Immerse yourself in the culture and beauty of this majestic and mountainous country. Make the most of your stay during this program by discovering this Himalayan country which beckons you with varied sights, sounds, aromas and tastes! Explore religious places and heritage sites, hike through the beautiful mountains, and learn the Nepalese language and how to prepare a Nepalese meal. Moreover, learn the importance of service, contribution and community engagement.
Amatra Indian School Group Nepal Cultural Exchange
Kathmandu - Nepal
Program
Living
Kathmandu
Nepal
Standard Room | Private Room | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| All meals included | Yes (1) | Yes (1) | |
| Free beverages | Yes (2) | Yes (2) | |
| Persons per room | 4 – 6 | 1- 2 | |
| Wifi in public areas | Yes | Yes | |
| Laundry facilities | Yes (3) | Yes (3) | |
| Safety box | No | Yes | |
| Lockable rooms | Yes | Yes | |
| Hot shower | Yes | Yes | |
| Private bathroom | No | No | |
| Bed linen | Yes | Yes | |
| Towels | No | No | |
| Mosquito protection | Yes | Yes | |
| Fan | Yes | Yes | |
| Air conditioning | No | No |
(1)
Three meals per day during weekdays and two per day on weekends
(2)
Water, tea, coffee and milk
(3)
At an additional fee
Program Description
In this program, you will get to experience the best of what the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu has to offer. Visit the religious and heritage sites of this old city.
Get closer with Nepalese culture by joining a Nepalese cookery class and have a meal cooked by you along with the fellow participants. In addition, attend a Nepalese language to acquire some basic language skills. Have some fun hiking through a few of the popular mountains in and around the Kathmandu Valley. Get refreshed and bond with your fellow participants by partaking in some games. Learn about the programs that we offer and the importance of community engagement.
Note: Minimum Group Size: 15 participants; 1 free seat per 15 pax
Note: Airport pick-up and Airport drop-off are included in the package.
Aims & Objectives
- Get closer to the beauty of Nepal
- Broaden your knowledge of the local customs, traditions and culture
- Learn some helpful phrases in the local language
- Familiarize yourself with the local surroundings
Schedule
Day 1: Sunday
- Pick up from the Airport
- Transfer to the accommodation in Kathmandu
- Get settled in your accommodation
- The evening is free time to relax or for group activities
Day 2: Monday
- Introduction to House Rules, Setting Expectations, Health and Safety Advice and handling of documents.
- Introduction game to get to know fellow participants
- Local market tour in the afternoon
- Orientation tour of the city of Nepal in an interesting game called “Scavenger Hunt”, we will tell you more about this when you are there.
- Quiz session
- Dinner
Day 3: Tuesday
- Early Departure after breakfast
- Full day hiking at the mountain in Shivapuri
- Return to the center in Kathmandu
Day 4: Wednesday
- Breakfast
- Nepalese Cooking Class
- Lunch prepared by the group in the Cooking Class
- Visit Boudhanath stupa
- Nepalese Language class
Day 5: Thursday
- Introduction to Service learning and the importance of contribution and community engagement
- Visit TGL programs and partaking in information exchange with the local children in schools
- Reflection Session
Day 6: Friday
- Early Departure
- Breakfast
- Full day Hiking at Dhulikhel Range
- Return to the center
- Farewell Dinner Party
Day 7: Saturday
- Pack your bags
- Say your goodbyes to the local team
- Transfer to the airport
Note: This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.
Participant Criteria & Requirements
Standard Requirements
Minimum age: –
Maximum age: –
Minimum English level: Basic
CRB required: No
Passport copy required: On Signup
Resume copy required: No
Required qualification: None
Additional Requirements
There are no further requirements for this program.
Additional Equipment
Casual dress is appropriate during your time at the program. However, no-see-through clothes or low cut tops are permitted.
Location
Kathmandu, the capital and largest city in Nepal, is like no other city in the world. The decaying buildings in the heart of the city are a contrast to the lively atmosphere that permeates the streets. The smell of incense wafts from the stores while street sellers push their wares, and people go about their daily lives, all against a backdrop of historic temples and carved statues.
For several hundred years, Kathmandu was one of three rival royal cities, along with Bhaktapur and Patan. Situated in close proximity to each other, today these three almost run together. The highlight of Kathmandu has long been Durbar Square, the largest of the palace squares in the three royal cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Temples and monuments of varying shapes, sizes, styles, and faiths can be found here.
Kathmandu's Durbar Square was severely damaged in the 2015 earthquake, with many buildings destroyed beyond repair.
For most visitors to Nepal, Kathmandu Valley is the arrival point and the primary focus of the visit. This small, mountain-sheltered valley is the historical center of Nepal, a place where kingdoms rose and fell, where palaces and temples were built and rebuilt, and where Nepali art and culture was developed and refined. Rivers and streams interlace with the landscape, the brick-red villages cling to ridges to preserve precious land and even from the bustling centers of each of the cities, it is possible to catch a glimpse of the snow-capped peaks of the majestic Himalayas against the intense blue skies.
