Community work projects
 Our range of community project trips are designed to benefit people in developing nations, while at the same time you will enjoy cultural interaction and the natural beauty of the region in which you are traveling.
In 2008 we have projects and these projects are based in villages of Hilekharka located in isolated hill areas, requiring us to short trek in and out. These projects do not require a good level of physical fitness and the only prerequisite is that you be in good health and have a positive attitude.
A component of your trip payment is part of will be donated as funding for the materials needed to carry out the project work. The work can be as varied as renovating a school or installing piping for fresh drinking water. These villages have little to no access to funds for such projects and these trips are therefore a great way to help improve facilities and spend time with the people of the community to gain a full appreciation of the way they live.
The experience promises to be interactive, philanthropic, Educational and uplifting in every sense. Participants can expect to complete the experience having made long term friendships, being part of a team who has contributed to a community in need and with an overriding feeling of personal achievement. So make a difference to the lives of communities less fortunate and sign up to join with these highly rewarding community projects.
Choose from the following trips:
Hile Kharka:
Your time at Hile Kharka will involve restoration work over 3 days. Participants will be involved with upgrading the ‘run down’ school that exists in the village, including painting the building and repairing the existing walls.
14-day trip
Departs 18 November 2008/9
Background Information of Hile Kharka
 Hile Kharka village is a totally unspoiled and isolated Gurung settlement situated in the Tanahun district approximately 1500 meters above sea level. It lies 130 kilometers southwest of Kathmandu and approximately 16 kilometers south east of Banipur Bazaar (old trade center of the region). It nestles under the tallest hill in the area, known as Chhimkeswari hill. Atop of this hill is a temple known as Chhemkeswari Maai which is a famous Hindu pilgrimages site attracting hundreds of pilgrims from all over Nepal in the winter time.
The Gurungs are one of the many ethnic groups living in Nepal and are descended from Tibeto-Burman origins. They live primarily in Western Nepal’s Gandaki Zone, specifically the Lamjung, Kaski, Tanahu, Gorkha, Syangja and Manang districts which surround the massive Annapurna range. Traditionally, Gurungs subsisted on sheep herding and trans-Himalayan trade but during WW2, many Gurung men were recruited to serve in the British and Indian Gurkha regiments. The Gurung practice a form of Lamaist Buddhism which blends Buddhist tradition with pre-Buddhist practices of the Bön religion of Tibet.
The climate of the area is ideal for hiking at any time of the year although, during the monsoon months of June to September it rains often. Now the village can be reached by 4WD in winter, but it is spectacular to walk either from Khani Khola or Baradi from which the trail is steep and cuts through lush hill forest or from Bandipur, where it is a gentle and visually splendid walk. All routes take three to four hours and offer magnificent mountain views of rolling foothills dotted with isolated farming communities with the Himalayas towering in the background.
The trek will provide you with a rare opportunity to see Nepali natives unaffected by the tourism of the country’s larger centers. You can experience the vibrance and strength of the Hile Kharkha community, whose traditional way of life has left them vulnerable in the midst of national economic and political upheaval. The Hile Kharkha Development Organization (HKDO) is supporting the villagers in trying to find a future for their children who have virtually no government support for education and healthcare. The cost of the trip is kept to a minimum so that we can expose as many people to the plight of rural inhabitants of Nepal. All proceeds are used to support the projects outlined in the 2008/9 development strategy.
Itinerary
 Day 01 Arrive Kathmandu (1330 meters above sea level)
There are no arranged activities on the first day. A group meeting at 6pm will be followed by an optional dinner. You will be informed of the meeting location upon booking. Kathmandu is an amazing hybrid of traditional village life and modern western culture. Narrow lanes lead reveal ancient Newari architecture with its ornate carvings, Hindu shrines and temples and tiny, family-owned shops which sell an array of modern and antique temptations.
Day 02 Visit Swayambunath, Kathmandu Durbar square, Pashupatinath & Bodhnath.
