We’re thrilled to be partnering with Samunnat Nepal and Himalayan Sunrise to offer a new trip to Nepal in 2023 and 2024!
Samunnat, which means to flourish in Nepal, empowers women who have experienced gender-based violence and poverty through legal support, income generation training, counselling and mentoring.
2023: Sunday 19 November - Sunday 3 December
2024: Sunday 3 March - Sunday 17 March
Samunnat, which means to flourish in Nepal, empowers women who have experienced gender-based violence and poverty through legal support, income generation training, counselling and mentoring.
2023: Sunday 19 November - Sunday 3 December
2024: Sunday 3 March - Sunday 17 March
Bookings open soon
Register your interest to receive the latest updates.
|
Experience Nepal’s rich culture through its skilled artisans, food, ancient stories and spiritual sites. Get off the beaten track with a visit to the vibrant east of Nepal to meet the women of Samunnat. |
|
Create your own piece of jewellery in a workshop with the women of Samunnat Nepal. Samunnat trains women in the art of polymer clay jewellery. They employ 10 women and reinvest profits from the sales in Australia and the US back into Samunnat. |
|
Learn from women leading change in Nepal. Make a Nepali meal with the women of Asha Nepal, who support children to rebuild their lives after trafficking and gender-based violence. |
|
Relax knowing you are travelling with expert guides. Our guides - Samunnat Nepal’s program collaborator, Wendy (2023), Project Didi’s co-founder, Sarah (2024) and Himalayan Sunrise’s Bishnu, have been leading trips and working in community-led development in Nepal for 20+ years. |
FAQs
When will bookings open?
Soon! Register your interest to be the first to know when bookings open.
Why should I book?
If you like small group, for purpose travel, this trip is for you. We’re combining Samunnat’s trip to eastern Nepal, which Wendy and Bishnu have been running since 2011, with our Women Empowering Women trip to provide an opportunity to:
Here’s what previous participants on our trips have said:
I feel so fortunate that we were able to see eastern Nepal. We visited places where other tourists don't go - not unusual to be the only tourists in town - what a treat. Our team, headed by Bishnu, couldn't have been more helpful and flexible to meet our needs. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending them. Their guidance and advice was first class. They helped us to understand Nepal's complex cultural and political environment. I am keen to return to this fascinating country. – 2015 trip participant
Travelling to Nepal last November with Project Didi was truly joyful, exhilarating, reflective and enriching experience. Our fellow travellers were from all ages and backgrounds – the trip was truly memorable. To top it off, we saw first-hand the difference that Project Didi’s contribution, in collaboration with Asha Nepal, is making to the lives of young women, equipping them with life skills and education to lead a happy, productive life. – 2019 trip participant
- See a part of Nepal, rarely visited by tourists
- Establish genuine connections with Nepali people
- See the impact of your trip in action through visits to two with grassroots, women-led organisations.
Here’s what previous participants on our trips have said:
I feel so fortunate that we were able to see eastern Nepal. We visited places where other tourists don't go - not unusual to be the only tourists in town - what a treat. Our team, headed by Bishnu, couldn't have been more helpful and flexible to meet our needs. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending them. Their guidance and advice was first class. They helped us to understand Nepal's complex cultural and political environment. I am keen to return to this fascinating country. – 2015 trip participant
Travelling to Nepal last November with Project Didi was truly joyful, exhilarating, reflective and enriching experience. Our fellow travellers were from all ages and backgrounds – the trip was truly memorable. To top it off, we saw first-hand the difference that Project Didi’s contribution, in collaboration with Asha Nepal, is making to the lives of young women, equipping them with life skills and education to lead a happy, productive life. – 2019 trip participant
How big will the group be?
Our group will be 12 fabulous women plus an Australian female guide.
Who are our guides?
Wendy Moore OAM, leading in 2023
Wendy is an artist who first travelled to Nepal in 1975. She’s lost count of how many times she’s been since. She lived in eastern Nepal for several years and continues to spend several months each year with the women of Samunnat Nepal mentoring the artists there. In Australia, she is engaged with Samunnat Inc, the Australian based support group for Samunnat Nepal. She also makes and sells her own jewellery and teaches classes focussing on creativity and fun. Wendy and Bishnu have been running the Colourful Journey tours together since 2011, combining their passions for sharing some of their favourite off-the-beaten track places in Nepal and connecting people with others who make a difference in their communities.
Sarah Bartram, leading in 2024
Sarah's passion for Nepal and its people started with her first visit in 1979 and grew with her years as a trekking guide in the 1980s, travelling all over Nepal with wonderful support teams. After a career back in Australia teaching adults who experienced barriers to learning: migrants, refugees, Indigenous Australians and women seeking access to the workforce, Sarah was drawn back to Nepal. This led her to focus on the education and empowerment of women and girls and to co-founding Project Didi Australia. Sarah leads Project Didi’s Women Empowering Women trips and Youth to Youth Programs, a peer-to-peer learning program for Australian school students in Nepal. She also runs Textile Treasures, a small business, which supports the artistic heritage of India and Nepal.
