The Basics
What’s included in the price of the project?
Lodging and 3 meals/day at The Tree Tops Lodge; lodging (including taxes) and daily breakfast at the Sapana Village Lodge.
All volunteering activity tools and equipment (except work gloves)
EAI t-shirt
English speaking project leader
What’s not included?
A $50 processing charge for all project fees paid via wire transfer (wire transfer payments are required for all non-US volunteers)
All flights and visas
Tourist bus or taxi fare to/from Bhartipur Airport and Sauraha
Vaccinations
Travel Insurance – Medical evacuation & repatriation insurance (see details)
Bike rental (Note: Depending on where you stay and which hattisar you are assigned to, volunteers will need to secure a bicycle for the 30-minute daily commute to work. Bike rentals cost about Rs300 per day ($3.30 USD); a refurbished used bike can be purchased for about Rs 3,000 ($33 USD) and can be donated to one of the many local orphanages at the end of the program or transferred to another incoming volunteer).
Alcoholic beverages, bottled water and snacks
Laundry
Optional Adventure Excursion with Carol Buckley
Activities outside the volunteer experience
What level of fitness is required to take part in this project?
This project requires a fairly high level of fitness and stamina as the majority of the volunteer work involves manual labor in remote field conditions accessed on foot or by bicycle. (Note: the ability to ride a bicycle approximately 2.5 miles one-way while wearing a back-pack for up to 30 minutes on flat, rutted, gravel roadways is required.)
You should be able to dig, haul, lift and carry at least 20 pounds, bend, stoop, use basic tools, etc., and work at least 8 hours each day for consecutive days over a 15-day program period.
Do I need any special skills or qualifications to take part in this project?
No special skills are required of volunteers on this project. However, all volunteers will need a positive mental attitude, the ability to take instruction and learn new tasks, a commitment to the cause and its goals, and the ability to work well as part of a team. We are seeking to create teams of motivated, stable, hard-working participants with an upbeat, ‘can-do’ attitude.
Depending upon the location of your lodging and the location of your assigned work site, you may need to bicycle for 30 minutes to work each day via a flat, unpaved, rutted, gravel road with a backpack on your back.
While adult participants of all ages (18+) are welcome, strong, fit mid- and late-career professionals and retirees seeking a special adventure and the chance to make a difference are strongly encouraged to apply.
Sorry, this program is not suitable for children (under 18) even when accompanied by an adult.
What is a typical day for a volunteer?
7 – 7:45 am: Breakfast
8 – 8:15 am: Morning orientation/assignments*
8:15 am: Work begins
12:00 noon: Lunch
1:00 pm: Work resumes
5:00 pm: Work ends
5 – 6:00 pm: Optional opportunity to assist mahouts with elephant care chores
Evenings free: Dinner, socializing, reading, games, etc.
*Depending on the work site, these times may vary somewhat to include a 30-minute bike ride.
What is appropriate clothing for field work and leisure time?
To protect yourself from injury in the jungle during the workday, please wear full length pants, a work shirt or t-shirt, and closed-toe sandals or shoes, sneakers or boots, (no flip-flops, please). Shorts and low-cut or cropped shirts (for men and women) are inappropriate.
On your own time you may wear what you wish, but out of respect for the local culture we recommended ¾ or full length pants (for men and women) and skirts (for women) that cover the knee. Sleeveless shirts and blouses are fine. Low-cut reveling blouses are not.
In January and February, days can be hot and nights can be cold. You should pack clothes for both conditions, including a warm sweatshirt or jacket, socks and a cap (hat).
What vaccinations will I need to travel to Nepal?
Vaccinations required will depend entirely on the medical history of each volunteer. Therefore, it is essential that you consult your doctor several months in advance of your departure regarding this issue. We also thoroughly recommend that you check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US), Fit For Travel’s (UK), and other countries’ websites in conjunction with visiting your doctor.
At least 35% of all captive-held elephants in Sauraha suffer from the human strain of Tuberculosis (TB). Volunteers are advised to have a TB test before joining the program and again upon return to their home country.
Stray dogs in Sauraha and surrounding villages have been known to carry rabies. The dogs are friendly and approach English-speaking people. If you are a dog lover and know you will be tempted to pet a stray dog, please consult your physician about getting rabies shots prior to making the trip. Otherwise, never let a stray dog lick or touch you.
What type of travel insurance do I need?
As a volunteer engaged in strenuous field work in the jungle, we require you to secure your own medical emergency expense and evacuation and repatriation insurance. Learn more. Compare plans.
EAI recommends at least $100,000 of coverage and requires proof of emergency medical expense, evacuation and repatriation insurance prior to your departure.
