NEPAL: SAVING STREET DOGS
November 8-21 or 24, 2020
Price: $2985-$3495
Choose 14-day or 17-day itinerary options
Or extend additional days to create your own custom itinerary
Contact us about our payment plan option
Our Humanitourism adventure to Nepal is the adventure of a lifetime. Be a part of making change for homeless dogs in Nepal with a shelter project working together with locals and an international community. Then embark on amazing eco-adventures, either mild or more intense, in the spectacular playground of the Himalayas.
We will intimately explore the landscape and the culture in a way most other tours aren’t able to offer. You will have the opportunity to immerse in the local culture throughout both the project and the adventures and truly experience the people that make this country so special.
Our trip will coincide with the Tihar festival, a five-day-long Hindu festival celebrated in Nepal on the second day of which the dog is honored as human companion. We will work on projects improving the health and lives of homeless animals in Kathmandu and the nearby villages with a local shelter and then embark on trekking in some of the most famous territory in the world.
The Tihar (Nepali: तिहार) five-day festival is considered to be of great importance as it shows reverence to not just the humans and the Gods, but also to the animals like crow, cow and dog, who maintain an intense relationship with the humans. The second day is called Kukur Tihar or Kukur Puja (worship of the dogs). It is also called the Khicha Puja by the Newars. Dogs, which are believed to be messengers of Lord Yamaraj, are honored once each year on this day. People offer garlands, tika and delicious food to dogs and acknowledge the cherished spiritual relationship between humans and dogs.
We will offer two options for this adventure so that is accessible to all abilities.
Option 1 will be a gentle village adventure with several shorter treks to villages along the base of the Himalayas.
Option 2 will be a strenuous Himalayan mountain trek on the lower Everest Base Camp Trek, requiring a high degree of fitness and preparation.
Our local guides are natives of the Nepal Himalayas and will lead us on these spectacular adventures along the foothills of some of the world’s highest peaks. We will travel into the heart of the majestic Himalayan mountains or intimately explore the nearby villages. Either way, it will be an adventure of a lifetime.
For our treks, you will only need to carry a day pack with personal gear. We stay in small local and family owned lodges and teahouses that support the local community and its economy.
This trip includes breakfast and lunch during the volunteer project and village treks and breakfast, lunch and dinner on the mountain trek.
Reserve your spot on this trip by registering now. Group size is restricted due to the authentic accommodations. Limit of 8 singles and one couple or 6 singles and 2 couples, so register early. Slots are filled on a first come first served basis. A $500 deposit is required for registration.
Amazing trip! I highly recommend this trip! You will be transformed!
Lisa S.
ITINERARY (14-Day)
Day 1
Arrive in Kathmandu, met by staff and transport to lodging in Kathmandu
Free time to relax or explore Boudha and the World Heritage site of the Boudhanath Stupa
Overnight in Boudha Kathmandu
Day 2
Briefing on Humanitourism project and begin work
Evening free to explore Patan and the surrounding cultural heritage
Overnight in Patan
Day 3
Work on animal welfare project
Evening time to relax and explore
Overnight in Patan
Day 4
Work on animal welfare project
Evening time to relax and explore
Overnight in Patan
Day 5
Work on animal welfare project
Tihar Festival in morning and evening
Overnight in Patan
Day 6
Work on animal welfare project
Kukur Tihar Festival Day
Immerse with the locals in celebrating dogs as they are honored on this day of the festival in morning and afternoon
Evening time to relax and explore
Overnight in Patan
Day 7 Option 1 Bhaktapur to Nagarkot Trek
Trek from Bhaktapur to Nagarkot (approximately 5-6 hours). We will catch our first glimpses of some of the most impressive peaks of the Himalayan Mountain Range as we near Nargarkot. We’ll relax for the evening at a local guesthouse.
Overnight in Nagarkot
Option 2 Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla
Morning flight KTM to Lukla.Trek to Phakding 3-4 hours
The trek starts with scenic views of Numbur Himal & Phari. We follow the trail to the Dudhkosi River with a gradual climb to Thado Koshi, where we will have lunch and superb views ofKusum-Kangaru (6,369m/20,890ft). After crossing a small suspension bridge and a short climb through the Ghat village within another 1 1/2 hr of gradual climb we arrive in Phakding.Overnight at Tea House
Day 8 Option 1
Trek from Nagarkot to Kattike with early morning stunning panoramic views of the Himalayas. Then on to the village of Sankhu (approximately 5-6 hours ). We will take a spur to explore the World Heritage Site of Changu Narayan temple (approximately 1 1/2 hrs).
Overnight in Changu Narayan or Boudha
Option 2 Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazar
Trek to Namche Bazar 6-7 hours.We start in the morning and after crossing the suspension bridge over the Dudhkosi the walk is pleasant with a few short uphill and downhill sections, then re-crossing the same river again with magnificent views of Mt. Thamserku (6,608m/21,675ft) from the Benkar village. Continuing bridge crossings, we reach Monjo, where the entrance gate of the Sagarmatha National Park is. You will have your trekking permit checked and registered. We descend and a gradual uphill brings us to the suspension bridge over the Bhote-Koshi river. After this bridge we’ll stop at Jorsalle, the last village till Namche Bazaar, for lunch. From here the trek is pleasant on the river bed until the last bridge over the Imjatse river, where we begin a winding uphill path all the way to Namche Bazar, with magnificent views of peaks toward the east, As you climb higher, you will get your first glimpses of Mt. Everest, Nuptse and Lhotse. Finally we reach the colorful houses at Namche Bazar.Overnight at Tea House
Day 9 Option 1
Trek from Changu Nayaran to Boudha, then travel to Pokhara for rest and recharge.
Overnight in Pokhara
Option 2 Trek from Namche Bazar to Dibuche with views of Mt. Everest
Trek to Dibuche 5-6 hours.The morning starts gradually uphill up to Sanasa with magnificent views of the great giant snow peaks Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kwangde peak. We descend to Imjatse River at Phungithanga, a small settlement with a couple of teahouses, where we will have lunch. The trail leads uphill through the forested path of silver fir, blue pines, rhododendron and some magnolia and birch trees until we reach Tengboche, where will visit the great monastery. Then in about another 20 minutes, we reach our destination in Dibuche.Overnight at Tea House
Day 10 Option 1
Annapurna region trek
Option 2 Trek to Namche Bazar
Trek to Namche 6-7 hours.Our trek today will be easier, heading downhill to a lower elevation through Khumjung and Khunde villages, with lunch at Khunde. We’ll visit the National Museum and Sherpa Museum when we return to Namche if we have time.Overnight at Tea House
Day 11 Option 1
Explore Pokhara, visit the World Peace Stupa
Option 2 Return trek Namche Bazar to Lukla
Trek to Lukla 7-8 hours.We’ll have a long last day trek back to Lukla, descending most of the way until we arriva back in Lukla.Overnight in Lukla
Day 12 Option 1
Sunrise trip from Pokhara to Sarangkot, by bike or trek
Return to Kathmandu
Option 2 Lukla to Kathmandu
Fly from Lukla back to Kathmandu. Free day in Thamel Kathmandu. Visit the Monkey Temple or relax and finish some last minute souvenir shopping
Day 13 Thamel Kathmandu
Free day in Thamel Kathmandu. Visit the Monkey Temple or relax and finish some last minute souvenir shopping
Day 14 Kathmandu
Depart Kathmandu or opt to extend your stay. Our local guides can help you extend your time in Nepal and can plan and guide peak climbing opportunities for you.