DISCOVER NEPAL. The All in one Guide VOLUNTEERING. Do You Know What to Pack?

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1 / E D I T I O N DISCOVER NEPAL VOLUNTEERING YOUR COMPLETE ITINERARY FROM DAY 1 TO DAY 14 HINTS TIPS INFO AND JUICY DETAILS Do You Know What to Pack? A COMPLETE GUIDE TO YOUR PROJECTS The All in one Guide did someone say "Traditional Village Life"?

2 D I S C O V E R N E P A L T H E U L T I M A T E T R A V E L G U I D E hey there! Firstly, on behalf of everybody at Bamboo, I would like to offer you our thanks for choosing to experience this incredible part of the world with us. We guarantee you an amazing time and we re all very much looking forward to meeting you in Kathmandu soon. I imagine that right now you re very excited about your upcoming adventure and this little guide has been put together to help you understand more about what will be happening, what to expect, how to plan and more. We guarantee your time with us will be unforgettable from start to end. Bamboo is growing as our style of 'travel' has proven to be the 'way' to travel. You are now a part of this journey and we welcome you with open arms and hearts. This growing experience is down to people like you, so do get stuck in, become part of our way of life, live every moment and take nothing for granted. Peace, Love & Bamboo Mark (& the other pandas, Steve & Colin)

3 highlights of your tour KATHMANDU Guided city tour through Kathmandu's best landmarks. Prepare to be dazzled and amazed. DONATIONS Meet the kids of Shining Stars and share a daal bhat supper with the people that part of your fee supports. CULTURE Get off the beaten track and experience real, authentic Nepalese communities. DISCOVERY Embark through the crisp lakeside town of Pokhara. NATURE Explore the jungles and landscapes of Chitwan National Park. GIVE Giving back to communities that see very few western visitors.

4 DAY 1 (THUR) NAMASTE! Kathmandu, Nepal Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel. As today is the arrival day, our team will be busy working between the guesthouse and the airport. Once you've been picked up and you're checked into the guesthouse, the remainder of the day is free for you to do as you please; catch up on your sleep, check in on Facebook or get out and explore the local area. In the evening there will be a very informal gettogether for those who have already arrived. This is a great way to break the ice, over a cold beer and chat about just how insanely excited you are to be in Nepal! DAY 2 (FRI) LET'S EXPLORE! Kathmandu, Nepal After breakfast, we'll have a group orientation. This will be a chance for our team to run through the itinerary with you and answer any of your burning questions. We'll take you through the day to day stuff, explain more about the group split on day 4, give you a few hints and tips on culture, customs and traditions and make sure that you're set up to get the most from your time with us. There will also be a quick briefing, especially for the trekkers today. One of the key points of this briefing is to make sure you have everything you need - this is why it s very important to make sure you also read over the packing suggestions later in this guide. Whilst volunteering you may still be walking through tough terrain in the village and it can still get quite cold.. It ll be an immensely enjoyable experience, we just want to make sure you re ready for it. If you're missing anything that's deemed important, there'll be time to find it and buy it locally. On completion of the meetings, we'll head out for a tour of the city of artisans, Patan. We'll also take you for a quick visit of the incredible Shining Stars Children's Home, part of your tour fee is donated directly to maintain this home. There are so many success stories behind the kids who live here and without donations such as yours, these kids wouldn't have a future. Today you'll see exactly why Nepal is on so many travelers 'must-visit' list and why so many of those who do visit, return year after year. Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner itinerary

5 DAY 3 (SAT) PICTURESQUE POKHARA Pokhara, Nepal This morning we will drive to Pokhara which will take around 7 hours. Be sure to bring a book, or simply sit back and take in the beautiful vista as you head on to your next location. On arrival, if time allows and if weather permits, we may have the chance to take a boat across the stunning lake here and hike up the hill to visit the Peace Pagoda; one of the highlights of Pokhara. In the evening we'll get together to run through the group split. The adventurous trekkers will meet up with their guides for a briefing whilst our lovely volunteers will hear from a representative of our NGO partner. We'll have you fully prepared and ready for what comes next! It s about to get seriously adventurous. Meals Included: Breakfast DAY 4-10 (SUN-SAT) VOLUNTEERING Pokhara, Nepal At the time of writing this, we cannot give you absolute, definitive, 100% nailed on details of the volunteering projects you'll be working on. It would actually be quite remiss of us to tell you now exactly what you would be doing months in advance as it's highly likely that what we plan to do will change in the coming weeks! We're not being awkward but when you are working in a developing country, plans tend to mean very little when it comes to helping others. VOLUNTEERING DETAILS This is a general breakdown of the volunteering activities that we have agreed to help with: 1. Classroom and school renovations as well as setting up school libraries (as per the need of school management committee) 2. Basic maintenance work within the schools, health posts, communal buildings and youth clubs 3. Teaching School kids of different ages. Teaching will be as a classroom assistant and include English, Mathematics, arts and crafts and other educational activities 4. Activities such as environmental awareness, health awareness, sports and maybe even raising awareness of child marriage with women groups and/or youth clubs Fear not, however, we are working with one of the most respected NGOs in Nepal, who have many years and thousands of hours' experience working with these communities. itinerary