What is the currency in Nepal?
The currency in Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee (Rs). US$1 is approximately Rs95. €1 is approximately Rs130. For exact and up-to-date conversion rates click here.
There are a few ATM machines in Sauraha village but they are sometimes not reliable in times of load shedding. The exchange rates are not very good so bring enough cash (Euros or US dollars).
Do I need a visa?
All foreigners, except Indians, must have a visa. Nepali embassies and consulates overseas issue visas with no fuss.
You can also get one on the spot when you arrive in Nepal, either at Kathmandu’s Airport or at some road borders. All tourist visas are multiple entry as standard.
A Nepali visa is valid for entry for three to six months from the date of issue. Your passport must have at least six months of validity. Citizens of South Asian countries and China need visas, but these are free.
You can download a visa application form from the websites of the Nepali embassy in Washington, DC (www.nepalembassyusa.org), London (http://www.nepembassy.org.uk/) or Canberra (www.necan.gov.np).
To obtain a visa upon arrival by air in Nepal you must fill in an application form and provide a passport photograph. Visa application forms are available on a table in the arrivals hall, though some airlines (like Thai and Qatar) provide this form on the flight. The process can take up to an hour, depending on the numbers.
To get a jump on the immigration queue, you can download the visa-on-arrival form from http://nepaltraveladvisory.blogspot.com/2012/02/visa-on-arrival.html. A multiple entry visa valid for 15/30/90 days costs US$25/$40/$100.
At Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan Airport the fee is payable in any major currency, but at land borders officials require payment in cash US dollars; bring small bills.
Important Considerations
What about Chitwan National Park–what makes it so special?
Meaning ‘Heart of the Jungle’, Chitwan National Park is one of the premier drawcards of Nepal and provides the daily setting for all of your field work.
Within walking or biking distance of Tree Tops Lodge and the Sapana Village Lodge, Chitwan National Park is a beautiful and bountiful World Heritage Site, famous as one of the best wildlife-viewing national parks in Asia. It was recently ranked #19 among ‘The 35 Most Amazing National Parks on Earth.’
During your time in the Park (both at work and at leisure) you’ll have an excellent chance of spotting one-horned rhinos, deer, monkeys and some of the 450 species of birds. If you’re extremely lucky, you may see leopards, wild elephants, sloth bears and the majestic Bengal tiger.
According to many travel experts, the best time to visit Chitwan National Park weather-wise is from October to March, while late January to March—when the towering phanta grass is slashed by villagers, improving visibility considerably—is ideal for wildlife viewing.
What are the risks of working in the jungle?
Your safety is important to us and special precautions will be taken to minimize your risk of injury from work-related encounters with wildlife.
However, you are ultimately responsible for your own welfare. During the program you will need to make wise choices to ensure your personal health and safety, avoiding situations that put you at risk and taking precautions to protect yourself against dehydration, exhaustion and bodily injury, among other dangers.
Please consider your level of comfort in working in such a setting before choosing this program.
Biting and stinging insects, including mosquitos, can be an unwelcome aspect of life in the jungle as well.
What can I expect for typical weather conditions?
Weather during the months of January and February is relatively mild, with clear skies and moderate temperatures averaging 78 degrees Farenheit (25 degrees Celsius). Days can be hot while nights can be cold with temperatures dipping into the 40s (Farenheit).
In mid-March, temperatures and humidity begin to rise and by late March temperatures can reach into the 90s and above.
Read more about local weather in the Chitwan area.
What is the risk of contracting malaria in the Chitwan area?
EAI is not an expert in malaria risk and strongly encourages you to have a conversation with your doctor to weigh your options.
Many visitors to the Chitwan area (including EAI’s Carol Buckley) do not take anti-malarial medicines, which can be dangerous to your health. Only you in consultation with your doctor can make that decision, however.
What is the work site like?
Specifically, you will be working at either the government hattisars (elephant stables) in Sauraha or inside Chitwan National Park, or the government breeding center in Khorsor (or possibly at multiple sites). These are separate locations where 32 elephants, including many large tuskers and mothers and their babies, now live.
These hattisars are primitive and can sometimes be dusty and smokey from the burning of elephant dung and hay. There are no Western-style restrooms here. Instead, you will use a traditional, rural outhouse, which consists of a hole in the ground (squat toilet) and a bucket of fresh water (to use in lieu of toilet paper).
Here, you will see how captive elephants of Nepal typically live–shackled in chains, unable to move freely. And you’ll see how the mahouts (elephant keepers), who have enthusiastically embraced EAI’s chain-free corral initiative, live and work as well.
