement. If you are lucky, along the way, you might see the colorful Danphe (the national bird of Nepal) and the Himalayan Thar on the grassy ridge high above the trail.

Overnight at Local Lodge (B, L, D)

 

Day 14: Trek from Chistibung to Kopra Danda (2 hrs; 3,660 m)

Get ready for a steady climb above the tree line through alpine meadows and pastures to Khopra Ridge.

From Chistibung, the trail ascends 2 hours to ascend above the tree-line to the ridge at Khopra. The top offers a full view of Dhaulagiri, Damphus Peak, Tukuche Peak, Nilgiri, Annapurna 1, Annapurna South, while a short hike along the ridge offers a peek into the depths of the Kali Gandaki Gorge.

Overnight at Local Lodge (B, L, D)

 

Day 15: Khopra ridge and gorge walk, and trek back to Chistibung (2 hrs; 3,100 m)

It is the highest point of the trek. The views on the way change constantly as you climb around the valley.

You will have plenty of time to take in the views back down the valleys before heading to Chistibung.

Overnight at Local Lodge (B, L, D)

 

Day 16: Trek from Chistibung to Swantha (5-6 hrs; 2,400 m)

After some breakfast you will descend through a forest of rhododendron, maple and oak trees towards Swantha. The small village lies on a gentle hill slope surrounded by paddy and potato fields while overlooking the Dhaulagiri range.

Overnight at Local Lodge (B, L, D)

 

Day 17: Trek from Swantha to Ghorepani (4-5 hrs; 2,874 m)

You will descend through the paddy fields to the Modi Khola river. Once across the river, you will head upwards to the village of Chittre, where you will join the main trekking trail.

From Chittre, the trail ascends on stone steps to Ghorepani. Ghorepani means “Horse Water” in local dialect and was the watering hole for caravans journeying through the ancient Tibet trade route.

Overnight at Local Lodge (B, L, D)

 

Day 18: Trek from Ghorepani to Hike (5-6 hrs; 1,950 m)

Today you will be walking mostly downhill through oak and rhododendron forest to the village of Ulleri. After lunch, you will descend further down to Hile.

Overnight at Local Lodge (B, L, D)

 

Day 19: Drive from Hile to Pokhara on a 4x4 (2.5 hrs; 52 km)

After breakfast, you will drive on a 4×4 to Pokhara where you have the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight at Lakeside Hotel (B)

 

Day 20: 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 21: Full day at leisure in Kathmandu.

You have the whole day at leisure. In the evening we will organize a dinner party to commemorate your successful tour. In the evening, we will get together for a group dinner celebrating your visit to Nepal.

Overnight at Hotel Tibet (B, D)

 

Day 22: 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:

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