I had the pleasure and privilege to join Trek Relief on the medical mission trip that we did in Nepal earlier this year in March to the remote village of Salyan. All board members and the staff working alongside Trek Relief were very accommodating, friendly, and organized in what volunteers needed and letting everyone know about what kind of itinerary was going to play out. This organization brought all kinds of people from all over the world together to do good for less fortunate people. Along with completing a successful fundraiser to purchase medical supplies and restocking the village's basic needs for medical listings, Trek Relief also organized a trek to Everest Base Camp. What an incredible trek with an amazing group from Trek Relief. I truly appreciate all of the heartwarming volunteering, culture immersion, and the chance to see the Himalayas Mountains through trekking with this organization. Such an unforgettable experience. If I could join them for more mission trips in the future, I would definitely, hands down. read more

Incredibly beautiful treks with an even more beautiful purpose! NEPAL: Through lovely Langtang Valley, all of our connections with the trekking guide & porter, teahouse hosts (who cook restaurant-worthy dishes), construction crews for our volunteer work, and locals were immensely deepened through our purpose of relief support. All in a gorgeous setting that is also stunning even in the aftermath of the earthquakes, in which seeing the landslides first-hand was also incredibly grounding and an invaluable tie to the overall mission. Both the 5- and 10-day treks are moderate hikes, with plenty of time to acclimatize as we reached our highest points at the apex of our trips before turning back towards our starting point. Scenery changes by the half-day, and there are mountain views like none other. Most moving was the impact of the school rebuild in Syafrubesi, in which we visited the backup school and personally connected with the faculty and students, before we proceeded to work on rebuilding with them. What a mission. MONGOLIA: Amidst rolling valleys of the Mongolian steppe, we rode horseback, camelback, and in a Russian Uaz camper van to take in the vast untouched landscape. Staying in traditional ger (yurts) with local families made for an unforgettably charming experience of true nomadic culture, with delicious homecooked meals to boot. To establish roots of environmental stewardship with those who visit and live off the land will assure future preservation of such natural beauty, which was met with gratitude by the locals. Less of a strenuous hike and more of an assisted trip, this is a great alternative to the moderate hiking and higher altitude of the Nepal trek. Time spent with the Rotary Club for cleanup days and welcome dinners made for a very fun time in the city. OVERALL: Trek Relief provides programs of adventure, mission, impact, and fun all in one. I loved it so much, I had to officially join the movement! read more

I was fortunate enough to join on a Trek Relief volunteer mission and trek through Nepal in the spring and can easily say that it was one of the most meaningful experiences I've ever had. You will not find a better managed or more affordable life-changing adventure run by the most genuine non-profit staff. Looking forward to returning on another trip soon! The country of Nepal is gorgeous. The people are warm and friendly, while the landscapes are straight out of a motivational poster. I felt blessed to witness the beauty, but was also able to recognize my own privilege being a US citizen in a 3rd world country. It's more than snow-capped mountains and monks...it's a journey through heat and cold, barren landscapes and elaborate temples, silent meditation and ecstatic song. Everyone should experience Nepal if they have the opportunity. As for the adventurous portion, Trek Relief's staff and the local guides made our stay extremely comfortable. We were well taken care of in terms of transportation, lodging, fresh-cooked food for every meal, and most importantly they provided the best company that one could ask for while trekking the Himalayas. Our group was very diverse in age, gender, occupation and backgrounds. Even though the hike was one of the most physically demanding things I've ever done, 95% of our group was able to push through thanks to the support of the Trek Relief team, despite our varying levels of physical fitness. I definitely recommend training a bit before your trip though if time allows. Our volunteer time involved setting up a temporary medical outpost in a remote village. Those that didn't have medical expertise got to instead visit local schools and teach / play with the elementary school children. I don't normally like kids, but the adorableness was turned up to 11. Its amazing what the remote villages of Nepal have to go through to receive educations and / or medical attention. Their gratitude knew no bounds, constantly showering us with gifts and even holding a ceremony to thank us. Singing songs with dozens of Nepalese children will forever be one of my favorite memories in life :) read more

