Nepal essentials II

A few days ago, we shared some of the activities you can do in Nepal if you choose it as a destination for your volunteer experience.

Considering it’s one of the smallest countries in Asia (approximately 148,000 square kilometers) and that our projects are located in Chitwan and Kathmandu, you’ll have the opportunity to explore it during your free time.

That’s why today we bring you the second part, featuring other destinations that we consider essential, and we’re convinced they won’t leave you indifferent.

CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK

Chitwan National Park, located in the subtropical Terai region in southern Nepal, is one of the country’s most famous wildlife destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With rich biodiversity, it offers a unique experience for nature and adventure lovers.

The main attractions are:

  • Jungle Safari

One of the most popular ways to explore the park is a jeep safari that takes you through dense jungle, grasslands, and rivers, allowing you to observe wildlife in its natural habitat. You can also go on a walking safari with experienced guides, offering a closer connection to nature and the chance to track animals by following their footprints.

The option we DO NOT recommend is elephant rides.

During the safari, with some luck, you might spot the one-horned Indian rhinoceros, Bengal tigers, Asian elephants, crocodiles, and gharials (a long-snouted crocodile), or other species including leopards, sloth bears, deer, monkeys, and over 500 species of birds.

  • Canoe Rides

Along the Rapti River, these rides also allow you to spot crocodiles, gharials, and a variety of

water birds in a tranquil and picturesque setting.

  • Visits to Tharu Villages

The Tharu are the indigenous community that has lived in the Terai region for centuries. A visit to their villages offers insight into their culture, traditions, and way of life, including the opportunity to see their traditional dances and crafts.

  • Elephant Breeding Center

This center is where elephants are bred and cared for. Although it has traditionally been a tourist attraction, there is a growing focus on ethical practices and conservation, so it’s important to be informed and choose visits that respect the welfare of the animals.

  • Bird Watching

Chitwan is a paradise for bird watchers, with species including the Sarus crane, common

bittern, crested kingfisher, and many other resident and migratory birds. ● Bicycle Tour

Around the park and along local roads, you can explore the region by bicycle, allowing you to enjoy the scenery and local life at a slower pace.

LUMBINI

Lumbini is one of the most sacred places in the world for Buddhists, known as the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, later known as Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. Located in the Rupandehi district in southwestern Nepal, Lumbini is a site of great historical, cultural, and spiritual importance.

According to Buddhist tradition, Prince Siddhartha was born in Lumbini in 623 B.C., in a garden where his mother, Queen Maya Devi, stopped during her journey to her maternal home. This event has made Lumbini a pilgrimage destination for millions of Buddhists from around the world. The site has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1997 due to its historical and religious significance.

Main tourist attractions:

  • Maya Devi Temple: This is the main sanctuary in Lumbini and marks the exact place where Buddha was born. Inside the temple is a stone that indicates the birthplace and an Ashoka pillar, erected by the Indian emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century B.C., to commemorate Ashoka’s visit to the site.
  • Ashoka Pillar: This pillar is one of many that Emperor Ashoka had built at key Buddhist sites. The inscription on the Lumbini pillar confirms the site as Buddha’s birthplace and highlights its historical importance.
  • Sacred Garden: Surrounding the Maya Devi Temple, the Sacred Garden is a tranquil and revered area where pilgrims come to meditate and pay homage. It is adorned with the ruins of ancient monasteries and stupas, as well as a small pond where Queen Maya is said to have bathed before Buddha’s birth.
  • International Monasteries: Lumbini is also home to a variety of Buddhist monasteries built by different Buddhist countries like Thailand, China, Japan, and Sri Lanka. Each monastery reflects the architectural style and traditions of its country of origin, making Lumbini a mosaic of global Buddhist diversity.

PATAN (LALITPUR)

Patan, also known as Lalitpur, is one of the oldest and most culturally rich cities in Nepal. Located south of Kathmandu in the Kathmandu Valley, Patan is known for its exquisite

architecture, abundance of temples, and vibrant cultural life. The city is an important center of art and craftsmanship, especially famous for its metalwork and wood carving.

