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 Junbesi Experience trek for an introduction of the Sherpas, their culture and way of life. The Sherpa people migrated from eastern Tibet about 450 years ago and are now the backbone of Himalayan expeditions. It is from the courage and strength of these local people that the name ‘Sherpa’ has been collectively adopted to describe a climbing guide in Nepal.

The Junbesi Experience is a short trek but very much close to home. Keep Walking Nepal’s chairman, Ang Tshering Sherpa, was born and raised in this tiny village and the first WIN projects were started here – some of which are still in operation.

The trip begins with a scenic chartered helicopter flight to Junbesi that offers an awe-inspiring view of the Himalaya range, including Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Kantenga. Along the trail, you will get to experience the culture and hospitality of the small villages, know the people better and enjoy the views on the trail.

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
Visit the famous Thupten Cholinng Monastery
Scenic Chartered Helicopter flight from Kathmandu to Junbesi and Phaplu to Kathmandu
Explore Sherpa villages, monasteries and lush valleys with the spectacular view of the Himalayas

Trip Grade - Easy

Fixed Departures

Departure	Return	Price (Inc. Tax)	Dept Status
30 Sep 2023	15 Oct 2023	$2650 USD	Available	Book Now

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 :Chartered Helicopter flight to Junbesi. Explore village in the afternoon.
Day 11 :Excursion to Selo and Junbesi Monastery & Thupten Choling Monasteyr (6hrs)
Day 12 :Trek to Ringmo (2900m; 5-6 hrs)
Day 13 :Drive to Phaplu (45 min)
Day 14 :Chartered Helicopter flight to Kathmandu (45 min)
Day 15 :Full day at leisure in Kathmandu. Farewell dinner in the evening.
Day 16 :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: Chartered Helicopter flight to Junbesi. Explore village in the afternoon.

You will drive to Kathmandu domestic airport for an adventurous 45 min helicopter ride to Junbesi village (2,700 m). The scenic flight offers an awe-inspiring view of the Himalaya range, including Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Kantenga.

At Junbesi, you meet the locals and explore the village in the afternoon.

Note

Chartered Helicopter flight from Kathmandu to Junbesi 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.

Overnight at Local Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 11: Excursion to Selo and Junbesi Monastery & Thupten Choling Monasteyr (6hrs)

After breakfast and some rest, you will visit the 17th century Tashi Thongmen monastery which houses a six meter tall statue of Lord Buddha along with the precious collections of sacred scriptures. You will also visit the Selo monastery which focuses more on teaching children Buddhism than practicing.

After lunch, you will visit the Thupten Choling Monastery. The trail passes through fields and houses, and trail gradually ascends into the cool shade of pine and rhododendron forest just above the Junbesi river. After crossing the river on a suspension bridge, the trail further gradually ascends all the way to Thupten Choling Monastery, the largest in the region where almost 80% are Tibetan refugee monks and nuns.

Overnight at Local Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 12: Trek to Ringmo (2900m; 5-6 hrs)

You will descend down through the village to cross the stream at the bottom of the valley, and take the higher trail for a short yet steep ascent through a pine forest.

The trail then gradually ascends high up above the valley, until it reaches the point where it meets another valley at the tiny village of Phurteng (2,698m). It’s great spot for lunch with views of Mera, Kantega Thamserku, and Mount Everest.

You will descend back to the river and gear up for a steep climb up to the tranquil village of Ringmo, famous for its apple and Kiwi orchards.
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: Drive to Phaplu (45 min)

From Ringmo, you will drive on a dirt road to Phaplu along the scenic mountain road.

This is the last night with the full crew of porters and Sherpa guides, cook and kitchen and a time to celebrate with a meal together and distribute the tipping for them.

Overnight at Local Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 14: Chartered Helicopter flight to Kathmandu (45 min)

You will fly back to Kathmandu and have the rest of the day at leisure.

Note

Chartered Helicopter flight from Phaplu 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.

Overnight at Hotel Tibet (B)

Day 15: 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 16: 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 - US $ 2650 (joining Kathmandu)

(Single Supplement: additional US $ )

Cost Includes:

Airport pick up and drop off by private vehicle as per the itinerary.
All local transportation as per itinerary
Guided half day tour in Kathmandu
Twin sharing accommodation at Hotel Tibet in Kathmandu & at hotel in Pokhara
Twin sharing accommodation at the medical camp either in lodge or tent
Twin sharing accommodation on the trek at local lodges
Meals as specified in the above itinerary
Domestic flight tickets for Kathmandu – Pokhara – Kathmandu
Chartered helicopter flights from Kathmandu to Junbesi and Phaplu to Kathmandu per details below;
- Please note that chartered helicopter flight requires 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; the total cost of the helicopter flight will be divided with the no of passengers for equal division.
Experienced local crew and cultural guide.
All permits & entrance fees as per program (unless mentioned otherwise)
Use of and access to a First Aid medical kit by trained and certified staff (if you require first aid assistance)
Duffle Bag, Sleeping bag, Down Jacket