6 VOLUNTEERING CONTINUED Pokhara, Nepal. The actual work will depend on various 'factors' such as where the work is most needed at the time your group arrives, the size of your group, logistics in Pokhara, budgets and more. If you have a particular skill that you feel could be put to good use, please let us know. We can't promise that it can be utilized but we'll do our best for you. We guarantee that you'll be working where needed. We won't waste your time, our time, the NGOs time or the time of those people that our work will directly aid. DAY 12 (MON) CHITWAN ESCAPADE Chitwan National Park, Nepal Today will be filled with activities so make sure you have a hearty breakfast! A canoe trip, jungle walk, jeep safari and a visit to an elephant breeding centre! Man, do we spoil you. You re all worth it though. This is going to be one of the highlights of your trip to Nepal so make sure that you and your camera are both fully charged! Meals included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. On day 10 you'll transfer back to town and meet up with those hearty souls who chose the trekking option. Traditional Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner provided by host families each day of volunteering. (Dinner is not included on day 10). DAY 11 (SUN) CHITWAN, HERE WE COME! Chitwan National Park, Nepal Up with the sparrows this morning as we head south to Chitwan National Park. The transfer should take around 4-5 hours but may take longer due to roadworks and traffic congestions. This transfer will no doubt be an abundance of continued story-sharing, or perhaps another intake of more serene vistas. On arrival in the national park, we'll have a sightseeing trip - this is an especially stunning area of a country overflowing with stunning views! In the evening there's a dinner and a 'Tharu' cultural program to welcome you to this area of the world - something NOT to be missed! itinerary Meals included, Breakfast, Dinner.

7 DAY 13 (TUE) TO THE START Kathmandu, Nepal Before breakfast, for anybody who's up for it, we've arranged a special trip for a bit of incredible bird-watching, this is optional so feel free to decline the spectacle if you wish. After breakfast, we'll leave Chitwan for the transfer back to Kathmandu. All being well, we'll arrive late afternoon so there'll be plenty of time to get yourself looking beautiful before we have a final farewell dinner together at one of Kathmandu's best restaurants. This has to be a night to remember to finish off the most unforgettable team-trip in Nepal. Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner. DAY 14 (WED) THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES Kathmandu, Nepal Don t be sad that it s over, but fill your heart with pride that it happened. There will be time for breakfast to swap phone numbers, s and memories before a tidal wave of hugs and hi-5's! It's going to be emotional but we promise that you'll be completely in awe of every second that you've spent with our team here. For those of you who need to head back to the airport, we can help you arrange transport. For those sticking around a little longer to discover Nepal solo, our team are able to answer any questions that you have and to make sure you're armed with all of the information that you may need. Meals Included: Breakfast itinerary

8 What's included D ISCOVER N EPAL TOUR 1. Airport Arrival Pickup 2. All Accommodation throughout 3. All Activities outlined above 4. A city tour of the Nepali capital 5. Donation to all projects 6. Our team to accompany you 24/7 7. A Welcome meal with the kids of Shining Stars Children's Home. 8. A farewell dinner in Kathmandu 9. A traditional homestay that many don't get to experience

9 T H E I N F O R M A T I O N Y O U N E E D T O K N O W B E F O R E W E B E G I N D I S C O V E R N E P A L THE NITTY GRITTY ENTRY REQUIREMENTS A visa is necessary to enter Nepal and there are two options for obtaining one. You can obtain one before leaving home from any Nepalese Embassy or Consulate in your own country. Alternatively, you can buy a visa on arrival at the Tribhuvan International airport, please check the immigration website for exceptions: Multiple entry tourist visas can be obtained by paying 25 USD for 15 days, 40 USD for 30 days or 100 USD for 90 days. This prices are subject to change so please check online before arriving. FAST FACTS: VISA Most countries can buy a visa on arrival VISA entry is YOUR responsibility Kathmandu, capital of Nepal, is the living cultural museum of the world.

