Himalayan Footsteps

Call us now on 0131 510 0522

Classic tour and Volunteer with Children in Nepal (30 days) 30 day tour

Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan National Park, Bhaktapur

Combine volunteering with children in Nepal with a holiday to the highlights of the country. This package offers volunteering at an orphanage in Pokhara for two weeks, visits to the sights of Kathmandu and Pokhara and adventure safari in Chitwan National Park.

Itinerary

Day 01
Depart UK


Day 02
Arrive Kathmandu
Meet our representative at the airport and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is free.


Day 03 – B
Kathmandu
Today you will take a walking tour to explore the old city of Kathmandu. Visit Durbar Square, which is listed as a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage site. It is a cluster of ancient temples, palaces, courtyards and streets dating back to the 12th and 18th centuries.

You will also see the Temple of the Living Goddess, Hanuman Dhoka, the ancient royal residential quarter and the Mahadeva and Parvati Temples.

Later visit Swayambhunath, situated on the top of a hill, west of Kathmandu. The temple is colloquially known as the ‘monkey temple’ because of the large tribe of roving monkeys who guard it.


Day 04 – B
Kathmandu
Today you will take a day trip to Bungmati and Khokana.

A visit to these villages offers a fascinating glimpse of rural life in the Kathmandu Valley. In both villages you will see life taking place more on the streets than inside with villagers spinning, caring for children, gossiping, processing crops in the sun. Woodcarving is an alive and strong tradition here and you will see the beautiful pieces being produced, including doors and window frames.

Bungamati is also one of the two homes of the rain god Raato Machhendranath. Kokana is particularly renowned as a producer of mustard oil.


Day 05 – B
Kathmandu
Morning visit to Kopan Monastery, a thriving monastery of 360 monks, mainly from Nepal and Tibet, and a spiritual oasis for hundreds of visitors yearly from around the world. Nearby is Khachoe Ghakyil Ling Nunnery, home to 380 nuns.

If you wish you can attend their daily (10 am, Mon – Friday) meditation and discussion group on Buddhist topics, led by a Western teacher.

In the afternoon visit Pashupatinath, one of the most important Hindu temples of Lord Shiva in the world. It draws wandering Sadhus from all over India.

A short walk away you will find Boudhanath, one of the largest Buddhist Stupas in the world. Around here you will experience vibrant and unfettered Tibetan culture from the large community of Tibetan exiles.

Today’s tour is an ideal experience to compare and contrast the different faiths but also see how they overlap and exist in harmony.


Day 06 – B
Kathmandu | Pokhara
In the early morning you will head off to Pokhara by bus. Pokhara is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. The rest of the day is free to relax and to explore the area.


Day 07 – B
Pokhara
In the early morning drive to Sarangkot, a beautiful village best known for its sunrise. On a clear day you will have an unobstructed view of the Himalayan mountains. Return to hotel for breakfast.

Later you will cross Phewa Lake by boat and hike to the World Peace Pagoda (1-2hrs). The Pagoda is a massive Buddhist stupa situated on top of a hill on the southern shore of Phewa Lake. Besides being an impressive sight in itself, the shrine is a great vantage point which offers spectacular views of the Annapurna range and Pokhara city. The rest of the day is free.


Day 08 – B L D
Pokhara: Rainbow Children’s Home
After breakfast go to Rainbow Children’s Home. Meals  and overnight stay at Children’s Home.

This Children’s home is dedicated to providing the orphaned, poor and marginalized children of Nepal with nutritious food, clean water, quality education and most importantly a loving, secure family and home.


Day 09 – 21 – B L D
Pokhara: Rainbow Children’s Home
Volunteering in Rainbow Children’s Home, including meals and overnight stays.


Day 22 – B L
Pokhara
In the afternoon you will leave Rainbow Children’s Home and return to your hotel in Pokhara. The rest of the day is free for leisure activities.


Day 23 – B
Pokhara
Today is free for activities of your choice. Go boating, cycling, horse riding, yoga, swimming, paragliding, for a massage or simply relax by the lakeside and enjoy one of the many restaurants.


Day 24 – B D
Pokhara | Chitwan National Park
Today you will drive to Chitwan National Park after an early breakfast

In the afternoon take a tour to a nearby ethnic Tharu village where you will learn more about the life and lifestyle of the Tharu. Visit the National Park Visitor’s Centre where you can learn more about the history of the National park and about wildlife.

