Karila Village Water Project
Sourcing water for Karila Village will require tapping into the Paiya River, located in the jungle above the settlement, across steep terrain and a cliff face—an estimated distance of about 2,500 metres. The village lies along the original Everest Base Camp trail and was once a thriving stopover for trekkers heading toward Everest. However, this changed dramatically after the opening of Lukla Airport, which bypassed this section of the trail and reduced what was once a three-week journey to a far more appealing two-week trek for most visitors.
This shift affected all the villages in the region and is a major reason why we have focused so much of our work here. Although a small number of trekkers still choose the traditional route, the flow of visitors is nowhere near what it once was; most people today simply don’t have the time to commit to treks longer than 14 days.
Overview
The Karila Village Water Project follows a similar model to our successful work in Rembu, Kinai, and Bupsa and Bumburi. Karila (also known as Kari La Pass) is a small hamlet in the lower Solukhumbu region of Nepal. The aim is simple but transformative: to bring clean, reliable water directly to homes and community collection points so villagers no longer need to make long, steep treks over difficult terrain to reach nearby streams.
The total project cost is approximately £5,000, delivered in two stages.
The first stage—funded by a generous £3,000 donation from the medical charity Make A Medic—began in October 2025, just before Nepal’s winter season (December to February). This phase covers essential groundwork, including digging trenches and preparing foundations for the water-holding tanks.
The second stage, scheduled for March–April once winter has passed, will complete the system. This includes laying the pipes, constructing the holding tanks, and installing taps at each home—an investment of roughly £2,000.
Once finished, Karila Village will have a sustainable, accessible water supply that dramatically improves daily life for every household.
History of the Karila Village Water Project
Karila village lies along the original Everest Base Camp trail and was once a thriving stopover for trekkers heading toward Everest. However, this changed dramatically after the opening of Lukla Airport, which bypassed this section of the trail and reduced what was once a three-week journey to a far more appealing two-week trek for most visitors.
This shift affected all the villages in the region and is a major reason why we have focused so much of our work here. Although a small number of trekkers still choose the traditional route, the flow of visitors is nowhere near what it once was; most people today simply don’t have the time to commit to treks longer than 14 days.
