Nepal and Tibet Program

Cultural immersion, community service and educational travel through Nepal and Tibet

This very special gap year program enables you to immerse yourself in an astoundingly rich cultural heritage and dramatically diverse environments, as we journey through Nepal and Tibet. Nepali language and culture immersion while home-staying in a rural village and volunteering on a community development project. Trekking in the shadow of Mt Everest through Sagamartha National Park enjoying traditional Sherpa hospitality. Study Tibetan Buddhism and meditation while living at a hilltop monastary. An incredible rafting expedition from the Himalayas to the plains bordering India. Travel overland across the roof-top of the world between Kathmandu and Lhasa, the spiritual heart of Tibet, through incredible landscapes and amazing historic sites. Experience ancient Bandipur, lakeside Pokhara and Royal Chitwan National Park.

This study abroad / gap year travel program is suitable for students, graduates and non-students, ideally 18 – 25 years.

For a relatively small country Nepal has astounding diversity – in environment, ranging from the semi-tropical Terai in the south to the mountainous Himalayas in the north, home to eight of the world's ten highest mountains, including Mount Everest. Nepal is a multi-cultural, multi-linguistic, multi-religion country. Hinduism is practiced by a huge majority of the people, but the country also has a strong Buddhist tradition - Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha is located in Nepal. Nepal is a country in transition and is currently changing from a monarchy to a federal democratic republic.

Imagine soaring Himalayan peaks, fluttering prayer flags, big skies, and stunning Buddhist monasteries. Known as The Land of Snows and the mythical Shangri La, Tibet has historically been isolated by its mountainous geography. This isolation has, for centuries, fired people’s curiosity about the kingdom which has only been possible to visit since the 1980s. The country's rugged and spectacular mountain environment combined with its sparse population and stunning historical sites make any overland journey across the Tibetan Plateau both a spiritual and epic travel experience.

“Go to Tibet and see many places, as much as you can, then tell the world.” His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Nepal and Tibet Program Highlights

• Rewarding week-long community service project and village homestay with language and cultural exchange focus
• Trekking through the rugged Himalaya mountains  and Sherpa villages in Sagamartha National Park to Gyoko (15,175 ft), with views of Mt Everest
• Time in Namche Bazaar, Khumjung, and at Tengboche Monastry
• Insightful week-long course studying Tibetan Buddhism and meditation with monks at a monastery in the hills above Kathmandu
• Lhasa, Tibet, and the significant sites of the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung and Sera monastries
• Five-day journey across the rooftop of the world from Lhasa back to Nepal, visiting incredible monasteries and Mt Everest base camp
• Rafting the Sun Koshi River – an unbelievable 9-day passage traversing more than 150 miles of mountains, valleys, forests and remote villages, to spill out onto the Gangetic Plain
• The town of Bandipur, a living museum of Newari culture and architecture
• The lakeshore town of Pokhara, the World Peace Pagoda, and insight into an organization working to improve the lives of disadvantaged women
• Safari in Royal Chetwin National Park – home to endangered rhino, tigers and rare dolphins
• Informal lectures and discussions on history, religion culture and environment
• Very personalized small group experience – maximum 10 participants (compare with other programs of up to 40)
• Fantastic Pacific Discovery program leader/s supported by English-speaking local guides

"Traveling with Pacific Discovery has been one of the most personally rewarding things I have ever done. The program's small group sizes and focus on responsible travel allows you to interact with a country's local culture, customs, and environment on a much deeper level. I had the time of my life on the trip!” M Lowrey, participant 2007

Academic credit available on the Nepal and Tibet Program

Click on the link below to view course and registration information for optional transferable credit available on this program.

Seattle Central Community College
Credit is available through the Seattle Central Community College Office of Cooperative Education and Service Learning. Whether you are from the US, Canada, or elsewhere, you are able to undertake this optional independent-study credit while on a Pacific Discovery program. Courses can be taken for 5 or 10 quarter credits and a maximum of 20 credits can be taken per quarter. This credit is a particularly good option for gap-year students and students wanting an economical credit option.

Nepal and Tibet Program Itinerary

Cultural immersion, community service and educational travel through Nepal and Tibet

Week One. Kathmandu Valley homestay and community service project
On arrival in Kathmandu you will be met and welcomed by your program leader, and have a comprehensive program orientation with all program participants. There will be time in Kathmandu to rest from your flight and visit some of the incredible sights of this fascinating city, before travelling to the village and meeting our homestay families. This week will be spent immersing ourselves in Nepali culture and language, and assisting the community on a local development project. There will be wonderful opportunities for cultural exchange.

Week Two - Three. Trekking in Sagamartha National Park
From Kathmandu we fly to Lukla (9,380 ft) in the Khumbu Region of Eastern Nepal. This is our gateway to Sagamartha National Park, and an incredible journey trekking through the rugged Himalayas. Over two weeks we trek through glacial carved valleys following the thundering Dudh Koshi River, overnighting in small lodges and tea-houses with Sherpa families. The trail takes us among the highest mountains on earth to our high point at Gyoko (15,175ft), with breath-taking views to Ama Dablam and Everest/Sagamartha/Chomolunga. We spend time in the spiritually significant village of Khumjung and bustling Namche Bazaar, visit gorgeous mountain monasteries in Pangboche and Tengboche and the informative Sacred Land Center which explores the links between the Buddhist culture and conservation of the mountain ecology.

