Kathmandu, NEPAL - Ace the Himalaya, leading travel industry provider of first-class adventure and holiday experiences in the Himalayas, has announced their offering of some of the most unique and affordable voluntourism trips available in remote areas of Nepal. These trips are designed to combine fun and leisure with the opportunity to participate in hands-on volunteer work to assist with local causes.
Since 2006, Ace the Himalaya has organized more than 2,000 trips to Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet. From trekking, peak climbing and mountaineering to rafting, wildlife safari, cultural tours and other activities, the company offers a wide variety of options for all kinds of outdoor adventurers. As part of their ongoing effort to give back to the communities they visit, particularly the rural areas of Nepal, Ace the Himalaya has now begun to offer unique voluntourism trips that they’re calling “Travel for a Cause”.
These trips will provide travelers with the opportunity to work in some of the most rural communities of Nepal, such as the Gorkha district. The primary goal of this initiative is to improve the quality of life for the families living in these remote villages by creating socio-economic opportunities. Participants will have the chance to teach new methods and technologies. Additionally, the amount spent by the volunteers can be given directly to the host family, providing opportunity for economic growth.
“We are the only company offering voluntourism in the Gorkha region – a place which I hold dear as it is where I was born. I have seen and personally experienced many of the difficulties the families there struggle with today - people losing their lives due to lack of adequate healthcare, having to walk almost 3 to 4 hours just to reach school, struggling economic conditions,” comments Mr. Prem Khatry, founder of Ace the Himalaya. “I wanted to do something to help, and I started with my very own village. Participants on these trips are guaranteed ample opportunity to volunteer and truly make an impact here, because we are intimately familiar with the geographic, cultural and economic aspects of this region.”
The new voluntourism programs include:
Arupokhari School Volunteer Program (ASVP) 15 Days
Because of its secluded nature, the village of Arupokhari lacks a sufficient number of qualified teachers so the students there are subsequently deprived of receiving a quality education. This program is designed to bring the coordinated efforts of experts and interested individuals in different genres under one platform to collaboratively help bring educational opportunities back to this area.
Gorkha Community Volunteer Program (GCVP) 16 Days
This organized community service effort allows volunteers to help develop Gorkha and to experience the traditional and cultural life of the local Nepalese people.
Gorkha Health post Volunteer Program (GHVP) 15 Days
The government of Nepal is still not able to provide adequate healthcare to many of the area’s most secluded villages. Every day, many people lose their lives from health related issues due to this simple lack of care. This program is designed to raise awareness about important health issues and to introduce the possibility of a new, quality health system.
This organized visit to the village allows guests to experience the true Nepali spirit and learn about their daily lifestyle. It also provides a great opportunity to escape the busy hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the simplicity of village life, with fresh air and beautiful surroundings.
All of these trips are being offered at an affordable price in order to motivate large numbers of volunteers to come and help Gorkha develop and flourish.