Intercultural Study Trip to Nepal
12.09. - 24.09.2017
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Application Deadline
July 31 2017
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Price
CHF 895
What’s included?
This Intercultural Study Trip is organized in cooperation with IFIL’s local partners, the Kathmandu-based Hands-On Institute and Organic Living Nepal. The Hands-on Institute has for years provided in-depth cultural learning experiences for people from all over the world, enabling a view on Nepal few others could provide. Organic Living Nepal has extensive experience in offering sustainable agritourism holidays in Nepal’s countryside thanks to deep ties with local communities. This is already the third time we work together with these two sister organizations for a Study Trip to Nepal.
What’s awaiting you
Have you ever wished to explore the land of Buddha and Himalaya? Are you curious to learn Nepal’s socio-economic, political status and diverse cultural and traditional practices? Would you be excited to go off track and learn about Nepal’s beautiful countryside and the lives of farmers? This trip gives you the opportunity to see many aspects of Nepal and a chance to meet people who can tell you countless interesting political and economic facts about Nepal from an insider’s perspective.
The Trip starts in Nepal’s capital city Kathmandu, a melting pot of dozens of different ethnical cultures and multiple different religions. After a half-day of trip orientation, visiting some UNESCO World Hertiage Sites in Kathmandu and attending some sessions on different issues like politics, culture, education, we then go to “Aapshwara Community Dalit Homestay” in Tanahun district. Aapshwara Community Dalit Homestay is led by ‘Dalits’, considered ‘untouchables’ who represents lowest strata of the Nepali society. During our stay in the community homestay you will learn traditional skills of the community like iron work, bamboo work, basket weaving, making mud jewelry and learning musical instruments. We then travel to organic farm run by Organic Living Nepal. You will learn about issues and opportunities of agriculture in Nepal. After living in the organic farm we will embark in Hiking to Australian Camp. Then we will have some free time in Pokhara and we will wrap-up our trip in Kathmandu.
Highlights
- Visit historical places like Patan, Bouddhanath, Bhaktapur and Soyembhu (all of them UNESCO World Heritage Sites)
- Learn about Nepal’s diverse cultures and religions
- Experience Homestay and live like locals
- Meet Organizations and Experts working various issues
- Enjoy hiking in Nepal’s beautiful nature with stunning views on the Himalayas
- Experience living in organic farm and learning about Nepal’s agriculture situation
- Enjoy Nepal’s simple but exquisite cuisine
Meet the Organizers
Tulsi Giri
Tulsi is an entrepreneur from Nepal working in the sector of organic agriculture and agritourism. He co-organized an IFIL Study Trip to Nepal in 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 short courses on the issues of sustainability.
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 co-organized last year’s IFIL Study Trip to Nepal, together with Tulsi and Rebekka. He is the co-founder of Hands-On Institute. Hands-On Institute designs and executes educational travel programs in Nepal for academic institution and organizations around the world.
Detailed Programme
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12.09.2017
- Introduction, program briefing and orientation, Q&A
- Explore Patan Darbar Square (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Visit Samata Foundation and learn how they are working for the rights of marginalized people in Nepal
- Welcome Dinner and ‘Know Nepal Session’ with Anil Chitrakar, Ashoka Fellow and Founder of environmental camps for conservation awareness (ECCA) & co-founder Himalayan Climate Initiative. During the session Chitrakar will talk about the overall Socio-political situation and history of Nepal.
(all meals included)
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13.09.2017
- Session on ‘Education in Nepal’- We will learn about Nepal’s education situation
- Visit a NGO working in Social Inclusion and Issues of Dalit.
- Visiting World Heritage Site- Swayambhunath
(meals included: breakfast and dinner)
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14.09.2017
- Session on “Himalayas” – An expert on mountain will give us overview of Himalayas and issues related to it.
- Session on ‘Nepali Political History and Present situation”
- Visiting World Heritage Site in Kathmandu
- Free time
(included meals: breakfast)
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15.09.2017
- Travel to Aapshwara Community Dalit Homestay (5 Hours bus ride and 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.
(meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner)
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16.09.2017
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.
- Cultural Evening and Interaction with community members in group: After the dinner, all the members of the community will gather and perform musical program.
(all meals included)
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17.09.2017
- Goodbye from community
- Travel to Organic Living Farm near Pokhara by Jeep and stay in Tent in the farm
- Free time in Farm
(all meals included)
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18.09.2017
- Morning Yoga at Farm
- Learn about the Organic Living Project – learn how Organic Living Nepal has been promoting organic farming in Nepal.
- Free Day (Visit village, rest and relax in the farm)
- Barbeque in the evening
(all meals included)
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19.09.2017
- Trek to Australian Camp through Dhampus: It will take about 6-7 hours to reach Australian Camp. Australian Camp (Altitude : 2100m provides great Jungle scenery and panoramic views of Himalayas like Annapurna South, Fishtial, Mt Dhaulagiri,Tukuche peak,Dhampus Peak,Nilgiri and Hiuchuli.
- Overnight at the Camp and Enjoy the natural beauty
(meals included: lunch and dinner)
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20.09.2017
- Walk down to Lumle and Travel Back to Pokhara by bus
- Visit Tibetian Refugee Camp in Hemja on the way
- Free time in Pokhara
(meals included: breakfast)
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21.09.2017
- Free Day in Pokhara (Visiting Gorkha Meseum, International Mountaineering Meuseum, Boating in Fewa Lake, Shopping etc)
(meals included: breakfast)
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22.09.2017
- Travel Back to Kathmandu
- Free Evening
(meals included: breakfast and lunch)
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23.09.2017
- Visiting a Swiss Development Agency in Kathmandu to learn how Swiss Aid is working in Nepal
- Exploring Kathmandu: (Visit Bhaktapur- UNESCO World Heritage Sites) ( Bhaktapur is one of 3 Royal cities in the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal and considered a cultural gem, rich with a fascinating history, fascinating architectural beauty, and filled with ancient Hindu and Buddhist religious sites)
- Free Afternoon
- Goodbye Dinner
(meals included: breakfast and dinner)
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24.09.2017
- Closing of the Program
- Free day before departure
- Goodbye and See you again!
(meals included: breakfast)