28 Day Nepal Road Trip

This is a great all round project, combining both adventure, cutlure and volunteering. It’s a great way to meet new people if travelling solo. 

• Arrival  airport transfer
• 3 Meals p/day weekdays, 2 meals p/day weekends
• Accommodation (Volunteer Centers – shared dorm style rooms)
• Daily ground transportation (to/from project)
• Training & supervision as required
• Use of necessary equipment incl program materials
• 24/7 emergency assistance, volunteer support, local guiding and advice
• Touring & excursions as per itinerary
• Certificate of Completion 

• Travel insurance (mandatory)
• Airfares & visa fees
• Additional tours, souvenirs, spending money
• Some daily local transport (depending on program eg. $2 p/day)

Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project. Your accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees.

A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). You must arrive between the hours 06:00 to 24:00 on Sunday.

If arriving outside the pickup times on Sunday, you can book a private transfer for US$50.

If arriving during the week, or on Saturday, we charge US$50 for any extra night’s accommodation before your program, and another US$50 fee for a private transfer.

Alternatively, if arriving early you could wait at the arrival’s terminal for the pickup time, book accommodation at the airport and meet us during the pickup times or make your own way to the project (we will advise on how to do this).

From the airport to Kathmandu accommodation, it takes 45 minutes by taxi.

Week 1 – Kathmandu 

Kathmandu Arrive in Kathmandu and relax at the volunteer Centre.  Get to know your fellow volunteers. Learn about the Nepalese culture through a series of introductory culture classes which are designed help you to develop your Nepalese language skills and deepen your understanding of the Nepalese way of life complete with details on rituals and customs. Learn about Nepal’s history and the religious influences which have shaped it.

Visit the local shops and markets with our staff, learning as you go what the local culture is and how to become a part of it. As part of your city tour and orientation you will also visit some amazing sites of such as the temple of Bouddhanath: one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in Kathmandu whose ancient spherical stupa dominates the skyline and is one of the largest in the world.

Week 2 – Pokhara & Chitwan Adventure

Kathmandu Adventure Take part in a village hike where you can see rural day to day life (at its own relaxed pace) and see the many rice paddies and mountains. Then enjoy adventurous white water rafting on the scenic Trisuli River, a place where you will spend one night and two days. Then to the Royal Chiwan National Park which covers an impressive 360 square miles of land and is home to Bengal tigers and around 543 species of birds. Experience the exotic wildlife of Nepal for two nights and three days. Spend some time sight-seeing in the charming town of Pokhara, the second largest city in Nepal, which is home to three of the largest mountains in the world.

There is a stunning view of the Himalayas from the northern skyline here.

Week 3 – Mountain Trekking in Annapurna region

Head to the Annapurna region for an Adventure Trek up the Poon Hill (3,190m, 10,465 ft.) which is the viewpoint for two of the largest mountains in the world: Annapurna (8,091m, 26,545 ft.) and Dhaulagiri (8,167m, 26,794 ft.). This fulfilling quest will take five days and reward you with views of priceless beauty.

You will receive a relaxing massage on the way back.  You can then take part in a Yoga and Meditation session. With ample time set aside especially for some moments of profound quiet which will enable you to reflect upon on the vast and beautiful sights you have encountered and those that are yet to come.

Week 4 Volunteer Placement Kathmandu

Volunteering in Kathmandu at the local school or in an orphanage or earthquake rebuilding efforts.  The coordinators who are specially trained will help you throughout the course of your stay in Nepal with us and provide you with reassurance and assistance when you need it. Letting you feelnot only a part of the local culture but that you also gave something back to it.  Volunteer Placement include:

• Teaching in Local Schools

• Orphanage programs

• Medical program

• Teaching in Buddhist Monasteries

• Renovation projects

• Organic Farm/Community development

The weekends are always open for your leisure. The local team will assist you in organising additional travel plans with heaps of local knowledge. Shopping in Kathmandu is an experience all its own. Thamel, Kathmandu’s tourist hotspot, is where shoppers can find Nepalese, Tibetan and Indian artifacts, woodcarvings, handicraft and an assortments of unique clothing and apparel. There are also several malls where you can find fashionable clothing and grocery stores, offering everything from wine to breakfast cereals. There are numerous dining options available throughout the city, including Italian, Indian, Thai, Korean and Chinese in addition to a variety of local cuisine.

What to Bring

Toiletries, mobile phone, adequate clothing for cold and wet weather, mosquito repellent, prescription medication, basic first aid kit, a torch, photo or video camera and a hat.

Nepal is one of the most beautiful and culturally rich countries in the world.  Nepal first opened its borders to outsiders in the 1950s.  It is home to Mount Everest, the birthplace of Buddha, and an astonishingly beautiful landscape, ranging from the well-known peaks of the Himalaya to the low-lying regions of the Terai.

The Nepali people are as diverse at the geography, with over 70 languages or dialects and scores of traditional festivals celebrated throughout the year.

However, Nepal is also one of the most under-developed countries in the world, with low rates of literacy, high rates of poverty and a persistent gender imbalance. The government is frequently unable to provide adequate education and health facilities throughout the country and both urban and rural areas are forced to live without necessary resources to promote growth and development of their communities.

Nepal is a year round destination, and the cliate can vary between the North and South regions. The best overall times to visit are during spring and autumn (particually for trekking).

December to Febuary is winter, and it can get extremely cold in the mountains (down to sub zero). Summer in this region has a pleasent temperature but still bring some warmer clothing for the evenings. 

Summer in southern Nepal can get extremely hot (plus 40°C) in some areas. Winter temperatures in this area can range from 7°C to 23°C.

Kathmandu has a pleasent climate on average. The monsoon rains start from June to September in Nepal. 

The majority of Nepalis are either Hindus or Buddhists, but there are many other religions here too like Islam, Christianity, Jainism and Sikhism. You will find many temples and monasteries around Nepal. The right hand is used for important things such as passing money, eating and the giving of gifts. 

Nepalese people love their food and much of it has been influenced by Indian and Tibetan cultures. Nepali people have a lot of respect for elders and will call each other didi (“older sister”), bahini (“younger sister”), etc, even if they are not actually related. The family unit is very strong and having a close knit family is important for the local people. 

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IVI is an Australian charity & non profit organisation founded in 1989 and is one of the pioneers of overseas volunteering successfully placing over 20,000 volunteers globally.

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