WHILE their friends bask in the freedom of holidays at the end of term, a group of students from St Albans High School for Girls have decided to shun their summer fun and jet off to Asia for a World Challenge Expedition.

After 18 months of planning, fundraising and preparation, 16 pupils and two teachers flew out on Saturday for the four-week expedition to Tibet and Nepal.

The trip, run by London-based organisation World Challenge Expeditions, aims to familiarise the youngsters with Nepalese and Tibetan cultures while also encouraging them to develop teambuilding, communication and leadership skills.

All 16 pupils have already had to employ army-style organisation in drawing up a detailed route and itinerary.

And with the help of teachers Dr Armstrong and Ms Cozens, they have spent months holding jumble sales and discos to raise the £2,800 needed for the trip.

Communications manager at World Challenge Expeditions Chris Gallant said: 'The young people are involved all the way through the programme, from raising the money to planning the route.

'Through this they learn the importance of money management and saving before going on the expedition itself, which is the culmination of months of hard work.

'Rather than being a holiday it is a challenging experience and members of the group must complete various physical challenges and community projects along the way.'

When they arrive in Kathmandu the team will have a brief opportunity to acclimatise to their new environment before beginning an arduous trek through Langtang Valley.

While walking through jungles and mountains, the girls will also be responsible for buying provisions from local markets, arranging overnight accommodation and taking it in turns to lead the group.

After the physical exertions of the trek, students will have the chance to relax in a Tibetan refugee project in Jawalakhel. But the hard work won't stop there.

They will be expected to give something back to the community they are visiting and plan to clean and re-paint the main hall as well as meet local children during their stay.

But some space will be left in this packed itinerary for the girls to absorb the culture and see the more traditional sights this monastic country has to offer.

Teacher Sally Smith said: 'The students can be sure of an unforgettable and rewarding expedition and an enviable collection of travellers' anecdotes to relate on their return.'