Mini-Venture Tibet

  Tibet

Lhasa

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: All Year Round

Description: Mini-Venture in Tibet gives participants the opportunity to contribute to orphaned children who have been abandoned due to the rampant poverty within Tibet as well as the nomadic life of rural Tibetans. Participants will teach subjects such as conversational English, personal hygiene, and other creative extracurricular activities as well as serve a vital role in the orphanage helping out with various chores such as cooking and cleaning.

Once participants have contributed to the lives of these unfortunate children, they will then embark on a 4-day journey exploring significant places such as the city of Lhasa (including Potala Palace, the Barkhor Bazaar, and the Jokhang Palace), and the ever-so-tranquil Nam-tso Lake (just to name a few).

Highlights: Proposed Itinerary:

Day 1: Orientation in Lhasa office about safety, local rules and regulations, health precautions, climate, discussion of program itinerary, guest lectures on Tibet, its culture, history, religions, and challenges.

Day 2-10: Working in orphanage project for 9 days. Share your love, talents, and time with poor Tibetan children. Activities mainly focus on basic English teaching and helping the children with creative activities such as art, music, dance, sports, handicrafts, etc. Additional help with sanitation, cooking, and administrative work might be expected.

Day 11-12: Explore Lhasa for two days

Visit the Potala Palace (the winter palace of the Dalai Lama) the seat of both religion and politics in Tibet, and quite possibly the singal most important building in all Tibet. It was built in the 7th century by King Tsongtsen Gampo as a fort and later renovated by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century to its present specifications. Visit the Jojhabg Temple, the Barkhor Bazaar (a typical Tibetan local market) and some other monasteries the next day. Volunteers can learn how monks are educated, Buddhist ways of praying to God and more. In the afternoon of the last day, you will visit Norbulanga, a famous summer palace of the Dalai Lama and the monks currently living there. Stand in awe of the wonderful art and architecture on it.

Day 13 -14: Sightseeing to Nam-tso Lake.

Grab an early morning breakfast, then depart for Nam-tso Lake, an amazingly beautiful lake at nearly 5000 feet elevation. Explore the stunning surroundings of snowy mountains, glimpses of the Tibetan plateau, and a monastery made from massive rocks. It is believed that if you make a wish with a pure heart, that wish will be fulfilled-just give it a try! Swim in a natural hot water swimming pool next to the lake, if you want, surrounded by the snowfall which occurs all year round at Nam-tso lake! You will stay overnight in a tent house, so dress warmly. Departure to Lhasa the next day.

The Chinese government imposes restrictions on certain activities and travel to some places in Tibet, so volunteers need to take suggestions and accept the help of the country coordinator before undertaking any travel plan.

*The proposed itinerary is a sample and is subject to change to meet the changes in the local field conditions.

Qualifications: No qualifications are needed

Cost in US$: 1,499 USD

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18 or above

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Tibet Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Global Crossroad's Mission Statement: Global Crossroad offers many remarkable and challenging volunteer, internship, mini-adventure, and cultural immersion opportunities to interested international volunteers in marvelous countries such as India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, China, Mongolia, Ghana, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Kenya. Our unique programs are creative and exciting, as they engage volunteers in breathtaking journeys. Here, a volunteer can become involved in service projects while they explore remote villages. A volunteer can also learn a wonderful new heritage as the Global Crossroad provides language training courses and cultural tours.

Year Founded: 2002