Orientation, Language and Cultural Immersion in Kathmandu (7 Days)

Your Summer Escape will commence in Nepal with a small, but interesting, orientation about the culture, history, religion, habits and behaviors of the Nepalese people. A short video will follow this brief orientation. The purpose of this orientation is to offer a glimpse into the daily lives, language and cultures of the Nepali people by visiting sites of cultural, religious significance and providing Nepali language classes.

 

Day 0: Arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu . Upon arrival, Global Crossroad's in-Country Coordinator will meet participants at the airport before being transferred to Global Crossroad's hostel in Kalanki.

 

Day 1 : Join general orientation and informative presentation about Nepal , Nepali language, culture, customs and others. After orientation, you simply begin Nepali Language Class with our experienced language instructors.

 

Day 2 : After a twohour Nepali Language Class, Global Crossroad will organize a short cultural tour to Kirtipur which is a very famous historical place. We will see local people and their typical lifestyle.

 

Day 3 : Nepali language continues, followed video clips about the Nepali folk song.

 

Day 4 : After breakfast, set out for a sightseeing tour of the Kathmandu Valley . Visit a world-famous, Hindu holy place known as the Pashupatinath Temple , one of the greatest stupas in Asia as well as

 

Monkey Temple . After the completion of the day's sightseeing, the remainder of the day is free to be used at your own discretion.

 

Day 5 : Nepali Language Class for two hours with the remainder of the day free to explore the highly popular region of Thamel.

 

Day 6 : Review the Nepali language after breakfast. After the review, celebrate with your fellow students and teachers with a small party where each participant will receive a small gift and proof of participation. After lunch, you are free for the remainder of the day to explore the region and prepare for the next day's community service project.

Work in Orphanage (14 days)

Day 7- Day 20: Project work

During these two weeks, participants will work in an orphanage project (Kathmandu or Chitwan) – bringing a ray of hope into the lives of destitute orphans. Volunteers will teach basic, conversational English to the children and organize fun activities in order to encourage their participation as well as easily comprehend things. Extend a helping hand in the sanitation and food distribution efforts of the orphanage. In your free time, hike in the beautiful areas surrounding Kathmandu Valley and experience the peace and tranquility of amazing Nepal.

Annapurna Trek (14 Days)

The final 2 weeks offer the chance to satiate your thirst for exploration and discovery on a Himalayan trekking experience. Drive to Pokhara or Fly to Lukla, begin your 14 days trek to the Himalayan region – the world famous Himalayan trekking route. The Himalayan range is certainly the most fascinating trek that one could ever wish for. The Annapurna trek is not only a trekking destination, but also a journey where one can witness diverse communities, cultures, religions and most of all, the world famous Gurung or Sherpa cult – the most widely known climbers of the world.

 

 

Day 21: Preparation for treks

Day 22: Kathmandu to Pokhara/Chitwan to Pokhara

Depart for Pokhara by bus. In Pokhara, receive a final briefing and prepare for the first leg of your Himalayan trek in the afternoon.
Overnight Accommodations: Budget hotel/guest house
Meals Included: None

Day 23 : Pokhara to Tirkhe Dhunga Transfer to the starting point of the trek Naya Pul and take an easy stroll along the subtropical Modi Khola River Valley to Birethanti (a large village on the old Nepal Tibet trading route). Pass through the Nepal/Tibet checkpoint before continuing through the intricately terraced rice paddies, before arriving at Tirkhe Dhunga for an overnight stay.
Overnight Accommodations: Tea house
Meals Included: None

Day 24: Tirkhe Dhunga to Ghorepani

From Tirkhe Dhunga, cross a stream before ascending a steep, stone staircase to the large Magar Village at Ulleri (2070 m). Then trek through rhododendron and oak forests; across streams before making a short, final ascent to Nangethanti. From Nangethanti, continue the trek up to Ghorepani (2850m) for an overnight stay.
Overnight Accommodations: Tea house
Meals Included: None

Day 25: Hiking to Poon hill back to Ghorepani, and to Tadapani Ris e with the sun and ascend to Poon Hill (3195m) where an awe inspiring sunrise greets you from over the mountains. Clear climate permitting, experience a magical, panoramic view of the mountains of Dhaulagiri I (8167m), Annapurna I (8019m), and Manalsu (8156m). Also: views of the 6,000 meter deep Kali Gandaki Gorge and the trans Himalayan ranges are viewable forming the border of Nepal with Tibetan China making this one of Nepal's most sought after vantage points. After this panoramic treat, descend to the lodge for a late breakfast before continuing onto Ghorepani (2780m) an important stopover on the old trading route to Tibet. From Ghorepani, the walk is all downhill through beautiful forests before arriving at the village of Banthanti finally ending the day's journey at Tadapani for an overnight stay.
Overnight Accommodations: Tea house
Meals Included: None

Day 26: Tadapani to Chhomrung

From Tadapani, the trail descends through additional rhododendron and oak forests, arriving at Chhomrung for a midday lunch. Chhomrung is a Gurung Village, and the highest permanent settlement in the valley with a tremendously vast view across to Annapurna South and Machhapuchhare. The day closes with an overnight stay in Chhomrung.
Overnight Accommodations: Tea house
Meals Included: None

Day 27: Chhomrung to Dovan

Here, the trail descends via a stone staircase, eventually crossing the Chhomrung Khola. Climb high above the Modi Khola, traveling its west bank, and pass through forests of bamboo, rhododendron and oak. This portion of the day's trek is followed by yet another ascent to Kuldi before finally descending a long, steep, stone staircase to Dovan for an overnight stay.
Overnight Accommodations: Tea house
Meals Included: None

Day 28: Dovan to Machhapurchhe Base Camp/Annapurna Base Camp

From Dovan, climb high above the river, on to the lateral moraine, and down the other side to the glacier. This leg of the journey takes you up the bed of the glacier before finally arriving at the Annapurna Base Camp (4237m) for an overnight stay.
Overnight Accommodations: Tea house
Meals Included: None

Day 29: Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo

Beginning with an early morning ascent for a stunning sunrise and breakfast, the journey returns to Bamboo for an overnight stay.
Overnight Accommodations: Tea house
Meals Included: None

Day 30: Bamboo to Chhomrung

Descend a long, stone staircase through bamboo and rhododendrons forests to Kuldi. Continue trekking through beautiful rhododendron forests and down to Sinuwa. From Sinuwa, the trail leads downhill to the Modi Khola, closing the day with a steep climb to Chhomrung where you will remain overnight.
Overnight Accommodations: Tea house
Meals Included: None

Day 31: Chhomrung to Ghandrung

From Chhomrung, heads back to Taglung descending gently through forests to Kummu. Once again, pass Ghandrung offering, yet another, picturesque, panoramic view of Annapurna South - before ending the day's voyage with an overnight stay in Ghandrung.
Overnight Accommodations: Tea house
Meals Included: None

Day 32: Ghandrung to Pokhara

Trek downhill through villages and terraced fields to Syauli Bazaar, then onto Nayapul before being transported back to Pokhara for an overnight stay.
Overnight Accommodations: Tea house/hotel/guest house
Meals Included: None

Day 33: Depart to Kathmandu

Departing for Kathmandu and overnight stay
Overnight Accommodations: hotel/guest house
Meals Included: None

Day 34: Depart back to Home

This program itinerary is merely a proposed sample and may be altered to meet the needs of the volunteers and changes in field conditions. This proposed itinerary will be finalized during orientation in Kathmandu .

What’s Included

What’s Not Included

Program fee covers (first 3 weeks) volunteer and language program

Program fee does not cover