In the evening enjoy the spectacular sunset from the bank of Rapti River before being entertained by a Tharu Cultural Dance presentation by the local villagers or a slideshow presentation.


Day 25 – B L D
Chitwan National Park
Today you will take a canoe ride along Rapti River. This is an excellent opportunity for birdwatching and you might even see two rare species of crocodile: the Marsh Mugger and the Gharial Crocodile.

Later go for a jungle walk, before making good friends with an elephant: You will have the chance to go elephant bathing on the back of your new friend and play with it in the water. Afterwards take a safari on elephant-back. Stay overnight at the safari lodge. In the evening enjoy a Tharu Cultural Dance presentation or slideshow presentation.


Day 26 – B L D
Chitwan National Park
After breakfast visit the Government Elephant Breeding Centre. In the afternoon you will either drive to the Twenty Thousand Lake or go for another elephant safari.


Day 27 – B L D
Chitwan National Park | Kathmandu
Today you will drive back to Kathmandu, where the rest of the day is free for your personal activities.


Day 28 – B
Kathmandu
In the morning you will visit Bhaktapur. This is the city of devotes and the best preserved of all the ancient cities of Kathmandu Valley. Bhaktapur is the most original and is without a doubt the most historically authentic city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is literally a living museum where farmers dry their harvest, potters turn their wheel and people go about lives as they have done for so long.

En route visit the Changunarayan Temple. this is the oldest temple in Kathmandu valley, it came into existence in the 4th century.

In the afternoon visit Budhanilkantha, a 5m-long mighty scale sculpture of Vishnu as Narayan. It was created in the 7th or 8th century from a monolithic piece of stone and is the most impressive, if not the most important, Vishnu shrine in the country.


Day 29 – B D
Kathmandu
Today is free for leisure activities. Enjoy a Nepali farewell dinner with cultural programme in evening.


Day 30 – B
Depart Nepal | Arrive UK
Drive to the airport, your guide will help you and bid you farewell

Dates & prices

J F M A M J J A S O N D

29 nights/30 days
From £1027per person*
*on single room accommodation

Costs Include
30 Days packages programme as specified in the itinerary on a Single Standard hotel accommodation
Meals as in itinerary
3 Nights/4 Days Chitwan Trip with all jungle activities as in itinerary and accommodation at Jungle Safari Resort.
All surface transportation by private non AC vehicle
Kathmandu/Pokhara/Chitwan/Kathmandu by Tourist Bus
Entrance fees at monuments for one time entry
Sightseeing tours with English speaking guide as per program
2 weeks Volunteering at Rainbow Children’s Home with all meals and accommodation at children’s home
Nepali farewell dinner with cultural programme

Costs Exclude
Any Airfares
Visa fee to Nepal
Travel insurance
Tips

Flight options

International Flights
If you wish us to book your international flights, we are able to quote you a price and move ahead if you are happy. We’d also like to inform you that we are finding our flight prices not as competitive as they used to be and that cheaper fares can be found more readily with online companies or with a specialist high-street flight agents. It is absolutely fine to book your own flights if that means a better deal for you, all we need is to take a note of your flight details to organise our representative to meet you at the airport on arrival at your destination.

We strongly recommend that you book tickets from an ATOL holder, you can check by looking for the ATOL logo in advertisements, brochures and websites.

Domestic Travel
All domestic travel arrangements are included in your trip; such things can include bus journeys, domestic flights, and airport transfers.

Arrival
You will be met at the airport by our representative who will arrange transportation to the hotel and help you get checked in.


Add-ons

Maps

Read the FAQ about Nepal >

Image
"Your service is excellent, I am dependant for someone to work out the details – times, connections, prices etc. Many thanks for your help with my travel arrangements. I feel secure with them which helps my nervousness in travelling."

Share online

Always wanted to go to Nepal?
Call us now on 0131 5100 522

#

Get our brochure

Click below to request a copy

Come to our next event!

Open Evenings

Click for more information

Talk to someone who knows about Nepal

At Himalayan Footsteps we’ve all been to the Himalayas, so let us give you a call to tell you more about it. Fill in some information here and we’ll get back to you.

With Himalayan Footsteps . . .

You're protected
Image
And Nepal is too
Image
Read more about our Ethical Policies