• Application Deadline

    31.07.2023

  • Price

    1220 CHF

    See further down on application page for more info on what’s included and what not.

What’s awaiting you

Are you longing to immerse yourself in the mystical land of Buddha and the towering Himalayas? Do you crave for an opportunity to delve deep into Nepal’s socio-cultural landscape, uncovering marginalized communities’ struggles and triumphs? Do you want to learn about Nepal’s efforts for preserving wildlife, as well as the issues animals face in urban areas? If the answer is yes, then this trip is tailor-made for you! We invite you to join us on an unforgettable intercultural study trip to Nepal, where you can immerse yourself in the heart of this fascinating country, Nepal. Our program offers a unique opportunity to live like the locals, sharing in the lives and stories of Nepal’s Dalit people, and exploring off-the-beaten-track destinations that showcase the country’s breathtaking natural beauty. From the mystic mountains to the bustling cities, you’ll experience the essence of Nepal in all its glory– join us now!

The Trip

The Trip starts in Nepal’s capital city Kathmandu, a melting pot of dozens of different ethnical cultures and multiple different religions. The intercultural trip will take you through heritage sites, local market, streets and natural environment of Nepal. The trip will start from Kathmandu valley where you will attend sharing sessions from local experts on various topics such as politics, history, conservation, wildlife, river and urban settlement and animal rights. Along with sessions you will also visit UNESCO World Heritage sites of Kathmandu valley. You will then travel to a village of Dalit community and live like locals. ‘Dalits’ are considered ‘untouchables’ who represents lowest strata of the Nepali society. During your stay in the village you will get opportunity to learn local traditional skills like iron work, bamboo work, basket weaving, making mud jewelry and learning to play musical instrument. You will then travel to an organic farm and embark on a short hiking. You will learn about issues and opportunities of agriculture, situation of consumption pattern and understand the issue of food in Nepal. After the farm stay and hiking, you will get chance to be like a ‘tourist’ in Nepal’s most popular tourism destination, Pokhara, then travel back to Kathmandu and wrap-up the trip.

Highlights

The focus of this year’s trip is to gain an understanding and firsthand experience of various aspects of Nepali culture and society, including politics, conservation, animal rights, and river life. The trip highlights are as follows:

  • Visiting historically significant locations such as Bouddhanath, Patan, and Soyembhu, which are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as the major cities of Kathmandu.
  • Exploring the local streets, markets, slums, and economy, and learning about initiatives to promote cycling in the city.
  • Learning about the issues facing animals in Nepal, including street dogs, cows, birds, and monkeys, as well as initiatives and rehabilitation efforts.
  • Learning about biodiversity conservation and wildlife in Nepal.
  • Experiencing Nepal’s diverse cultures and religions.
  • Participating in a homestay to live like a local and gain a deeper understanding of Nepali life.
  • Enjoying hiking in Nepal’s beautiful natural landscapes with stunning views of the Himalayas.
  • Staying at an organic farm to learn about Nepal’s food system.
  • Savoring Nepal’s simple yet exquisite cuisine.

Meet the Organizers

This Trip is a Cooperation between IFIL.ch and Hands-On Institute

Bijaya Poudel

Bijaya, an Anthropologist and development practitioner, has a decade of experience working with community and youth especially focusing on peace-building. Bijaya received his Master’s degree in Anthropology from Tribhuwan University. Bijay served at Association of Youth Organizations Nepal (AYON) – a national network of youth-led organizations. He represented Nepal in UNESCO Youth Forum in Korea, Rio Summit in Brazil and led a youth team to Scotland. Bijaya has co-organized several IFIL Study Trip to Nepal and since 2018 is member of IFIL’s board. He is the co-founder of Hands-On Institute which shares IFIL’s ideas and designs and executes educational travel programs in Nepal for academic institutions and organizations from around the world.

