You will help in the rescue and rehabilitation of these un-cared-for street dogs and those that have been surrendered by their owners.
Kathmandu is like no other city in the world. On the surface chaotic, loud and frenetic yet at the same time calm, peaceful and spiritual. Full of character and atmosphere, street sellers push their wares and people go about their lives against a backdrop of historic temples and carved statues, all perched a stone’s throw from the snowy peaks of the Himalayas.
The streets and squares of Kathmandu are flooded with injured, starving dogs who must fend for themselves. This project seeks to reduce the number of stray dogs in the Kathmandu Valley and eliminate rabies through vaccination, birth control and public education. You will help in the rescue and rehabilitation of these un-cared-for street dogs and those that have been surrendered by their owners.
Street dogs are usually mangy and starving. A lot of these animals suffer from the agony of infected wounds, skin disorders, worms and parasites and run the risk of losing their limbs. After being rescued, the dogs are kept in the animal shelter, given veterinary care and affection until such point as they can be offered for adoption and onto a better life.
A perfect program for dog lovers and/or veterinary students or professionals, this is a chance to not only learn more about Nepal but to make a real difference to the very real problem of street dogs in Kathmandu.
Week 1 is full of activities, culture and sightseeing in Kathmandu before you head to the project from Week 2 onwards.
Itinerary
Arrive at Kathmandu Tribhuvan airport and say Namaste to Nepal. After clearing customs and immigration, you’ll be met by our local team and taken straight to your arrival accommodation, a journey of under 30 minutes, depending on traffic. Arrive any time (6am to midnight) and our staff will be there to meet you with a warm welcome.
Week 1 is a wonderful introduction to a wonderful country. We’ll explore Kathmandu and its spectacular surrounding countryside, we’ll get acquainted with the local culture, language, religion, customs, history and social issues to deepen your understanding of the Nepalese way of life.
Your first week is packed full of exciting adventures, cultural excursions and workshops. We take you for a tour to get your bearings in the exciting and vibrant city of Kathmandu. Your week includes yoga and meditation, a cooking class, language lessons, visits to markets and temples, a trek in the Himalayan foothills and much more. Expect most or all of the following activities this week:
• Puja to the gods & goddess and name-giving ceremony
• Cultural orientation and local area exploration
• Nepali language lesson
• City tour and market visits
• Excursion to the iconic Boudhanath temple
• Nepali cooking session
• Yoga and meditation session
• A Buddhist religious tour
• A local tour to the Hindu Temple
• A day’s trek in the Kathmandu Valley
Weekends are generally free to spend as you please. There’s so much to discover in Kathmandu itself, including famous Durbar Square and the hilltop Monkey Temple at Swayambhunath, whose giant Buddha eyes gazing out over the city are one of the iconic images of Nepal. The ancient Kathmandu Valley cities of Patan and Bhaktapur are easily accessible as a daytrip as are the Himalayan viewpoints at Dhulikel and Nagarkot.
You will spend your days here shadowing the project staff and may be called upon to assist the vets and to also go out into the streets of Kathmandu to identify and rescue dogs that need treatment. Tasks vary depending upon the needs at the time. However, the main ones consist (but are not limited to):
Rescuing and treating injured street dogs
Sterilization of female dogs
Feeding stray dogs
Cleaning their enclosures
Walking the dogs, bathing, cleaning etc.
An anti-rabies vaccine is necessary for this project before you arrive into Nepal
Follow the same structure as above. The longer you are here, the greater the impact you will have and the more comfortable you will become with life in the classroom.
Your program finishes after breakfast on the Saturday of your final week. The team will be happy to help with a taxi to the airport or city hotel, just save some rupees for the fare - budget $10-15 for the airport, $5-8 for the city.
About the Accommodation
Volunteers will be accommodated in our volunteer house. It is around 5kms from the city centre, easily accessible, and a supermarket and ATM are only 15 mins walk away. Volunteers share a bunk-style room with three to five others, and bathrooms are shared. Rooms are lockable and there is wifi access, a mini library, a lounge area and a beautiful garden to relax.
About the Meals
Three meals a day are provided on weekdays and two meals on weekends. Expect a mix of Western and Nepalese food, consisting mainly of vegetarian dishes including rice and vegetables with a chicken dish about once per week.
Facilities and the area
Kathmandu sits at an altitude of 1,400 metres, and temperatures always vary widely but generally the days are warm and the nights cool. Monsoon rains come in the hottest part of the year, the northern summer, with July and August being the wettest months. The clearest skies and coldest nights are in winter, with overnight temps during December to February often getting down close to zero. Don’t worry about under-packing for Nepal – you could quite safely come with no clothes at all and be kitted out cheaply in a matter of hours !
Enquire Now
Snapshot
Start Dates: :
Every Sunday year round
Pricing: :
2 weeks AU$1,345
3 weeks AU$1,845
4 weeks AU$2,345
Fly In/Out: :
Kathmandu (KTM)
What’s included::
Airport meet-and-greet, accommodation, most meals, arrival briefing, 5 days of activities and sightseeing, local 24/7 support
What’s not included in cost::
Flights, tourist visa, return airport transfer. Rabies vaccine (required prior to travel)
Accommodation::
Shared bunk room with shared bathroom **private room upgrade is available for $125 per room (single or twin-share) per week
Food: :
3 meals provided daily (B/D at weekends)
Eligibility Requirements:
All volunteers will need to provide us with a Police Check prior to arrival in Nepal
