Mountain biking, wall climbing, white-water rafting, a beach camp and a village stay at Balthali in eight action-packed days.
Price on request
This is an action-packed, thrilling itinerary that lets students fully immerse themselves in the activities. From wall climbing to mountain biking and from rafting to trekking, students face physical challenges that develop key team skills.
Along the way they learn a great deal about the culture and landscape of Nepal through experience: Boudhanath and Swayambhunath in Kathmandu, a night at a riverside beach camp, the walk to the village of Balthali, and a full day visiting local schools.
Sleeping altitude, walking time, meals and lodging for every day.
School Adventure Package: day by day
8 days
On arrival in Kathmandu we transfer to the hotel. Once students have been allocated their rooms and checked in, there is a short briefing on what everyone can expect from the trip: the conduct expected of students, what they can expect from their leaders, and a detailed outline of the week's activities. Dinner and evening activities follow.
After breakfast we drive to the start of the mountain-biking route. The full route normally takes around five hours, but we keep time back for sightseeing. Students learn about the importance of planning and preparation for an expedition, and about the technical side of mountain biking; lunch is a group picnic. After the ride we drive to Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world, then return to the hotel, with free time until dinner.
After breakfast we walk to the climbing wall. After a short briefing students start with bouldering practice and then move on to climbing, pushing their limits on walls of different grades. Lunch follows the climbing session, then we transfer to Swayambhunath, the Monkey Temple. After sightseeing we drive back to the hotel to freshen up, with free time until dinner.
After breakfast we drive for around three hours to the rafting location. After a half-hour briefing on safety and key points we start rafting. The start point may vary with the weather and the state of the river on the day, but wherever we start, we begin with small rapids and build up to bigger ones. At the camp tents are allocated, and the time is free until dinner.
After breakfast we drive to Dhulikhel, where we begin the walk to Balthali. The walk introduces students to Himalayan nature and culture and to the lifestyles of local communities. There is a lot of ground to cover, so the teams work hard to motivate each other and push their boundaries. It is a good physical challenge for everyone, and it ends in Balthali, where the team can reflect on the day's achievements.
After an early breakfast students take part in a cultural exchange, visiting different schools in the local community throughout the day. They join in activities such as teaching, playing games with local children and community service work. Over dinner there is a discussion and reflection on the visits to the schools and the village, drawing on the comparisons between the local students and themselves.
After breakfast we walk to Sunthan and return to Kathmandu by bus. After checking in at the hotel, students can visit the shops of colourful Thamel, guided by our representative or instructors, to buy souvenirs of their journey for their families.
Free until the transfer to Kathmandu's international airport for departure.
In the price on this page
Budget for these separately
The full breakdown, the kit list and the insurance requirement are sent to you before any deposit.
Request the leader packWhat each student should pack for this programme.
Swimwear and a quick-dry towelFor the rafting day
Spare clothes in a dry bag
Sunglasses with a strap
Quick-dry T-shirts and trekking trousersNo jeans on the trail
Fleece or warm mid layer
Waterproof jacketShowers are common in spring and autumn
Sun hat and a warm hat
Underwear and socks for every day
Broken-in walking boots or trail shoes
Sandals or trainers for the evenings
Daypack, 25 to 35 litresWith a rain cover
Water bottle, 1 litre or more
Personal medicationWith a copy of the prescription
Sunscreen and lip balm
Hand sanitiser
Insect repellent
Passport valid for six months
Two passport photographsFor the visa and any permits
Copy of your travel insurance
Shot on this trail by our guides and the groups who walked it.
The gilded spire of Swayambhunath stupa in Kathmandu hung with prayer flagsStudents climbing a rocky hillside path on the way to Balthali, one carrying a red first-aid bag
Green terraced fields and a small village on a hillside in evening light
A school group in matching blue jackets walking single file along a grassy pathIt depends on the weather and the state of the river on the day. Wherever we put in, there is a half-hour briefing on safety and key points first, and we begin with small rapids before building up to bigger ones.
Students visit different schools in the local community throughout the day and join in teaching, games with local children and community service work. The day ends with a discussion and reflection over dinner.
Two short walking days: about two hours from Dhulikhel to Balthali on day 5, and a walk from Balthali to Sunthan on day 7 before the bus back to Kathmandu.
Still deciding? The people who answer are the people who run the trek. Ask us anything: fitness, insurance, kit, or whether your dates are a sensible idea.
Message a trek specialistThe same care and paperwork, at a different length and pace.
D of E GoldModerateModerate5–6 hours a day · 3,500–4,500 mLonger days with real ascent, and at least one acclimatisation day built in. Some training helps; hill walking most weekends for two months is enough.7 days · Kathmandu Valley rim, Nepal
Price on request
D of E SilverModerateModerate5–6 hours a day · 3,500–4,500 mLonger days with real ascent, and at least one acclimatisation day built in. Some training helps; hill walking most weekends for two months is enough.6 days · Kathmandu Valley rim, Nepal
Price on request
ModerateModerate5–6 hours a day · 3,500–4,500 mLonger days with real ascent, and at least one acclimatisation day built in. Some training helps; hill walking most weekends for two months is enough.
EasyEasy4–5 hours a day · Below 3,500 mWell-made trails, teahouses close together, and nothing that needs a head for heights. Anyone who walks regularly at home will be comfortable.
ChallengingChallenging6–7 hours a day · 4,500–5,600 mConsecutive days at altitude, cold nights and a pre-dawn start or two. You need to arrive fit rather than plan to get fit on the trail.We reply with a costed plan for your group.
At least one adult for every eight students. Every leader and guide holds a first aid qualification.
Yes. Our itineraries are flexible and are shaped to the students' needs and the school's requirements.
Yes. We arrange charity treks and community projects with schools, orphanages and villages, from fundraising to building, painting, farming and cleaning.
Price on request
8 days
