Nepal is a landlocked country set between the plains of northern India and the high plateau of southern Tibet. Within the small area of Nepal there is the greatest range of altitude on earth, ranging from the Terai, only 100m above sea level, to the summit of Mount Everest at 8,848m. Often a visitor’s overriding goal is to see the mountains, but to exclude the people, flowers, birds and wildlife from the experience is to miss the essence of the country.

The capital and only major city in Nepal is Kathmandu, the ultimate travellers’ crossroads. A huge trekking station, its entire existence and infrastructure is due to the continued comings and goings of foreigners anxious to experience everything from a taste of Eastern culture to climbing the world’s highest mountain.

Nepal is predominantly Hindu although there are Buddhist pockets in the north and the main language is Nepali. However, in more touristy areas such as the larger towns, many Nepalese do speak English. Nepal is a culturally rich destination, colourful religious festivals occur virtually all year round and the expedition is almost certain to coincide with at least one.

Due to the mountainous terrain Nepal is very much a trekking-based destination and would suit teams looking for a physical challenge. Although trekking in July and August will be during monsoon season when rainfall is unpredictable, views can still be spectacular.

The Expedition Programme Manager for Nepal will agree a suitable expedition itinerary for you, to best match the abilities and aspirations of your team. Some possible expedition objectives are given below, please note these may alter between now and 2009.

Main Trekking phase
There are no short acclimatisation phases in Nepal as teams will embark on one long trek, starting at lower altitude and reaching a maximum height of approximately 5,500m. There are two trek options available:

Annapurna Region
The Annapurna massif lies in the centre of Nepal and north of the town of Pokhara which is an 8-hour bus journey along one of Nepal’s few roads. The Annapurna Circuit trek is basically a circular trek around a group of mountains, the highest of which is Annapurna at 8,091m. The highest point on the trek itself is the Thorung La Pass at 5416m. The trek includes a great blend of culture, breathtaking scenery and challenges -typically this trek will take around 18 - 20 days.

Langtang Region
Langtang offers more of a valley trek right in amongst some great Himalayan peaks. This is a mixed trek at a slightly lower altitude than the Annapurna but still reaching altitudes of about 4,500m, enabling the team to also attempt the summit of Kyanjin Ri at 4,773 m. The views, weather permitting, are exceptional but this is a less travelled area and is popular for those wanting to experience a more cultural trek. The Langtang Valley trek will typically take 15 - 17 days.

Projects
The majority of projects in Nepal are community-based and could involve tasks such as tree planting, digging irrigation ditches, renovating playgrounds or painting schools. The project phase offers Challengers a wonderful opportunity to mix with the extremely friendly local people.

Rest and Relaxation
There are many fascinating sites in Kathmandu to visit such as Durbar Square or the Monkey Temple and of course there is lots of shopping in the tourist area of Thamel. Teams can also relax on the lakeshores of sleepy Pokhara.