Nepal Volunteer Trek 2025: Pema T’sal Monastery & Lower Mustang
TL;DR: This covers what really happened on Trek Relief’s Nepal program—why we went, what our local partners asked for, what we supported on the ground, and where we trekked. You’ll find a day-by-day itinerary at a glance, measurable outcomes, and how to join a future, ethical volunteer trek in Nepal.
What Does It Mean to Travel with Purpose?
In December 2025, Trek Relief team arrived in Kathmandu with a shared mission: to support the community-led expansion of the Pema Ts’al Monastery medical clinic. Over 16 days, this journey transformed from a construction project into a profound lesson in cultural humility, collective resilience, and the power of partnership.
Why This Trip Happened
At Trek Relief, we only go where we are invited. Our work at the Pema Ts’al Monastery, located just outside Pokhara, began with a specific request from Head Lama Tashi: support the expansion of the multi-purpose medical camp hall so more patients can be treated with dignity.
Our role was to back that partner priority with funding and manual labor under local direction. By trip’s end, the team advanced demolition and build tasks so the expanded space can serve the community for years to come.
Measurable Outcomes: What Was Accomplished
Following the lead of local partners ensures that our impact is tangible and sustained. The 2025 mission achieved the following benchmarks:
Clinic Capacity: We funded and supported the expansion of a treatment room, increasing projected clinic capacity from approximately 600 to 1,200 patients per clinic day once the space is fully finished.
Infrastructure Progress: By the final day on site, a new brick wall was constructed, windows and doors were installed, and concrete leveling was poured
Community Recreation: Volunteers repainted the monastery’s soccer and basketball courts to partner specifications, revitalizing vital shared spaces for the students.
Educational Aid: During the trek phase, we delivered approximately 150 lbs of requested books, stationery, and sports equipment to three underserved schools in Lower Mustang.
Where We Went: The Itinerary at a Glance
The Service Phase: We began in Kathmandu before moving to Pokhara for five days of project work at Pema Ts’al Monastery.
The Trekking Phase: We traveled north into Lower Mustang for a multi-day trek through Kagbeni, Lubra, Thini Gaon, Chimang, Kalapani, Titi Village, and Larjung.
The High Point: The route included a visit to the sacred Guru Sangpo Cave and reached an elevation of 3,800m at Muktinath.
Who this program is for
If you value ethical travel and want a volunteer trek that supports community-led projects—without stepping into clinical roles—you’ll find this experience aligned with your values. The focus is on capacity (space, equipment, organization), cultural immersion, and leadership growth—not on short-term fixes.
What’s next
We’ll share a follow-up with finishing photos from the clinic once partners complete the tiling and final touches, plus profiles from the Lower Mustang schools we visited. To see updates and future dates for The Monastery Project, check the program page.
Get Involved
→ Learn about the program: The Nepal page has the overview, ethics, and next-steps.
→ Express interest: View upcoming trips and be the first to hear about 2026 dates.
→ Support finishing costs: Donations help local leaders complete the remaining clinic work.
