Some growth simply cannot be discovered until you are bold enough to unshackle yourself from your comfortable trappings and push yourself further than you ever thought possible!
Is your spirit longing for a life-changing adventure with the Lord? At Encounter Nepal, you'll embark on an epic journey discovering beautiful new aspects of God and His creation like you've never experienced before! Trek through staggering landscapes, surreal beauty, and the highest mountains on Earth! Each mile you hike becomes a testament to perseverance and faith, offering opportunities for reflection, prayer, and growth. You'll push your body, your mind, and your spirit further than you may have ever before, and the rewards are unequaled!
While we're still hammering out the details, here is the basic info of Encounter Nepal. All details subject to change. See more details below.
-
Guided trek in Nepal between 60-80 miles
-
Approx. Dates - Oct. 21 - Nov. 8, 2025. Approx. 12 days of trekking.
-
We hire guides and porters
-
Approx. Cost - $4,000 plus discretionary funds
- "Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things..." 1 Tim. 4:7. There is so much value in immersing the whole self - body, soul, and spirit - into a singular focus. As we prepare, train, and strive to navigate the high mountains, our spirits will be striving in tandem toward God. We will discipline our bodies as well as our spirits to truly avail ourselves to the Lord. This experience can change your life!
Why are we doing this?
- A guided trek between 60-80 miles at elevations ranging from 4,000 ft. - 17,500 ft. Options include the Annapurna Circuit, the Manaslu Circuit, or the Kanchenjunga Circuit. Average 5-8 miles per day.
What will we be doing?
- Approx. Oct. 21 - Nov. 8, 2025. This is after the monsoon season but before it gets too cold.
When is the trip?
- Approx. $4,000. This covers all lodging, airfare, other transportation, most meals, and our guide service. Expect incidentals, tips, and discretionary expenses. Some excursions may incur additional costs.
What will the trip cost?
- Hard, but not technical. We'll trek 11-12 days. The other days are for tourism and travel. Average 5-8 miles per day, though some days could see 12+ miles and 4,000 ft+ of elevation. While you won't need technical skills (i.e. ropes, crampons, ice axe, mountaineering skills), there is a high demand on physical fitness as we are gaining elevation beyond 17,000 ft. Excellent fitness is imperative. You must train for a minimum of three months prior to the trip, maintain a healthy weight, and you'll need some experience at high-altitude hiking.
How hard is the trip?
- Yes, we hire experienced guides and porters who we have used before. Not only are they excellent guides, but they are also cultural teachers and devout Christians who will teach us what the Kingdom of God looks like in Nepal! You'll only carry a small day pack on the trek while your porter carries the majority of your gear.
Will we have guides and porters?
- Each day, we'll observe various spiritual practices like prayer, scripture, meditation, silence, and fellowship. As we embrace spiritual renewal, the structure of the practices will be low, but our intention in pursuing the Lord is paramount.
What does the spiritual renewal part look like?
- In larger cities, we'll stay in regular hotels. On the trek, we'll stay in guest houses and lodges. Accommodations are nicer at lower elevation with private bathrooms, pedestal toilets (vs. squatty potties), dining rooms, and more reliable internet. As we ascend higher, accommodations become a little more spartan.
Where will we be staying?
- Your primary gear need will be footwear and clothing. We will experience a huge variety of climates and ecosystems. You will be trained as to what to expect in order to procure appropriate clothing well in advance. No need for ropes, tents, mountaineering backpacks, sleeping bags, etc.
What kind of gear will I need?
- Yep! From a plane. On one of our tour days, we'll take a 90-minute flight tour to Mt. Everest and other 8,000-meter mountains!
Will we see Mt. Everest?
- This adventure is designed for men & women 16 years and older in excellent shape by application only. This spiritual renewal retreat is designed to draw Christ-followers closer to God with the help of the Holy Spirit. This part is essential. If spiritual renewal is not of the highest importance to you, we are happy to direct you to regular outfitters for a more traditional trekking experience.
Who can go?
- No. While I wouldn't describe this adventure as "dangerous," I wouldn't use the word "safe" either. We hire exceptional guides and porters who have ample training and experience and who will guide us in making the best decisions for our safety in order to MINIMIZE risk. But risk cannot be eliminated. Every participant must acknowledge and accept that there is inherent risk of serious injury, illness, and death while trekking, and Nepali medical services do not match the standards of those in the USA. That said, you might conclude that the risk is worth it!
Is this safe?
See pics and videos from our scouting trip in 2022!
