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If you would like to do Trekking in Himalayas, White water Rafting, Jungle safari in Chitwan National Park, Exploring Hindus temples and Buddhist stupa in Kathmandu through out your time volunteering we offer you all of these things.
Trekking -
White water rafting is an awesome experience to add to your time as a volunteer in Nepal. The Trishuli river is on of the more easily accessible rivers in Nepal. After a two hour drive from Kathmandu, you will reach the starting point of your two day trip and will be given some basic training by your guide. The first day is relatively easy with many native birds and wildlife to view. After camping by the river side on the first night, the second day is a little more adventurous, hitting serious white water amidst lush green forests and numerous villages dotted along the river bank.
Sightseeing In Buddhist Stupas And Hindu Temples In Kathmandu -
There are hundreds of Buddhist stupas and Hindu temples or various size all over Kathmandu. As a volunteer with BVO we will take you to a variety of culturally significant sites in the Kathmandu valley.
Swoyambhunath - Swoyambhunath Stupa or Monkey Temple, on the west side of Kathmandu gives a global view of whole Kathmandu valley from the top of a hillock. The huge Stupa is one of the holiest Buddhists’ sites in Nepal and its establishment is linked to the creation of the Kathmandu valley out of primordial Lake. UNESCO lists it as world heritage site.
Pashupatinath -
Pashupatinath is the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu. Legend tells that one day Lord Shiva grew tired of his palace atop Mt. Kailas, so he went in search of a place where he could escape to. He discovered the Kathmandu Valley. Without telling anyone, he ran away from his palace and came to live in the Valley. He gained great fame there as Pashupati, Lord of the Animals, before other gods discovered his hiding place and came to fetch him. He disguised himself as a majestic deer and would not help the other lords when they asked for his help. When Shiva would not yield to their pleas, they planned to use force. Vishnu grabbed him by his horns and they shattered into pieces. Vishnu established a temple and used the broken horns to form a linga at the bank of the Bagmati River. As time went by, the temple was buried and forgotten. Then a cow was known to have secretly sprinkled her milk over a mound. Apparently, when the cow herders dug around the spot, they found the lost linga and again built a temple in reverence. However, Shiva once more escaped from Mt. Kailas and came back to the valley as a Kirati hunter, but Parbati followed him disguised as a beautiful huntress. Shiva tried to seduce her, discovered who she was, and returned home shamefully.
The surroundings in which these events occurred became known as the Pashupati area that has been worshipped by those faithful to Shiva for at least fifteen hundred yeas. However ancient the legend may be, the first proof to the establishment of the Pashupatinath Temple dedicated to Pashupati is in an inscription on a Ratnesvara linga dated to be from 477 AD. The chaturmukhalinga of Pashupatinath, a linga with four faces is one of the most venerated lingas in the whole world. The linga - male sex organ, stands on a yoni - female sex organ, and has four faces facing four directions with the fifth face presumed to be on the top.
The ritual of offering gifts to Pashupati continued over generations as worshippers were drawn to the religious energy of the site. A circuit of the Pashupati area leads past a sixth century statue of Buddha, an eighth century statue of Brahma, the creator, skeletal images guarding temple gates, and gold covered temples. Other sights within the complex are the Rajraswari Temple, built in 1407 and the Kailas area with lingas more than fourteen hundred years old.
The Bagmati River flows close by, and the Arya Ghat cremation grounds are there. Photographers should use discretion if taking photos of cremations and of bereaved families. Sadhus, sages who follow the lifestyle of Shiva, may be seen covered in ashes and minimal clothing. They ask for money in case one should want to take their photos. The main Pashupatinath courtyard may be entered by those of Hindu faith only.
Bouddhanath -
The Bouddhanath Stupa is one of Nepal's most holy sites for the Buddhist faith. No one is certain of the historical origin of the great structure, but it has been converging point for worshiping Buddhists in the region for centuries. It constructed as a monument to the Buddha, with a representation of his "all-seeing eyes" painted on the upper tower to watch the four cardinal compass directions. This tower, capped with a great pyramid, all sits atop a great dome and a base of 3 layers. The whole structure has a diameter of approximately 100 meters and a height in the range of 40 meters, which is immense in person. Prayer flag are draped from the top of the monument and fly in the breeze that clears the rooftops of the congested urban neighbourhood. The site is located a few miles from the city center of Kathmandu, but this outlying section is still bustling with traffic and the din of street merchants. Tourists and faithful monks alike appreciate the hallowed ground that is a respite from the hectic city.
Durbar Square – Kathmandu -
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Volunteers who would like to participate in some trekking while they
are in Nepal can easily do that as a part of their program. We can
organise guided treks in the Annapurna mountain ranges which include
tea house accommodation, with warm showers and comfortable beds, and
three meals of western or local food a day. Four day treks are
challenging but suitable for most people at most levels of
fitness. As a part of our program, we do not cover the cost of
bottled water on the mountain (you can supply your own water
purification tablets to save money) or the trekking permit that is
required to do the trek (2000 NR). If you would like to do a longer
trek through the Annapurna ranges
or perhaps even Everest base camp,
we can also arrange this, however, it is recommended that you have
done some training or had experience walking before. The Everest
base camp trek takes from 12- 14 days according to your speed and
fitness. It includes flights to Lukla, which is where you will begin
your trek. You will be accompanied by an experienced guide and your
meals and accommodation will be included in the cost of the
trek. Once again, bottled water is to be covered by you and it can
cost up to 200 NR the higher up the mountain you go.
White Water Rafting
Bouddhanath is the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal. The stunning,
large dome is festooned with prayer flags and people circumnavigate
it in a clockwise manner as proscribed by custom.
Kathmandu Durbar Square is a complex of palaces, courtyards and
temples, built between the 12th and 18th centuries, used to be the
seat of the ancient Malla Kings of Kathmandu. An intriguing piece
here is the 17th century stone inscription set into the wall of the
palace with writings in 15 languages. The Durbar Square, protected
as an UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the social religious and urban
focal point of the city. There are also three museums inside the
palace building.