Bijaya is supported by his and IFIL’s long-term collaborator Tulsi Giri:

Tulsi Giri

Tulsi is an entrepreneur from Nepal working in the sector of organic agriculture and agritourism. He co-organized several IFIL Study Trip to Nepal since 2009 and the one of last year. He has travelled and lived in Switzerland few times, therefore he is very familiar with the country. He has experiences of hosting international group travels in Nepal and help building up several local NGOs in his home country. He studied Sociology & Anthropology and also has participated in different international courses on the issues of sustainability.

Detailed Programme

As per the suggestion from previous participants: all accommodation for 13 nights, meals for 12 days (3 major meals), speakers, organizer’s food, accommodation and communication cost, all local transportation including airport pickup and drop, all entrance to UNESCO, Heritage, National Park charges, project/activity costs.

  • 04.09.2023

    • Welcome, getting to know each other, program briefing, cultural orientation and Q&A
    • Lecture on ‘Know Nepal- Heritage and Culture’
    • Heritage Tour of Swayambhunath, one of Katmandu’s oldest Buddhist temples located on hilltop of Kathmandu (It is also an UNESCO World Heritage Site).
    • ‘Human Rights and Social Inclusion in Nepal’ -Visit an NGO working in Human Rights, Social Inclusion and Issues of Dalit and the situation of human rights and social inclusion in Nepal with focus on situation of Dalit in Nepal.
  • 05.09.2023

    • Session on Nepali Politics: Past and Present
    • Animal Rights Issues in Urban Spaces – Meet an Activist
    • Heritage Walk to Bagmati/Bishnumati Rivers, exploring the people and initiatives that are working to address the issues affecting these holy rivers. The Bagmati River was once a clean, flowing river, but is now plagued by garbage and squatter settlements. The tour will also take us through nearby slum settlements to observe their lifestyle. We will be led by activists who initiated the Bagmati conservation campaign.
  • 06.09.2023

    • Travel to Aapshwara Community Dalit Homestay (5 Hours bus ride + 2 hours hike)
    • Reach Community and Transfer to Home-stays: Welcome by community, introduction and transfer to homes. All the participants will spend the rest of the day with their host families.
  • 07.09.2023

    Day in the Community

    • Village tour: During the day time we will visit around the village in a group or with our host family.
    • Meeting with Community Groups (Meet local youth club and women group) to understand their issues.
    • Learning traditional Skills: You will get opportunity to learn traditional skills like iron work at hearth, bamboo work, basket weaving, learning to play local musical instruments and making mud jewelry. You can choose one of two of the skills you want to learn.
  • 08.09.2023

    • Leave community and travel to a cozy hotel located in another village called Machhapuchhere (named after the peak, Fishtail)
    • Free evening to relax and explore the village and its surroundings
  • 09.-10.09.2023

    We have several exciting options to choose from on this day:

    • A hike to Khumai Dada, a beautiful hilltop that offers magnificent views of the Himalayan range. Alternatively, we can go on an easy day hike to a natural hot spring. (For overnight hike, it takes about 7-8 hours of hike to reach and 3 hours to come back next day!)OR
    • If you do not prefer hike, you can choose an opportunity to get involved in community service project/volunteering or just relaxing at the hotel in the village.
  • 11.09.2023

    • Drive Back to Pokhara by bus/or local jeep
    • Visit Tibetian Refugee Camp in Hemja on the way: We will meet Tibetan refugee resident and learn about their life and stories.
  • 12.09.2023

    • Free Day in Pokhara (Optional activities: Visiting Gorkha Museum, International Mountaineering Museum, Boating in Fewa Lake, Shopping etc).
    • Session on wildlife and conservation issues in Nepal
  • 13.09.2023

    • Travel back to Kathmandu by bus
  • 14.09.2023

    • Visiting one of a Swiss Development Agencies in Kathmandu to learn how Swiss Government is collaborating with Nepal on its development process.
    • Free Afternoon
    • Goodbye Dinner
  • 15.09.2023

    • Closing of the Program
    • Drop off at the Airport

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