Description

Enjoy the breath taking panorama of the Himalaya and make new friends while learning your informal studies of conversational Nepali. You will also have the chance to hike and trek and witness the sunrise from this ancient Kali Temple.

Nepal offers the adventurous traveler an unparalleled opportunity for exploration. Nepal's skyline includes eight of the world's ten highest peaks, each towering over 26,000 feet. Nestled in high-altitude valleys and in close harmony with the land, small communities still practice a peaceful agricultural and pastoral lifestyle. At the "roof of the world" Nepal's Langtang amphitheater is the looming backdrop for your village stay and community service project. The rich cultural and spiritual fabric of Nepal, and the warm hospitality of the Nepalese people interweave to create an awe-inspiring appreciation for life's simplicity.

You will also spend two weeks immersed in the essence of Nepalese life working with local community members to construct a school or a much needed community water tank. Everywhere you turn, humble appreciation for your work and collaborative effort is expressed. Teach English to local children, lead an adult reading seminar, or design a colorful mural to adorn a classroom wall. Step into the rhythm of rural Nepalese daily life; harvest the seasons bounty with your host mother or tend to your familys chickens and goats at your host father's side. Participate in the local festivals of the summer season and visit some of the many temples that dot the rolling landscape.

Highlights

* Wander through the bazaars, temples and cobblestoned streets of Dhulikhel and Kathmandu.
* Trek for nine days to sacred, jewel-like lakes beneath breathtaking peaks in the Himalaya.
* Construct a school, plant trees and teach English in a rural Nepalese village.
* Delve into Nepalese family life and learn the techniques for subsistence on the steep terraced landscape.
* Explore the rich cultural history and architecture of the ancient cities of Bhaktapur and Bodhnath.

NOTE: This is an inherently challenging program requiring that its participants possess the desire, sensitivity and strength to meet the cultural and physical demands of trekking in remote areas at high elevations.

Type of Programs

• Adventure Travel
• Community Service / Volunteerism
• Cultural Exploration
• Student Tours

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 5,325

Program Fees Include:

Travel expenses to and from Kathmandu are not included in the program fee. Global Routes arranges group travel. Round trip airfare from New York to Kathmandu will be approximately USD 2,350. Students are also encouraged to raise monies to help fund their service projects.

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 14

Global Routes's Mission Statement

Global Routes offers community-service/cross-cultural exchange programs for North American high-school and college students throughout the world. Students immerse themselves in the life of a small, rural community as they live with a local family and teach in the village school, build a community meeting house or participate in other service projects.

Year Founded

1991