Trek Relief was an amazing experience that gave me a different kind of opportunity to see the world. Being able to provide disaster relief and get to hear stories from the locals was a unique perspective and I really hope to continue traveling with purpose again for years to come! I made some new friends and strengthened some existing relationships. I felt very well taken care of and safe. The staff was excellent and made us feel welcome immediately. The trek itself was incredibly beautiful and had a great balance of challenge and leisurely strolling! There is nothing like the Himalayas!! read more

Before going on this trek with Trek Relief, I had always wanted to visit Patagonia for the purpose of hiking. TrekRelief made my experience in Patagonia so much more profound than just about the hiking. They really opened up my eyes to volunteer work and what we can all do to help protect our earth. I am a changed person and I truly thank TrekRelief for that. I fell in love with the people and culture of Patagonia and was fully immersed in the beauty of volunteer work through working on the recycling project at the school in Villa Cerro Castillo. I left Patagonia feeling so inspired and empowered to pursue environmental activism and hope to pass this wonderful experience on to friends and family at home! read more

I'm so happy I decided to go on the Patagonia trip with Trek Relief because I was able to see the impact the project had on the community first hand and make connections with the people we were working with. The project was very well received by the community and we were told many times how much it was needed and how excited they were to be a part of the project and work with Trek Relief to complete it and to continue on with the work after we left. The beauty of Patagonia was transformative and made a lasting impression on me. Everyone on the Trek Relief trip was great to deal with and we all were able to build meaningful relationships and make a difference in the community. I will definitely go back and continue to support Trek Relief. read more

Came for the mountains, loved the people. Seeing how hard the Napalese people work and what conditions they live in inspired me to work even harder and to give back to repay for all the wonderful care we've been given. Hiring porters to carry our stuff actually made this trip one of the most comfortable hikes I've ever gone on. Thank you for the incredible experience. read more

TrekRelief is a beautiful way to experience both the gorgeous scenery of Nepal and feel good about giving back. Traveling with TrekRelief helps you feel more connected to the country and its people... And gives you an experience you would not otherwise be able to have on your own. I truly cherished my time with TrekRelief.. And I'm sure it won't be my last time! Trek Relief was one of the most life-changing volunteer abroad experiences I have ever had. Everything about it was magical -- just being in the stunningly majestic mountains of the Himalayas was a beautiful energetically revitalizing experience... but doing it with such an awesome guide + porter team and doing it in the name of social good put the experience on a level of 5+ stars for me. A little bit about our experience on the trail -- our trekking guide, Bachan, was EXCELLENT! He truly cared about us and our experience, and I loved his happy-go-lucky attitude and his willingness to both teach his culture/language while learning ours. We all adored our porter -- he was the sweetest man! He was always trying to make us laugh. Both our guide and our porter were so thoughtful and kind, and you could tell they were truly the most genuine people. The kindness we experienced wasn't limited to our guide + porter team -- in fact, every single local we met along the trail and at our guesthouses/teahouses/places of accommodation were absolutely wonderful. They were all so kind and generous... I've never experienced such consistent hospitality, and it proved to be such a beautiful representation of Nepal. It really contributed to the enjoyment of our trip, it was above and beyond anything we thought we could have experienced. To top it all off, we got back to Kathmandu, Binoy threw us a celebration dinner for us at a beautiful restaurant was seriously the cherry on top -- such AMAZING food (it was probably one of my favorite meals on the trip!), and he was so genuinely curious about our experience. We had some really wonderful, deep conversations about Nepal and its struggles, its government, its history, and more. What a wonderful way to end our trip -- educating ourselves while enjoying the beautiful scenery and delicious food of Nepal. read more

Backpacking through the gorgeous scenery of Nepal, connecting with the locals and learning about their journey, and building deep relationships with the team wouldn't have been possible without Trek Relief. I witnessed the power of community in the rebuilding of the village, the courage it takes to stand up as a leader, and also experienced the love and humbleness that Nepali people shared. It was definitely a life changing experience and I can't wait to go back. Our guide, sherpa, and porters were extremely compassionate and especially accommodating. And of course, Dan, our trek leader, helped me every step of the way to make sure everything was taken care of. I'd recommend Trek Relief to anyone who's looking for an adventure, for a volunteering opportunity, and/or for once in a lifetime experience. read more