Bishnu Rai, Himalayan Sunrise
Bishnu grew up in the Solukhumbu region of Nepal and has been involved in trekking and mountaineering for over 30 years. He has extensive experience as a guide for a wide range of people on many Nepal based experiences including mountaineering, trekking, retreat treks and, of course, the Colourful Journey. He is passionate about sharing Nepal’s culture, flora and fauna and gives a unique and valuable perspective on life in Nepal. His understanding of the challenges for young Nepalis and his commitment to making a difference is reflected in his practical engagement with young people. Sonrisa, the NGO he co-founded over 30 years ago, supports families and provides community based support and education to young people from vulnerable backgrounds. Bishnu’s experience and personality make the Colourful Journey a unique and very special experience.
Wendy is an artist who first travelled to Nepal in 1975. She’s lost count of how many times she’s been since. She lived in eastern Nepal for several years and continues to spend several months each year with the women of Samunnat Nepal mentoring the artists there. In Australia, she is engaged with Samunnat Inc, the Australian based support group for Samunnat Nepal. She also makes and sells her own jewellery and teaches classes focussing on creativity and fun. Wendy and Bishnu have been running the Colourful Journey tours together since 2011, combining their passions for sharing some of their favourite off-the-beaten track places in Nepal and connecting people with others who make a difference in their communities.
Sarah Bartram, leading in 2024
Sarah's passion for Nepal and its people started with her first visit in 1979 and grew with her years as a trekking guide in the 1980s, travelling all over Nepal with wonderful support teams. After a career back in Australia teaching adults who experienced barriers to learning: migrants, refugees, Indigenous Australians and women seeking access to the workforce, Sarah was drawn back to Nepal. This led her to focus on the education and empowerment of women and girls and to co-founding Project Didi Australia. Sarah leads Project Didi’s Women Empowering Women trips and Youth to Youth Programs, a peer-to-peer learning program for Australian school students in Nepal. She also runs Textile Treasures, a small business, which supports the artistic heritage of India and Nepal.
Bishnu Rai, Himalayan Sunrise
Bishnu grew up in the Solukhumbu region of Nepal and has been involved in trekking and mountaineering for over 30 years. He has extensive experience as a guide for a wide range of people on many Nepal based experiences including mountaineering, trekking, retreat treks and, of course, the Colourful Journey. He is passionate about sharing Nepal’s culture, flora and fauna and gives a unique and valuable perspective on life in Nepal. His understanding of the challenges for young Nepalis and his commitment to making a difference is reflected in his practical engagement with young people. Sonrisa, the NGO he co-founded over 30 years ago, supports families and provides community based support and education to young people from vulnerable backgrounds. Bishnu’s experience and personality make the Colourful Journey a unique and very special experience.
Do we go trekking?
The trip does not include a trek, however, you do need to have a reasonable level of fitness for this trip. There will be days that include walking on uneven surfaces for several hours. If you have any questions, please email projectdidicommunity@gmail.com.
If you would like to add a trek to your time in Nepal, Bishnu can arrange it. He has been a trekking and mountaineering guide for over three decades and has extensive experience guiding first time trekkers to more experienced walkers wanting to visit remote regions. Please email trek@himalyansunrise.com.
If you would like to add a trek to your time in Nepal, Bishnu can arrange it. He has been a trekking and mountaineering guide for over three decades and has extensive experience guiding first time trekkers to more experienced walkers wanting to visit remote regions. Please email trek@himalyansunrise.com.
Will we be volunteering?
We promote locally driven, sustainable and skilled volunteering. Our trips do not provide enough time to understand a community's needs and develop the strong relationships needed for volunteering. While our trip does not include volunteering, you will make a lasting impact on the organisations you visit through your donation to their work. We also believe their creativity and courage will make a lasting impact on you!
Is the trip suitable for under 18-year-olds?
I have another question about the trip…
We’ll share more information on the itinerary and trip costs in the coming months. Register your interest to receive the latest updates. If you have a question in the meantime, please email projectdidicommunity@gmail.com.
|
By women. For women.
Empowering women. Our trips celebrate the strength and resilience of women. Through visits, workshops and connections, you'll gain unique insights into the challenges facing Nepali women and the resourceful ways they are building brighter futures. Your trip is an investment in these futures. We ask you to fundraise to support our partners ahead of your trip. Your tax deductible donation goes to the organisations you visit, contributing to legal representation, counselling, education and employment for survivors of trafficking and gender-based violence. You’ll be provided with ideas, resources and a key contact at Project Didi to support your fundraising. |
Bookings open soon
Register your interest to receive the latest updates
|
|
|
Project Didi Australia is committed to restoring hope, dignity and independence to women and girls in Nepal exposed to trafficking and abuse, through trauma-informed care, family strengthening and reintegration, education and pathways to employment.
|
|
|
ABN 68 320 267 277
|
Project Didi Australia is a partner for Project J1082N
Futures of Dignity and Opportunity with Global Development Group (ABN 57 102 400 993). For more information please visit GDG projects: www.gdg.org.au. |