Nepal Monastery Experience
Teach English to Nepalese monks
Book now for £49
Prices from
£529
529
Group Size: Varies. Avg 1-8
Trip code: ASIM
Duration: 2-8 weeks
Himalayan views, sacred temples, lush jungle and an overriding sense of mysticism – Nepal really is a special place. Get off the tourist trail and experience this eastern paradise like a local, with a volunteer placement teaching English to young monks in a monastery. Live and eat with the monks, joining prayer and meditation sessions as well as playing games with the novices in the evenings. Explore your spectacular surrounding area in your spare time. It’s an unforgettable cultural experience, where you can leave knowing that you made a real difference to the local community during your stay.
Trip highlights
- Kick off your experience with a few days exploring the sights and sounds of Kathmandu
- Stay in an atmospheric Buddhist monastery
- Make a real difference to the local community by teaching English to young monks
- Take part in meditation and prayer sessions
- Explore beautiful Nepal in your free time
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- Airport transfers
- Accommodation
- Most meals
- Orientation
- Transport to and from the project
- 24 hour emergency support
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa
- National Park entrance fees
- Sightseeing entrance fees
- Optional activities and excursions
- Some meals
Orientation in Kathmandu
Your trip kicks off with a couple of days of orientation in a volunteer house around 20 minutes from the centre of Kathmandu. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the bustling city (get ready for a sensory overload!), immerse yourself in Nepalese life, and get to know the other volunteers.
We’ll set you up with everything you need for your placement, including:
- Language lessons
- Information about cultural and gender issues in Nepal
- Information about your placement
- Learning more about teaching English in Nepal
- Familiarising yourself with Nepalese food
- A city tour including Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, Buddhanath and Sayambhunath
The volunteer placement
You’ll take the public bus to your volunteer placement (usually within an hour or two of Kathmandu) and have an evening to get settled and meet some of the monks before starting in the classroom the next day.
You’ll start the day with a Nepalese style breakfast before spending 2-3 hours a day (Monday to Friday) teaching English to monks aged 7-18. Class sizes are small and will be divided by age. Outside of teaching time, you’ll be helping in the kitchen, library or anywhere else your assistance is needed. The evenings are lots of fun as you’ll be coordinating games and activities for the young monks.
As well as teaching and organising extra-curricular activities for the novice monks, you’ll be able to join prayer and meditation sessions. The placement is a really authentic experience and one that not many visitors to Nepal are privileged enough to get involved with.
Free time
During your free time you’ll be able to explore the beautiful surrounding area, heading into the countryside and discovering local villages and towns. There are lots of activities and excursions on offer as well, to locations such as Pokhara, Chitwan and Nagarkot.
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Arrive at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) on your programme start date. A member of the local team will meet you from the airport and take you to the private house for your orientation.
You’ll need to arrange your return flight or onward travel on your programme end date.
Accommodation
You’ll spend your first couple of days (during your orientation) in a private house, around 20 minutes’ drive from the centre of Kathmandu. Rooms here are basic but comfy and there are Western-style toilets, hot water and WiFi (although WiFi might be slower than you’re used to!)
During your volunteer placement, you’ll be staying in the monastery that you’ve been placed in. You’ll share a (same sex) room with other volunteers and there’s one shared toilet and bathroom, which will be used by between 4 and 8 people. Bedding is provided, but you might like to bring a sleeping bag, especially during the cooler months.
Meals
Breakfast (9am) and dinner (7pm) are included while you’re at the monastery. Food is mostly Nepalese (think lentil curries and lots of spinach and potatoes) but the odd western influence may feature as well. You’ll need to arrange lunch and snacks yourself.
Please note that some dietary allergy requirements cannot be catered for on this particular trip. Please speak to a travel advisor if you have any specific dietary requirements.
Minimum age 18 years, maximum decided on participant’s health and fitness.
Visas
Tourist visas of 15, 30 and 90 days are available on arrival (at an additional cost). However, the visa system in Nepal remains changeable, so you’re advised to contact your nearest Embassy of Nepal before travelling. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from when you submit your visa application.
Please note: Visa requirements are subject to change so make sure you check before you travel.
DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service)
An enhanced DBS check is required for this programme. If you do not hold a certificate dated within 12 months of your programme start date, please contact us as we can help you arrange the DBS check for an extra fee.
This trip is designed with your safety and wellbeing in mind. As a result of Covid-19, many of our suppliers and partners around the world are introducing new policies and procedures surrounding health and safety in response to the Coronavirus outbreak. As the state of travel is evolving these new safety measures will adapt over time, and will be different for each trip. Here are some of the changes you may see on your trip:
Arrival safety meetings
Most trips have an arrival meeting on the first day where the guide or local team will run through the trip, the safety protocols, and to answer any questions you may have. Now more than ever it is important you arrive in time for these meetings.
Proof of vaccination or negative covid test
For the safety of all travellers, at the start of some trips you may be required to show evidence that you are fully vaccinated (14 days after your second dose) and/or show evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of the tour start date in order to join the programme.
Updated hygiene and safety procedures
Our suppliers and partners have health and safety procedures in place on all of our trips. These protocols will be updated and adapted as a response to the Coronavirus outbreak, dependent on local restrictions and laws.
Transport and accommodation choices
Our suppliers and partners choose the accommodation and transport on our trips very carefully, and you may see a change to what would normally be used as a response to the outbreak. This may involve such changes as enhanced use of private transport or quieter accommodation.
Trained and knowledgeable staff
Our staff in the UK are trained to help you with your trip before you depart and answer any questions you may have. In addition, the local team and guides on our trips are there to help with any health and safety concerns and to ensure our trips run safely and smoothly.
Reduced group sizes
Some trips will run with reduced group sizes to start with. You may find that trips are more intimate and chilled, whilst still being packed with fun and adventure.
Healthcare
Your guide or the local team will be on hand to help you seek medical attention should you require it during your trip. As medical facilities and standards can vary around the world, you should ensure you have adequate travel insurance in place before you depart to cover you for any medical emergencies.
24/7 emergency support
We operate an emergency phone line for our travellers abroad. This is operated by a UK based member of staff 24/7 if you have a genuine emergency or urgent matter that you need attending.
It is important that you take measures to make travelling safer for yourself and others around you. Ensure you frequently wash your hands, cover your face when you sneeze and cough, bring and use your own hand sanitiser and facial coverings/masks, and enable social distancing where necessary. You should also ensure you listen to the instructions and guidance of the local team at all times, and follow all local laws and restrictions.