Today, you will make an early start to climb up to the “monkey temple”, the Buddhist Swayambhunath stupa which is over 2000 years-old and offers superb views out over the entire valley. Close by, we commence a guided walk through Kathmandu Durbar Square, home to the palace of the Kumari Devi who is considered to be a living goddess. We visit ancient temples, shrines and deities of Malla Kings. After lunch we see Pashupatinath, the Hindu temple of Lord Shiva renowned for its gold gilt roof and richly carved silver doors, and then transfer to Bodhnath, home of one of the world’s biggest stupas. Here, we enjoy mingling and shopping with the local Tibetan community and watch as they circumambulate in prayer. Return to hotel and meet for optional group dinner.
Day 03 Visit Bhaktapur & Patan
We start with a guided tour of Patan Durbar Square which is full of ancient Buddhist and Hindu temples and monuments. Patan is known as the city of artists and offers an array of fascinating handicrafts, particularly metal work which is largely exported to India and Tibet. A 30-40 minute drive takes us to the medieval Bhaktapur where we will enjoy lunch before commencing a tour on foot as much of the town is closed to traffic. The name Bhaktapur translates to ‘town of devotees’. The history and spirit of the Newari people is captured in the old town’s magnificent Newari architecture, artisan workshops and indeed their strong sense of community and Hindu devotion. Return to hotel and meet for optional group dinner.
Day 04 Transfer > Bandipur 1000 meter
Early in the morning after breakfast you will be traveling by private transport up into the hills of Bandipur (approximately 5 hours). The Kathamndu-Pokhara highway is twisty mountain road which offers wonderful glimpses of rural Nepalese life and takes us to Bandipur, a peaceful single-street village ridge top surrounded by countryside hills of colorful flora and friendly locals. The town is well away from the main tourist trails and its views of the Annapurna and Manaslu massifs are tremendous. We camp at Tundikhel (an open public field) and visit the pagoda-roofed Bindabasini temple which houses the goddess Durga (Bandipur's guardian deity), the Mahalaxmi temple and the Khadka Devi temple which comes alive once a year during the Dashain festival, around October.
Day 05 Trek> Hile Kharka 1500 meter (approximately 4 hours)
After breakfast we begin a gentle walk to Hille Kharka, enjoying again the mountainous views, chatting to locals as they go about their daily work of collecting from the forest and farming.
Day 06 Village stays at Hile Kharkha
The Nepalese love to perform traditional folk dances and the village Children and Mothers Group will be entertain us with Gurung and Nepali dancing and singing. The village has not had electricity until recently so evenings have been spent singing and dancing to folk songs which have been passed from generation to generation for hundreds of years and is a source of joy to all. The living culture and tradition of Gurungs blended with their rich hospitality make for an unforgettable experience for any one who visits Hile Kharka. During your stay you will be able to feel what it is like to live the life of a Nepali villager. Walk with your family while they go about their daily chores, tending animals, tilling the fields, going to school with the children, or just sitting in the sun talking to neighbors
Day 07 Hiking to Chhemkeswari Hill 2200 meters
2 ½ hours of hiking takes us to Chhikeswari Temple Hill which provides the best view point on a clear day. Again, in the evening after dinner, the villagers present a local ethnic dance. Participants can join the cultural dance program and dance with the local people. Enjoy the real life of ethnic people in Nepal.
Day 08 & 09 White water rafting - program may not be available during monsoon season because of flooding
Participants leave for rafting after an early breakfast taking a 3 hour walk downhill to meet our vehicle at Khani Khola. We drive to the rafting put-in-point Damauli and enjoy the white water rafting waves of the Seti River, one of the best scenic rivers in Nepal passing beautiful landscapes, forest and isolated villages. Our rafting ends at Gaighat.
Day 10, 11 & 12 Visit to Royal Chitwan National Park (2 Night 3 days)
From Gaighat, we drive 1 hour southwest to the Royal Chitwan National Park, an expansive jungle terrain famous for spotting native wildlife such as tigers, rhinoceros, wild boar, monkeys and thousands of unusual and beautiful birds. Elephant riding and jungle safari are our means of transport here. In the afternoon, we visit a Tharu village and the local museums. We will dine on local fare and after dinner are entertained by Tharu Cultural Dance
Day 13 Transfer back to Kathmandu, Check into hotel, free time.
Day 14 Departure. |
