Nepal Volunteer Locations: Langtang

Although only 150 km and around 12 hours North of Katmandu, Langtang is one of the most remote areas of Nepal. Bordering Tibet, the mountaneous Langtang National Park is known for its its spectacular Himal Mountain Views, and is a popular trekking destination.

Our volunteer programs are based in mountain villages around the small town of Syabrubesi. Although all are within 3 hours of Syabrubesi, a treking start point with Western facillities, the villages can only be accessed on foot and are very remote and basic by Western standards. Volunteers have limited access to telephone, mail and the internet whilst in their villages and usually travel into Syabrubesi on weekends to socialize with other volunteers and take advantage of the facillities.

People in this region are primarily Tamang. The Tamang are known for their industrious nature and many are employed as porters for tourists visiting the area. However the recent political instability and the remoteness of the region, has reduced the level of tourism contributing to this being one of the poorest regions of Nepal.

Volunteer Programs in Langtang

Our volunteer work in the Langtang region is mostly based around English teaching in local community libraries which have been built and established with the help of volunteers. Although work in the centers is primarilly English teaching it can also involve teaching basic life skills such as personnel hygiene. Volunteers also teach English in local schools. Our main teaching projects in the area are described below.

There is also potential for medical volunteers to work in the area. Volunteers can either assist doctors at local hospitals and health posts or work with local doctors travelling to villages where there is no permanent medical care. The second option will usually be more hand's on and involve treatment and diagnosis or local people so is more suited to qualified doctors or nurses or more experienced medical students.

Thulo Bharkhu Children's Resource Center
Based Rasuwa, Thulo Bharkhu a small village 10km south of the Tibetan border, the children's center was setup and run with the help of volunteers in 2005. So far 7 volunteers have been placed at the center and more than 100 children have been trained. Volunteers also teach English at a local school, a 10 minute walk from the center.

Goljung Children's Library, Langtang
In the mountains above Syabrubesi, Goljung is about a 3 hour walk from the town and offers fantastic views. Established in 2005, the villages community library has housed 6 volunteers, educating more than 150 children. Volunteers also teach English at a local school.

Syabrubesi Children's Library, Rasuwa, Syabrubesi
Established in 2006 and based in the areas main town of Syabrubesi, the children's library includes a teaching center and an office for volunteers. So far 3 volunteers have been placed at the library educating over 75 children. Volunteers also teach English at a local school.

General Langtang Information

Accommodation
Volunteers in the Langtang area home stay with local Tamang families. We have four different home stay families in the area all of whom have lots of previous experience with looking after volunteers. Nepali people are very hospitable and friendly and volunteers are very well looked after, however the accommodation is typically Nepali and very basic by Western standards. Toilets and showers are usually traditional Nepali and outside and electricity supplies can be unreliable.

During your time in the house you will be encouraged to participate in activities around the home such as cooking, washing and generally caring for the house and family as if you where a member of the familly. We believe this is best way to experience real Nepali life.

Weather
The Langtang areas weather is dictated by its high elevation. The area has two basic seasons, wet between June and September and dry between October and May. We do not recommend volunteering in Langtang during the rainy season as there are often landslides which can block the roads leading into the region for 3 or 4 days at a time. The dry season can get extremely cold at night, particularly during the winter months between December and February.

Food
The staple food for people in Nepal is "Dal Bhat" which most families will eat at least once a day and consists of rice (Bhat), lentil soup (dal) and vegetables in curry (Tarkari) and/or meat (Masu) and a small amount of pickle /sauce (Achar). As well as Dal Bhat and the more Indian influenced Nepali foods Tibetan influenced dishes such as Tibetan breads, thugba (noodle soup), momos and tsampa are particularly popular in mountain regions. Volunteers usually eat with there home stay families during the week but can travel into Syabrubesi on weekends which had a variety of continental foods.

Activities
Located close to the Tibet border the Langtang area offers fantastic opportunities for trekking sightseeing and rafting. Volunteers can take trips to Tato Pani, a naturally heated lake only 3km from the Tibetan border. Volunteers can also join tour groups to visit Tibet.

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