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Pharping Dental Project + Jungle Safari (Small Adventure Clinic)

Perched high in the foothills of the Pharping Valley — two hours outside Kathmandu — is GDR’s Pharping small adventure clinic. Volunteers work inside the spectacular Adzom Monastery to provide much needed dental care to local children and monks. This is a unique experience open to only seasoned travelers or return volunteers. After assisting GDR staff in clinic setup, volunteers work together to provide vital care to children in this remote area of Nepal. At the conclusion of the clinic, volunteers continue to Chitwan National Park for a three-day jungle safari.
Project Cost: $2,080 (based on double occupancy)Clinic-Only Itinerary: $950 (based on double occupancy)

Call our office for single-occupancy rates.

The total project duration is 14 days, which includes: travel time to Nepal, orientation, overnight in Kathmandu, transportation to Pharping, five days working in the dental clinic, sightseeing in Kathmandu and a three-day safari in Chitwan.

Volunteers may opt out of the sightseeing portion of the project and head home after the clinic.

Project Dates
  • March 8 – March 22, 2023
  • November 30 – December 14, 2023
  • March 7 – 21, 2024
  • November 16 – 30, 2024
What’s Included?
  • 10 nights’ accommodation in a basic guesthouse in Pharping and three-star hotel in Kathmandu; In Chitwan jungle — full board, staying in a jungle cabin
  • Three meals a day while working in the clinic; other days, breakfast only
  • Airport transfers
  • Round-trip ground transport from Kathmandu to Pharping
  • Round trip flight from Kathmandu to Baratpur for jungle safari
  • Signature GDR T-shirt and water bottle
  • Celebratory farewell dinner

Plus, you will get all this too:

  • A small group of 12 international volunteers
  • The chance to make connections and create lifelong memories with new friends from all over the world
  • GDR Return Volunteer Discount on all future projects
  • Two GDR designated trip leaders
  • A GDR volunteer coordinator in the office to answer questions and ensure you are prepared for your trip
  • All tips for guides and drivers (except arrival and departure airport transfers)
Sightseeing Itinerary

Day 1: Depart U.S.

Day 2: In transit to Nepal.

Day 3: Arrive Kathmandu. On arrival in Kathmandu, you are met and transferred to your guesthouse. Overnight in Kathmandu. (B/-/-)

Day 4: Kathmandu-Pharping. Depart this morning for Pharping, approximately two hours driving. On arrival, you will have lunch and then travel to the clinic location for setup and a clinic briefing. Enjoy dinner at the monastery guesthouse. Overnight in Pharping. (B/L/D)

Days 5-8: Pharping. Full day working in the clinic. (B/L/D)

Day 9: Pharping. Full day working in the clinic. Assist in packing clinic.(B/L/D)

Day 10: Pharping — Kathmandu. Morning return to Kathmandu with a visit to the World Heritage Site in Patan. Lunch in Patan, arrive in Kathmandu in the late afternoon. Overnight in Kathmandu in the Boudhanath area. (B/L/-)

Day 11: Kathmandu — Baratpur — Chitwan. Morning flight to Baratpur and continue overland to Tiger Tops in Chitwan National Park. On arrival, enjoy lunch and a variety of safari activities, including a sunset jungle safari. Overnight in Chitwan Jungle. (B/L/D)

Day 12: Chitwan Jungle. Full day of jungle activities, including a sunrise and sunset jungle safari, educational class on elephants, nature walks and Elephant bathing. We are staying at an elephant sanctuary — at no time do we ride elephants or participate in other activities detrimental to their well-being. Overnight in Chitwan Jungle. (B/L/D)

Day 13: Chitwan Jungle — Baratpur — Kathmandu. After breakfast and sunrise safari, depart the national park and board your flight back to Kathmandu. Arrive in Kathmandu in the early afternoon. The balance of the day is at leisure to shop or relax! Overnight in Kathmandu at the Radisson. (B/L/-)

Day 14: End Kathmandu. Transfer to the airport for your international flight home. Arrive home on day 15.

