Explore the rich culture and stunning landscapes of Nepal through epic Himalayan treks, village homestays, and hands-on wildlife and community projects. This immersive program blends adventure with cultural learning, from trekking to Annapurna Base Camp to practicing ancient meditation and volunteering in mountain communities.
Locations
Kathmandu
Pokhara
Annapurna
Best Time To Go
Autumn (March to May) - Best for trekking and flowers
Spring (late September to November) - Most popular and stable weather
Programs
Leadership
Service Learning
Curriculum & Faculty Led
School expeditions
Location Overview
This location offers students a transformative global experience. We believe in empowering students through leadership opportunities in a non-prescribed approach to expeditionary travel, allowing them to discover their potential and develop crucial life skills in a real-world context.
Discover the breathtaking beauty and deep cultural heritage of Nepal through an immersive journey that blends adventure, connection, and learning. From trekking to Annapurna Base Camp beneath towering Himalayan peaks to living in remote villages, this location offers a unique window into Nepali life. Students will engage directly with local communities through meaningful service-learning projects, experience traditional homestays, and explore the spiritual depth of the region through visits to Buddhist monasteries and ancient temples. Along the way, they’ll gain insight into Nepal’s rich history, diverse wildlife, and resilient culture.
Beyond the stunning landscapes, Nepal encourages personal growth through hands-on experiences like wildlife conservation work and daily reflection. Students will learn traditional Nepali cooking, practice meditation techniques rooted in Buddhist teachings, and engage with one of the world’s friendliest and most welcoming cultures. Whether hiking through serene mountain trails or working alongside villagers on grassroots projects, students return with a deeper appreciation of the world, a broadened global perspective, and lasting memories of life in the heart of the Himalayas.
Program Components & Highlights
Service Learning
- Organic permaculture farmstay in hill country Nepal
- Homestay in mountain villages immersing in the rich Nepalese culture
Outdoor Adventure
- Exploration of Pokhara surrounded by the peaks of the Himalayas
- Multi day Trek to Annapurna base-camp, immersed deep in the Himalayas
Cultural Immersion
- Traditional yoga and meditation retreat
Personal Development
- Become a global citizen with a global perspective on environmental issues
- Work confidently and collaboratively with others
- Learn to use yoga, meditation, chanting and sound vibrations as tools to relax your mind and body
- Transfer the applicable learning activities to benefit both school and personal life
Our Process
From the initial program launch and student registration, through to comprehensive pre-departure training and on-the-ground administration, Unearthed Education provides comprehensive and in-person support to students, parents, and school leaders.
FAQs
What is the accommodation like?
Accommodation is diverse, comfortable and carefully chosen to fit our needs. Our accommodation will be a mixture of comfortable and clean hotels, simple trekking lodges; village homestays (in pairs/small groups); and some nights of camping (tents supplied). Laundry and Wi-Fi will be available intermittently but is not accessible at all times throughout the program.
What are the meals like?
The traditional food of Nepal is Dal Bhat - essentially a lentil curry and rice. You’ll find this at every tea house and is often accompanied with achar (pickle), various cooked vegetables, chapati bread and chili.
While up in the mountain areas, refrigeration is scarce and consequently many people choose to eat vegetarian for food safety reasons. The lack of refrigeration also means that dairy foods are rare. As you ascend higher into the mountains, variety reduces and food becomes more expensive.
Will there be Porters for the trek?
Yes there will be porters on the trek - it will be a fully supported, teahouse trek, so students will just have to carry a daypack (we recommend 20-30lt), with their camera, snacks, waterbottle, first aid and extra layers.
Can my child attend with their sibling or friend?
Yes, they can. We encourage every student to build non-exclusive relationships and connections with the rest of the group so it will be important for your child to be open-minded in their approach to the social dynamic of the group if participating with a friend or sibling.
What is included in the program price?
All accommodation, food, instructors, group equipment, technical gear, transport during program, activities and experiences are included.
What activities are included?
Students on our Nepal program can expect to experience multi-day trekking, overnight hiking/camping, rafting, and more.
What will my teen learn/gain from doing this program?
The overarching themes for these development programs are leadership, self-sufficiency and independence, and connection to self, others, and the environment. These themes will be woven through each activity and our highly skilled instructors will facilitate a meaningful and impactful progression through reflection, group discussions, adventure-based learning, games and journaling. Depending on the time of year, your teen will learn a variety of skills in bush navigation and survival, camp craft and river safety skills, rock climbing and belaying, kayaking, abseiling, knot tying, cooking in a kitchen and over an open fire, just to name a few!
How do you manage the behaviour of students on this program?
Our instructors are highly skilled and experienced in managing group dynamics and behaviour, and will work hard with each teen and the group as a whole to create a positive team culture. If a student is behaving inappropriately or their actions jeopardise the emotional, mental or physical safety of themselves or others, our instructors will be supported by the Unearthed Education management team to facilitate a behaviour management plan that supports the student to change their behaviour. If the behaviour requirements are still not being met, the parent may be asked to assist Unearthed Education in removing their child from the program.
Do I need to be outdoorsy to do this program?
To maximize your enjoyment of the program, we suggest you begin a fitness program several months before departure. As a guideline, prior to the trip, at a minimum, you should be able to comfortably hike with a day-pack for up to eight hours.