Kathmandu, Chitwan, Pokhara Tour and Volunteering- 2 Weeks

You will be picked up at the airport by one of the Volunteer Society Nepal 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 outlining the dos and don’ts 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 team and volunteers

8:00 – 9:00 Breakfast
10:00 – 12:30 Survival Nepali language and Cultural Class
1:00 – 17:30 Sightseeing 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 colors and adorned with colorful prayer 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 of the huge circular edifice. Boudhanath is also home to Nepal’s largest Tibetan community with twelve thousand in all.

8:00 – 9:00 Breakfast
10:00 – 12:30 Survival Nepali language and Cultural Class
1:00 – 17:30 Sightseeing 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 500 BC. Legend has it that a sage named Manjushree, who is credited with the creation of Kathmandu saw a celestial lotus in bloom on the hilltop and blessed it. Swayambhu is an important pilgrimage site as well as a center 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

8:00 – 9:00 Breakfast
9:00 – 11:00 Survival Nepali language and Cultural Class
11:30 – 17:30 Sight – Patan Durbar square
Patan

Patan is the oldest of the three cities of Kathmandu valley. It is best known for its artistic heritage. It is probably the oldest Buddhist City in the world. The city is situated on a plateau across the Bagmati River. Another name of Patan is Lalitpur. The city is surrounded by 4 Stupas 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 a 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.

8:00 – 9:00 Breakfast
10:00 – 12:30 Survival Nepali language and Cultural Class
1:00 – 17:30 Sightseeing trip to Thamel and do shopping for 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 1970s when hippies in the region discovered it. It has become quite a commercial place. Thamel is an easy walk from anywhere in central Kathmandu. Though the roads can be quite busy during the day, traffic can be quite heavy.

Today we take an early morning breakfast and drive to Chitwan, 150 kilometers from Kathmandu, and a 5-hour drive into the mountains. All the way we descend down the winding road on the banks of the Trishuli River. After checking in to the hotel and getting refreshed
you will be briefed about full nature programs by our nature guide. Then we head on for activities. There will be a guided village walk and a walk on the banks of the Rapti River to watch the charming sunset views in the sub-tropical jungle. In the evening, dinner with a cultural program by ethnic tribal people with their stick dance and tribal drums. Overnight at Chitwan. Included meals: (B, L, D)

The Chitwan National Park has been declared by UNESCO  a World Heritage Site. Today you will discover why the National Park holds an important place in preserving the wild lives that are rapidly getting extinct from this planet. You’re almost sure to spot water buffalo, egrets, woodpeckers, and deer in their natural habitat.  The Park is also home to rhinoceros, tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wild bison, Gangetic dolphin, 500 birds, butterflies, as well as the near-extinct Gharials crocodiles. You can do a number of activities here – an elephant safari, nature walk, bird watching, a jungle drive, or a canoe trip. You may even take a bath with an elephant and learn how to wash your elephant! Don’t forget to take a video of your elephant bath which will be one of the fondest memories of your lifetime. Overnight at Chitwan. Included meals: (B, L, D)

Today after enjoying bird watching or a jungle safari in the morning, we drive to Pokhara – about 140 kilometers from Chitwan and a 5-6 hour drive. The drive is very much similar to what we had while coming to Chitwan from Kathmandu. From Mugling, we drive further west into the mountains, following the rivers for much of the day.  Pokhara, also nicknamed Lake City, is not only Nepal’s but one of the most beautiful places on earth. The town offers magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Machhapuchhare, five peaks of Annapurna, and others. Pokhara is also the gateway for trekking in the Annapurna Region. After arriving in Pokhara, we make a sightseeing trip to some of Pokhara’s marketplaces, old bazaars, and landmarks. In the evening, explore the surrounding lakeside areas. Overnight at Pokhara. Included meals: (B)

We spend a full day exploring Pokhara. Early in the morning we drive to Sarangkot Hill to have sunrise views over the Himalayas. After breakfast, we make a full day sightseeing in Pokhara. Enjoy walking along the bank of Phewa Lake, admiring the stunning reflection of the Fish Tail Peak in the blue Phewa Lake waters. We also take a boat around the Phewa Lake which is the second biggest lake of Nepal. We take the boat across the lake and take an hour’s walk to the World Peace Pagoda. We also make a short visit to the Gupteshwar Gufa Cave (also called Shiva Gufa).  Some of the other places that we visit today include the Seti River Gorge, Devi’s Fall and the mountain museum etc.  Overnight at Pokhara. Included meals: (B)

After breakfast, we start our 200 kilometers drive back to Kathmandu. Better to hold on the left pane of the vehicle to enjoy the scenery throughout the route. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel. There is nothing to do but trade emails with travel companions and organize the photos. You can spend the evening leisurely, perhaps catch up on some last-minute shopping and celebrate dinner together with the Volunteer Society Nepal staff. Overnight at Kathmandu. Included meals: (B, D)