Himalayan Altitude: Ecology, Culture and Stewardship - Nepal

Are you ready to meet your inner adventurer? Join us for an immersive Himalayan experience in Nepal, where we’ll trek to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m / 13,550 ft) through Gurung villages, rhododendron forests, and terraced hillsides, and explore the cultural heartlands of Pokhara and Kathmandu. Along the way, we’ll cross suspension bridges, wake to sunrise on Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna massif, visit sacred sites, and experience teahouse culture—dal bhat, momo, and warm Nepali hospitality. Academically, you’ll pair a bold personal objective (completing the ABC trek) with an evidence-based study of high-altitude physiology at 2,500–4,200 meters (8,200–13,800 ft) and the psychology of endurance. Using daily field measures and reflective journals, we’ll explore how to build the physical and mental capacity to collaborate and lead under stress in thin air. We’ll also engage the region’s history, religions, and conservation practices within the Annapurna Conservation Area, and encounter Himalayan flora and fauna—from spring rhododendron blooms to the Himalayan monal and (with luck) blue sheep—while practicing culturally responsive travel and respect for local customs.

Program dates: May 3-14, 2026

Program facilitators:  Marcela Kostihova/Linnette Werner

Group size: 10-16 participants

Estimated cost: $2,500-3,000 (estimated on 10 participants; more participants = less cost)

Non Refundable Deposit:   $1,000 (Due no later than December 1, 2025)

Cost includes: tuition and fees, in-country transportation, accommodations, breakfasts, meals on trek, entrance and guide fees, travel insurance, 2 graduate co-sponsored credits (leadership, STEM education)

Cost doesn’t include: Flights (estimate: $1,300), sleeping bags (can be rented), some meals (see itinerary), VISA fee ($30), and personal purchases