10 MONEY When it comes to advice on how much money to bring, it s impossible to say. All our intrepid explorers are very different. Where some go all out, others are on a budget. You can find both high end and budget restaurants, bars and shops across Nepal. A rough guide for meals and drinks can be found below: Typical exchange rates are: $1-105 rupees rupees ATMs, or cash machines, are prevalent throughout Nepal and will issue the local currency. If you do plan on bringing your ATM card with you, we recommend that you inform your bank. This should prevent your card being suspended due to irregular withdrawals. We don t recommend bringing traveller's cheques with you. The reason is that banks across Nepal have odd hours of operating, and it may cause unnecessary hassle finding a bank open when you wish to make a transaction. Negotiating a purchase, known as bartering, still happens in the tourist areas of Nepal however not so much outside of these areas. If you re unsure as to whether or not you can barter for a discount please speak to your guide. FAST FACTS: MONEY Basic costs of things: Local meal (Dal Bhat) 250 rupees Bottle of beer rupees Bottle of water rupees Memories - Free of charge The currency in Nepal is known as the Rupee or NPR Remember to tell your bank that you are leaving the country to avoid your card being suspended

11 KIT LIST Packing for a trip to the unknown is always tricky. It s definitely worth doing a little bit of homework on this one and to consider local culture when deciding what clothes to bring. Here is a list of what you will need. Although Nepal can be warm in the summer months, during the winter it can reach subzero temperatures in the evenings so it is vitally important that you are prepared. Packs and bags Backpack Day pack Sleeping bag (for added comfort) Clothing T-shirts Base layers (thermals) Fleece vest Rain jacket Down jacket Underwear Sleeping trousers Hiking shorts Rain pants Thermal Long Johns Footwear Hiking boots Socks Flip-flops/camp shoes Miscellaneous FAST FACTS: FUAX PAS Reusable water bottle Water purification tablets Sunscreen Personal first aid kit Sunglasses Bandana Flashlight/head torch Travel towel Wash kit Instant hand sanitizer Baseball hat/sun hat Camera Book/journal Toilet roll & rubbish bag Warm hat, gloves & neck warmer

12 TRAVEL VACCINATIONS For up to date information about the best travel vaccinations to have before arriving in Nepal we urge you to contact your own GP, a travel health clinic or to check the World Health Organisations website. Bamboo are not medical professionals and therefore can t offer you medical advice. FLIGHTS Thanks to the world wide web we all now have access to great flight deals through websites such as Skyscanner, Google Flights and more. If you d rather use the services of a booking agent, the likes of STA Travel, Trailfinders and Flight Centre, are all available online. Please remember that this tour starts in Kathmandu and finished in Kathmandu IMPORTANT NOTICE Once you have booked and confirmed your flight to Kathmandu, please make sure that you have shared your flight arrival time and flight number with our team. Without those details, we will be unable to guarantee that one of our team will be at the airport to meet you on arrival. FAST FACTS: TRAVEL Did you know that? The handshake is not very common in Nepal. People of Nepal put their palms together, bow their forehead and say Namaste. Did you know that? On a flight the bathroom door isn t really locked when you re inside. Lavatory doors can be locked and unlocked from the outside for a multitude of reason. It allows flight attendants quick access to locked lavatories in case of emergencies. In other instances, it allows the cabin crew to restrict access to bathrooms during takeoff and landing.

13 ARRIVAL Kathmandu s International Airport is a very busy airport and can be a confusing place. You will be staying at Fuji Hotel. The adress for this hotel is below, please keep this handy as it will be requested upon your arrival: Fuji Hotel, Brahmakumari Marg, P.O Box: 6209, Jyatha, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal Once you ve passed through Immigration (Passport Control) you ll need to collect your luggage from one of the carousels. Make sure you keep your airline baggage slips as you will need to show these in order to exit the baggage hall. Once you have your bags please make your way to the exit passing through the nothing to declare channel. Once through you will enter the busy main arrivals area. Please keep a look out for our team. They should be easily recognizable with their Bamboo T-shirts, holding a sign showing the Bamboo logo. Once you ve spotted our team, please head over and introduce yourself. You ll then receive further instructions. Please bear in mind that we may be waiting for others to arrive so your transfer to the hotel may not be immediate but we ll get you there as soon as possible. In the unlikely event that you can t find our team, please don t panic. As long as you have provided us with your correct flight details one of our team will be there. Please check again in the arrivals area. If you still cannot locate one of our team please call the following number ARRIVALS INFO Your hotel transfer will be around minutes from the airport to the heart of Kathmandu Keep your eyes peeled for the smiling face thats holding our Bamboo logo If you have supplied us with a mobile phone number, please make sure your phone is turned on as we may be trying to contact you. Once we have you we ll transfer you straight to the starting point for your tour. On arrival, we ll help you to check in and give you more details of what s happening next.

