Teach English in Tibet

As you touch down in the capital of Tibet, grab your bags and get ready for a life-changing week. As you exit the arrivals gate at the Lhasa Gonggar Airport, you will be met by your local guide who will be showing you around for the week. 

Following your arrival, you will take a shuttle to your accommodation. Once you arrive, you will receive a breakdown of the week’s upcoming events. Afterward, take some time to explore the surrounding area with your guide and get acquainted with Lhasa. 

To kick off your week in Tibet, you will head to the Ganden Monastery. This expansive Buddhist monastery is set on the side of a mountain and has many sections that you can explore. Along with Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery, Gandan Monastery is one of the ‘great three’ university monasteries in Tibet. 

After you’ve spent the morning wandering around this iconic location, you will head back to Lhasa to connect with the children at Dickey Orphanage. Started by a Tibetan woman named Tamdrin Dadhon, this orphanage is non-government funded and solely relies on public donations. Today you will be helping the on-site staff to teach English to the kids.  

Today, you will visit the former residence of the Dalai Lama. This UNESCO World Heritage Site plays host to hundreds of rooms and shines which you will be able to explore. Although there are quite a few steps involved to reach the entrance, the tour will be well worth it. 

In the afternoon, you will be heading to the Jatson Chumig Orphanage to help out and play with the kids. This non-profit NGO focuses on helping ethnic minority or disabled children who have been orphaned in Lhasa. Today, you will spend another afternoon teaching the kids English alongside the local staff. 

Continuing with the spiritual exploration, today you will be visiting the Potala Palace, one of the most sacred Buddhist temples in the country. The Jokhang Temple is valued deeply by Tibetans as well as those partaking in pilgrimages. Spend the morning discovering the different areas of this spiritual epicenter. 

Afterward, you will be heading back to Dickey Orphanage for the afternoon. Today you will be interacting with the kids and helping to cook a large dinner for the group. Take this time to provide support and mentorship to the children at the orphanage while making memories that will last a lifetime. 

Today you will visit the final two of the ‘great three’ university monasteries in Tibet. Situated at the base of Tatipu Hill, start the morning heading over to the Sera Monastery. Walk through the cobblestone alleyways of this sacred space and soak up the history that still lives on today. In the past, this religious institute held up to 5,000 monks. However, today, that number is significantly smaller.

Following the Sera Monastery, you will check out the third and final of the “great three” Buddhist monasteries. Originally built in 1416, the Drepung Monastery was once the largest in Tibet and could house up to 10,000 monks. Explore this monastery that is located at the bottom of Mount Gephel and afterward head back into the city in order to prepare for an early morning departure. 

On the last full day of your week in Tibet, it’s time to pack up and head back to Lhasa Gonggar Airport and catch a flight to Kathmandu, Nepal. As the airports in Lhasa do not support long distance international flights, you will be headed to Kathmandu one day prior to your departure. While you’re there, you will be visiting the iconic Mount Everest Base Camp. 

However, you will not be hiking up to the base. Instead, you will go on a helicopter excursion over the Himalayas. This experience will provide you with a bird’s-eye view of the region without the intense climb. Just make sure your camera is charged! Following your flight, you will have the rest of the afternoon and evening to explore Kathmandu at your leisure. 

On the final day of the adventure, it’s time to pack up and head to Tribhuvan International Airport. As you begin your journey back home, think about all of the spiritual icons you’ve visited and the children you’ve impacted during your stay. Although the week has come and passed, the memories you’ve made will undeniably last a lifetime.