A trek for opportunity to help end poverty globally
Uphill adventure? ✔️
Bucket list experiences? ✔️
Helping end poverty? ✔️
In October 2023, a group of passionate Opportunity International Australia supporters set off to India for the Trek for Opportunity, hiking from Darjeeling to Sandakphu and back again, along mountain peaks through the majestic Eastern Himalayas.
As well as trekking up to heights of more than 3600m, the ten-day experience gave participants the opportunity to see the impact of microfinance firsthand. Following the hike, the group met with our local partners in Varanasi to visit some of the female entrepreneurs growing their businesses through small loans, provided by Opportunity’s local partners in India.
To support their efforts training for the trekking adventure, together the team collectively fundraised close to $45,000, enough to help nearly 300 families leave poverty behind – an incredible effort!
Here’s how the trip unfolded…
PRE-TREK (ARRIVAL IN KOLKATA)
Assembling in India, the group of Australian supporters – from Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Perth – dined in Kolkata before starting the trek. Over dinner, this was a chance to prep for the journey ahead and share their motivations for joining the trek.
For Sydney-based supporter Nomusa, joining the trek was a challenge that ticked a lot of boxes. “For me, it was the physical challenge, something I probably wouldn’t have done by myself. Also, after many years of donating to Opportunity, to have the opportunity to go and see what happens in the field. It’s a combo of the two!”
Jess from Melbourne, who only joined the trip five weeks before arriving in Kolkata, was excited by experiencing the sights of India and testing her limits. “I actually love a good physical challenge. Five weeks out, I heard about the trip and jumped onboard. I thought what a great way of seeing the Himalayas!”
After an early flight the next day to Bagdogra, the team made their way via car winding through flat rice fields and tea plantations, before beginning their climb of the Eastern Himalayas. Winding through the bustling streets of Darjeeling, the team got to know each other and enjoy a scenic walk to the hotel as the day wound down.
DAY 1 (Sirikhola to Gurdum)
Day 1 begins! After transferring from Darjeeling to Sirikhola on a bumpy road, the walkers officially began their trek. Climbing 250 meters to Gurdum for the first night.
Supporter Shona, who joined the trek from Perth, was immediately wowed by the breathtaking scenery from day one. “One moment we’re climbing up hills and it’s really densely packed, and the next moment, it’s wide open and grassy. It’s just incredible!”
Tracking through local village houses uphill, before reaching the forest edge – the team enjoyed a gradual ascent through magnolia and oak trees, before setting up camp overnight in Gurdum, a picturesque, small village of about 150 people overlooking the valleys and villages of Sikkim.
“The support staff are fantastic, particularly the way they’ve set up our tents, food, and they’ve really taken care of us. I’ve been very lucky to be able to come to this trek and enjoy this opportunity,” said trekker Sumit from Western Australia.
DAY 2 (Gurdum – Sandakphu)
Morning arrived with a hot cup of Darjeeling tea and sweeping views of the Himalayas around camp. Day 2 consisted of a lot of uphill walking, as the group started their long trek to Sandakphu, the highest point of the trail, entering Singalila National Park.
The climb was over 1,300 metres from Gurdum to Sandakphu, on one of the most physically demanding days of the trek.
“There’s a shocking amount of uphill. Obviously that’s the hardest part – trying not to fall behind the pack, but it’s very rewarding. You train hard and try and make sure you’re prepared for the journey, but to sort of be towards the front of the pack most of the time and I’m not waking up too sore at the moment, that feels good,” said Leanne from Melbourne, who joined the trek with her company, RedZed, a corporate supporter of Opportunity’s.
After a long day, the team arrived with jelly legs to their camp at Sandakphu, where the huge trek uphill started to make sense – this is what they came for.
“You know, it’s that iconic thing of seeing something that you hear about all the time: the Himalayan Ranges. Seeing them in the flesh, it’s just hard to express how majestic they are,” said supporter Jon, who joined the trek with his wife Salena.