The setting is truly beautiful and the sight of such majestic elephants, including tiny babies, is breathtaking. But the reality of such a difficult life for elephants and humans can be disturbing.
You will feel the importance, urgency and rewards of your hard work every day.
Will I be allowed to touch, bathe or ride elephants?
Will I be allowed to touch, bathe or ride elephants?
No. EAI’s Free the Elephants Volunteer Project does not include physical contact with elephants. This means no touching, bathing or riding elephants.
The elephants you will be freeing from leg chains have lived their lives dominated by humans. Unshackling them is both a physical and an emotional release from that dominance, reinforced when humans allow elephants to simply be elephants rather than a form of entertainment or pleasure for themselves.
As Carol Buckley often says, “When you touch an elephant, you miss out on a deep spiritual experience because you leave your heart space and move into your ego.”
EAI respectfully asks its volunteers to refrain from any physical contact with elephants (even during non-work hours) for the duration of the program. In this way, our volunteers will model appropriate behavior and act as key ambassadors to help bring about the change we envision for Asia’s working elephants.
While this project does not involve direct interaction with elephants, they will be present at times during your work and you’ll have the opportunity to observe their daily care by their mahouts (elephant trainers) and foot-trimmings (pedicures) by Carol Buckley.
You will also have the opportunity to assist the mahouts with their evening chores–feeding the elephants, cleaning the corrals and making kuchi.
What mindset do I need to make the most of this adventure?
If you arrive with an expectation of comfort you will be disappointed. Elephant suffering is unsettling, transport on rough roads is uncomfortable, and the cultural attitude towards time and being ‘on time’ can be frustrating.
Working in a third world country often brings unplanned challenges and surprises. While it is our absolute goal to complete the work and provide you with the volunteer experience described in the pages of this website, it is not possible to control all the variables that could impact this project, including weather, politics, banda strikes and delays in the delivery of construction materials, among others.
Being flexible, open-minded and non-judgmental will go a long way to having an enjoyable and memorable experience.
Will volunteers be taking jobs away from local laborers?
Definitely not. Four to six local laborers are hired to perform pre-fencing labor for our ‘Chain Free Means Pain Free’ projects. This will not change.
As a volunteer, will work side-by-side with them, learning from them, and no doubt forming lifelong friendships.
More About the Adventure!
What’s included in the optional adventure excursion with Carol Buckley?
You and one other volunteer (maximum two) will travel with Carol by jeep, on foot and/or by boat to a remote chain-free hattisar inside Chitwan National Park.
Depending on the location, you’ll spend up to a full day working with Carol as her assistant. Together, you will inspect chain-free corrals and make needed repairs. You’ll also assist Carol with trimming the toenails (pedicures) and inspecting the feet of 2 to 6 elephants.
You’ll meet the kind, hard-working mahouts and their families who live and work at the hattisars, and you’ll share a spicy, traditional meal of dal bhat (rice with seasonal vegetables foraged from the jungle), cooked over an open fire and eaten with your hands.
Along the way, you are likely to encounter some of the hundreds of species of birds, reptiles and mammals that live in the Park, including the endangered one-horned rhino.
You’ll end your adventure with a special treat. Overlooking the beautiful Rapti River, you’ll enjoy a refreshing beverage and snack with Carol as the sun disappears below the horizon—the perfect end to a memorable day.
Funds raised through this special excursion will support EAI’s Chain Free Means Pain Free initiative. Sign up when you apply to join a team! A million amazing photo ops are included!
Cost: $450 all inclusive.
What type of accommodations are offered at the Tree Tops Lodge?
You’ll stay with other volunteers at the Tree Tops Lodge, a modest guesthouse run by local villagers in the small tourist village of Sauraha. Sauraha is situated near the Rapti River and Chitwan National Park.
Tree Tops Lodge is a simple and clean, eight-room guesthouse that provides hot water, private baths and Western-style toilets, linens and access to WiFi (most of the time).
Three meals per day will be provided by the Tree Tops Lodge during your time here. Breakfast will typically consist of an omelette or porridge, whereas lunch and dinner will include the traditional dal bhat (rice and lentils) meal.
Single and double rooms are generally available, but not guaranteed; you may be sharing a room with another volunteer depending upon room availability. For those volunteers occupying a double room, there is a $45 program fee discount per person.
As a popular tourist destination near Chitwan National Park, Sauraha offers many exciting opportunities for jungle exploration, discovery, shopping and dining and is a perfect location for further travel before or after your volunteer work with EAI.
What type of accommodations are offered at the Sapana Village Lodge?
