A Five Week Summer Volunteering Program In Nepal

Volunteer Society Nepal (VSN) offers a unique volunteering  and adventure opportunity for individuals, couples, groups, students and experts, as well as senior and youth professionals from all over the world to make a contribution to Nepali society. At the same time you will experience the rich culture, natural splendor and daily life of Nepal, one of the most beautiful countries of the world.

Volunteer Society Nepal (VSN) has designed a summer break program in Nepal which will commence with a small, but interesting, orientation about the culture, history, religion, habits and behaviors of the Nepalese people. You will also be taken for most popular Hindu temple Pasupatinath, one of the Largest Budhist stupa – Boudhhanath stupa, world heritage site Swyambhunath (monkey temple) so we Volunteer Society Nepal (VSN) designed the suitable program itinerary according to your summer break schedule and wish.

The five week summer break program has been designed for those visiting Nepal seeking for a combination of trekking, cultural, natural, jungle/wildlife and community service exposure during their trip. Depending upon the time you can spend for your Nepal trip, you may also find it interesting to check out our other tour packages.

•  ITINERARY

Days 1-5: Orientation, Language and Cultural Immersion in Kathmandu

You will be picked up at the airport by one of the Volunteer Society Nepal (VSN) staff and driven to your Kathmandu host family or a hotel. Here you will be welcomed into the family, be given your own room and be provided with all your meals while in Kathmandu. This will be your home during your orientation and volunteering in Nepal. With easy bus routes into town and the surrounding countryside this quiet and safe suburb is the perfect base for your time in Nepal.

For the first 4 days you will take part in the following:

• Introduction about your placement and volunteer responsibility
• Nepali cultural orientation out lining the dos and do nots of Nepal
• Nepali language classes (2 hours per day) and spend time studying your free Nepali language booklet
• Sightseeing tour of Kathmandu’s main sites and places of convenience
• Get to know the rest of the Volunteer Society Nepal (VSN) team and volunteers

 Day 2: Kathmandu

8:00 – 9:00 Break fast
10:00 – 12:30 Survival Nepali language and Cultural Class
1:00 – 17:30 Sight seeing trip to Pashupatinath and Baudhanath Stupa.

Pashupati Nath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa
Pashupatinath is one of the world’s most sacred Hindu temples. During the annual Shivaratri pilgrimage, thousands of Siva Devotees come here to pay homage. On the other side of the sacred Bagmati River is a sacred funeral site, where bodies are taken to be cremated before the charred remains are swept into the waters that ultimately flow into the Gangas. The Boudhanath Stupa is thought painted in pastel colours and adored with colourful prayers flags. The Stupa is set in a Mandal design (the diagram of the Buddhist cosmos) with nine levels. Altogether108 Buddha images and 147 insets of prayer wheels adorn the base pf the huge circular edifice. Boudhanath is also home to Nepal’s largest Tibetan community with twelve thousand in all.

Day 3: Kathmandu

8:00 – 9:00 Break fast
10:00 – 12:30 Survival Nepali language and Cultural Class
1:00 – 17:30 Sight seeing trip to Swoyambhunath Stupa and Durbar Square.

Swayambhunath stupa and Durbar Square
The Swayambhunath Stupa is situated 4km outside the Capital on a hilltop and is believed to date back to around 500BC. Legend has it that a sage named Manjushree, who is credited with the creation of Kathmandu saw a celestial lotus in bloom on the hill top and bressed it. Swayambhu is an important pilgrimage site as well as a centre of art, architecture, religion and culture of Mahayana Buddhism. Durbar Square is Kathmandu’s focal point. Durbar Square holds the places of the Malla and Shah Kings who once ruled the city. Along with these palaces, the square also contains a series of temples, the oldest dating back to the 16th century. The square is also known as Hanuman Dhoka, a name derived from the statue of Hanuman, the monkey god, near the entrance of the palace

Day 4: Patan
8:00 – 9:00 Break fast
10:00 – 12:30 Survival Nepali language and Cultural Class
11:30 – 17:30 Sight – Patan Durbarsquare
Patan

Patan, the oldest of all the three cities of Kathmandu valley. It is the best known for its artistic heritage. It is probably one of the oldest Buddhist City in the world. The city is situated on a plateau across Bagmati River. Another name of Patan, is Lalitpur. The city is surrounded by 4Stupas as 4 corners of Patan, one at each corner of its cardinal points. These stupas are said to have been built by the famous Emperor Ashoka. This is one of the most elegant architectural treasures of which Patan is very proud. About the beauty of Patan, a western lady writer has to say this – “Patan means eternity itself and Patan Durbar Square is the spectacular sight of Asia indeed”. Really it is full of Hindu temples and Buddhist monuments with bronze gateways, guardian deities and wonderful carvings and many visitors come here to see the monuments. Patan Durbar square is the famous visiting place. The square is full of ancient places, temples, and shrines noted for their exquisite carvings.

The former royal palace complex is the center of Patan’s religious and social life and houses a museum containing an array of bronze statues and religious objects. There are three main courtyards or chowks, so named central Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk and Keshav Narayan Chowk in the square. The Sundari Chowk holds in its center a masterpiece of stone architecture, the Royal bath called Tushahity.