14 TRANSPORT All trips between cities will be taken in a private comfortable A/C minivan or bus (depending on numbers) and we will have plenty of toilet breaks, snack stops and chances to take photos of the incredible scenery along the way. Transportation times can vary according to the season, traffic and the road conditions at the time. Below is a typical estimate of the journey times between each location: Kathmandu to Pokhara: approximately 7-8 hours Pokhara to Chitwan National Park: approximately 4-5 hours Chitwan to Kathmandu: approximately 6-8 hours FUN FACTS: TRANSPORT Our Discover Nepal tour actually covers a distance of over 450km from start to finish across Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan and back to Kathmandu. Nepal is home to one of the few places on earth where you can see both the Bengal tiger and the onehorned rhinoceros

15 GUIDES Any tour is only as good as the guide fact. The input of a tour guide cannot be understated. Their input in to your tour, their little insights and the off-the-beaten-track adventures. The knowledge and experiences that they share with you will make or break your time wherever you are in the world. At Bamboo we take the selection and training of our guides and our coordinators very seriously. Each guide undertakes a structured training program of three months and only once we re convinced that they are genuine representatives of Bamboo are they signed up to the family. Each of our tours have English-speaking guides to support you, answer your questions, educate you and to ensure that your time is unforgettable. From time to time we may have new guides-intraining on our tours. If you re lucky to have a trainee on your tour, please be patient. They are undergoing training and therefore their knowledge won t be that of the trained and experienced guide who will be accompanying them. TIPPING Although not in any way expected or encouraged, anybody who goes over and above the call of duty to ensure that you have the very best time, may deserve a special little thank you. Did you have extra special service in a restaurant? Did the bus driver make an additional pit-stop just for you? Did your guide go out of the way so that you could experience something unique? At Bamboo we re firm believers in Karma what goes around most definitely comes around! FAST FACTS: GUIDES Our guides are the face of Bamboo, and they come in all shapes and smiles. We love each and every one of them more than Elephants love bananas. Whilst most of them are elite travel mavericks in their own right, you may come across newbies who are on the path the greatness. If you're lucky enough to meet a fresh-faced newbie, be sure to show them your support and patience, most guides remember their first tours forever, so let's play nice.

16 Discover Nepal YOUR ACCOMMODATION GUIDE

17 KATHMANDU Namaste! Welcome to Kathmandu! Rooms in the Nepali capital will be twin shared (2 beds) and have a private Westernstyle bathroom (no squatting!). Air conditioning and WiFi are also available in all rooms. it is the perfect place to relax after a long day exploring everything that Nepal's capital has to offer. We'll make sure you feel at home as soon as your step inside.

18 POKHARA Take in the sights as we venture closer to Nepal's giant: the Himalayas. Your chosen accommodation will be twin shared (2 beds). All rooms are fitted with a private Western-style bathroom. Free WiFi & air-conditioning is also available throughout the hotel. Sit back and relax with your fellow guests as you prepare for what comes next.

19 POKHARA VOLUNTEERING Experience a breath of fresh air as you move farther away from Nepal's busier cities. Accommodation whilst volunteering will be traditional and basic. An outhouse squat toilet is available for our volunteers to use, but there is no hot running water. This is all part of the true Nepali experience! Dinner will be prepared in a traditional manner by the host family, but volunteers are more than welcome to help!

20 CHITWAN Time to come in contact with the wildlife. Your accommodation will be twin share and all rooms are fitted with an en-suite western style bathroom. The hotel offers a restaurant and bar where meals and beverages can be purchased. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included during your time at Chitwan National Park.

21 DISCOVER NEPAL YOUR PROJECT GUIDE

22 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Volunteer Society YOUR Nepal's (VSN) PROJECT main focus is on health, GUIDE education and sanitation. Our volunteers will be involved in small-scale projects that fall under one of these umbrella headings. Some of the projects include small-scale rural renovations, often with an opportunity to interact with a local school and its kids. Many rural schools and government buildings are left in poor repair with no budget: this is the gap we aim to fill. Other projects might include building raised washing-up stations for poor community members to reduce the risk of cross-contamination and illness. What it involves Thanks to the partnership between Bamboo and VSN, a lot of sweat and teamwork will combine to achieve three main goals. These are: 1. To improve or beautify school facilities and create a more welcoming learning environment for the children. This will then inspire pride in the schools. 2. To support local communities where requested by repairing or building community halls, toilets and general infrastructure. 3. To reduce the risk of disease and illness through cross-contamination when preparing and washing up after meals

23 TERMS & CONDITIONS Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully as they form the basis of your contract with WeAreBamboo. This agreement is made at the time of booking and becomes legally binding upon payment of your deposit. By booking a program with WeAreBamboo, you signify you have read and accepted these Terms and Conditions All programs advertised on our website and/or on Facebook are offered and/or operated by WeAreBamboo Ltd. (trading as Bamboo and referred to as Bamboo or we herein after) with company number whose registered office is:. WE ARE BAMBOO LEVEL 2 61 SEAVIEW ROAD LOWER HUTT, NEW ZEALAND 5010 All travel arrangements are sold subject to the following conditions. Bamboo reserves the right to update the Terms and Conditions at any time. Please view our full terms and conditions here: Please note that the information in this pack is subject to change at any time without notice.