Nepal Study Abroad

Trek the Himalayas and Discover Nepal’s Living Traditions

From May 13-30, 2027, students are invited to learn in one of the most beautiful landscapes and among one of the most ancient and diverse cultures on earth.

Explore Nepal’s cultural and religious traditions and sites, trek through the Himalayas, home to Mount Everest, and be immersed in both the wonders of its capital Kathmandu and the charm of its mountain villages.

The academic focus of this trip is the interplay of cultural, religious and geographical diversity that makes up the distinct identity of Nepal. Students will have an immersive experience in all three.

This trip is open to all ��Ƶֱ�� students.

Submit Application

Credit and Courses

Each of the three-unit courses is offered in a 2+1 format: 2 credits in Spring 2027 and 1 credit in Summer 2027.

ICS 300 – Orientation to Short Term Study Abroad (3 units) — fulfills Area 6 of General Education requirements
WILD 300 – Wilderness and the Liberal Arts (3 units) — fulfills Area 7C of General Education requirements
WILD 100 – Introduction to Wilderness Studies (3 units) — fulfills Area 3/Humanities of General Education requirements
PE 146 – Backpacking (1 unit) — fulfills a skills requirement for Wilderness Studies minors, and must be taken in conjunction with one of the courses above

Cost

Estimated cost is approximately $3,200.
This is an all-inclusive price, covering all travel, meals, accommodations and gear. Students just bring apparel.
Please contact Professor Ray Winter or Professor Darren Duerksen for more information.

Full Itinerary

Fourteen days in Nepal on the Annapurna–Dhaulagiri Community Trek, a lesser-known route connecting two of Nepal’s Himalayan giants. The trail passes through remote villages, rhododendron forests, high-altitude lakes and panoramic ridges, with time among Magar, Gurung and other local communities and a close look at community-led development projects.

Trek difficulty: Moderate · Highest point: 4,500 m (Khayer Lake, optional) · Group size: 8–16 travelers, including faculty

Day 1 — Arrival in Kathmandu

Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, where a member of the team meets you and transfers you to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to settle in and recover from travel, ending with a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Kathmandu. (D)

Day 2 — Trek briefing and environmental insight session

The day opens with a pre-trek briefing, gear check and final preparations, followed by an interactive session with a guest environmental expert on climate change, pollution, glacial melt and their direct effects on Himalayan ecosystems and communities.

Nepal is considered one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, with fragile mountain ecosystems and heavy reliance on natural resources. The Himalayas are warming faster than the global average; of Nepal’s 3,000-plus glaciers many are shrinking rapidly, and more than 20 glacial lakes have been identified as potentially dangerous. These shifts already affect water security, agriculture and livelihoods for mountain communities.

Overnight in Kathmandu. (B)

Day 3 — UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Pashupatinath and Boudhanath

A guided tour of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with a comparative look at Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Pashupatinath is Nepal’s most important Hindu temple and one of the most significant Shiva temples on the Indian subcontinent, as well as Kathmandu’s principal cremation site, with burning ghats lining the riverbank. Boudhanath is one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world and a religious and cultural center for Nepal’s Tibetan community — the side streets around it are full of maroon-robed monks, monastery roofs, yak-butter lamp stalls and the low chant of prayer.

Overnight in Kathmandu. (B)

Day 4 — Fly to Pokhara, drive to Beni, trek to Banskharka

An early 25-minute scenic flight to Pokhara, then a drive along the Kali Gandaki valley to Beni (817 m), the trailhead, passing terraced fields and forested hillsides. After lunch the trek begins, climbing gently through rural villages and forested hills as the first views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri appear.

Banskharka, 1,526 m · about 3 hours driving, 3–4 hours trekking · Overnight in a community homestay. (B L D)

Day 5 — Banskharka to Nagi

The trail moves through lush hillsides lined with terraced farms, crossing small streams and rustic suspension bridges. Nagi is closely associated with Mahabir Pun, whose pioneering work in rural wireless internet transformed access to education and communication in remote Himalayan communities, and the village still reflects that spirit through locally driven initiatives. The evening brings a conversation on grassroots innovation and community-led development, with possible visits to the local school.

Nagi, 2,320 m · about 5–6 hours · Overnight in a community lodge. (B L D)

Day 6 — Nagi to Mohare Danda

The trail rises through rhododendron forests dense with birdlife. Carrying lunch along, the day is an immersive wilderness experience, and Mohare Danda rewards the climb with panoramas of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges that are especially spectacular at sunset.

Mohare Danda, 3,300 m · about 6 hours · Overnight in a community lodge. (B L D)

Day 7 — Mohare Danda to Swanta

A descent through giant rhododendron forest crosses the main Annapurna Circuit at Phalate, then the trail climbs gently toward Swanta, a village with both panoramic mountain views and a close view of rural life and ongoing development initiatives.

Swanta, 2,300 m · about 7–8 hours · Overnight in a community lodge. (B L D)

Day 8 — Swanta to Khopra

A challenging but scenic climb through forested slopes brings the group above the tree line, passing yaks managed by a village yak-farming project. Khopra opens onto Annapurna South, Baraha Shikhar, Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri and Gurja Himal.

Khopra, 3,660 m · about 7–8 hours · Overnight in a community lodge. (B L D)

Day 9 — Rest day, or optional hike to Khayer Lake

A day for rest and reflection, or a strenuous high-altitude excursion to the sacred Khayer Lake — a rarely visited lake ringed by mountains and dotted with small shrines, with Annapurna reflected on the water.

Khayer Lake, 4,500 m · about 10–11 hours round trip · Overnight in Khopra. (B L D)

Day 10 — Khopra to Paudwar

A long descent through open hills and forested trails opens onto Dhaulagiri, the Kali Gandaki River and the world’s deepest gorge. Paudwar is a Magar village of roughly 350 households with a local cheese-making project unique to the area.

Paudwar, 2,000 m · about 6 hours · Overnight in a tea house. (B L D)

Day 11 — Paudwar to Khoramuk, drive to Pokhara

An easy descent follows the Kali Gandaki River through lush greenery, terraced fields and traditional hamlets. If time allows, the group stops at Tatopani for its natural hot springs and lively bazaar before continuing to Pokhara, where the evening is free for museums, temples, shopping, boating or a walk along the lake.

Khoramuk, 1,190 m · about 3 hours trekking, 4 hours driving · Overnight in Pokhara. (B L)

Day 12 — Free day in Pokhara

A reset day: wander Lakeside, browse the shops, go paragliding or relax.

Overnight in Pokhara. (B)

Day 13 — Drive to Kathmandu and heritage walking tour in Patan

A transfer back to Kathmandu (about 7 hours), then an afternoon exploring Patan, a city known for its Newar heritage, intricate architecture and thriving artisan communities. The walk includes direct engagement with craftsmen working in metal, wood and stone using skills passed down through generations, and a look at how earthquakes have shaped heritage preservation in Nepal — challenges that have strengthened rather than diminished efforts to protect and revive ancient craftsmanship.

Overnight in Kathmandu. (B)

Day 14 — Departure

Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for the flight home.

Meals included are noted as B (breakfast), L (lunch) and D (dinner). The itinerary is a guide and may change with conditions, group ability and local circumstances; trekking times are approximate and include breaks.