Day 5: Thamel

8:00 – 9:00 Break fast
10:00 – 12:30 Survival Nepali language and Cultural Class
1:00 – 17:30 Sightseeing trip to Thamel and do shopping of needed equipment and other necessaries

17:30 Briefing about the project.

Thamel is located in Kathmandu. It is a haven for tourists visiting the city. It contains numerous hotels, restaurants, and shops that cater specifically to western tourists. It is located in the northern region of Kathmandu past the government district on Tridevi marg. Although some consider it to be overcrowded it has been used by westerners since the 1970’s when hippies in the region discovered it. It has become a quite commercial place. Thamel is an easy walk from anywhere in central Kathmandu. Though the roads can be quite busy during the day, and traffic can be quite heavy.

Days 6-16: Annapurna Basecamp Trek Or Everest Basecamp Trek – 14 Days

Day 06: Kathmandu to Pokhara: 

Drive in to Pokhara, 200Km 6 hours bus drive & preparation for trekking and overnight stay at Pokhara.

Day- 07 Pokhara to Ulleri (1685m): 

About 45 Km. drives from Pokhara via Naudanda, Kanre, and Lumle village up to Nayapool. From where the trail descends steeply to Birethanthi and follows the East bank of Bhurungdi Khola, Tikhedunga and finally reaches to Ulleri.

Day- 08 Ulleri to o Ghorepani (1855m):

The trail ascends to small villages more pleasantly through rhododendron forest arriving at top of Ghorepani and overnight stay.

Day- 09 Ghorepani to Tadapani (2680m): 
Early in the morning trek start to Poonhill where many people witness the sunrise for a lifetime memory. From Poonhill one can view over 30 white – capped Peaks, the whole Annapurna range. Many people talk about having a life changing experience after watching the sunrise over the panorama of the Himalayas. Then, walk through the forest filled with flowers (in the spring) overnight stay at Tadapani.

Day- 10 Tadapani via Chhomrong to Sinuwa:
Tadapani offers good views of upper Modi valley. The route starts the long ascents high above the West Bank of Modi Khola from Sinuwa you will see very nice views of Mt. Machhapuchere.

Day- 11 Sinuwa to Deurali Hotel (3000): 
The trail continues to Khuldi Ghar for about one hour fifteen minutes and from there goes down very steeply to a bank of the rock and then levels out, running through thickets of Bamboo at the bottom of the George, keeping always on the West side of the river. The pasture of Tomoe is passed by and then the very neck of the George at Panchen Barah, where there is a small trail and a shrine. Overnight stay in Deurali.

Day- 12 Deurali to ABC (4130): 
From the Deurali the trail continues into the sanctuary, it crosses two wide avalanche tracks on narrow trail that huddles up against the cliff (rock face). The trail then descends to meet the Modi Khola and follows the river to Bagar. From bagar climb across more avalanche paths cross a moraine and a stream, then climb towards an area known as Machhapuchhere Base Camp (MBC) at the elevation 3700m. After 2 hours journey, we finally reach to our destination ABC and Overnight stay here for sun set and sun rise.

Day- 13 ABC to and back Sinuwa : 

We see morning sun rise and take our breakfast at 7. 00 a.m. and reach to Himalayas for lunch and finally come back to Sinuwa with the same trail and stay overnight.

Day- 14 Sinuwa to Kyumi: 
We follow same trail up to Chhomrong and the trail goes to descend Jhinu. We see Hot spring and take our lunch there. After lunch we start our journey, pass with beautiful rift valley and finally reach to Kyumi and stay overnight.

Day- 15: Kyumi to Nayapool via Pokhara: 
The trail goes up and down through Ghandruk is one of the develop village and mostly people are Gurung (The Gurung is another ethnic group closely resembling the Magars in many aspects. They live in the western and central hills of the country although further to the east. Of Tibeto-Burman stock, the Gurungs have their own distinct language and practice shamanism. Many find employment in the British and Indian armies) of this area. After this place, we reach to Nayapool and take our lunch there. We take rest there for an hour and finally you will be driven back to Pokhara and stay overnight there.

Day- 16: Pokhara to Kathmandu by Bus

 Day 19-34  Getting Involved in Volunteering Project work 15 days (You may choose any of these volunteering program in Nepal)

Trip Cost per person:

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Annapurna Basecamp Trek and Volunteering – €– 1270  Everest Basecamp Trek and Volunteering – €1460

The package cost includes:

• Airport  to hotel pick up and drop by private vehicle
• Two night accommodation in Kathmandu at star hotel with breakfast
• Accommodation and Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during trekking
• One highly experienced mountain Porter Guide and porters
• Accommodation food, drinks, salary, insurance, transportation of both trek guide
• Group medical supplies (first aid kit)
• All necessary paper works and national park entry permits
• TIMS Card (Trekker’s Information Management System card)
• All additional government tax

The package cost excludes:

• Nepal entry visa fee (€ 25 for 15 days/ € 40 for 30 days from date of issue) (You may easily get Nepal visa upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu)
• International air fare
• Travelers insurance
• All kind of drinks (Alcohol, hot and cold drinks)
• Bar bills, telephone bills and other personal expenses (shopping/ laundry)
• Tips to guide and porter
• All expenses due to unavoidable events e.g. Personal illness, strike etc.
• Helicopter evacuation charge in case of emergency whilst trekking