DATES: 19 TO 30 APRIL AND 10 TO 21 OCT 2019 Imagine yourself walking through one of the most beautiful mountain landscapes in the world, the Mt. Everest region of Nepal. Now imagine yourself working hand in hand with the local Sherpa people building a safe drinking water system in the Junbesi School Hostel for the students and teachers. The current system does not provide safe drinking water and increases the risk of sickness. The school committee, teachers, students and heads of the local community determined that safe drinking water was a high priority and a long-term solution needed. The safe drinking water project was developed. Striving to deliver improved health outcomes in the local community, Ang Tshering from Keep Walking Nepal (KWN) is inviting you to volunteer and work with the local community to construct their safe drinking water project. After completing the three-day project, KWN will oganise a friendly social four-day trek for participants. This trekking tour will employ graduates from Junbesi High School (to provide trekking experience for the local village youth) so that they may generate income to support their continued education. On a personal note, you as part of our volunteering family will gain first-hand knowledge into the unique natural systems and cultural practices of the local area. You will explore remarkable mountain views not normally experienced by other tourist groups and walk through remote and rarely visited isolated monasteries while on trek. This community safe drinking water project and employment option for graduating students, provides you with an opportunity to trek, explore and give back to the mountain environment we have all grown so fond of. Keep Walking Nepal cordially invites you to join us on this community project.
On the trek and during the safe drinking water project work, all accommodation and food is provided. During your stay in Junbesi and along the trek you will be accommodated in tents and supported by KWN staff. For more information, please contact Ang Tshering Sherpa at Keep Walking Nepal angsherpa@keepwalkingnepal.com. Trek Highlight Scenic flight Kathmandu to Phaplu and return Current Drinking water situation at Junbesi School Hostel Walk through beautiful rhododendron & pine forest observing rare wild animals & birds, Explore Sherpa villages, Monasteries & lush valleys with spectacular views of the Himalayas Amazing view of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Amadablam, Thamserku 3 days community project with locals Experience highland Sherpa people s lifestyle and their unique cultural hospitality Trip Grade: Introductory to moderate level Daily movements Your group leader will meet you at the airport and transfer to your hotel where there will be a short arrival briefing and then trek briefing at 5 pm. At this time your group leader will distribute sleeping bag, down jacket and kit bag. Evening meal with the Keep Walking Nepal family. A social trek to Junbesi village begins with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Phaplu then drive to Junbesi, a beautiful Sherpa village which lies on the original trekking route to Mount Everest - the first part of the route that the 1953 expedition team including Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay took on the way to their epic climb atop Everest for the first time.
The drive to Junbesi takes you through a few small villages. You will be completely mesmerized by the colorful houses and the views across the valley. Arrival at Junbesi at lunch time. Stay overnight in tents. Over the 3 days you will be supported by local carpenters during construction work. On the first day you will be cordially welcomed by the local Sherpa community and entertained with a cultural program. At the end of the final work day, there will be opportunity to experience dancing with local residents and taste the local beverages Today you will be walking up to Thuptengcholing monastery a larger number of Tibetan settlement and visit medical center. Overnight at camp After breakfast we make our way through vibrant rhododendrons, whispering pines and ancient bamboo forests laden with waterfalls and streams. We will take a lunch break at the half way point and follow the wide trail ascending east through juniper woods past some rectangular Mani walls to Taksindu village where we stay overnight at a lodge run by a local Sherpa family. During the trek you will find villagers of the entire area are welcoming and friendly. Gradually uphill you reach Takshindu ridge and after that trails follows the ridge though the forest of pine and rhododendron with views of mountains. Today we have a pack lunch as there are no water available so make sure you have enough water for the day. Overnight at camp Wake up early and walk to view point 10 to 15 minutes. Returning for breakfast we will then walk down to Phaplu. This is the last night with the full crew of porters and Sherpa guides, cook and kitchen staff and a time to celebrate with a meal together and distribute your tips to staff. Return flight to Kathmandu, and a rest of day at leisure before joining again for an evening meal. Current Drinking water source
In Kathmandu free leisure day Journey formally concludes after breakfast with transportation to the airport, unless other arrangements have been Cost per person: US$ 2585 ( joining Kathmandu) Cost Includes: Airport pick up and drop off by private vehicle as per the itinerary. Accommodation in hotel at Kathmandu, including breakfast on twin share basis Flight Kathmandu to Phaplu and return. Transport Phaplu to Junbesi Accommodation in tents during the trek on twin share basis. All Meals (i.e. breakfast, lunch & dinner while trekking when not in Kathmandu) Dinner day 1 and day 13 included in Kathmandu. Highly experienced local trek leader and Sherpa porters. Trekker's Information Management System (TIMS) permit fees. Sagarmatha (i.e. Mt Everest) National Park entrance permit and fees. Use of and access to a First Aid medical kit by trained and certified staff (if you require first aid assistance) All trek camping and kitchen equipment, including Duffle Bag Sleeping bag Down Jacket Service Excludes: Other meals other than what has been described above. International airfares. Nepal entry visa fee Rescue & travel insurance. Items of a personal nature Alcoholic drinks, hot shower, cold drinks, laundry, phone call, and internet. Tips (average daily rate is USD 8 to 9 per person per day) Students from Deakin University Melbourne, Australia working on drinking water project at Phongmoche Buddhist school in Oct 2018
Sherpa People The best known and admired of all of Nepal s ethnic groups, the Sherpa migrated to the high valleys south of Mt Everest from eastern Tibet about 450 years ago. Their Tibetan origins are reflected in their language, customs and religion. Our staff and crew will all be local Sherpa people from Solukhumbu, the valley adjacent to the Everest region. The walk is in their back yard, so the many questions about the land and its people can be answered promptly and accurately. The Sherpa people were originally employed by the first mountaineers attempting to climb Mount Everest. It is from the courage and strength of these local people that the name Sherpa has been collectively adopted and used to describe a climbing guide working across Nepal.