Culture & nature tour in Nepal
| country: | Nepal |
| departures: | 2008: 22 Mar |
| price: | From £645 (14 days) excluding flights. We can also offer alternative departure dates for bespoke groups |
the amazing things you'll be doing
If you want to do something different, want to make a difference or want to really get to know the country you visit, then this is the trip for you. This alternative itinerary combines a cultural and nature tour with volunteering.
Highlights include:
Bhaktapur Pashupatinath Temple Boudha Stupa Family homestay Rhino & crocodile Birdlife Elephant back Safari
The first part of your holiday allows you the opportunity to experience a family stay & community project. Our program allows you to get the most from your visit to Nepal by becoming part of a community, and allows you to gain an understanding of issues faced by populations in the developing world.
The second part takes you on a journey through time exploring this mystical Himalayan Kingdom. In the Kathmandu Valley you will have a chance to see the finest Newari architecture, experience the hustle and bustle of the medieval capital city, explore the cobbled streets and temple complexes and experience sunrise over the Himalayan panorama. Finally, in Chitwan, Nepal’s most popular Nature National Park you will enjoy elephant back safari’s and canoe rides in search of Rhino, crocodile and other wildlife.
This is a trip doesn’t just visit but allows you to Live Nepal!
Highlights include:
The first part of your holiday allows you the opportunity to experience a family stay & community project. Our program allows you to get the most from your visit to Nepal by becoming part of a community, and allows you to gain an understanding of issues faced by populations in the developing world.
The second part takes you on a journey through time exploring this mystical Himalayan Kingdom. In the Kathmandu Valley you will have a chance to see the finest Newari architecture, experience the hustle and bustle of the medieval capital city, explore the cobbled streets and temple complexes and experience sunrise over the Himalayan panorama. Finally, in Chitwan, Nepal’s most popular Nature National Park you will enjoy elephant back safari’s and canoe rides in search of Rhino, crocodile and other wildlife.
This is a trip doesn’t just visit but allows you to Live Nepal!
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrive in Kathmandu. Transfer to the hotel to relax. Group dinner in a restaurant in the evening. Accommodation: hotel |
| Day 2: | Kathmandu Valley. This morning there will be a full trip briefing by your leader. Today there is a guided sightseeing tour to two of Kathmandu’s major sights. Our first destination is the country’s most important Hindu temple- Pashupatinath. The temple is situated on the banks of the Bagmati River in the outskirts of the city. The cobbled streets are bustling with flower sellers, incense and other offerings for sale, and colourful Sadhus (holymen) roaming the surrounds of the temple. Pashupati, lord of the animals is a manifestation of Shiva and is believed to still roam the forests in the form of deer. The temple dating back to many hundreds of years makes it one of the most important Shiva locations across the Indian sub continent. As well as a place of worship, it is also the most important cremation site for the Hindus in Nepal. Our second visit takes us to Boudha, a Buddhist monument and the largest of its kind. As you wander round the shops surrounding the stupa, you will find yourself mingling with monks in their maroon and saffron robes, and traditionally dressed Tibetan refugees who live here – the religious center in Nepal for Himalayan Buddhists. You can join the locals to circumambulate the stupa, bargain for artifacts in the shops or sit on a rooftop restaurant and absorb the atmosphere. Renowned to be the best mountain viewing point in the Kathmandu valley, we drive up to the hill resort at Nagarkot, in time to watch the sunset. Accommodation: resort lodge. (B,D) |
| Day 3: | Kathmandu Valley. We get up early to see the sun rise over the Himalayas; a spectacular view. After breakfast we have a beautiful walk through villages and terraced fields down to Changu Narayan, the oldest temple of the valley that dates back to the 5th century. The statue of Garuda and the inscriptions on the stile attest its originality and date. Here our transport will meet us and take us to the medieval city of Bhaktapur – a world heritage site. Between the 14th and the 16th centuries this was the country’s capital city and has the finest examples of Newari architecture still intact. The visit will include the Durbar Square – studded with Shrines and temples, Potters Square where you can see the potters at work on the wheel, Taumadhi Tole – the old centre of the town. This is a pedestrian city, thus walking around the ancient streets is a pleasure and takes us back some 400 years. We then drive to our hotel in Kathmandu. Accommodation: city hotel. (B) |
