Nepal Tour 28 Nov - 11 Dec 2010

A fantastic response meant that the inaugural fund raising trip to Nepal had 20 people take part.

Chris Dickinson, Trust Chairman, Spean Bridge, Scotland
Sally Dickinson, Trust Treasurer, Spean Bridge, Scotland
Jackie Tomson, Trust Secretary, Norwich, England
Rebecca Vaughn, Norwich, England
Roddy & Maggie Glen, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Willie & Hazel Young, Dunoon, Scotland
Morna Knox, Strachur, Scotland
Brenda Grant, Corpach Scotland
Katherine Grant, Roy Bridge, Scotland
Nigel & Lisa Ginniff, Bolton, England
Keith & Pat Hamilton, Saskatoon, Canada
Craig Hamilton, Saskatoon, Canada
Kyle Hamilton, Fernie, B.C., Canada
Oleg & Olga Kuzmichev, St Petersburg, Russia

Just a matter of days before the trip started, Candace Wilson from Toronto had to pull out after falling from a camel in Jordan and suffering back injuries. We all wish her well in her recovery.


The trip convened in Bhaktapur, a medieval city SE of Kathmandu. We spent two nights there, enjoying the car free environment and wonderful buildings and temples.

Welcome to Bhaktapur.................... woof!

Sally, Keith and Craig at breakfast at Hotel Sweet Home.

Day two, taking a tour into Patan and Kathmandu.

We visited the holy Hindu site of Pashupatinath

.......and the largest Bhuddist Stupa in Nepal at Boudinath, before heading into Thamel for shopping and a spectacular meal and culture programme in the evening.

Next day we filled an entire plane en route to Pokhara and Hotel Holiday at damside.

In the afternoon we trekked up to the Peace Stupa above Phewa Tal with great views to the Annapurna Range.

Machapuchare, known as the "fishtail" takes centre stage. We returned across the lake by boat.

Next day was cycling day for some and local sights tour for non-cyclists.

Next day we headed east and then south towards the Kali Gandaki River and the Mahabharat Mountain Range. This range is the southernmost significant mountain range in Nepal. Taken by jeeps as far as the Kali Gandaki, we started a tent based trek.

Crossing the Kali Gandaki next morning by a monumental suspension footbridge.

Our porters crossing a side stream.

The party is greeted at a school en route to Arkala.

Wonderful views north to the Himalayas as we climb towards the ridge of the Mahabharat.


Finally the route traversed along and across the crest of the Mahabharat.

A fine evening view from near our "base camp" below Devchuli Peak.

Climbing up to Devchuli Peak with amazing views of Fishtail and Annapurna.

The unequalled panorama from Devchuli summit, highest point in the western Mahabharat.

The viewing tower on the summit of Devchuli peak.

On the descent. We finally descended steeply, the south side of the Mahabharat Range to the village of Kirtipur, passing this extraordinary tree..........................

..............................................and then on towards Pragatinagar, where we were met by Oleg and Olga who had just travelled by catamaran down the length of the Sun Kosi River.

We received a rapturous welcome at Milijuli School where we are helping to fund a new building to replace the existing bamboo and grass structure.

Perfectly turned out young students at Milijuli (above) and proud students at Surya Kiran Primary School (below), seated on furniture funded last year by Nepal Schools Trust, made from wood from the community forest and crafted by a local carpenter.


After our stay in Devchuli and Pragatinagar, areas where the Trust works with schools, we moved to Chitwan National Park where we stayed at Unique Wild Resort. Highlights were the canoe safari where we saw about six crocodiles and a multitude of beautiful birds including wild peacocks.............................


..............and the elephant safari, four to an elephant............ a perfect platform from which to see the wildlife of Chitwan, especially the Rhinos


Bath time for the elephants, against the backdrop of Manaslu.

En route back to Kathmandu, we took to the wild waters of the Trisuli River.

Before long we were plunging through wavetrains and holes

........and getting thoroughly immersed in it all!!

The final day of the trip was a "rest day" and nine of the group took a mountain flight to see Everest.
A view of the highest peak on earth from our small plane.

The trip rounded off with a final meal in Bhaktapur, before folks went their separate ways.
Many many thanks to all the participants. The contributions that were raised for Nepal Schools Trust as a result were in the region of £5,000, a wonderful addition to funds for schools projects.