Traveling in Nepal
WITH BRENDERUP HØJSKOLE
June 29 - July 27
When the folk high school stay in Brenderup ends, you sit down with a group of the other students on the plane to Kathmandu.
Over the last 15 years, we have had very close relations with Nepal. Therefore, you have the opportunity to join a trip where you not only see the sights, but actually meet the people and experience the country from the inside.
The trip starts right after the semester is over. We have created a ready-made program that brings you deep into the culture and at the same time also gives you the opportunity to help as a volunteer.
On the trip after the spring semester, it is possible to go on a completely extraordinary trekking trip all the way up above the clouds to Everest base camp.
We offer you a cultural trip and not just a mountaineering trip.
A trip where you meet Nepal and not just the other tourists.
At folk high school in Brenderup
We have had more than 50 Nepalese students over the last 10 years. Some of them you will meet and they will take you deep into the Tibetan, Buddhist culture.
In Brenderup you will meet both students from Nepal, but also some of the students who were in Nepal in January – March this year.Together we will prepare for the folk high school, but the very deep cultural education is located in Nepal – together with Dechen and Dhindu – from the first gong sound from the neighboring monastery to the cozy early evenings in good company.
Kathmandu
We are located in the Boudha district, which is the center of Tibetan Buddhism in Kathmandu.
Here is the world’s largest stupa, and a sea of monasteries. Here we also have an apartment, but it only has room for 8 max 10, if you use the living room. That is why we have chosen to use the apartment as a teaching room and you will live at Seshen Monastry. It is a large Tibetan monastery located very close to the Boudha stupa and our apartment. Here you must stay in either double or triple rooms. These are large rooms located right next to a lovely green garden. It is a convent guesthouse and there is a good vegetarian restaurant in the garden. You eat your breakfast here.
The Cultural Meeting in Kathmandu
There are many things to see in Kathmandu and we will do our best to show around here. However, we will focus mostly on the Tibetan Buddhism.
Naturally there is a reason for this. Later on the trip you will all go to Sermathang, which is located at the top of the Helambu valley at the border to Tibet.
Most of our friends are connected to Sermathang or Helambu and they are all Buddhists. Therefore, it is natural for us to show you as much of that culture as possible.
This does not mean that we do not touch Hindu culture. It is everywhere and 80% of Nepal’s population are Hindus.
Dechen Lama – Dechen is our teacher, contact person, coordinator and much more in Kathmandu. Dechen has been a student at Brenderup Højskole, and has worked for us for several years. She takes care of all the practicalities and teaches you what to do… and what not to do! Dechen lives ten steps from our apartment.
Manjushree School
In boudha, very close to the apartment, is a small school with mainly Tibetan, Sherpa and Yolmo children. Some of the children live at the school after their home was destroyed during the great earthquake in 2015.
The school is called Manjushree School, and there we have an agreement on volunteer work. It can be anything from painting work to homework help, sports or the like. It will typically be an afternoon activity.
Sermathang
During the trip, you will be taken up the mountains to the village of Sermathang. Here is the ‘world’s tallest folk high school’ – and perhaps also the smallest. But definitely with the most beautiful view imaginable.
In the village is also the friendship house, which we built for approx. 8 years ago. Here you will learn about life in the village and you will also work as volunteers both with maintenance tasks at the twin house, and with various tasks at the Folk High School.
We have many plans, and the biggest one is about making a new path that over approx. 200 meters should connect our twin house better with the village than now.
The cultural meeting in the Himalayas
In Sermathang you will have a completely unique experience in the local culture, as for many years we have let you live in pairs with local families.
It is a very small village and the accommodation will give you a whole unique insight into life in a small mountain village at 2800m.o.h in the Himalayas.
You will also live in our friendship house.
There will also be a two-day trek to the top of Yangri Peak at 4000 m.
Dhidu Lama – Dhidu is our contact person in the village of Sermathang. Dhindu lives in the village with his wife and two children. He has also been to Brenderup – not as a student, but on a longer stay. Dhidu has been the coordinator for Brenderup’s Folk High School project up in Sermathang for many years.
TREKKING IN HIMALAYA - Click here to find out more
There is also another possibility after the spring semester. You can do an alpine trek to Kalar Patar, close to Everest basecamp.
Please find the description under summer trek on the front page of this webside.
Kalar Patar is a small mountain at an altitude of 5,643 meters. It is located with the most wonderful views of many of the world’s largest mountains.
You will be able to look down on the Everest basecamp, which is located where the Khumbu glacier becomes the Everest icefall.
The trip takes approx. 16 days of hiking almost every day. You walk from approx. 1000m to the top of Kalar Patar. It requires that you are in reasonably good shape, and you can of course train at the folk high school before you leave.
The trip is also beyond the usual budget, so it is an option and oats a little extra price. It costs to walk in the national park. There are guides and people to help with a bit of everything and of course food and accommodation.
Gopal Lama – Gopal is on the trip and will lead Brenderup’s Kalar Patar expedition. Gopal has been our regular guide for many years on a cultural trek we do (for your mom and dad) this fall. We plan to invite Gopal to Brenderup in May, so he can help prepare you who are going to Nepal. Both culturally, but also with tricks for the high hiking. Gopal has been to many peaks in Nepal. Of course he would also like to talk about that. Gopal will be with the Brenderup tour throughout the stay, but will follow the team that chooses the Kalar Patar expedition.
Nima Lama – Nima Lama is organizing this tour. Nima is our oldest friend and was a student at Brenderup Højskole in 1998. Now he has a trekking company and works with it. Nima is now also a Member of Parliament and can pull in many threads for us if need be.
Prices
The trip is cheap as there is no one to profit from it.
The price for the trip is divided into two:
For those of you who choose Kathmandu and Sermathang, the cost is 1200 euros.
The price covers , Stay in Kathmandu before and after the trek.
Hotel, park permits, local transport, guides and porters and tuition, Sightseeing.
You provide insurance and vaccinations as well as drinks during your stay. You pay for your own food during the Kathmandu stay (one nice meal 3,5 Euro/ 25 kr.) There is a kitchen where you also can make your own food and food stuff from the supermarked is exstreemly cheap.
You buy you own ticket. Ole will be happy to assist you before you leave finding the best offer. Now (january 2024) a return ticket is aproximately 1000 Euro from Denmark to Nepal.
You can choose to arrive befor course start and stay in our appartment as you also can choos to stay after the course.
If you are from somewhere else than Denmark you can choose to fly directly home to your country after the Nepal adventure
Ole will help you
Of course, everything depends on how many people want to join. But no matter which trip you choose, you can expect to have an experience completely out of the ordinary.
Info meetings: There will be a number of infomeetings starting on February 5.
Sign up: You need to sign up by April 15. More info about this later.