Compare Volunteer with Children in Fiji by Global Vision International vs Bhutan Tour with day hikes by Himalayan Glacier Adventure
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
|
5 | Excellent
|
| Duration | 14 days | 6 days |
| Price From | $ 2,290 | $ 2,060 |
| Price Per Day | $ 164 | $ 343 |
| Highlights |
|
|
| Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Basic | Premium |
| Physical Level |
|
|
| Travel Themes |
|
|
| Countries Visited | N/A | |
| Cities and Attractions | N/A |
|
| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
|
|
| Meals Included | N/A |
|
| Description |
The beaches and coral reefs, luscious forests, intimate traditional villages and mountainous backdrop of the Dawasamu District makes volunteering in Fiji a truly stunning and unique experience. At each of our community project sites this program aims to support under-resourced local schools and teachers through the provision of volunteer assistance with teaching, games and activities both inside the class and out. Working with indigenous Fijian communities, we provide the opportunity to become fully immersed in local Fijian culture whilst supporting local children through their education and improving their future prospects. |
Bhutan Tour with Day Hikes combines the cultural and natural grandeur of Bhutan in the shortest possible time. The tour begins in the scenic Paro Valley with a hike to the famous Tiger’s Nest (Taktsang) monastery. After visiting Thimphu, a unique capital city that has a blend of traditional and modern touch, we drive across the picturesque Dochu La Pass into the subtropical valleys of Punakha. Our Bhutan tour also includes three more hikes: to Wangditse Gompa, Lungchutse Monastery and to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten. During the day hikes, we get to experience breath-taking view of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks including the sacred Jumolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. |
Project Life
Morning assembly usually marks the beginning of the day followed by a teachers’ meeting to discuss the plan for the day. The rest of the school day will be spent focusing on teaching, organising and running activities and providing assistance to other teachers.
You will stay in basic dormitory accommodation with a communal kitchen and work area and living space to relax with fellow volunteers. In the evenings the team will gather to eat and share stories, meals are cooked by teams on a rotational basis.
For weekends you will be spoilt for choice in this beautiful exotic location. Snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking and island hopping are just some of your options to explore.
Project Details
Our local partners, the community and local council have specifically requested our assistance with English language teaching, mathematics, sports education and arts.
As local teachers are under-resourced there is an immediate need to provide them with assistance and additional English language resources.
In assisting teachers with lessons, you will help improve the education of disadvantaged Fijian children.
Free Time
Volunteering with GVI not only allows you to participate on programs assisting disadvantaged communities or endangered ecosystems, but it also offers wonderful opportunities to travel in the local area in your down time or further afield either before or after your program. Many decide to travel after volunteering, solidifying the lifetime friendships established on the program.
Our long term field staff are a great source of advice and are here to help you make the most of your time abroad. Remember to ask about discounts on local activities and side trips through your association with GVI. Our field teams have helped us put together the following information on trips and travel options in Fiji!
Day 1: Arrival and sightseeing in Paro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel (Hotel Tashi Namgay Resort)
Maximum Altitude: 2,250m/7,382ft
As our flight nears Bhutan, we can enjoy amazing views of the Himalayas including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks. At the airport, we will be greeted by a representative from Himalayan Glacier who will take us to our hotel. Today, we will visit Rinpung Dzong which was built in 1646 and now houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices of Paro Dzongkhag. We will also visit Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country and Drugyal Dzong, built in 1646 to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over Tibetan invaders during the 1600s. Overnight in Paro.
Day 2: Paro to Thimphu, Hike to Taktsang Monastery
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel (Hotel Namgay Heritage)
Hiking: 4-5 hrs Travel Distance: 54 km Driving: 1 hour
Maximum Altitude: 3,180m/10,434ft
After breakfast, we hike for around 4 -5 hours to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan’s most famous monastery situated at 3,180 meters. Guru Rinpoche (spiritual master) is said to have flown on the back of a tigress to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. Lunch will be served in the Cafeteria Restaurant, located about halfway up on the mountain. The monastery is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. After having explored the monastery, we hike down to the valley floor and leave for Thimphu. Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 3: Hike to Wangditse Gompa followed by sightseeing in Thimphu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel (Hotel Namgay Heritage)
Maximum Altitude: 2,320m/7,612ft
In the morning, we drive to BBS Tower and then hike for 1 hour to Wangditse Gompa on leveled trail with great view of Tashichho Dzong. From here, we also get an amazing view of the Samtenling Palace, home to the fourth King and Dorje Drak meditation retreat on the hillside above. After touring the Gompa, we return to Thimphu. On the way, visit the mini Zoo to see the Takin, national animal of Bhutan. After lunch, we visit the King’s Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), the nunnery temple, the National Library (which houses ancient manuscripts) and the National Institute of Traditional Medicine. We may also visit the Textile Museum, the Handicraft Emporium, the traditional paper factory and the majestic Tashichho Dzong. In the evening, we enjoy strolling in the streets of Thimphu and observe the local lifestyle. Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 4: Thimphu to Punakha, Hike to Lungchutse Monastery
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel (Kichu Resort)
Hiking: 2 hrs Travel Distance: 76 km Driving: 2-3 hrs
Maximum Altitude: 3,100m/10,171ft
After breakfast, we drive to Dochula pass (3,100 meters), where on a clear day we can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. We will begin 2 hours hike to Lungchutse Monastery from 108 chortens. The trail passes through rhododendron forests. Walking along the high ridges dotted with colorful Buddhist prayer flags offers us stunning views of Himalayas, plus incredible vistas into the valleys below the pass. Hike back to Dochu La Pass. After lunch, drive downhill through the rhododendron, fir and hemlock forests. On the way, we stop at Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, which is a fertility temple dedicated to the Divine Madman or Lama Drukpa Kuenley. Overnight in Punakha.
Day 5: Punakha to Paro, Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel (Hotel Tashi Namgay Resort)
Hiking: 2 hrs Travel Distance: 130 km Driving: 4 hrs
Maximum Altitude: 2,250m/7,382ft
At dawn, we drive 12 km north of Punakha and begin our 2-hour hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. It is located on a beautiful hillock called Ngezergang and contains elaborate paintings dedicated to the old sect of Buddhism. We hike further towards Punakha. On the way back, we visit the Punakha Dzong which was built in 1637. It is also the second oldest and the second largest Dzong in Bhutan. In the afternoon, we drive to Paro and spend the night there.
Day 6: Final Departure
Meals: Breakfast
Today we bid farewell to the tiny Himalayan Kingdom and her friendly people. Druk Air generally departs in the early morning to avoid adverse weather conditions. Therefore, after breakfast, we will be taken to the airport in the morning for final departure.