| Day 4-6: | Chitwan National Park. Today we drive to our safari lodge in Chitwan National Park. Leaving Kathmandu, we drive westward over a small pass from where there is amazing view of the Ganesh Himals, the Manaslu Range and even the Annapurnas on a clear day. The road descends steeply on hairpin bends until we reach the Trishuli valley and follow the Trishuli River to Mugling. We now drive south towards Chitwan National Park. The park is home to the one horned rhino, the Bengal tiger, elephant and crocodile. As well as these mammal species the park has 450 species of bird, 43 mammal species and 67 different types of butterfly. The most popular way of wildlife viewing is on elephant back. We take elephant safaris, a dugout canoe ride down the river allowing plenty of opportunity to see Garial and Mugger Crocodiles that are indigenous to this part of the world, a nature walk in the park observing many bird species and a visit to the elephant breeding centre. Accommodation: resort lodge. (B,L,D) |
| Day 7: | Transfer to Kathmandu. We transfer from Chitwan to Kathmandu today, with the remainder of the day free. Accommodation: Hotel. (B) |
| Day 8: | Kathmandu. Today is kept free for you to pursue an activity of your choice. There are a variety of pursuits including: an optional extra leisure flight to Everest Base Camp, further sightseeing in Kathmandu such as visiting Patan Durbar Square and museum, Swayumbhu (or the monkey temple), the ancient capital city of Bhaktapur or simply relaxing in the hotel, an old palace and enjoy the gardens and swimming pool. Of course the shops in Thamel – offering a variety of goods and handicrafts, will be open until late in the evening for those wanting to dabble in a little trading! Accommodation: city hotel. (B) |
| Day 9-13: | Family Home stay & Community Project. Early in the morning you will be transferred to the project location. While working with local residents and youth groups on community development projects, you are placed in a home stay to encourage integration and cultural exchange. You will gain an insight into the typical daily life of the Nepali people, whilst gaining and understanding for the environmental and social issues faced in a developing country. This program allows you to collaborate with locals on projects that develop the community and improve the overall way of life. Typical projects include awareness campaigns for hygiene and sanitation, renovation of school buildings, and establishing and improving potable water sources. After the arrival greetings and introductions, there will be a briefing and opening ceremony. Later in the day you will be introduced to your family and able to settle into your home for the week. Then the project work will commence. You do not need any particular skills, only a willingness to participate. Food will be provided and safe water stations will be set up for participants to use. You should remember that the facilities in rural Nepali homesteads are relatively basic compared with Western standards. On the final day there will be a closing ceremony at lunchtime and then following farewells with your new found Nepali community, you will be transferred back to Kathmandu. In the evening the group will meet for dinner to celebrate the project and new found friendships. Accommodation: homestay. (B,L,D) |
| Day 14: | Depart for the UK. |
a taste of volunteering trip - what's it all about?
This type of trip is ideal for people who are unable to take very long periods off work but who are interested in volunteering to work with communities in need, or in wildlife conservation. These shorter trips combine volunteering with an opportunity to see the main sights in destinations. Find out more about 'taste of volunteering'how this holiday makes a difference
 We are a non commercial organisation specialising in travel within the Himalaya. The company’s primary objective is to generate income for charitable projects in Nepal which support environmental and educational development. We can therefore offer you a rare and unique opportunity to visit this spectacular Himalayan Kingdom knowing that all profits generated will be invested in local charitable projects. We take great pride in the fact that we are doing the right thing by you our customers, by our staff, and by the people, country and environment in which we operate.
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