Clinic-Only Itinerary

Day 1: Depart U.S.

Day 2: In transit to Nepal.

Day 3: Arrive Kathmandu. On arrival in Kathmandu, you are met and transferred to your guesthouse. Overnight in Kathmandu. (B/-/-)

Day 4: Kathmandu — Pharping. Depart this morning for Pharping, approximately two hours driving. On arrival, you will have lunch and then travel to the clinic location for setup and a clinic briefing. Enjoy dinner at the monastery guesthouse. Overnight in Pharping. (B/L/D)

Days 5-8: Pharping. Full day working in the clinic. (B/L/D)

Day 9: Pharping. Full day working in the clinic. Assist in packing clinic. (B/L/D)

Day 10: Pharping — Kathmandu. Morning return to Kathmandu with a visit to the World Heritage Site in Patan. Lunch in Patan, arrive in Kathmandu in the late afternoon. Overnight in Kathmandu in the Boudhanath area. (B/ L/-)

Day 11: End Kathmandu. Transfer to the airport for your international flight home. Arrive home on day 12.

Physical Demands

Volunteer dental clinics are fast paced and include a moderate amount of physical activity each day. On our Pharping service trip, you will be expected to:

  1. Walk approximately 30 minutes daily (15 minutes each way) to and from the clinic site.
  2. Be able to stand and/or walk (including climbing stairs) for approximately two hours at a time during sightseeing tours.
  3. Sleep with street noise (dogs, car horns, chickens, etc.) and have weak or no hot water at times.
  4. After orientation, be able to navigate the walk to clinic location and local restaurants.
  5. Be okay having limited or unstable access to Wi-Fi/internet.
  6. Be willing to eat primarily local Nepali food.
Wolfgang Pfannenstiel

What Volunteers Say

After my first dental volunteer trip I was sure to do this continuously no matter what! This is helping kids in need effectively. This is having enjoyable conversations with new friends. This is creating unforgettable memories. So in my specific case the letters GDR stand for the German Dentist Returns :)”

- Wolfgang Pfannenstiel, Dentist, Germany

Darshani Khosla

What Partners Say

Global Dental Relief makes sure children are receiving continuous care and that clinics are run efficiently and with the highest ethical standards. They take care of every detail on your service trip — I plan to volunteer with them for years to come!

- Darshani Khosla, Dentist, Texas

Carol Lim

What Volunteers Say

Thank you Global Dental Relief! Nothing compares to the efforts and impact of your volunteer overseas programs, working hard to bring healthy smiles to children.

- Carol Lim, Vice President of Business Development, Cranberry U.S.A

TJ Gabriels

What Volunteers Say

I plan my whole year around these opportunities to volunteer abroad. I love travel with a purpose, being more than a tourist and making a small, positive mark in the world. This organization has allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and has really helped broaden my world view.

- TJ Gabriels, Lawyer and General Volunteer, New York

Michael Pasoff

What Volunteers Say

As a dentist, I have treated and cared for many patients, however, nothing can compare to the sense of fulfilment when volunteering your time and skill to ease the pain and suffering of others. It never ceases to amaze me what can be accomplished when surrounded by dedicated, caring and talented volunteers, such as those I met in past international dental clinics with GDR.

- Michael Pasoff, Dentist, Montreal, Canada

Nour Shehadeh

What Volunteers Say

I am honored and grateful to help these amazing children, meet incredible people, explore their culture and change children's lives for the better. I look forward to many service trips with GDR in the future.

- Nour Shehadeh, Dental Hygienist, Illinois

Peggy Lamm

What Volunteers Say

If you want to literally change lives, this is a great way to do that. Our work with Global Dental Relief produced more real good than all the other cumulative good works I've helped with through the rest of my life.

- Peggy Lamm, CEO Colorado Mesa University Foundation and General Volunteer, Colorado