Live and Work in a Nepali Village

Please join us this year in Nepal and help us continue to rebuild the Kunta School. This service-focused program spends 6 full days in the village, living and working with the villagers, as well as time exploring Kathmandu and environs. Those wishing to continue the adventure may opt to continue on for explorations in one of two optional extensions, either a safari in Chitwan National Park or trekking in the Annapurna area. Either way you will have an amazing cultural exchange and be able to give your much-needed support to education in Nepal.

Nepal is truly one of the most amazing places on earth. It is one of the smallest countries in the world, yet boasts the highest mountain, the deepest valley and an astonishing array of wildlife, bird life and foliage. The extreme changes in altitude have created everything from lush steamy jungles inhabited by tigers, rhinoceros and elephants, to deserted freezing mountains. The geography has also contributed to a large variety of ethnic and religious diversity. On this trip you will explore many of Nepal's fascinating and beautiful landscapes as well as different ethnic communities. The highlight will be the time you spend living in the community and working on the school building and refurbishing project. 

We will spend the first few days in Kathmandu, visiting our partners in Nepal. Maiti Nepal offers girls a place of refuge, healing and education after being rescued from lives of sexual slavery in the brothels of Bombay. We will also take in some of the most interesting historical and religious sites in the valley.

From there we will journey to the village of Kavre for our homestay and school building work project. You will spend your days working with community members on the school and your evenings in the home of your host family. The accommodations will be very simple and rustic, and the food you eat will be grown and prepared by the families. Even with the work project, there will be time to relax and truly experience what rural life in Nepal is like.

Following the homestay, those who would like to continue their adventure in Nepal can choose from two extensions. The first is to explore Nepal's Royal Chitwan Park on safari, where we will ride elephants through the jungle as we go on safari in search of the park’s diverse wildlife, which includes the famous white rhino and the seldom-seen Bengal tiger, as well as crocodiles and hundreds of species of birds. The second extension option is a four day locally-supported trek in the breathtaking Annapurna area of the Himalayas, enjoying stunning views, visiting traditional Gurung villages, and learning about ongoing efforts to create a sustainable trekking industry. These days will be a wonderful time to reflect on your Nepali experience and to get some great Himalayan air flowing through your lungs.

Kathmandu Valley and Service Trip Program length: 14 days Dates: 23 Oct – 5 Nov, 2010 Grade: Easy-Moderate Price: $1,980 Sample Itinerary (PDF)   for Nepal!

Highlights!

Homestay and work project

Kathmandu area temples

Medieval city of Bhaktapur

Royal Chitwan National Park

Trek in the Annapurna district