This is an upscale, yet modestly-priced lodging establishment with beautiful rooms and grounds and excellent food, located in a quiet area of Sauraha.
This option includes lodging, breakfast and taxes.
Lunch and dinner are not included in the program cost and must be purchased separately by volunteers staying here. Click here for more photos and information.
As a popular tourist destination near Chitwan National Park, Sauraha offers many exciting opportunities for jungle exploration, discovery, shopping and dining and is a perfect location for further travel before or after your volunteer work with EAI.
Are vegetarian and vegan foods available?
Both lodging options (Tree Tops Lodge and Sapana Village Lodge) serve vegetarian food, as do many of the local restaurants.
We cannot guarantee vegan food, however, because a true vegan requires that even pots and pans used for non-vegan food not be used for vegan food. Because of the limited choice of food and challenges for preparations we cannot offer vegan, only vegetarian.
There are no vegan restaurants in Sauraha.
How do I get to Sauraha?
You will need to book an international flight from your country of origin to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Plan to spend at least one night in a hotel in Kathmandu ($25-$50 USD or less).
From here, there are two ways to get to Sauraha.
By Tourist Bus
A bus company called Greenline offers daily bus service from Kathmandu to Sauraha/Chitwan, leaving at 7:30 am and arriving at 1:30 pm ($17).
Learn more and book online here.
By Airplane
To reach the village of Sauraha by airplane, you will need to book a flight to Bharatpur Airport. Your 15-minute flight from Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu) to Bharatpur Airport may be booked in advance online with either Buddha Air or Yeti Air. Be sure to book your return flight as well.
Or, your flights can be booked by your hotel concierge when you are in Kathmandu (online booking in advance is strongly recommended to guarantee a seat).
Airfare cost is approximately $100 one-way.
Upon arriving in Bharatpur Airport you will take a 30-minute taxi ride Rs 10,000 ($12USD) to your guest house in Sauraha, where your volunteer program will officially begin.
What essentials should I bring with me?
Passport, travel insurance and travel documents
Health insurance documents
Copies of all travel documents (just in case)
Extra passport photos for your visa application
Cash and an ATM card (for Sauraha)
Pen and paper
Book(s) (you can’t purchase in Sauraha)
Small backpack for daily use
At least one pair of sturdy closed shoes
Sweatshirt or jacket (for late January-early February programs when nights can be cool)
Warm socks (for late January-early February programs when nights can be cool)
Cap/hat (for late January-early February programs when nights can be cool)
Work gloves (very important)
Refillable water bottle(s) (a SteriPen assures the safety of your drinking water)
Raincoat
Packable umbrella
Sun hat
Sunscreen
Flashlight
Jackknife
Reading glasses (and an extra pair)
Sunglasses
Ear plugs
Electrolytes (e.g., Gatorade or equivalent)
Toiletries (although these can be purchased in Sauraha)
Basic medical kit with pain reliever, cold medication, bandaids, insect repellent
Prescription medications including anti-diarrheal medicine (there is a well- stocked, well-staffed pharmacy in town that can assist with any non-life threatening condition)
Personal dietary supplements
Hand-held mirror
Camera, charger and adapter
Voltage converter or transformer and/or adaptor plugs (your specific needs will depend on where you live and what appliances you choose to bring to Nepal). Click here for more information or visit your local electronics store.
Spending money in Euros or US dollars (for snacks, beverages, shopping, tourism, Kathmandu hotel, taxi to/from airport, etc.). We recommend you bring at least $250 USD in cash. Bills should be new, clean and crisp.
Joining a Team!
How do I join a team?
How do I join a team?
Fill out the application form on our website. All applications will be acknowledged.
(Important Note: If you do not receive an email confirmation from EAI within 3 business days of submitting your form, please contact Leslie at [email protected] ).
Once your application is received, a brief phone or Skype interview will be conducted. You will be contacted by email to set up this interview, usually within a week of application.
After the phone interview, if accepted, you will receive a letter of acceptance and you will need to pay the full project fee (by check or wire transfer) to reserve your spot on your chosen team. Because EAI must make financial and logistical commitments to its project partners in Nepal well in advance, we are unable to issue a refund after payment.
Once you have paid your fee, you will receive our program waivers and a Volunteer Program Manual. This manual includes emergency information relating to Nepal, a comprehensive “What To Bring” list, and additional information on the program, the local community, and things to do before your trip.
You will also be invited to join a ‘Volunteers Only’ Facebook Group Page where you can get to know other volunteers before you depart and after you return!
EAI reserves the right to cancel any groups with fewer than 4 participants. You will be offered an alternative group date. If unable to accept, fees paid will be fully refunded.
