When we first teamed up with Nepalese adventure experts, Heartspace Expeditions, we asked them to hand-craft a trekking adventure that would take us to some of Nepal's untouched secrets, far from the crowded Everest and Annapuna regions. We also asked them to immerse us in local Nepalese culture, showcase local organic foods and create opportunities for us to make a positive difference in the communities we were visiting. Then to take this trip of a life time one step deeper, we asked them to incorporated a mindfulness component by bringing yoga and meditation into our experience.
They nailed it!!! During this adventure, we're going to be exploring the villages nestled beneath the majestic Ganesh Himal Range, many are the very villages our local support team call home. Running from the central region, all the way up to the Tibet border, many people say the peaks in Ganesh Himal Range are the most attractive in all of the Himalaya. This region offers a large range of biological diversity, sensational viewpoints, first-class trekking, off the beaten track experiences, and perhaps some of the most unique and beautiful 'Glamping' spots on the planet.
As we hike these amazing village trails you will have opportunities to visit projects run by our adventure charity partner, the Active Hearts Foundation. Your trek will be assisting with an Active Hearts Foundation project and each trekker will have a fundraising target of US$500pp which will go towards the village project. Best of all, we're going to be there for the opening day celebrations! Visit the Active Hearts Foundation website to learn more.
This is going to be an unforgettable adventure and we can't wait for you to experience it! If you have any questions, book a free consultation with one of our adventure experts. We look forward to seeing you in Nepal soon...
By joining the Ganesh Himal Charity Trek, you are supporting the ACTIVE HEARTS FOUNDATION who fund and facilitate education, health and infrastructure projects in Nepal.
Each trekker will have a minimum fundraising target of US$500pp and during your adventure you'll get to celebrate the opening of a new project that you helped fund. This will undoubtedly be a highlight of your adventure. More information about fundraising under TASKS once you register and pay your deposit.
About Active Hearts Foundation - VISIT THE WEBSITE
The Active Hearts Foundation is a non-profit non-governmental organization founded by Heartspace owner Dan Keys. Its mission is to provide positive education and health outcomes for the children of rural Nepal. A percentage of your trip cost will be donated to their efforts. Please watch the Active Hearts Documentary to learn more:
Views from Salme School camp towards the Langtang Himalaya
Running from the central region of Nepal, all the way up to the Tibet border, many people say the peaks in Ganesh Himal Range are the most attractive in all of the Himalaya. There are three reasons we picked this region:
The name for the range comes from the Hindu deity Ganesha, usually depicted in the form of an elephant. It was given this name because the south face of Pabil (Ganesh IV) slightly resembles an elephant. The highest peak in the range is Yanga (Ganesh I), standing 7,422m above sea level. In total, there are four peaks over 7,000m and fourteen peaks over 6,000m metres in the Ganesh Himal Range.
Once our trekking expedition is complete we will spend two nights exploring the lakeside city of Pokhara 'the Jewel of the Himalaya'
Known for its natural beauty Pokhara has been the subject of many travel writers. Its pristine air, the spectacular backdrop of the snowy peaks of the Annapurna Range and the serene Phewa, Begnas and Rupa Lakes, makes this destination the perfect place to relax. Here you will find great restaurants, relaxation spas, souvenir shopping and adventure activities such as white water rafting and paragliding.
Dan Keys has been guiding trips in Nepal for more than 12 years and loves sharing experiences 'off the beaten track'
Dan is owner of Heartspace Expeditions and an experienced adventure guide, leading tours throughout Nepal, Bhutan, Tanzania, Australia and New Zealand since 2005. He has led dozens of treks through the Everest, Annapurna and Upper Mustang regions of Nepal sharing the beauty of the mountains and the friendly Nepali culture. He is proficient in spoken Spanish and Nepali and the founder of the charity, the Active Hearts Foundation. He is directly involved in all parts of the charity; specifically researching, facilitating and overseeing the village projects. He is inspired by the selflessness and community minded Nepali people and this led to the idea to create a charity focused on education and health initiatives for Nepali children.
“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” - Henry Miller
Notes:
Tamblyn (Tam) is an adventurer, actor and yoga instructor with a burning passion to explore.