Week Four. Meditation and Buddhism immersion
Returning to Kathmandu we have a free day to rest and relax before beginning a spiritual journey with a week-long immersion in meditation and Buddhism study. We will be living at the thriving monastery in the hills above Kathmandu, alongside more than 350 monks. Our week of study gives us an introduction to Tibetan Buddhism, teaches us meditation skills and includes a two day meditation retreat. Each day we share sessions of meditation, teachings and discussion groups. This is a really unique experience that will stay with you for life.

Week Five - Six. Lhasa, Tibet, the Friendship Highway and Everest Basecamp
Refreshed from a week of meditation we fly to Lhasa, Tibet to experience the birthplace of Tibetan Buddhism and its ancient cultural heart. Lhasa, meaning ‘place of the gods’, is one of the highest cities on earth, nestled on the Tibetan Plateau surrounded by mountains. Since the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1950, change has been dramatic, with many Tibetans now living in exile, and as a minority in Lhasa. During our time in Lhasa we will be staying in the Tibetan quarter and visiting the historically significant Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera and Drepung Monastries. Departing Lhasa we take an incredible road trip across the ‘roof top of the world’ as we traverse the Friendship Highway back to Nepal. We overnight at small villages towns along the route. We’ll visit stunning turquoise Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse, Shigatse, and Rongphu Monastery near Everest Base Camp. Our final day on the road takes us across the border back into Nepal, and a welcoming riverside lodge in the mountains for the night.

Week Six - Seven. Sun Koshi River rafting expedition
The Sun Koshi expedition is the longest river trip in Nepal, and among the top ten rafting trips in the world. Traversing over 150 miles from near the Tibetan border, through the beautiful Mahabharat Range until it spills onto the Gangetic Plain close the Indian border. Our voyage will be an incredible combination of awe-inspiring whitewater, visits to remote villages on terraced hillsides, wildlife spotting, and tranquil nights camped on the riverbank.

Week Eight - Nine. Bandipur, Pokhara and Royal Chitwan National Park
Our last week in Nepal takes us to several iconic locations – Bandipur, a historic town draped along a hilltop, renowned for its incredible Newari architecture and cultural integrity. Pokhara, nestled on the banks of lake Phew Tal at the foot of the mighty Annapurna mountains. Once an important town on the trading route between Tibet and India, it was accessible by foot only until the late 1960s. Today Pokhara is one of the most popular places to visit in Nepal, home to the World Peace Pagoda and several Tibetan communities, and has unbeatable views of the towering mountains nearby. We spend several days in Pokhara exploring the sights and learning about issues facing disadvantaged women in Nepal, at a local NGO (non-governmental organization). For our last few days in Nepal we go on safari in Royal Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will learn about the significant threats facing Nepal’s wildlife and habitats, ride elephants through the grasslands and forest and try spotting endangered rhino, tigers and the rare Gangetic dolphin. We return to Kathmandu for last minute souvenir shopping and program wrap. You will depart Nepal a different person, touched by the people, places and experiences you’ve encountered, and with an intimate understanding of the complex issues facing our environments and indigenous cultures.

Nepal and Tibet Program Notes

Cultural immersion, community service and educational travel through Nepal and Tibet

Suitability

Open to students, graduates and non-students, ideally 18-25 years. This program is suitable for anyone of moderate fitness with an interest in other cultures and enthusiasm for new experiences. You need to be committed to, and prepared for, some physical work whilst on the volunteer/community service component of the program ie. assisting with building, tree planting or painting; and challenging physical activity whilst trekking and rafting. You don’t need to have had previous experience with travel or any of the activities offered, but it is important you have a ‘can do’ positive attitude.

Accommodation

Our accommodation will be a mixture of comfortable and clean hostels and simple trekking lodges, 6 nights village homestay and 10 nights camping (tents supplied). Laundry, postal, telephone and email facilities will be available many days, except while on expedition. Accommodation is diverse, comfortable and carefully chosen to fit our needs.

Meals

Food is a highlight when traveling. Generally there will be the opportunity to eat Nepali, Tibetan or Western style food. Special dietary requirements and vegetarians are catered for. More than two thirds of meals are included in the program cost. The remaining meals are not included to allow us a choice of when, where and what we eat. For the meals not included, you will have the option of dining out, or self-catering with others in the group.

Transport

The itinerary has been designed to maximise comfort and safety whilst also giving you the opportunity to experience local transport and take part in daily life. We utilize private vans and buses, private taxis, private and local boats, elephants, bicycles and take 2 internal flights.

Program fee

Program cost is $6,950 USD (change currency).

Program fee inclusions

Tibet visa and permits*; All in-country travel and transport; All accommodation; More than two thirds of meals (see ‘meals’ above); All activities, excursions, entry fees, permits and adventure travel as described in the itinerary; Week-long volunteer community service project and Nepali language immersion; Informal lectures from resident experts on conservation and eco-tourism; Experienced program leader/s and local guides; Online image library for your program. Refer information booklet for international flight options.
*Nepal visa is issued on arrival at the airport in Kathmandu

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