DAY 3 (Sandakphu – Sabargram)
Waking up to a breathtaking panoramic sunrise over the Himalayas – for many of the supporters who joined the trip, this was the reason they signed up!
“Probably, the most difficult day for us, was the second day. It was a long-ish day, and for me, it was a difficult walk. We were told that the views on the following morning, at sunrise, would be worth it. We set an alarm and got up for sunrise and it was jaw-dropping. I have never seen a view that extraordinary in real life. I mean, it was pretty much what I’d imagine on a postcard. To witness that, and to say I was there, and the planets aligned and the weather was amazing, was definitely the highlight. It was phenomenal,” said Salena, who together with her husband Jon, raised over $14,000 for the trek.
After the once-in-a-lifetime experience of watching the sunrise over the Himalayas, the team began their descent along the ridge to Phalut, a relatively level walk surrounded by the natural beauty of the Himalayan forest catching glimpses of the great snow-clad peaks.
A highlight of the day was an impromptu game of cricket against the Indian Border Force at a border checkpoint between Nepal and India. “We had a few minutes to spare as they checked through our passports, someone spotted the cricket stumps already set up and two minutes later a bat and a ball appeared. We didn’t speak the same language but the game of cricket communicated clearly enough”, said Kieran.
DAY 4 (Sabargram - Phalut – Sammanden)
After enjoying another morning with a mountain range at the feet of their campsite, the trekkers continued their walk reaching Phalut, before starting a descent downhill toward Sammanden, a small village in a forest clearing to enjoy a night with the group at the campfire.
“(As well as the walk), I’ve really enjoyed the little things with the group. Hanging out and talking with people from different parts of Australia, and hearing their perspectives. That’s been fabulous. I’ve really enjoyed that too. I’d put that up there equally,” said Jon of the adventure.
DAY 5 (Sammanden – Darjeeling)
With the finish line just around the corner, today was the group’s last day on the trail, finishing their descent downwards. The group shared a final picnic lunch after reaching the valley floor in the Sirikhola village.
After crossing over the suspension bridge, and a car ride to Darjeeling (for a well-deserved shower!) the group enjoyed a celebratory dinner to toast to completing six days of trekking to help end poverty.
“At 64, getting to the top (3,700 metres) - I wasn’t optimistic for a while, but it was well-worth it. Stunning, breathtaking views. I’ve travelled a fair bit, and that was beyond most experiences I’ve had,” said Steve, an Opportunity supporter who joined the trek to make a significant donation, see the multiplier effect of his involvement in action and meet some of the women and families he’s helping through his support.
All smiles and sore legs, the group’s next stop was aboard a train from Darjeeling to Varanasi to see Opportunity’s microfinance programs in action.
POST TREK (Meeting the women and families supported through small loans)
The next day, the team got to meet with some of the women supported by Opportunity's local partners - including Soni, who runs a small business in Varanasi. She used to travel from village to village to sell glass bangles, carrying them in a basket on her head, making less than a dollar a day, she did this for 10 years. Then she found Opportunity partner – took a loan and set up a shop to sell glass bangles ($150AUD). She quickly turned a profit and paid the loan back. She took another loan ($220AUD) and set up a food stall as well, her eldest son manages that whilst she manages the bangles store. Over time she has also bought a buffalo and some baby chicks, and been able to improve her home. “I used to live in a mud hut with a tarp over it, but because of you I have a house, because you gave me a loan”.
Soni with Shona, who is showing off the new glass bracelets she purchased from Soni’s shop.
“We’ve had a chance to discuss a lot of aspects of charity and how it works. I think the thing that blows me away about this work is the infinite impact,” said trekker Salena. “Imagine making a loan today that still helps someone in 100 years, theoretically? That’s just unbelievable.”
The Trek for Opportunity is heading to India again in 2024, with the adventure taking part from October 18 to October 26, 2024. To learn more or register your interest in Trek for Opportunity 2024.