Patan has a history that dates back over 2,000 years. Originally known as Lalitpur, which means “city of beauty” in Sanskrit, the city was an important center of Newar civilization. It developed as an independent kingdom and flourished under the rule of the Malla dynasty, especially during the 16th and 17th centuries. During this period, many of the monuments and temples that are the pride of the city today were built.

The heart of Patan is Durbar Square (Patan Durbar Square), an architectural ensemble designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The square is filled with temples, palaces, and shrines, many of which were built in the Newar architectural style, combining Hindu and Buddhist influences.

The essentials are:

  • Royal Palace (Patan Durbar): This palace, which was the residence of the Malla kings of Patan, is one of the most impressive buildings in the square. Today, it houses a museum that exhibits art and historical artifacts, including ancient manuscripts, statues, and bronze objects.
  • Krishna Mandir Temple: Built in the 17th century, this temple is one of the most outstanding examples of stone architecture in Nepal. It is dedicated to the god Krishna and is famous for its detailed carvings depicting scenes from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.
  • Hiranya Varna Mahavihar Temple (Golden Temple): This Buddhist monastery, known as the “Golden Temple,” is one of the most revered places in Patan. Built in the 12th century, the temple is decorated with images of Buddha and other religious elements, and it is an important center of Buddhist practice.

NAGARKOT

Nagarkot is a popular tourist destination in Nepal, known for its stunning views of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest on clear days. Located about 32 kilometers east of Kathmandu and at an altitude of approximately 2,175 meters above sea level, Nagarkot is a small village that offers tranquility.

From the viewpoint, you can see more than eight mountain ranges, including Langtang, Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, and, of course, Everest, though the latter can only be seen on very clear days. Sunrise and sunset are popular times for visitors.

You can go hiking in the area, and some popular routes are:

  • Nagarkot-Changunarayan Trail: This is a moderate trail that takes hikers through rural landscapes, forests, and terraced fields, ending at the Changunarayan temple, one of the oldest Hindu temples in Nepal and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Routes to Dhulikhel or Bhaktapur: For the more adventurous, there are longer hiking routes that connect Nagarkot with other historic towns and villages in the Kathmandu Valley, such as Dhulikhel and Bhaktapur.

Beyond its natural views, Nagarkot holds cultural importance for locals, being a place where various festivals and rituals are celebrated. Additionally, Nagarkot’s proximity to historically and religiously significant places, such as the Changunarayan temple and the city of Bhaktapur, adds cultural appeal.

Other places you can’t miss are:

  • Bandipur:

A small mountain town with traditional Newari architecture and stunning views of the Himalayan range.

  • Gorkha:

Visit Gorkha Palace, the birthplace of the unification of Nepal, with its impressive

architecture and panoramic views. ● Sagarmatha National Park:

This park includes the Everest region and is a World Heritage Site, with incredible mountainous landscapes and traditional Sherpa villages.

  • Rara Lake:

Located in the remote northwest of Nepal, it is the largest lake in Nepal, surrounded by

mountains and forests, ideal for those seeking tranquility and nature. Have we convinced you to come to Nepal yet?
WE’LL BE WAITING FOR YOU THERE

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UNIVERSITY PRACTICES

Our volunteers will be able to validate university credits with the aim of traveling in a more responsible and economical way.

What does volunteering focused on university practices involve?

At Cooperating Volunteers, we make agreements with different universities to validate university credits with the aim of traveling in a more responsible and economical way.

The specialties we work with are extensive: medical volunteering, nursing, education, social work, psychology, physiotherapy, engineering, architecture…

The practices can be carried out in our designated destinations for this purpose, as well as in Spain.

If you choose an international destination, it’s a unique way to live an unforgettable and enriching experience, as you will have the opportunity to continue your education in another country, with a completely different culture.

Stepping out of our comfort zone and being part of the various projects at the destination will allow us to grow both personally and professionally, creating a more extensive curriculum.

And we are fully convinced that this experience will accompany you throughout your life.

You will be able to visit hospitals, schools, centers, orphanages, and participate directly and actively in the daily lives of all those people at the destination, always accompanied by other professionals willing to collaborate hand in hand with you and guide you in daily tasks.

If your university is not part of the agreement with Cooperating Volunteers, you can contact cristina@cooperatingvolunteers.com so that we can get in touch and make this experience a reality. 