About the Accommodation
There is a mini library where you can read, a beautiful garden to relax in and dining and lounge areas where you can hang out with fellow participants. Furthermore, there is a refrigerator which you are welcome to use to store food and beverages.
Food Arrangements
You will be provided with three meals a day on weekdays and two meals per day on weekends. The meals are a mix of Western and Nepalese food, consisting mainly of vegetarian dishes including rice and vegetables. You can expect to have a chicken dish about once per week. You can also choose to eat out at any of the local restaurants.
Facilities
Our house is located five kilometers away from the city center, where you can find anything you might need. The nearest ATM and supermarket are located a 15-minute walk away from our accommodation.
Mandatory Orientation Day
On the Monday of your first week at this location, you will join our orientation day, to familiarize you with the surroundings as well as local culture. Your program will continue as usual from Tuesday onward throughout the rest of the week.
Schedule
- Welcoming Ritual – Puja to the Gods & goddess and name giving ceremony with Ice breaking activities
- Review the schedule,
- Social behaviors norms dos & don’ts in Nepali culture
- Cross culture seminar on eating, drinking, clothing bathing & toileting customs in Nepal
- Lunch
- Talk on safety & security during the program. Signing up the Code of Conduct, Child Protection Policy and Release & Waiver of Liability. Collection of passport copies, photos, and police clearance
- Information on placement and visiting the placement site.
- Assignment to find the local civics places in and around program house neighborhood. Get personal accessories (Photo copy, money exchange, ATM and take picture). Clothing shopping at the local market.
Activities & Events
No scheduled activities outside the program.
Sights & Surroundings
Shopping in Kathmandu is an experience in itself. Thamel, Kathmandu tourist hotspot, is where shoppers can find Nepalese, Tibetan and Indian artifacts, wood carvings, handicraft and an assortment 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.
Transportation
From this location we provide free transport to your next program at the following location(s):
- Buddhist Monastery
- Kavre
- Mate
- Pokhara
Quick Facts
Name: Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal
Population: 28.98 million
Capital: Kathmandu
Language: Nepali
Currency: Nepalese rupee (NPR)
Time zone: UTC +5:45
Country Information
Namaste and welcome to Nepal, a country of high Himalayan Mountains, artistic monuments, exotic wildlife, and diverse cultures. Located between 80 12' east longitude and between 26 22' and 30 27' north latitude, Nepal extends along the south slopes of the Himalayas in central Asia.
Although Nepal is small, it has the greatest latitudinal variation of any country. The land rises from the southern plains of the Terai, barely above sea level at 70 meters, to the top of the Mt. Everest, the highest peak on Earth at 8848 meters above sea level, in a distance of less than 200 km.
Climate
Weather conditions in Nepal vary from region to region. Summer and late spring temperatures range from about 28C in the hill region of the country to more than 40C in the Terai. In the winter, the average maximum and minimum temperatures in the Terai range from a brisk 7C to mild 23C. The central valleys experience a minimum temperature often falling below the freezing point and a chilly 12C maximum. Much colder temperatures prevail at higher elevations. The Kathmandu Valley has a mild climate, ranging from 19 to 27C in the summer and 2 to 20C in the winter. In the winter, it only snows in the high elevations, around 9,000 feet. In the highest elevations, it snows year-round. The monsoon can last from mid-June to mid-August although the majority of the rain arrives in July.
Winter: From December to February, the mornings and evenings will be cold; in the daytime, you will be fine with a sweater or thin jacket.
Spring: From March to May is the best time to be in Nepal as it is neither hot nor cold. However, it does get quite windy.
Summer: June to August. Hot, humid and monsoon season.
Fall: Very pleasant and mild weather. It gets a bit windy but you will be fine with a sweater or a jacket.
Culture
Nepal's many ethnic groups are as varied as its land with their own languages and cultures. A wide variety of ethnic groups occupy the mid-hills. In the Kathmandu Valley the major population that we find is Newars, whose culture and artistry have earned them an international reputation. The Sherpas are known as tough mountain climbers. Brahmins and Chhetris are scattered over the hills and valleys, and Tamangs are found in the districts around the Kathmandu Valley. The Rais, Limbu, Gurung, Magars of the mid-hills have earned fame as Gurkha soldiers. Lowland ethnic groups such as Maithili, Bhojpuri, and Tharu enhance the colorful mosaic. The population of Nepal is about 28.98 million.
Transportation
Local Bus
One of the cheapest ways to get around Nepal. However, you get what you pay for! They are often crowded (and not just with people, sometimes even goats!). Most buses don’t depart until they get filled up, so it is not a good idea for those who have a tight schedule.
Tourist Bus
These are slightly more expensive than local buses but also more comfortable. Greenline buses offer routers between Kathmandu, Chitwan, Lumbini and Pokhara. It is recommended to book in advance to make sure you get a seat.
Taxis
Taxis are either private taxis as in any other cities or “10 Rupee” taxis, which are public. This means they don’t leave a place until they are full. The name, “10 Rupee taxis” does not mean they cost 10 Rupee! Do feel free to bargain
