Tibet lies at the centre of Asia. The earth's highest mountains, a vast arid plateau and great river valleys make up the physical homeland of indigenous Tibetan people. Whilst joining Asia Horizon Summer Program in Tibet, you will solely enjoy the times you spend in this captivating destination. In addition, by volunteering and traveling through Tibet, you will explore the diverse landscapes of Tibetan culture and its history. Asia Horizon offers you the pleasing travel abroad opportunities alongside the everlasting experience of volunteering with disadvantaged and disable children in Tibet. Asia Horizon’s four weeks Summer Program in Tibet is divided into three phases:
Phase I: One-week Language Orientation and Cultural Immersion
Phase II: Two-week volunteering program with the destitute children in orphanage
Phase III: One-week Tibet Tour
One-week Language and Orientation in Lhasa
You will begin your Tibetan language classes in the cultural capital of Lhasa getting the glimpses of this amazing country. Our language and cultural course combines language training, lectures on Tibetan culture, history, religions, and other issues. In free time, you can hike in the rural villages and local bazaars, and visit some of the cultural wonders of Tibet like Potala Palace, and other various important monasteries and enjoy one of the most mysterious regions of the world.
Proposed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Hotel/hostel transfer
Day 2: Orientation at Lhasa office, briefings on local culture, history, customs, politics, geography, health issues, and challenges of Tibet
Day 3-4: Tibetan Language class continues
Day 5: Lhasa sightseeing: A guided tour will introduce the cultural and religious heritage of Tibet. (Additional information will be provided by demonstration.) Visit splendid historic destinations in Lhasa that are listed as World Heritage sites.
Day 6: Tibetan language class continues
Day 7: Closing of Tibetan language class, revision and evaluation
Two-week volunteering program with the destitute children in orphanage
After the completion of language program, it is time to live in a village interacting with the local people and understanding their ways of life. Your language class proves practical to communicate with the people. For the next fourteen days, you will stay in a hotel or a tent in the village (not with a host family, as local authorities in Tibet do not allow it). During these days in this program, participants will spend their valuable time working with impoverished, needy and underprivileged orphan children and getting experience of working with them. You will have sufficient free time to hike in rural areas, participate in local cultural program and interact more with rural Tibetans. You will also have an opportunity to learn and experience Buddhist culture and the non-violence philosophy of Buddhism while working in orphanage.
Volunteer’s Activities
You will work in an orphanage in the morning and evening and will teach English to the poor, destitute, and disabled children during the days. In the morning, volunteers help in the kitchen by cooking and distributing breakfast to the children. Volunteers also help to dress the children and make them ready for school. In the evening, volunteers help in cleaning, cooking, and other tasks at the orphanage including helping the children with their homework. You may help in sports, art, music, health and hygiene.
Project Skills Required
No specific skills and qualifications are required. You will be trained before your project begins through language and cultural training. Volunteers should have strong motivation and compassion to work for underprivileged children. You should also be flexible, self-motivated with openness to new culture and willingness to learn.
Project Location
Asia Horizon projects in Tibet are located near the cultural capital of Lhasa and the world-famous Potala Palace. You will start Tibetan language and cultural program, engage in orphanage and school project and become a part of the local community. During your free time, you can explore the splendid monasteries, vivid sculptures and solemn stupas that reflect the devotion towards the supreme Buddha. Fascinating rural villages, amazing cultural setting, warm and welcoming people and wonderful landscapes are located nearby our project. Enjoying the local food and dancing with wonderful Tibetan people leaves you a life long memory.
Seven Days Tibet Tours
You will have a thrilling experience of spectacular overland journey in Tibet where majority of the land rests above 4000 meters (13,000 feet). The tempting Himalayas surround you in your every steps and moves. This is surely going to be an experience of a lifetime.
Day 1: Arrival at Lhasa hostel, orientation on tour program and drive to Gyantse, the third largest city in Tibet. You will pass thorough Yamdrok Tsho (Turquoise Lake), and cross the Kamba La pass (4794m) and Karo La pass (5010m).
Day 2: Visit Khumbhum stupa, Phalkor monastery and other attractions at Gyantse, very popular for woolen carpets.
Day 3: Drive to Shigatse, the second most important trade center in Tibet. Pass through Tibetan farmlands and settlements. Stop by to visit Tashilunpo monastery, the seat of Panchen Lama, and one of the most important monasteries in Tibet. Visit free Tibetan market if time permits in the evening.
Day 4: Drive to Xegar. You will need rest after the eight hours of drive and stroll around the area.
Day 5: Drive towards the rocky terrain to the village of Dza Rongphu on a 4WD. Spend a night at Rongphu monastery.
Day 6: Enjoy the scenes as you drive back to Xegar. Visit Choede monastery, a medieval fortress monastery referred as the “Crystal Cathedral” on your way back.
Day 7: Drive back to Lhasa, farewell and departure.
Program Fee: US $1699 for 4 weeks (including 7 days of travel)
Allocation of your program fee
- Airport pickup and hotel transfer
- Orientation at Tibet Office
- Food and accommodations (3 meals a day)
- One-way transfer to project
- Thoroughly researched and personalized projects
- Fund Raising Ideas
- Placement visits, and reception
- Project support costs
- Certificate of performance/appreciation
- 24/7 Services of our local staffs
- 24/7 emergency support
Program Fee Excludes
- Airfare, Visa and Visa extension fee
- Daily transportation (between project and host family – If required)
- Return/transfer to airport, airport taxes
- Any personal expenses
- Mineral water and soft drinks
- Gifts to project staffs and host family
- Laundry, Telephone, Immunization
Cancellation Policy
• Cancellation after acceptance and prior to placement confirmation – the deposit is forfeited
• Cancellation after confirmation of placement – 50% of the program fee is forfeited
• No Show or Early Departure from Program – If you notify Asia Horizon of a requested cancellation of a Project on or after the start of the Project Period, no refund whatsoever will be made to you under any conditions or for any reasons100% of the program fee is forfeited.
Note: Program Itineraries are merely samples and may change in accordance with the need of participants and changes in the field condition.
 
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