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. As a team, volunteers work together to provide vital care to children in this remote area of Nepal.
Project Cost: $3,560 (based on double occupancy)

Clinic-Only Itinerary: $1,050 (based on double occupancy)

Call our office for single-occupancy rates.

At the conclusion of the clinic, enjoy an optional five-day extension to Bhutan, a beautiful mountain kingdom open to a limited number of visitors each year.

The total project duration is 18 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 five-day extension to Bhutan.

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

Project Dates
What’s Included?
  • Accommodation in a basic guesthouse in Pharping and three-star hotel in Kathmandu; In Bhutan —full board for 4 nights in 3-star hotel
  • 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 Nepalgunj
  • 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 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 US.

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. Enjoy sightseeing of the Kathmandu valley and time to adjust before heading to the clinic tomorrow. Overnight in Kathmandu. (B)

Days 5: Kathmandu – Pharping. Depart this morning for Pharping, approximately 2 hours driving. On arrival, join clinic orientation and final set–up. Enjoy dinner at the guesthouse and overnight in Pharping. (B/L/D)

Day 6 – 7: Pharping. Full day working in the clinic. Overnight in monastery guesthouse. (B/L/D)

Day 8: Pharping. Half day working in the clinic, with time off in the afternoon for a local hike or relaxation. Overnight in monastery guesthouse. (B/L/D)

Day 9: Pharping. Full day working in the clinic. Overnight in monastery guesthouse. (B/L/D)

Day 10: Pharping. Full day working in the clinic. Assist in packing clinic. Overnight in monastery guesthouse. (B/L/D)

Day 11: Pharping – Kathmandu. This morning return to Kathmandu. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Kathmandu. (B)

Day 12: Kathmandu – Bhutan. Drive to Thimphu. Morning flight to Paro. On arrival, meet your Bhutanese guide and embark on your journey to Thimphu, nestled near the Wangchu River and overshadowed by beautiful peaks. Overnight in Thimphu. (B/L/D)

Day 13: Thimphu. Enjoy a day of local sightseeing, including a visit to the Changangkha Lhakhang. Overnight In Thimphu. (B/L/D)

Day 14: Thimphu – Paro. After breakfast, return to Paro. Visit the Rinpung Dzong, also known as the “Fortress of a Heap of Jewels.” Overnight in Paro. (B/L/D)

Day 15: Taksang Hike. Early morning departure to the famous “Tiger’s Nest.” The two hour trek (one-way) offers spectacular views of the sacred monastery which is perched on a rock face 3,000ft above the valley floor. Overnight in Paro. (B/L/D)

Day 16: Paro – Kathmandu. Morning transfer to Paro International airport for your return to Kathmandu. Overnight in Kathmandu. (B)

Day 17: End Kathmandu. Transfer to the airport for your international flight home. (B)

Day 18: Arrive home.

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