In the April holidays thirty-two Wilderness girls had a once in a lifetime trip to Nepal. Our three-week journey started with a total fifteen hours of flying to the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu. There we experienced our first taste of the vibrant Nepalese culture.

We visited the Pashupattinath temple and the Bhuddha Stuppa, both of which were eye opening experiences into Nepalese tradition. Two days later we began trekking throughout the Annapurna region, beginning in Dhampus. We trekked for fourteen days, spending anywhere between 3-7 hours a day walking.

The scenery ranged from luscious forests full of Rhododendron trees, to breathtaking cliffside views, to peaceful rivers at the mountain’s base. When we weren’t hiking, we spent our time connecting with each other through card games and book clubs. We were treated to delicious meals by the World Expeditions porter staff that travelled with us, making the experience as comfortable as it possibly could be. At the end of each day we would spend the night in a range of accommodations including secluded lodges in small villages, or tents posted in stunning clearings or with cliffside views.

Though the walking could be steep, slippery and at times taxing, it was made worth it when we reached our final destination of Bhadure. Walking into Bhadure we were welcomed by a grand procession with music and dancing. We walked with the village who gifted us with flower wreaths and bouquets. Making friends with the school children was an amazingly rewarding experience.

We connected over three days where we visited the boarding school and played games and did arts and crafts with the girls. On our final day in Bhadure, we were taken to the school for a moving ceremony where the girls performed and we were given traditional Khodas to take back home. After splitting into groups, we played games such as basketball and musical chairs with the students, before coming together and exchanging dance moves.

Seeing the classrooms was an enlightening experience as we got to see first-hand the impact Wilderness School has had on Bhadure. We were also made aware of the work that still needs to be done to improve the quality of education within the school and the medical clinic. Ultimately, as we left Bhadure, we were all filled with immense gratitude for our lives and how fortunate we are to have access to the education we do.

The Nepal trek was a wonderful experience for all of us, where not only did we overcome physical challenges, but we bonded together as a group, and were exposed to an entirely new culture and way of life. We highly recommend all future students with an adventurous spirit and passion for service to sign up for any future Nepal treks.

Niya Singhal and Layla Woodall
Year 11 Students