An enthusiastic hiker, Tam found yoga 20 years ago when he was searching for a way to re-connect with the sense of wonder and perspective he felt when trekking through the Himalayas. Tam has been teaching yoga since 2003 and has a Level 3 Senior registration with Yoga Australia, making him one of the most experienced Hot Yoga and Vinyasa practitioners in the country. Having studied at the Sivananda Ashram (India) and with many of the world’s most well-known yogis - among them Shiva Rea, Baron Baptiste and Rod Stryker - Tam has a unique ability to empower students to reconnect.
“Teaching is a privilege; it’s like conducting energy. Concentrating on the twin foundations of core stability and breath awareness allows the body to respond appropriately and the mind to focus. It’s an opportunity for us to observe our life force in flow”.
Tam’s passion to explore has taken him through some of the most beautiful wilderness on the planet, he can't wait to share some of these places with you.
Notes:
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Nepal, a country of Asia, has a population of approximately 30 million. It lies along the southern slopes of the Himalayan mountain ranges. It is a landlocked country located between India to the east, south, and west and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north. Its territory extends roughly 500 miles (800 kilometres) from east to west and 90 to 150 miles from north to south. The capital is Kathmandu with a population of approximately 1.5 million.
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Nepal contains some of the most rugged and difficult mountain terrain in the world. Roughly 75 percent of the country is covered by mountains. Wedged between two giants, India and China, Nepal seeks to keep a balance between the two countries in its foreign policy—and thus to remain independent. As a result of its years of geographic and self-imposed isolation, Nepal is one of the least developed nations of the world.
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The Ganesh Himal Trek begins in famous Kathmandu, City of Temples. From here we will drive north west into the Nuwakot region to begin our hike. Nine days later we once again board our private vehicles and drive to the beautiful lakeside city of Pokhara. From Pokhara we take the stunning flight along the Himalaya back to Kathmandu city.
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The map below marks out our hiking route with the nights numbered above the campsite names.
Ganesh Himal Charity Trek - Frequently Asked Questions:
If you are under 18 or over 70 please contact us.
The max is 12 and the minimim is 8.
Travel insurance is compulsory. Your insurance plan will need to include full medical cover, emergency evacuation and emergency repatriation. You also need to be covered for trip cancelation. We recommend protection for other issues including, but not limited to, flight cancelations or delays, loss of luggage and personal effects, and theft. Adventure Out Loud are authorised to sell NIB & CoverMore insurance (in Australia) and will provide you with a quote once you register.
A moderate level of physical fitness is required for this multi day trek. You will be carrying up to 5kgs (12lbs) in your daypack. We will hike for about 3 to 5 hours a day with plenty of breaks and photo opportunities. We will reach altitudes of up to 2,200m (7200ft) as the trails pass through local villages, forests and terraced fields on varied terrain. We follow undulating local paths, stone steps and dirt roads. We recommend preparing yourself by taking weekend day hikes in your area and becoming accustomed to your boots and backpack. This is a hiking adventure for most levels including beginners. Please contact us if you’re unsure if it is suitable for you.
Yes we will provide a 60L duffel bag.
Our porters will carry a max of 15kg (35lbs) of guest weight. This does not include your sleep bag and down jacket.
Our ground and HQ team will do everything we can to get you safely to where you need to be, assist with medi vacs, transport and observation in hospital and hotel. We will help with any flight booking to get you safely home. We cannot provide any refund of your trip cost once the tour has begun.
Depending on the season it is possible to have between 0C to 30C (32F to 90F). Usually we will be hiking in temperatures of between 15C to 25C (60F to 80F)
We can expect to cover between 5 to 10km (3 to 6 miles) each day.
We will be using toilet tents on the trek. We provide all toilet paper and hand sanitiser.
Rooming is twin share when in Kathmandu and Pokhara Hotels unless a single supplement is paid. While on trek tents will be either single or twin share.
We recommend treating all water on our trips. Purification methods will be provided.
Yes you can. Hire costs (approx):
Yes you can. Your sleeping bag must be rated to -15C (5F) for Ganesh Himal Expeditons.
Yes we provide a cotton sleep sheet.
Yes we can. Just email us.
The Active Hearts Foundation is a non-profit non-governmental organisation founded by Dan Keys. Its mission is to provide positive education and health outcomes for the children of rural Nepal. A percentage of your trip cost will be donated to their efforts. Please watch the Active Hearts Documentary to learn more:
If you have other questions, please call or email us.
Nepal 
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