Tour and Volunteering Program

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu:

You will be picked up at the airport by one of the Tour and Trekking 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.

Day 02: Orientation and Nepali lessons – 3 hours:

Tour and Trekking Nepal offers comprehensive Nepali language and cultural training tailored for expatriates, volunteers, and research students eager to delve into Nepali culture. Our team of seasoned instructors will skillfully lead you through language acquisition while fostering a genuine understanding of Nepali communities. At Tour and Trekking Nepal, we furnish cutting-edge learning resources designed to provide profound insights into Nepal’s culture and way of life. Throughout your orientation and language sessions, you will be fully immersed in the local culture and language, creating a rich and authentic experience. This program is ideally suited for individuals seeking to maximize their time in Nepal and to engage with the country on a deeper, more meaningful level.

Day 03: Local amenities and cultural sightseeing:

Kathmandu stands as the vibrant cultural nucleus of Nepal, an alluring haven for travellers since Nepal first welcomed outsiders within its borders. The city beautifully amalgamates elements of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism, and Western influences within the encompassing Valley. Adjacent to this hub is Patan and Bhaktapur, two significant cities brimming with cultural and religious importance in Nepal’s tapestry.

An immersive guided excursion awaits, offering a complete day to explore the historical Durbar Square adorned with distinctive architecture and home to the revered Kumari, the living goddess. The journey continues to the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, followed by visits to the renowned ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambunath) and the Buddhists’ shrine of Buddhhanath. As dusk settles, an enriching pre-trip discussion is scheduled, where you will meet your trek leader and fellow adventurers, setting the stage for your forthcoming expedition.

Day 4: Drive to Chitwan from Kathmandu – Tharu Village walk and evening Tharu cultural show:

Today we take an early morning breakfast and drive to Chitwan located 165 kilometres from Kathmandu. We descend down along the winding road on the banks of the Trishuli River. After checking in to the hotel, there will be a briefing on the activities we will be engaged in during our stay in Chitwan. We then walk on the banks of the Rapti River to enjoy the sunset in the sub-tropical jungles of Chitwan. In the evening, we enjoy dinner along with a brief cultural program showcasing the tribal dances unique to the Chitwan region of Nepal.

Day 05: Chitwan National Park:

Early in the morning, we will be mounted on elephants for a jungle safari through dense grasslands to witness wildlife in its natural habitat. After breakfast, we visit the elephant stables and even enjoy bathing the elephants. During the afternoon we can drive through the jungles followed by a canoe ride down the Rapti River. While canoeing, we may get a close look at the Gharial and Mugger crocodiles along with freshwater dolphins, otters and varieties of water birds. Or, we may even go for bird watching or nature walks and come closer to a variety of wild flora and fauna found in the park. Overnight in Chitwan.

Day 06: Drive from Chitwan to Pokhara:

You will have the opportunity to engage in additional activities of your preference before we embark on a journey northward to Pokhara. The drive to Pokhara, which spans approximately 5 to 6 hours from Chitwan, will take us through scenic routes into the mountainous terrain, tracing rivers for a significant portion of the day. Referred to as the Lake City, Pokhara is renowned for its breathtaking beauty and boasts stunning panoramic views of the Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Machhapuchhare Mountains, as well as the five peaks of Annapurna and more. Moreover, Pokhara serves as the pivotal point for commencing treks within the Annapurna Region. Upon our arrival in Pokhara, we will embark on a sightseeing excursion to explore some of its vibrant marketplaces and prominent landmarks. As the day winds down, we’ll venture into the lakeside areas that envelop the city.

Day 07: Explore Pokhara:

Tour and Trekking Nepal’s one-day tour in Pokhara encompass the experience of the beauty of nature either through viewing the spectacular snowy peaks or the tranquillity of the different lakes in the valley.

The Phewa Lake, the second largest lake in Nepal, adds to the enthralling beauty of Pokhara. The changing light of the sun on Phewa Lake provides aesthetic calmness to lovers of nature. On the eastern side of the lake, visitors can find a cluster of restaurants and pubs. Along with these attractions, boating, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, bird watching, fishing and angling are some of the activities which you can participate in at Phewa Lake. In the midst of the lake stands the Varahi Temple, where animal and bird sacrifices are offered to the goddess Varahi by Hindu worshippers every Saturday.

David’s Fall is a charming little waterfall located about 2 km southwest of the Pokhara Airport on the Siddhartha Highway. Also located very close to David’s Fall is Gupteswar Gupha, a mysteriously sacred cave that holds special value for Hindus since a phallic symbol of Lord Shiva is perfectly preserved here in the condition it was discovered in. Locally, it is also named as Gupteswar Mahadev.

Bindybasini Temple is the oldest religious shrine in Pokhara built in the 16th century. The main shrine of the temple is dedicated to the Goddess Durga where Hindu worshippers flock to perform sacrifices, especially on Saturday.
Mahendra Gupha and Chamere Gufa are two other major, attractive natural sites reached after a two-hour walk north of Pokhara. The Mahendra Gupha is known as the ‘House of Bats’ and Chamere Gufa(Bat’s Cave) are aptly named owing to the number of bats living within their walls.

Seti Gandaki Gorge, is a wonder of nature that goes underground, vanishing from sight in many places along its route through the city. At various points, the river is barely two meters wide and cuts a deep, narrow valley. A good spot for watching the river below is Mahendra Pul, a small bridge at the centre of the city.

World Peace Pagoda, a massive Buddhist stupa, is an impressive site in Pokhara situated on top of a hill on the southern shore of Phewa Lake. Besides being an impressive sight in itself, the Buddhist shrine is a great vantage point which offers spectacular views of the Annapurna range and Pokhara City.

The Old Bazaar, 4 km away from Phewa Lake, is a traditional bazaar and a colourful gathering place for an ethnically diverse group of traders. The temples and monuments bear a close resemblance to the Newari architecture of Kathmandu Valley and retain much of its original charm. The old bazaar is also home to one of Pokhara’s most important shrines, the Brindhyabasini Mandir.

Day 08: Drive back to Kathmandu by Tourist Bus:

We transfer to the Tourist bus station and at 07: 00 am drive back to Kathmandu by tourist bus. This scenic drive offers fascinating glimpses of rural Nepal as you pass through Middle Hill scenery along the famous rafting Trishuli River originated from Tibet northeast of Kathmandu. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 09 – 13: Onward Volunteering one of these programs:

• Teaching volunteer work in schools, monasteries or a women’s education centre.
• Creative arts and child development program
• Medical care volunteering work in the hospital
• Construction and renovation volunteering work
• Work in our centre for children with difficulties
• Work in an elderly people’s home
• Physiotherapy occupational therapy in hospitals or disabled centres etc.

Nepal is a country known for its warm-hearted people, rich culture, and stunning landscapes. Volunteering in Nepal offers a unique opportunity to give back to local communities while immersing yourself in their way of life. The aforementioned volunteer and internship initiatives serve as exemplars, showcasing how these programs can be skillfully coordinated and structured to accommodate the needs and expectations of volunteers.

Day 14: Farewell friend and departure/Fly back home:

Our journey in Nepal comes to an end today! A Tour and Trekking Nepal representative will drop us off at the airport approximately 3 hours before our scheduled flight. On our way to home, we have plenty of time to plan our next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.

Note: The above-mentioned program itinerary is a sample. The period and cost of tour, trekking, volunteering or internship can be changed or extended as per travellers or volunteers' availability of duration.