CORPORATE VOLUNTEERING

Corporate volunteering consists of tailored programs for your company, designed to develop teamwork skills.

It is proven that teamwork directly impacts productivity. 

Collective effort surpasses individual capabilities, promotes diversity of skills, stimulates creativity, and facilitates problem-solving in the face of various challenges.

Therefore, it not only maximizes efficiency but also enriches the work environment.

We conduct corporate volunteering programs that consist of customized programs for your company, designed to develop teamwork skills, improve performance, and foster unity among employees.

We tailor projects to the corporate identity and size of the company, and we can adjust them to any destination and time of the year.

The advantages of corporate volunteering include:

  • Improving communication.
  • Group unity.
  • Cultural integration in different situations.
  • Employee training.
  • Increased Corporate Social Responsibility.

The future is aligned with a more responsible society, and participating in social projects positions our company among the list of revolutionary businesses that want to be part of the change.

If you resonate with this message, corporate volunteering is a unique experience both individually and collectively, and at Cooperating Volunteers, we accompany you throughout the process to make it a unique journey.

FAMILY VOLUNTEERING

Quality time spent with family strengthens emotional bonds, promotes communication, and contributes to the emotional well-being of its members. 

Spending quality time with family and being able to disconnect from our hectic routines is not only enriching but also necessary.

Sometimes we forget to communicate, connect, and dedicate time to each other. Each one of us lives focused on our jobs, schools… And it’s necessary to find the opportunity to pause and take care of ourselves.

Quality time spent with family strengthens emotional bonds, promotes communication, and contributes to the emotional well-being of its members. And of course, it creates lifelong positive memories.

At Cooperating Volunteers, we suggest moving away from those ‘more superficial’ trips (which can also be fantastic), but we invite you to live this experience to bring out our most empathetic and humanitarian side.

Family volunteering gives us the opportunity to be part of a positive impact, promoting values of solidarity and social responsibility.

There are many families who choose to experience these trips focused on cooperation and direct involvement with different communities around the world, where living conditions are very different and sometimes entirely precarious.

Projects are tailored to different ages, allowing us to work together.

An incredible way to fill our suitcase with memories, learning, and knowledge.

And although stepping out of our comfort zone often feels daunting, we assure you firsthand that it’s worth it.

At Cooperating Volunteers, we accompany you throughout the entire experience, from start to finish, to make it unforgettable.

SENIOR VOLUNTEERING

At Cooperating Volunteers, we believe it’s never too late for anything, especially for volunteering and living a unique and unforgettable experience.

There are many people, increasingly so, who opt for responsible travel that involves social work.

Accustomed to organized and mostly touristic trips, at Cooperating Volunteers, we want to advocate for a more enriching experience, one that transforms us from within and allows us to be part of the change the world needs to see.

We can adapt both the destination and the duration of our projects to fit your needs.

It’s an opportunity full of emotions that allows us to significantly contribute to different communities and their evolution. And you can participate in different areas such as education, social support, or assistance in different centers.

Some of the benefits include:

  • Sense of purpose: Provides a sense of purpose by contributing your skills and experiences to meaningful causes.
  • Emotional well-being: Reduces feelings of isolation and establishes social connections.
  • Personal development: It’s continuous learning, skill development, and discovering new activities while keeping the mind-body active.
  • Physical health: Keeping active.
  • Stress reduction: The act of helping others reduces stress and contributes to mental health.

Living this experience will undoubtedly be a before and after. 

SOCIAL VOLUNTEERING

A volunteering initiative with leadership and impact through the educational action program.

When we talk about social volunteering, we refer to all those actions and activities carried out altruistically, selflessly, and with the aim of addressing multiple problems and needs of different communities, always focused on education and self-sufficiency.

Education is essential because it provides the tools and knowledge necessary for personal, social, and economic development.

Our goal is to create self-sufficient communities and provide opportunities for the future personal development of each member. The message is not to ‘give’, but to accompany in the process of training for self-managed provision.

At Cooperating Volunteers, many of our destinations and projects embrace this type of volunteering. Some of our projects include: community programs, education, women’s empowerment…

And although they are completely different from each other, they share a single objective: progress towards a society that can embrace us all in the same way.

If you are someone who is restless, who needs to see a change in the future, volunteering is an experience tailor-made for you.