I have always had an appreciation for volunteers and charities, and now that I actually had an opportunity to be a part of it, I really believe in Trek Relief's motto: Travel With Purpose. In the past, I ventured to many different places attempting to satisfy my crave for adventure. I would immerse myself in culture and do as the locals did. After teaming up with Trek Relief I finally realized that it's one thing to be involved in culture, but there's also another side, participating and being a part of that culture. If you truly want to experience another culture, don't just do what the locals do, but become the local. This journey has brought clarity and guides my understanding of the most valuable thing in my life, time. I ponder to myself, how will I invest this valuable gift of mine? The answer is slowly unfolding as I prepare for my next trip back to Nepal. read more

Himalayan tea house trekking is an absolutely breathtaking, magical, culturally rich experience of a lifetime. It is unlike any kind of trekking, backpacking or hiking I have ever done before. Through Trek Relief, we were given the wonderful opportunity to meet and work closely with the locals, volunteer our time with the school build, gift to orphanages, provide medical aid to remote villages in the Himalayan foothills, and interact with students. All of this while challenging our minds and bodies as we make our way through the tallest mountains in the world. We celebrated Holi, attended a local wedding, danced in the streets, spun fire, sang songs, made new friends. I left with immense gratitude, self confidence, and new perspective. The Nepali people are the kindest, toughest, hardest working people in the world. We were very well taken care of on the trail despite the extreme conditions - amazing food variety, hot tea, professional porters, knowledgeable sherpas, accommodating home stays. Our cook and kitchen crew even taught me how to make dahl baat, the Nepali national dish! I'd definitely recommend Trek Relief to anyone that is looking for an adventure of a lifetime and an opportunity to make a real difference!! #travelwithpurpose read more

This is a well thought out program that not only allows to to give back to people in need, but challenges you in your quest to do something extraordinary in life: a trek in the Himalyayas! read more

Prior to the trip, with any mention of trekking in Nepal, my friends kept talking about a life changing experience which I am about to have. This would typically make me roll my eyes, as I consider such experiences very far and few in-between. Plus, what can REALLY happen in just two weeks? Well, I must humbly admit that the experience was life-changing, indeed. Not a monumental shift, but rather a new feeling that was fired up, a new excitement for what is ahead. Trek Relief provided this opportunity for me to see a new part of the world, meet amazing people, and connect with an amazingly stunning environment in the valley and the mountains. All done with extreme professionalism, courtesy and a whole lot of personalization. The trek alone was challenging and rewarding, but the ability to meet people directly affected by the earthquake of 2015 was invaluable in making the trip so much more personal. The opportunity to volunteer my time and physical ability (albeit, very limited! Note to self: get yo butt back to the gym!!!) was rewarding on a very personal level. Seeing the difference being made, even if for one person, is a humbling experience. At the end of the day, sitting down with a cup of hot honey tea and a journal, it all comes back to the PEOPLE who make the experience one to remember for many years ahead! An enormously huge THANK YOU to Candice and Trek Relief for facilitating such experience! I look forward to many more amazing endeavors the Organization has ahead and being a part of this awesome movement! read more

Ahhh!!! Everything about this trip was so freaking awesome! First of all, the Trek Relief staff went above and beyond to make our trip the best it could possibly be. Our trip leader, Pranoy, was constantly surprising us with so much information about local culture, religion, food, traditions... everything! He always had an answer to our questions. He is an amazing guide and a seemingly endless source of information. Actually, all the staff were on their game the whole time. If we needed anything, they'd make sure we got it. And they were all so happy to help. It was very refreshing to be around so much positivity! And Candice is freaking amazing. I came out of this trip so happy/excited/inspired... thank you so much! I don't think I can adequately describe in words how amazing my trip with Trek Relief was. It was very inspiring to see so many people (especially locals) who want to get involved and support a good cause. Plus, the trek itself was an experience of a lifetime. I can't wait for my next chance to join the Trek Relief community on another adventure! read more

Where do I begin?! My trip to Nepal has been hands down the greatest journey of my life.. Beyond the insane sights I witnessed, and the amazing bonds I formed, it was the emotional journey that was the most profound. I saw the power of having a loving, open, supportive community and it's ability to catalyze growth and authenticity. I discovered the gift of giving, and the deep sense of fulfillment it leads to. I even discovered facets of myself which I am now starting to embrace and will eventually channel into more positive ripples throughout this globe. Thank you Candice and Trek Relief for the amazing opportunity! excited to be working with this organization again very soon! read more