Clinic-Only Itinerary: $1,450 (based on double occupancy)
Call our office for single-occupancy rates.
The total project duration is 20 days, which includes: travel time to Nepal, orientation, overnight in Kathmandu, flight to Pokhara, 5 days working in the dental clinic, sightseeing in Pokhara and trek in the Annapurna Mountain range.
Volunteers may opt out of the sightseeing portion of the project and head home after the clinic.
Project Dates
- February 21 – March 12, 2025
What’s Included?
- Accommodation in a basic guesthouse in Pokhara, and three-star hotel in Kathmandu
- Two meals a day while working in the clinic; full board while on trek; other days breakfast only
- Airport transfers
- Sightseeing on day off from the clinic
- Celebratory farewell dinner
- Roundtrip airfare from Kathmandu to Pokhara
- Services of porters during the trek
- All ground transportation as listed in the itinerary
- Signature GDR T-shirt and water bottle
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 Project 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 the 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 – Pokhara Depart this morning for Pokhara – a 45-minute flight. On arrival you are met at the airport and transferred to the monastery where you’ll be working for the next week. After lunch join clinic orientation and final setup. Overnight in Pokhara at the monastery guesthouse. (B/L)
Days 5 – 7: Pokhara. Full day working in the clinic in Pema Tsal Monastery. Overnight at monastery guesthouse. (B/L)
Days 8: Pokhara. Today is a free day from the clinic. Join the group to explore the town, or relax on your own. Overnight at the monastery guesthouse. (B)
Day 9 – 10: Pokhara. Full day working in the clinic in Pema Tsal Monastery. Overnight at the monastery guesthouse. (B/L)
Days 11: Pokhara. Full day working in the clinic. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner with the group. (B/L/D)
Day 12: Pokhara – Begin Mardi Trek. Early morning drive to Dhampus. Pioneer a newly opened trek roughly 3 hours towards Pothana, situated at altitude of 2005m (6,578ft) with breathtaking views of the Annapurna Range. After lunch, continue trekking toward Pitam Deurali. Overnight in Pitam Deurali, 2100m (6,890ft). (B/L/D) Estimated Trekking Time: 6 hours
Day 13: Pokhara – Forest Camp. After breakfast, enjoy a gradually ascending trek along the rhododendron forest toward Forest Camp (2600m/8,530ft). Overnight at Forest Camp. (B/L/D) Estimated Trekking Time: 5 hours
Day 14: Forest Camp – Low Camp. Trek along a dense rhododendron forest, crossing many streams along the way. If you’re lucky – spot a Himalayan Thar or a Langur Monkey! On arrival at Low Camp (2950m/9,678ft) enjoy views of Mt. Machhapuchhre. Overnight at Low Camp. (B/L/D) Estimated Trekking Time: 4 hours
Day 15: Low Camp – High Camp. Enjoy a peaceful morning trekking among rhododendron, maple and oak trees. Rest for lunch at Badal Danda. Continue on toward High Camp (3550m/11,650ft), with mesmerizing views of South Annapurna peak, Machhapuchre, and Hiunchili. Overnight at High Camp. (B/L/D) Estimated Trekking Time: 5-6 hours
Day 16: High Camp – Mardi Himal View Point – Badal Danda. Depart before sunrise to reach Mardi Himal View Point (4000m/13,124ft) for a breathtaking view of the sunrise over the mountain peaks. Afternoon return to Badal Danda. Overnight in Badal Danda. (B/L/D) Estimated Trekking Time: 6-7 hours
Day 17: Badal Danda – Pokhara. After breakfast, trek toward Sidhing Village. Enjoy new scenery as you traverse a different path down the mountain! Rest for lunch in Sidhing, and continue on to Lumre. On arrival in Lumre, meet with your driver and return to Pokhara (3-hour drive). Overnight in Pokahra. (B/L) Estimated Trekking Time: 6-7 hours
Day 18: Pokhara to Kathmandu. Morning transfer to airport for your flight back to Kathmandu. Overnight in Kathmandu. (B)
Day 19: Depart Kathmandu. Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B) Arrive home on day 20.
Clinic-Only Itinerary
Day 1: Depart the 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.
Day 4: Kathmandu — Pokhara. Depart this morning for Pokhara, a short 45-minute flight. On arrival, you are met at the airport and transferred to the monastery where you will be working for the next week. After lunch, help set up the clinic. Overnight in Pokhara at the monastery guesthouse. (B/L/-)
Days 5-7: Pokhara. Full day working in the clinic in Pema Ts’al Monastery. Overnight at the monastery guesthouse. (B/L/D)
Day 8: Pokhara. Today is a free day from the clinic. Join the group to explore the lakeside town of Pokhara or relax on your own. Overnight at the monastery guesthouse. (B/-/-)
Days 9-10: Pokhara. Full day working in the clinic in Pema Ts’al Monastery. Overnight at the monastery guesthouse. (B/L/D)
Day 11: Pokhara. Morning working in the clinic. After lunch, help pack up the clinic. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with the group. (B/L/-)
Day 12: Pokhara — Kathmandu. After breakfast, transfer to the airport for 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 in Boudhanath area. (B/-/-)
Day 13: End Kathmandu. Transfer to the airport for your flight home. Arrive home on day 14. (B/-/-)
Physical Demands
Volunteer dental clinics are fast paced and include a moderate amount of physical activity each day. On our Pokhara Small Adventure service trip you will need to:
- Walk approximately 10 to 15 minutes daily (five to seven minutes each way) to and from the clinic site.
- Be able to stand and/or walk (including climbing stairs) for approximately two hours at a time during sightseeing tours.
- Sleep with street noise (dogs, car horns, chickens, etc.) and have weak or no hot water at times.
- After orientation, be able to navigate the walk to clinic location and local restaurants.
- Be OK having limited or unstable access to Wi-Fi/internet.
- Be willing to eat primarily local Nepali food.
On the trek, volunteers should be able to:
- Walk up to four to six hours (with breaks for lunch and water) while carrying a 10-pound pack.
- Be able to sleep in humble guesthouse accommodations in a room without an attached bathroom.
- Go without access to a shower for one to two days.
- Go without access to Wi-Fi/internet for the duration of the trek.
- Eat a limited diet consisting of local Nepali food.
